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.
Lindsey writes:
Hi. I am considering the idea of taking a second job on top of my regular full-time job.
I see it as a chance to pay off some debt and get back on my feet, while helping my
family. I have excellent skills, so I am not so worried about difficulty in finding a job,
but I am worried about the effects of so much work on me and on my family life.
Any thoughts?
A:
The Career Doctor responds:
Somewhere between 7-8 million Americans hold a second or third job…
and most do so to simply earn a living or to help earn extra money.
Moonlighting is tough -- it's hardest on you (because you will
have no free time) and your family and friends (because they
will never see you).
Here are some strategies for finding and surviving a second job:
Check your main employer's policies. Before you even consider
looking for a second job, take the time to check your current employer’s
policies about holding outside employment.
Understand your reasons for taking a second job. If it’s purely
monetary, you may be able to talk to your current employer to pick
up extra shifts rather than take a second job.
Consider a trial basis. Moonlighting in short doses -- to accomplish
some short-term goals -- usually works better than working multiple jobs
for long stretches of time.
Find a job that interests you. Perhaps you have a boring office job
as your main job, so try something fun like being a tour guide or other
more unusual job for your second one.
Consider second jobs that are less stressful. If your first job is a
pressure-cooker, find a second one that is relaxing to you, such as
pet-sitting or tutoring.
Find jobs that are geographically close to each other - or to your
home. Your time will be limited enough without adding a long commute
to your second job.
Seek out new opportunities with new employers. If you are contemplating
a career change, but are not sure of your next career, use second jobs to test
out some of your career ideas.
Reduce your load. If you are working multiple jobs, it’s probably time to
cut some of those extracurricular activities.
Carve out time for significant others. You must find a way to schedule some
time with your family and friends or those relationships will suffer… and if you have
a partner, be sure s/he is okay with your plans.
Know when it’s time to quit. Whether it’s when you reach your financial goal
or when you are beginning to mentally or physically breakdown, you must r
educe your load... though that does not necessarily mean quitting your
second job (if it has become your new career passion).
Gigi writes:
I am in a job that is unfulfilling and I see no growth or development opportunities for
me. For the last two years I have been searching for another position. I have had a
few interviews, but no job offers. I do not know why I am not getting any job offers.
I interview well and my qualifications are very good. I am so unhappy in my present
job that I am ready to resign! I have voiced my concerns to management only to
have them negated and ignored. More importantly, I am concerned that I am not
getting any offers, especially because my qualifications are very good. Can you
please give me some suggestions on what I can do to increase my likelihood of
getting a job offer.
A:
The Career Doctor responds:
I hate to break this news to you, but I sense someone needs to do so. You have a
problem, and while I can’t say for certain without more information, I would point the
finger at your ego and your attitude.
It’s important for job-seekers to be confident, but I can tell you right now you most
likely do NOT have good interviewing skills if you are not getting to the next level.
Now, it is slightly possible that you work in an environment where everyone knows
everyone else and the gossip mills have branded you a trouble-maker or whiner,
but if that were the case you would not even be getting any interviews. It’s also
possible that you are not following-up each interview with a thank-you letter and
showing your ongoing interest in the employer.
So, I think your job-search strategies must be solid. You must write decent cover letters a
nd resumes, so it’s time to take a hard look at your interviewing skills. Here are your
options: 1). Ask a mentor to conduct a mock interview with you to critique your skills.
2). Contact a career professional and work on developing/enhancing your interviewing skills.
3). Contact one of the hiring managers that passed on you and ask (in a very
non-confrontational manner) if s/he would be willing to give you some honest feedback.
Q:
Heidi writes:
Hoping you will answer a couple of questions about our 4 college students and
summer employment.
My husband and I are at odds about our 4 college students 20, 22, 23 & 24 years
old (none of whom have ever really been gainfully employed for long, we have made
the mistake of paying for everything for them, college, books, cars, insurance,
spending cash and on and on).
I believe they should have that resume compete now! They should be making at the
very least, 2 contacts minimum per day via email or phone or in person and a minimum
of 60 contacts per month until they have at least one job offer and then maybe look for a
back up plan. Not to mention out on the street pounding the pavement, visiting their c
ollege career office and on and on.
My husband believes I am being an extremist and far too aggressive with my requests of them. I
believe finding a job is a job, especially today.
A:
The Career Doctor responds:
First let me thank you for making me and many of the readers of this column feel
better about our parenting and home situations -- and financial situations! I can’t
imagine having four kids in college at one time, let alone paying for everything for them.
I don’t want to start a war in your family, but you need to stand your ground.
Finding a job -- any job -- is hard work - and a job-seeker must plan for putting in
the hours and efforts to land a job. Do your kids plan on being professional students
all their lives, or are they going to use those college educations to be productive citizens?
I absolutely love your job-search system. Setting goals -- easily attainable job-search goals --
are great motivators for job-seekers. And from what you say, your kids are going to need a
system to succeed. Employers want college graduates who have work experiences.
Have them march immediately to the career services office at their schools and get the help
they need finalizing versions of their resumes, developing a strategy for tracking down job and
internship leads, growing their network of contacts (including alums of their colleges), and
learning critical job-hunting skills.
Please don’t let your children become like the two children of a friend of mine… those two
are late in their years (50+) and still getting a monthly allowance from their mother.
Anthony writes:
I have a 17 year old daughter who is trying to figure out what she wants to major in.
She has no overwhelming interest in anything but is a good student with an ambition
to continue her education.
What are some helpful means of career information gathering and self-awareness
would you suggest to help her focus in on a few options.
A:
The Career Doctor responds:
I know you mean well, and after reading the previous letter, I know you worry about your
daughter not wasting her college years, but please remember that the college
experience -- including the degree -- is more important right now than determining a
major. College is supposed to be about a child truly transitioning to adulthood and finding his/her way in life and career.
That said, there are numerous avenues you and your daughter could take to at least
get a general sense of possible career directions.
First, have your daughter examine what she likes doing most -- at school, at home,
and anywhere else. Does she have hobbies? Does she volunteer? What does she do
in her spare time? She should start making a list of those activities she most enjoys.
Second, there are numerous self-assessment and career interest tests in print and online.
She should consider taking a few of these and seeing if any of the results sparks her interest.
Her high school guidance office may also be able to help her.
Third, examine your network of contacts and consider having your daughter conduct i
nformational interviews or job shadow some of them to learn more about potential careers.
Fourth, have her review some of the career exploration books or Websites that discuss
different careers and the education needed to succeed in them.
