Past Five

Advice for the Class of 2012: Do What You Love

So many blog posts and articles I’ve read recently have spouted endless advice for 2012 graduates. Forbes contributor Mike Myatt advised graduates to cultivate and maintain relationships, continue learning throughout their lives and live below their means.

A Wall Street Journal blog post was less coddling….basically deflating the egos of this generation and saying they are less intelligent, charming and invaluable than their professors made them believe.

While all this advice is beneficial, albeit somewhat harsh, one piece was missing. Do what you love. It’s that simple.

Too many recent graduates accept offers for positions they know they won’t enjoy merely to have a job. They are nervous to be unemployed with a degree and college loans, so they jump at the first opportunity.

I recently interviewed a candidate who was considering accepting a job in sales…but they hated sales and knew it wasn’t what they wanted to do. Why even consider the offer?

Why not take a temporary position to earn money, gain experience and augment a skill set until a dream job is determined or secured? In the long run, I believe this will make millennials happier and more successful.

Why Jobs Are Still Going Unfilled

I wrote this post several weeks ago for the Crain's Chicago Business small business blog, Enterprise City, and I thought I'd share...

With unemployment still in the 9% range, many people are wondering why any job is going unfilled. It's a logical question, with a logical answer. 

Many companies, large and small, got fat during the good economy of 2002 to 2007 — and they don't want to make the same mistake again. While they were growing during this stretch, they added people without always having a strategy or reason to do so. There was business to fulfill, and they needed people.

Haphazardly adding employees achieved two results for many companies:

1. They overpaid for talent. 

2. They hired people who weren't the right level of talent for the job. 

Over the past 18 months, companies have realized they can work more efficiently, make profits and have less turnover and higher morale. Or at least equal morale as before the recession. (Having good morale with a lazy workforce isn't positive, either.) Why? Because many of the people they let go were their lowest performers. 

Don't get me wrong — there were some very talented people let go in the past three years for very legitimate reasons. However, there are more people who were let go because they were the least-valuable people in their department and in their organization. I meet with CEOs, vice-presidents of HR, CFOs, etc., all the time, and not once have one of them said they were letting go of their "best" employee because of the economy. 

Unemployed professionals need to look at their communication skills, their experience and their compensation and figure out why they are unemployed and what they can improve on to make it back into the workforce. 

It's hard to take a step back in pay. However, if no one is willing to pay you what you were making . . . do you have another choice?

Stand out from the sea of unemployed

With 15 million people unemployed and only 3.1 million available jobs, job seekers need to differentiate themselves from the crowd by pinpointing companies and industries instead of appealing to the masses. Prior to the Great Recession where candidates displayed a multitude of skills and expertise to potential employers, today’s job seeker needs to deliver only what the employer asks for in order to get noticed.

I've seen thousands of generic cover letters and resumes over the past 18 months. Create a niche for yourself. Just as Pottery Barn caters toward home decorators or ESPN targets sports lovers, job seekers must do the same. Whether you are a .NET developer, customer service representative, or accountant, the recruiter or hiring manager is seeking something specific, so give it to them.

Create tailored cover letters and resumes, each highlighting a specific skill set and background, and spend considerable time and energy getting the information into the right hands. It’s more effective to exhibit passion and expertise about one or two skills related to the position than a multitude of unrelated talents.

One of the largest mistakes job seekers make is not dedicating enough time to their cover letter or introductory email. Ninety percent of job seekers have generic cover letters that reiterate bullet points on their resume. A cover letter or intro email is the first document an employer reads: make it stand out. The key to a cover letter is to prove to the employer that you are knowledgeable about their company and industry and would add value from day one. Use the company website and research current events that pertain to the industry and incorporate this information. Doing this will allow you to stand out as a well-informed and valuable candidate.

Tweak your resume depending on the job; be certain to align your skills and experience on your resume with the job description provided. Remember your goal is to compose a resume that is congruent with what the company desires in an ideal candidate without fabricating your professional experience. Regardless of the vernacular used at your previous employer, always use verbiage future employers will recognize. For example, sales versus business development, telemarketing versus telesales, customer service versus account management. Companies will tell you what they are looking for in their job description, so use their words.

Don’t network. It’s just turned into an excuse to drink free booze. Instead of going through your immediate connections and attending happy hours with no follow-through, work backwards. Focus your attention on five companies you are interested in and go from there. Locate current and past employees on LinkedIn or the company’s website and schedule a meeting with them. One of the largest mistakes job seekers make is acting too desperate for a job. Instead of asking employees about job openings, take this meeting as an opportunity to pick their brain and find out about their company’s culture, growth strategy, and business practices. These meeting are twofold. One, you become knowledgeable and educated about the company. Two, you will gain internal advocates who can provide additional exposure and support outside of the traditional hiring process.  

Are You Honest With Yourself?

Are you honest with yourself?

 

After your job search goes on for months...you have to begin to question your honesty...with yourself!  Were you really downsized or were you let go?  Forget what your boss or HR told you...how many people were part of the RIF (reduction in force)?  Were those people seen as top performers?

 

If you were part of a large company and your claim is, "I always had great annual reviews"....let me be the one to tell you that many, many, many managers rubber stamp reviews to avoid having to deliver bad news.  The question is, were you really good at what you did?  How long were you doing it?  You were good compared to whom?

 

If there were several people doing the same job as you, and they still have their job, you have to ask yourself why you were cut and they weren't.  Are there always going to be exceptions to the rule...managers who play favorites or companies that really did cuts based on seniority....of course there will be.  However, in the drastic economy we've been in, many employees and managers have evolved to become more Darwinian.  They want to keep the best people who will help them keep their jobs.

 

People need to look at what skills they had which were great. If they truly were great, then you need to examine your interviewing skills.  How you present yourself by how you dress and how you communicate.  Perhaps you are coming across as arrogant...or maybe lacking confidence?  There are so many things that go into receiving a job offer and to overlook any is a mistake.  Remember, if you've been out of a job for a while...you obviously aren't the "best" at everything.    If you weren't good at an aspect of your job, then try to focus on a job search that emphasizes your strengths.  If you cannot speak in detail...if you can't drill down in to the specifics of how you did something....then you're not going make a good impression.  With revenues, profitability and head count being scrutinized more than ever before, micro management is a positive term.  It means that managers are in the details to make sure t's are cross and i's are dotted.  Be able to explain what you did and how you did it...and how those beneath you did as well.  Being honest with yourself can be painful, however, the results are worth it.

How to Land and Capitalize on Summer Employment

Spring has begun, and summer is just around the corner. Do you, or your kids, have a job lined up to capitalize on those summer months? A summer job is more than just mowing lawns or flipping burgers; it is a chance to make connections that will prove helpful throughout your career, and in this flooded market, students need to start their summer job search NOW.

Start NOW

Now, right now. Go. It’s never too early to begin your summer job search. Whether you plan on going home for the summer, traveling out of state or setting up shop on-campus, it’s important to start researching potential summer employment now. Target companies in your area and contact them directly inquiring about summer help. Reach out to local staffing and recruiting firms regarding project work. Go to the local library to peruse posted flyers. Wait until June to search for a summer job and you may find yourself holding down your parents’ couch instead of building your resume during the summer months.

Cast a Wiiiiide Net

Everyone should know you’re looking for summer employment including your family, friends, friends’ parents, parents’ friends, professors, advisors, old coaches and teachers, your family doctor, the grocery store clerk, you get the idea. The more people who know you’re looking for a job the more quickly you will secure one.  

Inform your contacts on what your ideal job is and sell them on why you should be hired. When selling yourself to your network include information like major, year in school, previous relevant work experience, interest in the company, industry or position, work schedule flexibility and positive attitude. The more your network knows about what you want in a summer job and why, the easier it will be for them to be an effective mouthpiece for your job search.

Target Internships

Even in this stringent market, many companies continue to offer summer internships to eager college students. Do your research on the target companies for which you’d like to work and inquire about summer internship programs, however, be sure to remain open to companies and industries outside your ideal. Internships are a hot commodity for college students, and the candidate pool will be competitive, so be sure to maintain an open mind and attitude to all opportunities.

Don’t expect to get paid for your summer internship. Many employers are cutting back budgets for these types of programs, and landing internship experience is priceless, regardless of the immediate monetary rewards.

Don’t Treat it Like “Just Another Summer Job”

Yes, your summer job may not be directly congruent with your long-term career goals; however, the contacts you meet now will prove valuable partners in the future. Treat every interview, every interaction with employers and every hour of your work day as you would a “real” job. Your performance, attitude and professionalism during summer employment are a reflection of you and your work ethic, no matter how irrelevant your summer job may seem. Make a good impression on your summer employer, and you will find yourself with a valuable resource with whom to reconnect after graduation.

 

The Millenial Generation

I was traveling back to Chicago from NY on a business trip on Friday when I met a college senior from Howard University.  She was getting a degree in international business, with an emphasis on finance and was interviewing at Goldman Sachs for a job in their Human Resources department. We talked about NY and how crowded it is and how people are cramped into apartments...she said she grew up in tight quarters in Saint Lucia, so NY would be ok. 

 

She said she expected nothing less than 60 hour work weeks...mostly because she knew if she didn't, there were others who would.  I asked about her education and coming to the United States; she told me how she started at a junior college and then transferred to Howard.  Started at a junior college and now was interviewing for a job at Goldman Sachs!!!

 

This "twenty-something" was articulate, intelligent, poised and motivated to continue to grow and get a job.  She wasn't looking to make a million dollars, but simply an opportunity to work hard, make her parents proud and accomplish something. 

 

Sometimes society and the media are quick to stereotype people...most recently with the millennial generation as the “entitlement generation”.  I disagree with that, and I meet twenty- something’s all the time who prove to me that individuals are just that...individuals!  All employers should search for the right person, not based on media-created stereotypes.  Sometimes they are hard to find...but when you get the good ones...they prove how powerful one good employee can be. 

Happy Holidays - You're Hired!

Contrary to common job search myths, most companies don’t cease hiring during the holidays. The months between Thanksgiving and the New Year are often the busiest of the year. With many managers scrambling to make the most of their annual budget, and others planning for January, companies are looking to add staff, or research for next year’s hires, before midnight on December 31, 2009.

Showing up when others are taking off may land you that new position to ring in the New Year!

Swim in the Smaller Pool

The holidays are swiftly approaching, and the majority of Americans will use this time as a welcome vacation from their tedious careers. Don’t make this mistake. The pool of job seekers actively pursuing open positions is significantly smaller during the holiday season, and unemployed job seekers should capitalize on this smaller pool of competitors. In a time of gluttony and excess, when others are focused on the holidays, utilize this time to prove to employers your determination and focus.

Stave away the winter blues by vowing to advance your job search one day at a time. Set a goal to complete one substantial step towards employment each day. For example, connect with 15 new contacts on LinkedIn, research five companies and apply to postings on their Web site, or attend a networking event.

Earn Extra Holiday Cash and Career Experience

Regardless of your employment status, seasonal or part-time work during the holidays is an effective way to earn extra cash and gain valuable work experience. Job seekers who take on additional part-time employment within their desired career path are viewed as going above and beyond the expected employment strategy. In some cases, a part-time or seasonal position can even lead to a full-time job within the company or industry of your career dreams.

Capitalize on Gatekeeper Absence

During the holidays, many administrative staff members request time away from the office. Gatekeepers, executive assistants, for example, who protect the process of connecting with management, will often be absent, making it more likely to reach the decision-makers within a given organization. Also, many managers spend more time in the office in the winter months to compensate for time off taken by their staff. Use this time to your advantage; call the company and ask for the hiring manager directly. In this economy, managers receive a plethora of responses to each job opening, and making a tactful and professional phone call inquiring about the status of your application can go a long way.

Don’t wait until the week before Christmas to inquire about open positions. Increase your chances of getting hired this holiday season by submitting your application early, and beat the post-Thanksgiving rush.

Observations from a Job Fair

Job fairs are an invaluable resource, and in this competitive job market, a great way to set yourself apart from other candidates. Are you making the most of your school’s career fairs? You should be and I’ll tell you why.

 

Career fairs are a prime way to practice networking and/or obtain job leads. Networking is an activity in which you will participate your entire working life, no matter your profession.  It doesn’t stop once you land a job. Job fairs are just the place to practice putting yourself out there and building a professional network. The more people who know you’re looking for a job, the better your chance at getting a job!

 

As campus recruiter for my company, the LaSalle Network, I spend a good deal of time at career fairs. And I’ve seen it all. Career fairs showcase a unique cross-section of candidates, and not just in the areas of academic pursuits or career aspirations.  Some job fair attendees are more prepared than others. Some slink by my booth - their body language begging, “don’t talk to me, don’t talk to me, don’t talk to me.”

 

Now, I tend to be chatty and motivated by being around college students at job fairs, so I engage a lot of students in conversation. Not every representative you talk to will be as engaging. Not everyone will coax a conversation out of you.

 

So, once you’ve arrived at the fair, don’t be afraid to step up, put out your hand, smile, and introduce yourself. Job fairs are usually pretty busy for recruiters because we want to speak to as many folks as possible, too! Therefore, it’s important that your introduction briefly describes who you are, why you’re there, and what unique qualifications you bring to the table.  

 

 Other students will come up to me with that confident handshake and strong verbal communication, but are dressed for a night in “da club.” I am here to tell you that, yes, even in today’s increasingly casual culture, a suit speaks volumes. The students who visit my booth at job fairs dressed as if they are on an interview stand out every time over those in hoodies and Chuck Taylor sneakers.

 

Based on my observations, here are a few tips on how to make the most of a job fair:

 

· Obtain a list of employers attending the fair from your career center

· Research the companies in which you are most interested. You won’t have time to talk to everyone, so plan to talk to 5-10 employers once you’ve arrived

· Prioritize your time once you arrive, meeting first with employers at the top of your list

· Make a strong, first impression. Dress professionally. Offer a firm handshake. Smile. Make eye contact. Communicate briefly and enthusiastically who you are and why you’re interested in each employer

· Before leaving each employer, obtain contact information, find out what hiring procedures are and what you can expect as far as next steps. To make it fun, I suggest setting a goal for yourself before the fair such as collecting a certain number of business cards

 

Finally, just because the career fair is over, doesn’t mean you’re done. Now it’s time for follow-up!  This job market is competitive, so remember that you want to stand out. In order to do that, I suggest you follow-up by

1. sending a thank you note or email depending upon preferred method of contact and 2. call a week later to see where each company is in their hiring process.

 

 

 

 

Interviewing Advice

At our firm, The LaSalle Network, we make a priority of spending time, 30-60 minutes, with our candidates prior to their interview with a client. We attempt to cover the basics: get there early, wear a conservative suit, no perfume, etc. etc....to the more in-depth...how to explain gaps in work history, what they are looking for, why they are leaving positions, etc. etc. It always amazes me when people don't want this help.

I have seen it with recent college graduates in their 20s, and I have seen it with senior managers in their 40s and 50s. To begin with, if you already know it...it's a good refresher. In addition, you may not remember every little thing. Lastly, if you are so wonderful, you would get an offer for every position you interviewed for. We tell everyone of our internal employees, if you take away one thing from an educational meeting or seminar...you are that much better off!

If you recently graduated from college, you need every tool you can get your hands on because the market is so competitive. If you are an experienced worker, you need the help, because the market is always changing. The fact is if you are unwilling to accept help in this area, how willing will you be as an employee? Interviewing is tough...take advantage of every opportunity you can!

Interviewing Tips for the Entrepreneur

I've written about interview tips for candidates, but now it's the entreprenuer's turn. I recently spoke with Karen Klein over at BusinessWeek about how to conduct a job interview. Below is the podcast Karen put together, and to hear more of her interviews, check out the Smart Answers section of BusinessWeek.