How to Negotiate a payrise

How to Negotiate a payrise by Tom Bunkham Lets face it, negotiating a pay rise can be one of the tougher tasks well undertake whilst in employment.In fact, the fear of unsettling our current work situation is often enough to deter many of us from exploring the idea altogether. But if you feel you deserve a pay rise, you shouldnt back away.To help make sure you approach the conversation in the right way, here are our top tips on how to negotiate a payrise.Ask for a meetingThe easiest way to start the negotiations is to request some time with your manager to discuss your performance. Try to allow yourself some time for this so youre well prepared.Although it can sometimes be intimidating, always remember that a meeting is a two way communication. Whatever happens, you can argue your case, and answer any of their misgivings.Don’t panic: it’s just a conversation.Do your homeworkMake sure youre prepared to justify your worth.Consider some of your recent achievements; the knowledge and experience you bri ng to your role; and why now is a suitable time for a pay rise.You should also research the average salaries in your industry for the role that you do. One of the quickest ways to do this is simply by finding job adverts for similar positions, or by using our average Salary Checker to compare salaries across your industry and region.Check your salary nowCalculate your salary after taxGet your timing rightUnfortunately, not everyone is entitled to a pay rise just because they want one.Before you approach the subject, take a step back and ask yourself the following questions:When was your last pay increase? If it was within the last year, why do you warrant another one so soon?Has your performance justified asking for more money? For instance, have you been consistently hitting your targets? Do you outperform your colleagues?The best time to negotiate a rise is after a period of consistent performance which will make you the obvious candidate for an increase.Sell yourselfYoull need to justify the reasons why your employer should invest more of their budget in you, so be prepared to sell yourself.Play to your strengths, and make a note of your successes. Demonstrate your contribution to the company for the last and next six months, whether its through generating revenue, applying your expertise or showing your dedication.Always remember that your boss may not be the final decision maker, so writing your case down in a clear and concise manner will help them to communicate your request to the relevant parties.Pay rises are a business decision, so make sure you can prove to your employer what youll provide in return.Offering to increase your responsibilities, promising a greater output and taking on other daily duties are all good ways to prove that your pay rise is good value for money for your employer.Dont just think about the moneySometimes, there are genuine (and simple) reasons why you may not get a pay rise, such as a lack of available funds. But, it neednt all be about the money.Just because your boss has said no to a pay rise doesnt mean you cant enquire about non-financial benefits as an alternative.For instance, you could ask for more paid time-off or flexible working hours, or another benefit, such as subsidised travel costs or gym membership. You may find further success by exploring the possibility of funding towards training and development.Not only will you enhance your skills and, ultimately, your market worth, but, with your new-found knowledge, youll become a more valuable asset to your employer.Employee perks: What UK workers really wantPersonal development planning: What you need to knowFinally, dont burn your bridgesIf, in spite of your best efforts, you havent been able to successfully negotiate the pay rise you wanted, you may decide you feel undervalued by your employer.But, at the very least, you should attempt to leave the door open for approaching the subject again in six months time.Even if you decide to look for another job, when it comes to your existing employer, always remain professional. Not only will you want them to write you a glowing reference, but who knows when your paths may cross again in the future? Many positions and industries can be quite close knit, so even if you move on, you cant rule out working with them again.Remember: Never burn your bridges ( no matter what the outcome is).Career crossroads: What to do nextReady to love Mondays?  View all of our current vacancies now.Find a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the terms and conditions applicable to our service and acknowledge that your personal data will be used in accordance with our privacy policy and you will receive emails and communications about jobs and career related topics. Career Development Salaries What is minimum wage?featured

Medical Device Sales Resumes Writing Service Can Help You With Your Career

Medical Device Sales Resumes Writing Service Can Help You With Your CareerAs technology has moved forward, the sales resume writing service industry has progressed with it. Resumes can now be customized for a medical device sales job. This industry is expanding as medical devices are becoming more advanced and portable.Medical device sales companies will do a lot of work for you in the beginning. They will help you to promote your service and build up your reputation. There are a lot of people competing for the same jobs and they may not know how to communicate effectively. The sales personnel have all of the answers and can take you through all of the challenges that they face as well as give you tips for developing a good sales plan.The best aspect of the medical device sales resume writing service is the wide range of products that they offer. You can use their services to write a sales letter for an iPhone app or a new air purifier for your home. If you need an individualized med ical device sales resume, then they can also create one for you based on your professional goals and your personal needs. They can customize your medical device sales resume for you so that you stand out from the competition.Their goal is to use the latest technology to market and sell your medical device sales. They will review your resume and make suggestions to improve it. They will also provide a letter of recommendation and an explanation of how they will be able to market your medical device sales for you.The medical device sales companies know how to use both the written and verbal skills of their employees. They will help you maximize your potential and at the same time you will learn about the most effective communication tools available to you. They also understand that you do not want to be overwhelmed with the training so they will provide you with easy to follow and simple to follow instructions.They have the expertise to create the best sales letters for medical device sales. They understand that many people are not familiar with medical devices and this can make your job much easier. The sales representatives will be able to help you find a potential buyer and answer any questions that you may have about marketing and how to write a sales letter.The medical device sales representatives know that you want to be successful and are there to help you. Their training and experience will teach you to be prepared for any questions that you may have along the way. Your medical device sales career will not be hindered by any of the information that you are missing out on.The medical device sales professionals are there to help you achieve your goals and the results will show. The medical device sales professionals have years of experience working in this industry and they know what it takes to get you the results that you need. The sales representatives of the medical device sales company will have the skills and experience necessary to help you succeed in the medical device sales business.

So you didnt get the degree you wanted

So you didnt get the degree you wanted You have finally finished University â€" the rest of your life beckons. You should be fired up with excitement but your results weren’t  quite  what you’d hoped. Instead of getting that magic 2.1 you’ve got the dreaded 2.2.  Or maybe even a third. OK stop right there!  Getting a lower classification may  feel like  end of the world but it  isn’t.  Yes, you need to stop and take stock of your situation, but it’s certainly not all over. Now is the time to start thinking about plan B. And if that doesn’t work you have to move on to plan C!  Flexibility and  resilience  are key to future career success, so start as you mean to go on.   What to do next: You can’t hide away, this will not go away so let’s meet the challenge head on and consider your next steps: There are options open to you. It may feel as though the 2:1 threshold restricts your access to many of the UK graduate schemes, but this is by no means all.  We have a comprehensive list on our website of companies prepared to accept a 2.2 use it. If closing dates have passed you can apply for them in the next graduate recruitment cycle. This is not necessarily a bad thing as it will give you time to re-group and re-energise before you start the job application process. Appealing: Is it even possible to appeal your final degree classification? You will need to look carefully at the  precise  regulations to see if there is any chance that you may have grounds. Here at Warwick  an appeal  is possible  only in extremely restricted circumstances.    Even if you think you do have grounds for appeal  don’t  assume  that it will be successful. Talk through your options with your personal tutor.  Act quickly, be hopeful but stay realistic. Do you have a conditional offer for a job?  If so, ring the company and let them know the situation. There may be room for manoeuvre, if you really impressed at interview they may choose  to affirm the job offer. Some organisations deal with cases on their individual merits, whereas others operate a blanket policy of “no 2:1, no offer”. You won’t know until you try, so ring now and make your case. Think small or smaller! Don’t get caught up in the media hype and assume graduate schemes mean ‘graduate jobs’. The big recruiters represent just a tiny slice of the graduate market. Some of the main players have strong brand and high campus visibility, but there are plenty of great opportunities within the Small to Medium sector. And the really good news is that many of the  smaller companies  will operate more flexible entry requirements. Speak to someone in careers. Book an appointment  to talk your options over with a Careers Consultant or Careers Project Officer. We are impartial (which may not be as true of parents and friends) and view things from a neutral perspective. It might help to bounce some ideas around, safe in the knowledge anything you say is entirely confidential. Don’t worry if you live outside the local area: we offer Skype and telephone appointments and are here throughout the summer. Postgraduate study is great but because you enjoy the subject not just as a means of ‘compensating’ for your degree classification. Postgraduate study  is a worthwhile option, but as part of a considered career plan. It isn’t something you should  consider as a default measure, and you will struggle to convince prospective employers of the benefits when it comes to future applications. Do your research and gather all the information before making a final decision. Get yourself ‘job ready’ by  updating your CV  and plugging any potential gaps. Consider how well your CV highlights your skills â€" both soft and technical. Consider what your selling points as an employee are. All is not lost It is important to remember that there are many  Warwick alumni who gained a 2.2 (or less) who are now working with successful careers.    Your class of degree doesnt define who you are and after a few years at work it ceases to become important.   Increasingly companies are looking beyond a 2.1 and we do keep a list of those companies for you to consider. What matters more is the experience you have had in the workplace, what you have achieved, what you  learn from this  and how you use this to develop and more forward in your career. Try to put all of this into perspective: remember, this is the beginning â€" it is not the end â€" of your career, not by a long way. By all means be disappointed, but you need to accept it and move on. Start thinking about your online brand and build a professional profile that reflects your career aspirations.  Can you join any professional associations (if you have a sector in mind). These often arrange networking events and are a great source of insider information. Your hopes of working for a particular company may have been dashed in the short-term, but with time and some experience behind you there’s every chance of applying again (perhaps for a better role!) at some point in the future.

How to Recruit Graduates Like Johnson Johnson

How to Recruit Graduates Like Johnson Johnson This article is sponsored by Shortlister. Its graduate season again and every large employer in the country is fighting for their slice of the top graduate talent pie, but what are the best in  the graduate recruitment business doing to secure the highest possible quality of grad? Josh Mills of Shortlister.com caught up with Phillip Haig, University Recruitment Partner for Johnson Johnson, to discuss the graduate recruitment  strategy that made them finalists at the In-house Recruitment Awards last year. Josh Mills: Its coming up to two years now since you joined the business, how did you find the transition from your role as Recruitment Manager at  Manchester Met University, to University Recruitment Partner at Johnson Johnson? Phillip Haig: Interesting! Obviously it helped a lot to have that experience of working in the University context and being able to apply it to a corporate  recruitment role has given me a real advantage. One of the main areas that my experience with Man Met underlined the importance of was internships and  getting the students and graduates in to positions that increase their employability. You know, HE is becoming incredibly metricked  and rightly so, when  you consider the levels of investment on the part of the students in terms of tuition fees and employers in terms of graduate salaries. With that kind of  investment at stake its made maintaining strong working relationships with the right universities incredibly important for us. And those relationships  have got to be mutually beneficial. We make a point of going above and beyond attending the usual careers fairs and on campus activities with our  preferred pool of targeted universities. JM: And out of interest which universities make it on to that list? PH: Given that were still a small graduate recruitment operation in terms of manpower we have to be pretty selective in the organisations we work with. What were looking for from our university partners is for them to be really pushing industrial placements that year in industry is so important to  whether a candidate will have the basic professional skills, confidence in the office etc. to succeed once theyve been onboarded. JM: Johnson Johnson were nominated for Best Graduate Recruitment Strategy last year and you had a massive hand in the direction of that strategy. What aspect of the strategy stood out for you as particularly successful? PH: I think its got to be the university partnerships thats been the real success story. One of my favourite stats is that 70% of the graduate hires we  make start with the on campus activities we engage in. We attended over 40 events and not just careers fairs either. JM: So weve heard about your successes, what challenges have you faced? PH: A challenge weve faced and I think its one thats fairly common to everyone working in the grad space, is to make candidates realise that there  are opportunities available that they wouldnt necessarily immediately think of when they think about an employer. Take Johnson Johnson for example:  a lot of the candidates we speak to at universities who are interested in marketing dont necessarily realise that there are attractive opportunities  available in B2B marketing with our business. Its understandable as people do think of J J as a consumer brand and obviously everyone sees the ads  on TV about baby oil all the time and it just reinforces that B2C impression of us. Theres an element of education to be done there, for sure. Its an  ongoing process, but were making good progress. Two years ago our graduate recruitment wasnt even a centralised function, so that gives you an idea of  how far weve come. JM: How do you continue to build on that progress then? PH: Im a firm believer that a high impact recruitment strategy requires the involvement of non-recruitment staff which in itself creates the challenge  of actually getting the recruitment staff to the careers events! It can be tough but I think if you make it clear to them that theyre helping to ensure  the quality of the grads who are going to be working with them in 12 months time they see the value. Its an invasive, direct approach but then to really  stand out  from the crowd youve got to demonstrate youre doing things differently, in a way that illustrates to candidates that you understand what is  important to them so that means pushing benefits like fast career progression. I think were on the right track overall. Hit rate at assessment centre  and first year performance have both improved and weve eliminated agency spend. Its going to be a lot of work getting to where we want to be but the quick wins have been encouraging. JM: Taking a wider look at the industry now theres been a lot of talk recently about how LinkedIn is struggling to attract younger people and, in  particular, recent grads who dont necessarily have a professional network to maintain on the platform. As someone who understands the grad space, how  would you go about addressing this? PH:  Im not sure that I think that the entire problem is down purely to the grads not having a professional network. A significant factor from my point of  view is that LinkedIn doesnt offer the same degree of personalisation that other social networks such as Facebook, Twitter or even Instagram offer. I  dont think if I was the CEO of LinkedIn I would necessarily be in a rush to copy Facebook, but I think LinkedIn as it is currently doesnt give users scope  to express themselves in a personal way which, if youre trying to engage the present crop of grads coming through, is crucial. For them I think the  current set up of LinkedIn is just too uniform. Having said that, I dont think the onus should be entirely on LinkedIn theres a lot more universities  could do with it, for instance. Its a great starting place for building relationships between HE bodies and employers. Employers should also really be  encouraging their placement students to sign up to the service and start adding p eople theres a lot more everyone could be doing. JM: Finally Phillip, we ask all of our interviewees to make a prediction on recruitment in the next 12 months. It can be on anything tech, trends,  policy etc. What changes can you see on the recruitment horizon in the next year? PH: I think its got to be technology hasnt it? Theres still an enormous amount it can be leveraged for. For instance I think were going to see  employers building and developing relationships with communities of their placement students and interns, past and present and using social media to keep  them warm. Its taking the idea of a talent pool a step further than just having a list of potential candidates who work in a certain discipline. Youd  communicate with them regularly and use relevant, valuable content to keep a relatively close relationship going with them. At present this would  require more attention and activity to keep going than most recruitment departments have the resource to spare for however given the clear business  benefit, and how interconnected we are used to being in all other aspects of life, I think it will become more common. The technology is already there to  achieve this its just spread between different platforms, like email and Facebook, so I suspect well see more integrations between different networks. Phillip Haig is the University Recruitment Partner for Johnson Johnson, finalists for Best Graduate Recruitment Strategy in the 2014 In-house  Recruitment Awards. Author: Josh Mills is Marcomms Coordinator for Shortlister.com  the video screening specialists.

How to Write a Resume For an Engineering Manager

How to Write a Resume For an Engineering ManagerWriting a resume for an engineering manager can be very time consuming, but it is also important. You want to make sure that your resume is as professional as possible. This will help you get the job you want and will ensure that you get hired.One thing you want to remember is that your resume is like your CV, in that it describes your previous jobs and the companies you have worked for. The resume should also include your contact information. Your name, the title of your job, and the phone number are usually enough. However, some positions require that you provide your home or work address, so these are nice to include too. This information is needed to get you a call back, so you may want to include both of these.If you are writing a resume for an engineering manager, you need to make sure that it is up to date and current. By this I mean, that it includes your current position, and any new positions you have had in the past. A curren t resume is easier to read, and it will also make it much easier for the hiring manager to see what you have done in the past.One other important information that you should include is your name, address, and phone number. You should be able to write all of these on your resume, but if they don't seem to fit, you can include a cover letter, which explains why you feel that your resume is exactly what they are looking for.While your objective is very important, you need to be very detailed. The goal of your resume is to get your application read by the hiring manager, so make sure that you include the information they need to hire you. For example, if they are looking for people with more than four years of experience, they will want to know your last position, as well as any other positions you have held.Writing a resume for an engineering manager is different than writing one for a job opening. While it is very important that you meet the qualifications and skills, the hiring manag er is not looking for applicants that are perfect. In fact, they are looking for good applicants, not just people who are well qualified.You also need to consider that you are not trying to impress the hiring manager, but rather yourself. As with anything, there are certain skills and traits that you need to have. By making sure that you do have these qualities, you can show the hiring manager that you are very capable and have good knowledge of what they are looking for.Writing a resume for an engineering manager is a skill that you will learn over time. You should also be aware that it can take a few months before you get an interview, so take advantage of every opportunity that you get.

5 Ways to Turn Driving into a Freelance Job - CareerMetis.com

5 Ways to Turn Driving into a Freelance Job Source: Pixabay.comMany people take the skill of driving for granted when it comes to their career, yet it is a valuable skill, particularly in today’s economy of online shopping where more and more delivery drivers are needed to facilitate growing orders.That said, not everyone is keen to do the training necessary to obtain a hr drivers licence, meaning you could become a truck driverand drive heavy rigid trucks as this requires a lot more skill, training, and potential risk on the road.Indeed, people are more interested in ways to make extra money from driving, on a freelance basis, so this article shares a few of the best ideas to make an extra income from driving whilst retaining your sense of freedom.1. Home RemovalevalevalIf you have a big enough van, or even a large enough car, then you can help people move home, particularly students, which doesn’t require too large a vehicle â€" and this can be a good way to make some extra cash at the weekend. 2. Advertise on your vehic lePresumingyour car or van is in a good aesthetic condition and is reasonably new, one of the easiest ways to make money from a vehicle is to use this prime advertising space as a canvas to house adverts.Today, there are several companies looking for vehicles to brand with their clients advertisements and these companies will pay a decent amount of money, particularly if you live in a desirable city location and/or spend a lot of time driving.This might be one of the best ways to earn a passive income; meaning you are making money without having to put any additional time into things.3. Drive for UberUber can be a fantastic way to make money if you are prepared to put in the hours. In New York, for instance, working 30 hours per week will net you around $1,500… whilst many drivers will work well in excess of this.There is of course an application process with companies like Uber and Lyft, so you won’t be able to make money instantly, but it’s a solid freelance option for peopl e that enjoy driving. In terms of qualifications, you’ll need to be over twenty-one, and drive a reasonably new car, with a clean driving licence and no criminal record.4. Become a ChauffeurevalIf you fancy something a little higher end than driving for company such as Lyft or Uber, and you happen to have a luxury car this could be for you. Sites like Juno, currently only operating in New York, the UK, Russia and Israel connect professional people looking for luxury cars with drivers â€" though the criteria is pretty controlled.For instance you must have a car that is 2011 or newer in black, dark blue, silver or white â€" and it then has to be registered with the NYC Taxi Limousine Commission.That said, drivers keep 100% of their trips and 90% of the total fare â€" meaning it’s a great way to make money, particularly in consideration of the value of the fare.eval5. Team up with a Local TakeawayThe popularity of app based food ordering serviceshas created such a significant dema nd for food delivery drivers that restaurants have almost always got signs in their windows. evalThis can be an easy, simple and speedy way to get some extra cash and whilst it might not offer much in way of career progression, it’s a good way to make a sideline income, as you get paid not from the deliveries themselves but also from customer tips.There is, of course, an alternative if you don’t drive a car or prefer to ride a bike, which is to signup with a company like Deliveroo that use cyclists to deliver food as an environmentally friendly, cheap, and healthy alternative to driving.This is particularly popular in big cities such as New York, London and San Francisco.6. Rent your car outIf you’re looking for a way to turn your dormant vehicle into cash, on the basis you’re not always driving your car, then you can actually rent your car out to other people using a model similar to AirBnB with sites such as Turo that are essentially car sharing marketplaces.How it works i s that you designate where the hirer picks the car up from (e.g. your home or office) they pay to hire it, then return it to you â€" making you a decent profit without having to do anything, other than deal with the pain of not having transport for a few hours.This is a great way to make extra money without having to put in extra time, similar to the idea of displaying advertisements on your car.

Is a Career in Dentistry For You - Margaret Buj - Interview Coach

Is a Career in Dentistry For You If you believe a career in dentistry is all about filling cavities, then you are wrong. There are a range of exciting options when it comes to a career in dentistry, such as working as a hygienist or an orthodontist, for example. If you are considering pursuing a career in dentistry, read on to discover whether the dental profession is an ideal fit for both you and your lifestyle. What are the different career options? Dentists do not particularly specialise in a particular area, which means that they have a range of knowledge and different abilities. This ensures that what you are working on can change daily, paving the way for an exciting career. If you do not decide to become a general dental practitioner, you may wish to specialise in orthodontics, which focuses on the alignment of the teeth and jaw, cosmetic dentistry, or periodontics, which focuses on the gums. You may also wish to become a dental assistant, work as part of the PR and office team, or become a laboratory technician, assisting with services such as x-rays. Can I open my own practice? It is possible to start up your own dental practice with the right level of experience and marketing skills. Like any business, you will need to create a concise business plan as well as raise funds to buy your practice, along with advertising your practice to potential clients in your local area. If you yourself are considering opening your own dental practice, Kent Express can provide you with the dental products that you need to succeed. As one of the most reliable and trusted dental suppliers in the UK, their team of advisors work with practices to establish the best equipment for their needs. What qualifications do I need? You will need to complete at least 5 years of an undergraduate degree in Dentistry to become a dentist, which includes working as a dental student alongside professional dentists in working practices. Dentistry is usually run by specialist dental schools, and you may have to sit a number of tests, such as the BioMedical Admissions test, to get a place. What is the typical income of dentists? Dentistry is a profession in which you are guaranteed a stable income. Newly qualified, you will make an average of £31,000 a year. However, NHS practitioners yearly make between £38,000 and £83,000. This increases if you conduct private examinations or are self-employed, where you can make over £140,000 on an annual basis. Will it suit my lifestyle? If you want to become a dentist, you must be entirely committed to your career. Although you can arrange your hours around your personal life if you are self-employed, if you work in a hospital or as a practitioner, the hours can be long, and you may be on-call at any hour of the day. Not only this, but the length of training means that you must be entirely committed to your goal to become a dentist before you become fully qualified.

Dont make this major job search mistake -

Dont make this major job search mistake - Have you ever made a big job search mistake and wish you could have a do over? Unfortunately, there are no do overs when it comes to job search, so avoid career-ending mistakes before they derail your search. Perhaps you saw the story about a photographer and editor who accidentally included a section of her cover letter applying for a job with Buzzfeed as a caption sent to all of the APs newspaper clients. In one accidental click of the mouse, she made two major mistakes at work. She posted an inaccurate caption for a photo (a major gaffe for an editor, whose main job is to pay attention to details) and simultaneously  alerted everyone that she was looking for a new job  (not a great move for anyone hoping to keep their current job). What does this widely publicized mistake teach employed job seekers? Do not conduct your job search while on the job; it could cost you your current position and put future opportunities in jeopardy, too. Avoid being marginalized at work because everyone knows youre looking for another job. Keep these tips in mind when youre looking for a job to avoid getting trapped between a rock and a hard place at work: Dont conduct your search while in the office or using work equipment. Did you know your boss is probably  spying on you? Yes, its perfectly legal for your employer to monitor what youre doing while on the job or when using company equipment. The bigger your organization, the more likely it is that monitoring software is installed to track what youre doing while at work. That means if youre spending time surfing job boards, reading  job search advice  while at work or using your work-issued computer or emailing  cover letters  to potential employers, your employer may know about it and could dismiss you as a result. (Check your companys policies; it could be against the rules to use your computer for any personal business at all.) Its inconvenient if you dont have your own computer and use your work laptop for personal business, but be aware your work computer is fair game for your employer to track and avoid using it to conduct job search business. Dont leave a digital trail. Using LinkedIn and other social media tools will help you land a job, but if its important to keep your search confidential, youll want to be careful not to leave a breadcrumb trail online leading your boss to uncover your job hunt. Some important steps to take to maintain  privacy on LinkedIn: Hide your activity updates in LinkedIn. Theres no need for your current boss to receive an alert every time you update your status, is there? While making changes to your LinkedIn profile doesnt necessarily mean youre looking for a job, frequent curation and consistent updates that may be necessary when youre in an active search could land you in hot water. Visit your Privacy and Settings on LinkedIn and select Turn On/Off Your Activity Broadcasts. Make sure to uncheck the box that allows LinkedIn to let people know when youve made changes to your profile. Be stealth when you research. If youre visiting a lot of profiles via LinkedIn, you may not want to let people know. While your in the midst of your research, change the setting in LinkedIn labeled Select what others see when youve viewed their profile. You may want to temporarily change it to Anonymous during your in-depth online investigations. Join groups privately. When you join groups on LinkedIn, you have the option to not advertise your membership on your profile. Just scroll down to Groups on the bottom of your profile and hide any groups icon from your page. Be aware, public groups are not good places to post about your job search or to rant negatively about your current employer. Even if you hide your membership, someone could still see your updates in that group. Dont assume you are anonymous in any social network. If youre participating in Twitter chats, Google communities or hangouts or any online forum, assume your boss has access. Unless you are exceptionally good at maintaining your anonymity, you should assume everything you do or say online is public. That includes updates to your friends on Facebook. Its a challenge to maintain a confidential job search, but situations such as the one of the photo editor remind all of us how easy it is to make a mistake. Be careful and attentive when youre on the prowl for a new job and youll be much more likely to be successful keeping your plans to yourself until youre ready to make a big announcement. Originally appeared on AOLjobs.com.