Thousands of employers use classified ads as a means to advertise vacancies and even more people respond to these ads, but only a few applicants ever get a positive response. You may think, so why bother with these ads? If you consider the competition for one job, it may seem a futile operation, but there are a few secrets for responding to job ads and if you make use of these tips, your chances of landing the job increases tremendously.

Benefits responding to job ads

The job ads are the ideal place to find a comprehensive directory of businesses that are looking for employees. There are normally a bit of information about the company and the best of all - you get an idea of what the companies look for, what they expect, and in some cases, are willing to pay.

How to use the classified ads

Don’t look for entry level jobs since these types of ads will be in the minority, rather scan the ads to find who is hiring and where possible, to find the names of the recruitment officers. Only then, should you try to get an entry level job at the company.

Step 1: Select the advertising vehicle

Subscribe or purchase newspapers that run job ads for the area where you would like to locate a job as well as any national papers or magazines that focus on your job industry. Make a list of Internet sites that run classified job ads and browse them regularly as well.

Step 2 The scanning process

Mark the entry level jobs and respond to them first. You should be prepared to be at the company first thing in the morning. You then also mark entry level openings in other job fields, since they may not directly apply to you, but still indicate that the enterprise is willing to employ at entry level.

Thirdly, scan the ads that indicate that experience and higher qualifications are needed. Even though you won’t get the advertised job, you get valuable information such as who your manager will be; the name of the recruitment officer, and the types of job responsibilities that you can expect.

Step 3 Make the list

Before you start responding to job ads, you need to make a list of all the relevant hiring companies and the positions advertised.

Best time for responding to job ads

If you saw a job ad in a weekend paper, you should respond on Monday. Don’t mail your CV since it will only arrive later in the week. Emails only get read around Tuesday or Wednesday, so you need to be at their offices on Monday before the rest of the applicants respond. If the ad doesn’t say “No calls” then you can make a phone call to enquire, but if it states that calls are not welcome, you should pay them a personal visit. Most employers urgently look for replacements and will be too happy not to deal with thousands of applicants and that is why you should help them out by responding on Monday. Don’t call to get an interview or meeting, just arrive at their offices with your CV and well prepared for an interview.

When you get to the secretary, ask to speak to Mr. X or the recruitment officer since you have a package that needs to delivered in person. If the relevant person is in a meeting, you wait. If he is out, ask when he will be back and return at that time. When you meet the person, state that you were in close vicinity and thought you could deliver your CV in person. Thank the person for his time and request five minutes as an introduction. If he agrees, you have your first short interview; if not then ask for a meeting later. If he doesn’t agree, you should leave it at that.

The benefit of this method is that you get personal contact with the recruiter; your CV arrives first, and is not just one of many. If you make a good impression during the first minute, you are half way through to the short list.

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Many software designers agree to unfavourable terms in the employment contracts because they're afraid of losing the job if they question clauses in the contract. By accepting the terms, they lose control over their developments. Apart from this, some of the clauses also bind the worker to long hours that cut into private time or projects. If you fall in the category of design or intellectual property development, then use these guidelines when you sign the work agreement.

Clauses in the contract

Most people are so excited when they hear that they've been hired and since they don't want to create a bad impression, sign the employment contract without attesting unfavorable clauses. Many persons realize that those clauses will have a negative impact on their time or work, but sign nevertheless. Others are unsure of the legal terms and don't want to look uninformed so they don't ask for explanations. The above reactions can cost the employee a lot. It is for this reason that the employee should read, understand, and contest any discrepancies in the contract before signing.

If a clause looks unreasonable or incompatible to you, approach the human recourses officer for clarification. Motivate the reason for wanting to alter the clause. If the contract doesn't provide you with any protection, you should request a more acceptable contract.

The danger of innovation clauses

The innovation clause is the most risky clause in the employment contract for designers. The clause protects the company by stipulating that the employee assigns all rights of his innovations to the employer. It is not an unfair clause since the company pays for the time and facilities to develop the idea or software program, but it becomes unfair if the employment contract stipulates that any software or developments by the employee becomes company property. If it includes projects outside working hours, it means that the company has ownership even over projects that are not related to their activities. Don't sign the contract if the innovation clause is too broad.

Contracts with innovation clauses should have space for exclusion of completed projects or projects already in the development process. List all the work that you want excluded from the contract.

Additional work clauses

Most employers are against additional work taken by the employee outside company hours because the employee can only handle a limited amount of working hours, before getting burned out. It means that the employee will be less effective during normal work hours. The only way to get pass these type of clauses, is to stipulate that you are entitled to taking on projects after hours with permission of your manager. Unless you already have an extra job, you should consider leaving the clause as is.

Defining the employment contract

The employment contract regulates the work relationship between the employer and employee. It stipulates the remuneration for work done by the employee. An agreement is signed after the work offer is accepted. The employer and employee both have rights and expectations that are stipulated in the contract. It is enforceable by law.

A contract is legally binding even if it is a verbal agreement. It is however safer to get a written employment contract. The minimum information that must be included in the statement or contract is:

• Name of company
• Full names of the employee
• A proper work description
• The commencement of employment date
• Work address
• Remuneration
• Minimum and maximum working hours
• Leave arrangements and stipulations regarding work on public holidays
• Sick leave stipulations
• Pension regulations
• Minimum notice time
• Procedures for complaints
• Disciplinary procedures
• Collective bargaining procedures

Indirect terms of the employment contract

The above terms and regulations are direct terms. Indirect terms refer to terms not stipulated, but are indirectly referred to by signing the agreement. All contracts contain the following terms regardless of stipulation in the contract:

• Preserving trust and confidence through collaboration
• Trust in terms of work and payment to be done
• Ensuring a safe employment place

When no direct regulations are stipulated, indirect conditions can form part of the agreement:

• Through the behavior of the employer and employee
• Through routines and actions
• Through the corporate rules if the worker is informed of their existence

Rights of the employee

Employees have certain rights even. These rights are enforceable by law:

• The right of fair treatment regardless of age, race, religion, gender, disabilities, or sexual preferences
• The right to equal treatment, also with regard to wages
• The right no be dismissed without proper cause and the correct procedures
• The right not to get fired for giving birth to a child
• Employees also have the right to a proper written notice time for termination of their work agreement in relation to the period employed
• Employees have the right for compensation when they are retrenched
• Safe workplace

The above information is only a guideline to what you as an employee is entitled to, even if it is not stipulated in the employment contract. Labor laws and basic conditions of employment differ from country to country. In general though, you can use the above terms and regulations as guidelines to what a good employment contract should include.

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Well done! You have the offer letter for you dream job in your hands. But you see a small gap that salary doesn't meet your expectations entirely. This is when you have to be real smart. If you really want this job but a different salary, here are some negotiation tactics which you would do well to know.

• Ask for a little higher than what you will be happy with , you won't get what you ask for anyway.
• If the basic salary is 'strictly not negotiable', then try to get an increased amount of other bonuses in the non-salary category.
• Add a few extras in your wish list. You can ceremoniously drop these off during your discussion so as to seem flexible.
• Remember that salary is not the only thing. You can negotiate on the perquisites as well.
• Don't let them ever forget how good you will be for their company.
• If you've made up your mind about rejecting their offer, don't waste everyone's time negotiating unnecessarily.
• Don't bother telling one company about another offer that you have that's higher paying. They may just tell you to go there!
• The trick is to get as much of your wish list accepted and at the same time making them feel they got the best part of the deal.
• All employers don't negotiate. The sooner you recognize your kind the better.
• Don't try to bully them. It won't work. Ever!
• Expect the worst. If it happens, you'll be prepared. If anything else happens you'll be pleasantly surprised.
• Be realistic. If this is a job you badly need, your position is definitely weaker.
• Human nature being what it is, more demands may crop up in your mind after you've made the deal. Squelch them immediately or risk losing the job.
• Accept nothing less than a written agreement of the terms and conditions, clearly stating your pay package.
• Wait till the list of candidates has been narrowed down to the narrowest when the employer is convinced he has to hire you.
• Make full use of the time between receiving the offer and accepting it. Negotiations made after indicating acceptance will most likely be in the 'recycle bin'.
• Leave a decent amount of time before starting your negotiations.
• Be well informed of your true value (what you think you are worth is NOT information).
• Don't shy away from bargaining because you think it will be unpleasant. Most companies expect it.
• Use a mode of communication that you are most comfortable with.

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Searching for a job may seem complicated and tedious. But if you are prepared and follow a few simple steps, you could make it seem like a cakewalk and get the best deal for yourself.

• Be firm and sure. If this is the right job for you, go ahead and make it clear. If you have your own doubts, don't hesitate to meet again and discuss issues that are ambiguous.
• Remember you are free to request and renegotiate issues relating to salary, work hours, stock options, day care facility and anything that's bothering you.
• Negotiate professionally.
• If the offer does not match what you had in mind, tell them so, but let them know you are still keen on the job if there's a better deal.
• Always keep your answer open ended so that you stand a chance in the future.
• Be aware of the market rate or salary that's being offered to people with your educational qualifications and skills in the ob market
• Do find out the salary range that's being offered to different positions across the company by talking to a secretary or an employee in the company
• It's not advisable to accept a job immediately after it is offered. Do evince interest in the job and give them a time frame in which you will get back to them
• It's important that you analyze the job offer in terms of your requirement, long-term career prospects. List out all the advantages and disadvantages

In case you are turned down, don't fret. Remember, failure is the stepping-stone to success. Treat this as a learning experience. Let them know that in case there are openings in the future, you'd still be interested to work for the company. Remain positive, stay cool and keep trying. For if you don't try at all, you have already lost the battle. If you do try, there is always a chance that you will win!

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You've finally got that long awaited job offer. Time to sit back and relax? No! On the contrary, it's time to be as alert and sharp as ever. Your acceptance could make a world of difference to your future. Don't be overjoyed into accepting when you should actually be thinking of what negotiations you should be making. The company will be expecting this anyway.

Acknowledge receipt of the offer letter immediately but at ask for some time to think it over. Especially if it's a job you are sure you want but the salary package and other benefits are not up to your expectations. Some of the things other than the salary which may be worth negotiating for are relocation expenses, medical benefits for you and your family, paid vacations, phone allowance, memberships to professional and non-professional societies, etc.
Here are some points you should keep in mind while writing your counter proposal letter.

• The first paragraph of your letter must thank the employer for his offer and at the same time highlight the fact that they have made a prize catch. Make sure they know how profitable you will be for the company.
• Next, allot one paragraph for each part of the offer that does not agree with you. Make sure you give good reasons why this is so. If necessary, remind them of how valuable you can be as an employee.
• To conclude, insist that your demands are not extravagant considering your potential. Politely say that you hope they will consider your counter proposal favorably and make you an offer that you can willingly accept at the earliest.
• Giving the counter proposal a balanced feel by including some parts of their offer which you unconditionally accept is also a good idea.
• Your counter proposal can also include points on which you need clarifications.

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