Q & A Table of Contents
Moving From Peanuts To Real Pay
From: Radhika, India
Question: Could do with your help and guidance. I am a postgraduate with good communication skills and P R skills. I have been working (flexi hours and part time) for a voluntary organisation and love my work immensely. However, kids' needs are growing, I need to take on a full fledged job in the commercial sector. Problem is - salary. I have been drawing peanuts (voluntary sector) but I fear I won't get a good deal if I mention this fact. Neither can i lie. How doI manage to get a salary of at least 16 K per month? I would love to work for the environmental issues (have lots of ideas and wish to do a lot but need corporate support) , organ donation etc. Being a considerate and compassionate person the decision is a tough one. the solution - sought from you. Thanks . Radhika
Response: Dear Radhika,
While your work in the voluntary sector may not have yielded any meaningful pay, the value of the work you have done far outweighs the amount of any cash compensation you've received.
You offer an employer experience; they will save lots of money training you because you should be able to demonstrate the skills you have developed thus far. The c.v. you submit should emphasize your specific accomplishments, with some reference to how you leveraged minimal resources to achieve tangible results. The point you'll be making is that, if you can produce that well with little or nothing, think of how much you'll be able to yield with more resources available.
An employer who cannot see the value you bring may not be able to comprehend your value once you have been hired. So you can also think of this issue as a litmus test for you as the 'consumer' of employment opportunities.
Good luck with your transition from the world of work for psychological gains into the world of work for financial rewards.
Steve
| 
