Readers:
Dr. Randall Hansen, a nationally recognized career expert, is the Career Doctor.
Discover more about Dr. Hansen, read about the purpose of this column,
and find previous issues of this column at the home of The Career Doctor.
If you have any college, career, or job-related questions or comments that Dr. Hansen could
provide valuable assistance with, please
feel free to email him at: careerdr@quintcareers.com.
Dr. Hansen writes this column on a biweekly basis.
Marlena writes:
I work at a large retail company. I have been doing clerical work but I am
now interviewing to be in their executive training program to be an assistant buyer.
I passed the first interview with the head of the program and now I have interviews
with three other people in one day! They call it career day were you meet with
people all day and attend seminars and such. What advice can you give me?
A:
The Career Doctor responds:
The most important thing you can do is to continue to show interest and
enthusiasm for the company and for the opportunity for advancement. You
are going to need to be “on” all day long because you’ll need to make a
positive impression with each person you interact with.
Here are the things I would work on for your big day:
First, have confidence in yourself and your abilities. If you made it past the first
round with the head of the program, the company obviously sees your potential.
Always remember that.
Second, if you have not done so already, prepare what some experts
refer to as an elevator speech about yourself. Have about a 15-20 second
speech about who you are and why you are a perfect candidate for the
training program. It’s called an elevator speech because it’s about the
amount of time you might have to impress someone you meet as you ride
up an elevator together.
Third, be an expert on the company and the training program. Be prepared
to demonstrate what you know about the company and the training program
and why you want to do it. Information is power.
Fourth, plan what you’re going to wear on the career day. Dress as formally
as possible -- and know all the key rules of dressing for success.
Fifth, get a good sleep the night before the big day so you will be mentally fresh
and ready to face all those interviews and seminars.
Finally, read more interviewing tips in my answer to the next question.
Q:
June writes:
I might go for an interview in near future. I would like to make a success
with my interview, and hope you can provide me with detail to prepare myself.
A:
The Career Doctor responds:
I think the most important thing to remember about job interviews is that they are
basically a sales situation. You, as the job-seeker, must make a strong sales
pitch about how you are the perfect person for the job -- and then you need to
close the deal by getting the job offer. I know a lot of job-seekers get
uncomfortable thinking of having to sell themselves to prospective employers,
but that’s really the truth of it. But remember that selling is not all about you,
it’s also doing the proper research to fully understand the employer and his/her
needs … so be sure and do your research. And by the way, the employer
also sees the interview as a sales tool -- trying to sell you on the position
and the firm.
Within that framework, here are some other important do’s and don’ts of interview:
Do your research and know the type of job interview you will be encountering. And do
prepare and practice for the interview, but don't memorize your answers.
Do bring extra resumes to the interview.
Do make good eye contact with your interviewer(s). And do smile.
Do show enthusiasm in the position and the company.
Don't be soft-spoken. A forceful voice projects confidence.
Do have a high confidence and energy level, but don't be overly aggressive.
Don't act as though you would take any job or are desperate for employment.
Don't answer questions with a simple "yes" or "no." Explain whenever possible.
Describe those things about yourself that showcase your talents, skills, and determination.
Give examples.
Do close the interview by telling the interviewer(s) that you want the job and asking
about the next step in the process.
And for lots more tools, advice, and resources on all aspects and all types of interviews,
go to this section of Quintessential Careers: Guide
to Job Interviewing Resources.
Q:
Kimberly writes:
I read your column every week in the Daytona Beach News-Journal, and I find it
to be very informative. I am in the process of going back to school to pursue a
career as a nurse. I was hoping that you could give me a web site that offers
the career assessment test. It would be nice to see if this is where my true
potential lies.
A:
The Career Doctor responds:
I am a big believer in the use of assessment tests -- but only as a small
part of a much broader self-assessment, self-reflection exercise. So, while
there are plenty of self-assessments tests (both online and in print; some
free, some fee-based), I think you might be better served by spending some
time looking at what made you consider nursing, researching nursing careers
that interest you, and then if you still want to, taking an assessment test.
Nursing is one of those caring professions, where a big part of who you are
must be about helping people -- and their families. Besides the technical skills
necessary, you must also have strong empathy skills. And even though
nurses and other healthcare professionals continue to be in demand, you
also need to expect to work long hours in almost any nursing situation.
According to the American Nurses Association: “Nursing has many definitions,
but the essence of nursing is that nurses combine the art of caring with the
science of health care. Nursing places its focus not only on a particular health
problem, but on the whole patient and his or her response to treatment. Care
of the patient and a firm base of scientific knowledge are indispensable elements.”
Read more.
Is nursing right for you? Make a list of the activities and interests that excite
and motivate you. Then make a list of those things you never want to do again.
Then review your aptitude for science and medicine. From these activities, you
should have a good picture if nursing is right for you. You also need to decide
not only the type of nursing specialty you wish to pursue, but also where you
want to practice your nursing.
And to help you better understand the specifics of different types of nursing careers,
conduct some research. One of the best sources I have found on the many,
many facets of a career in nursing is the career section of
NurseWeek.com, where you
can read details about more than 40 career paths in nursing. These details include
things such as career overview, education and certifications needed, job outlook,
typical venues, and more. A great resource.
Michele writes:
Good day Doctor! I am a 30 year old woman in need of a career change. I have my
bachelor's degree in psychology and am currently working on my associate’s in
graphic design. I worked in the field of mental health and became "burned out".
The reason I'm writing to you is that I need to increase my salary and find a career
that I enjoy. I am very creative and work very well with people. I enjoy the arts and
have thought about working in museums as a curator or art dealer. I have had difficulty
finding information about these careers and whether the salary could pay my bills!!!
If you have any advice on where I should go from here, I would appreciate it.
A:
The Career Doctor responds:
Wow. Your letter is almost a textbook example of a person in career crisis. Too often we
stay in one job or one field too long and experience burn out, as you mention…and then
we often move into panic mode because we don’t know where to go.
The good news for you is that you are doing all the right things. You have taken a
self-assessment and reviewed both your strengths and interests - and you are moving in
the right direction in finding a new career you’ll enjoy. But while I understand the need
to pay the bills, I always worry about someone who mentions salary so close to career.
First, because many career changers often must take a lower salary as they pay their
dues in their new career field, and second, because while I recognize money is a big
part of who many of us are, salary should not drive our career choices.
OK. Take me off my soapbox. You are obviously creative, enjoy the arts, and work well
with people -- a great combination. I’m not sure about the graphics design degree,
but if you are also taking some art courses, it certainly could help you as you possibly
transition into the art world.
Where do you go from here? You’ve done the hard part in taking a hard look at yourself,
so now comes the fun part - researching careers in art. There are so many possibilities:
go online, go to your local library, contact the career services professionals from your
alma mater, track down alums who work in the art field, conduct informational interviews.
Please realize that you may need to volunteer or intern to get the necessary experience
to make the transition to your new career, but you’ll learn the most by talking to people
in the field.
