Four Gifts For Grads:
1. Even though you are smart and have accomplished completing your degree, you’re likely going to have to start at the bottom and work your way up just like any tree in a thick forest environment. All seeds start growing from within the earth and the more experience they have, the larger they grow until they are high above the rest getting the most light! If you set your expectations that you will learn the business from the ground up, you’ll get where you want to go eventually, right above the canopy!
2. If you’re thinking more education is the answer, think again! Yes, there probably will be more jobs in a couple of years when you get your additional degree, but you still need some practical work experience to combine with your education in order to get ahead. Starting at an entry level spot somewhere that has a tuition reimbursement program is often a better bet than pursuing another degree full time. Learn while you grow in your experience. A tree needs to grow upwards before it can really spread its branches. You will never make it through the thick rooftop of the jungle if your “branches” are too wide to penetrate the leafy ceiling. Ultimately, you don’t want to have more education combined with a lack of practical work experience, now or later!
3. NETWORK! 80% of all jobs are obtained through networking. Even in my office we are looking for an entry level/intern type person and only had 2 qualified responses! The tallest trees that form the canopy of the forest help the smaller trees and shade them from rough winds and other inhospitable elements while they are still young and new. Ask your parents, their friends, and your friends parents for help. Be patient, and keep your Facebook page looking professional, too!
4. Fail to plan, plan to fail! Create a plan based on solid market research and go after jobs at the companies where you want to work. Seek to meet people who already work there by volunteering at charity events their companies sponsor. Those people can refer you internally as jobs open up. Create some good solid roots that will support you and hold you steady as you grow. The better your foundation, and the more you network, the higher you will be able to grow in the job search jungle!
For more information on this topic visit: http://www.carolynthompson.net/jobsearchwebinar.htm
Carolyn Thompson
Author of TEN EASY STEPS TO A PERFECT RESUME…available on Amazon.com!
and TEN STEPS TO FINDING THE PERFECT JOB…available on Amazon.com!
Tags: advice, education, entry level, expectations, experience, Facebook, graduates, networking, students, volunteer
Posted by Carolyn Thompson on Apr 28, 2009 in
Building Confidence,
Career Path The human’s closest relative in the animal kingdom is the Chimpanzee. Like humans, during the first months of life chimp infants are completely dependent on their mothers for food and care and stick close to their mothers until they are mature. It’s a tough job to raise a family and a tough decision when mothers need or want to go back to work. Whether it’s because your family needs the income or because you’re ready to take on corporate challenges again, you feel torn between the responsibility you have to your family and the obligations you accept with your new employer. Here are a few things to consider as you re-enter the work force:
· Be confident in explaining that you took time off to start a family. When you organize your resume, make sure the work experience that you intend to carry forward figures most prominently on the first page. It’s ok to have a gap in employment and you should feel free to explain that you took time off to start a family. There’s no need to pull out the family photo album in the interview, though.
· Be flexible and willing to negotiate. Many people leave behind high powered careers and want to return exactly where they left off, or even at a higher level. In many cases employers may not be willing to pay for someone lacking the most recent, up to date experience. You can prove yourself over time and get back to where you want to be, but be open to the fact that no matter how smart and hard working you are, there will be a learning curve. Consider ten years ago many people didn’t have Internet access at their desks; ITunes and text messaging weren’t even in the dictionary as a quick reminder of how technology alone has changed in a short period of time.
· When you do land your job, get up to speed as quickly as you can. Read appropriate trade publications and obtain necessary computer training. Be pleasant and personable, but professional. Don’t make your water cooler talk about your family until you know more about everyone you work with and avoid overcrowding your workspace with excessive amounts of photos . A few nicely framed ones will keep you focused on why you’re there and keep you from getting too homesick.
· Have a back-up plan and alternative help for the unexpected things that might pop up. Most employers will have a 90 day to 6 month probationary period where you may not be eligible for personal leave or sick time. Obviously emergencies occur, but your new employer will not look favorably on you taking unplanned days off before you have accrued leave.
· Keep one calendar for work and personal so things don’t slip through the cracks. Do your best to schedule doctor’s appointments and necessary personal meetings on one day a month that you have set aside and requested off well in advance, for example, the last Wednesday of the month. That way, you always know if you need to schedule a service appointment you can use that day.
· Consider starting a home-based business. If the thought of going back to an office and giving up the joy of raising children is just too much for you, consider starting a licensed day care service. There is a large need for qualified, caring, daycare providers in many areas. It’s possible that you could earn as much as or more than you would by getting an office job. It’s your own business, too. Licensing, insurance, supplies and advertising cost money, but the bookkeeping alone is great experience you can carry forward into an office later as well.
So, Monkey Mamas! Get out there! Good Luck!
If you have specific questions or need assistance in polishing your resume, finding a job or preparing for interviews, we have on demand webinars, publications and other resources on my website www.carolynthompson.net.
Carolyn Thompson
Author of TEN EASY STEPS TO A PERFECT RESUME…available on Amazon.com!
and TEN STEPS TO FINDING THE PERFECT JOB…available on Amazon.com!
Tags: advice, experience, gap in employment, home business, mothers, organization, re-entering the workforce, resume, technology, time off
Posted by Carolyn Thompson on Nov 5, 2008 in
Building Confidence,
Career Path 
When is it time to spread your wings and fly, and for what reasons? Think about your current job situation. Is it with a stable company? Are promotions passing you by? Has there been a reduction in staff? Maybe you are just ready for more career growth and challenge. When tackling this obstacle, keep in mind a few sure signs it is time to move on:
- -Other co-workers are being promoted while you have been in the same role for years
- -Office gossip, and feeling alienated from your team
- -The company is having financial difficulties resulting in a reduction in staff
- -You no longer want to get up and go to work in the morning
- -You no longer feel challenged in your current role and yearn for more
- -You have not received a pay increase for more than 2 years
On the other side of the fence there are sure reasons to stay in your current position (cocoon). As a Recruiter, I recently spoke with a friend who has worked in his current position for a year, with only one year of experience in his role, he truly felt that it was time to move on, and wanted a 15k pay increase. My advice to him: In this current market only having one year of experience and expecting a 15k pay increase is unrealistic. There are too many Caterpillars out there looking to spin their cocoon! They will be more flexible with realistic expectations to gain more experience. Here is something to take into consideration: although important, money isn’t everything. If the position offers more experience, advancement in your field, and you are working with innovative technology that is marketable, take that into consideration before ruling it out because the dollar amount is not what you expect. In time you will spread your wings and fly. There is a time and a season for all. Is this your time or your season!?
Rachel Harris
Associate, CMCS
Tags: advice, expectations, experience, fear, promotion
Posted by Carolyn Thompson on Nov 5, 2008 in
Executive Coaching,
Lessons Learned
When given the task to pick an animal for my “job search jungle” blog, I was immediately drawn to the commanding and charismatic tiger. After beginning my research, I learned that the tiger was the national animal for several Asian nations, including Korea. And as a Korean-American, I found this information quite fascinating. Was this a coincidence, that I picked an animal that represented my heritage??? Well, that’s a topic for another blog…
Tigers are powerful, highly adaptable, and one of the post popular and recognizable animals in the world. Whether in the board room or in the playing field, we grew up hearing the phrase, “get ’em tiger”. This has been a part of the American vernacular throughout generations. Tigers are also known to be fiercely territorial and this trait can be extremely damaging in the workplace. In Corporate America, you’ll find many “tiger managers” with this destructive trait. Throughout my 15 years of human resources and recruiting experience, I have encountered tiger managers who enjoy being the best, the brightest, the fastest, and who are very territorial. Even when given the opportunity to strengthen their team and hire a new staff, the tiger managers’ natural territorial defenses kick in and they employ someone who’s less threatening. Whether consciously or subconsciously, they hire candidates who may not be as bright or talented, for fear of being outshined. Hiring the weaker candidate will often leave tiger managers with incompetent staff and higher turnover. Thus, in the end, wasting time, energy, and money.
Moving up in the ranks of Corporate HR, I was fortunate to have managers and mentors who did not possess destructive tiger traits and they taught me the value of building and developing the best team. As a Partner and Recruiting Manager for CMCS, an (8a), women and minority owned company, I make it my mission to hire people who I think are smarter and better than me. So to all those tiger mangers out there…it should be obvious, but hiring the best talent is what’s best for you and your business, even if that means paying a bit more. Surrounding yourself with competent staff will free yourself to start tackling those business development projects that have been pushed aside for way too long.
Courtnie Cho
Partner, CMCS
Tags: adapt, experience, fear, hiring, managers, recruiting
