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Referral ID: 16496

Many candidates are expecting career advancement (a higher position) or at least salary adjustment while looking for new jobs. To be firm in asking for a sky-high salary may show confidence, or otherwise. In fact, the candidates are advised to take the following factors into consideration in negotiating for a higher salary:

Position Applied and Job Responsibilities — If a candidate is applying for a higher position with greater responsibilities, he / she can ask for a higher salary, compared to if he /she is applying for a  position which is same level with his / her current one, with expectation to gain more / different exposure and experience.

Understand Own’s Values — A candidate will have leverage if he / she is in high demand elsewhere. However, he / she is advisable to void acting overly confidence or cocky.

Be Reasonable — From research, a candidate knows that the offer is low. However, he / she is advisable not to be confrontational. It is a calculated risk to walk away from a job offer. The employer might call the candidate back with a revised starting salary or they might just close the candidate’s file and hire someone else if they feel he / she has been greedy, arrogant or overly demanding.

Be Prepared to be Flexible — If a candidate is serious in his / her application, he / she is advisable to consider agreeing to start at the salary level they are offering, so long as they offer additional bonuses for specific accomplishments. Be prepared to define them. Money is important, but consider the complete compensation package. Negotiate other perks and benefits and get them in writing. Ask about the frequency of potential salary increases. Try to create win-win situation with any negotiation.

1. Can you please described your current boss’s working style?

- This is to compare the candidate’s current boss and future boss, whether they have any similarity.

2. Do you prefer to work / work well independently or in teamwork?

- Personal Assistants / Secretaries work closely with boss(es), therefore it is more important if they are able to work independently, secondly they must be able to work as a team, as they need to do some coordination works for the boss(es).   

3. Do you usually work late in your current job? What is your activities after work?

- As long as the boss is still in the office, most Personal Assistants / Secretaries are required to stay with the boss. This question is to test whether the candidate is willing to work late / if they have any major commitment after work.

4. Tell me the best boss whom you had worked with so far.

- This is to test the candidate’s preferred boss.

5. Have you dealt with difficult people / situation before? Tell me an example.

- This is to test whether the candidate has experience in handling difficult boss(es) / people / situation.

6. What is your expectation working as a Personal Assistant / Secretary?

- This is to test whether the candidate understands the functions of a Personal Assistant / Secretary, and whether the available job meets their expectation.

7. Are you the only Personal Assistant / Secretary to your boss? / Do you have any assistant? / How is your working relationship?  

- This question is to check whether the candidate works with others in their current job and further test whether they are able to work well in a team.

8. If you have choice, what type of boss that you wish you could work with?

- This is to check the candidate’s preferred boss.

9. What is the biggest challenge in your work that you have had so far?

- This is to check whether the candidate is able / willing to take up challenges / bigger challenges.

10. What is your biggest accomplishment in your job so far?

- This is to check which job function gives the candidate the biggest satisfaction / the candidate’s preferred job functions.