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.
Maddy writes:
I am a young lady who is looking to climb 'the ladder' I have been with this
company for two years and although have managed several pay rises and taken
on more work in other areas of my job, I have not been promoted. I enjoy my work
and don't want to leave, but recently have felt as if I am hitting my head against
a brick wall.
My superiors are very busy people and when I do report to them they don't seem
to have the time and I feel like I am wasting theirs. I have been thinking of doing
some sort of weekly report or review to let them know what is going on in their
centers with a copy cc'd to the managing director (as requested by him) but
am frightened it will come across as fault finding and am not sure how best to
set one out?
How would be the best way to assert myself without coming across as a blow heart?
A:
The Career Doctor responds:
You have all the right instincts, but you might want to tweak your actions. I
agree that unless requested, some bosses might see that type of report as
overstepping your job.
In order for job-seekers to get ahead in a timely fashion -- either with your current
employer or with a new employer -- you must build your career brand. What is
your career brand? It helps define who you are, how you are great, and why you
should be sought out. Branding is your reputation. Branding is about building a
name for yourself, showcasing what sets you apart from others, and describing
the added value you bring to a situation.
Will you get promoted and move forward with your career without taking such a
proactive approach? Yes, but most likely not at a pace you desire.
As management guru Tom Peters states, “we are the CEOs of our own companies:
Me, Inc.”
One way of building your brand is to promote yourself with your current employer.
Workers often assume the boss knows your accomplishments, but often times
s/he does not. Certainly at review time, have a list of all you have achieved since
your last review, but also consider finding ways to let the boss know your successes
throughout the year.
But don’t stop there. You can build your brand by also promoting yourself
outside the company through building your reputation within the industry. Other
strategies for building your brand include becoming an expert (writing articles,
giving speeches), building and nurturing (networking) relationships, gaining
additional experiences and accomplishments, and obtaining additional training,
education, or certifications.
Pamela writes:
A colleague my husband used to work with recently returned to head up
a company here. At one time the two worked together and were friendly
socially. Approximately 12 years ago, my husband was hired away by
another company and this man attempted to persuade him to stay where
he was. After some negotiations on both sides, my husband decided to take
the new position.
A lot of time has passed and my husband would very much like to make a
move back. There would seem to be a need for someone at the company
where this man works.
Is there any way that you know of that he could let his intentions be known
without threat to his current job if this man should turn him down?
A:
The Career Doctor responds:
Anything is possible, but 12 years is a long time to go without any kind of
contact. So, folks, when I tell you why it’s important to keep in contact with
people in your network, here’s an example of why -- time and time again I hear
stories from job-seekers who think they will never run into someone again
only to find themselves needing that person’s help in a future employment situation.
In your husband’s case, the key question is how the two men ended the
relationship after your husband spurned his overtures and left the company.
The good news may be that if there were negative feelings -- that after 12 years
they may have melted away. It may also help that they are now both with different
companies. On the other hand, some people take these things very personally
and may still hold a grudge after all these years.
The best way for your husband to test the waters is to either arrange to
conveniently “run into” the former colleague at some professional or social function
or simply call and ask him out to lunch to “catch up.”
After the initial small-talk passes, your husband could move the talk slowly to the
status of the company and whether there was any need for someone like him. If the
colleague shuts down on your husband at any time, there is nothing lost -- and since
he did not ask for a job, there should be minimal concerns about it getting back to
his current employer.
Finally, though, are there not other companies and other opportunities your
husband could pursue?
Q:
Jaime writes:
I wondered if you could give me a referral to a good website or company that
may help nurses advance their careers. I am an RN who wants to use my
science degree for something totally non-patient related, i.e., nurse attorney,
working for insurance companies, hospital credentialing companies, pharmaceutical
sales, etc. I am having trouble finding much specific information and many of
these require more experience than I have or more college. Can you help me?
Thanks for your time and have a great day!
A:
The Career Doctor responds:
It is amazing to me that we have this nursing shortage and yet many
employers do not seem to be doing a lot to hire and retain nurses. Instead,
I hear horror stories from nurses of poor pay, long hours, and poor working
conditions. And many, like you are looking to change careers to move away
from the healthcare mess.
I am going to suggest some exercises for you to complete, but you may
also want to work with a professional career coach -- someone who can
help you through the steps of changing careers.
The first thing you need to decide is what you want to do next -- because
some of the jobs/careers you mention will require additional education. My
advice for this step is for you to conduct research and informational interviews.
Learn more about the pros and cons of each career -- as well as the specific
additional educations and experience you would need.
Once you have narrowed down your list of potential careers, the next step is
choosing one and developing a plan for the change -- perhaps still working in
nursing as you go back to school or moonlight or volunteer in the new
career to gain experience.
You’ll also have to do major updates of all your job-search materials to reflect
the change in careers.
Changing careers is a challenge, but with patience and work, it is possible.
Stephanie writes:
I am currently employed, full time, with a sales agency. I have been employed
with this company for five years. Recently, I obtained a part-time position with
a reputable salon and day spa in the area, while my husband finishes his
degree. I am putting my resume together to pursue other avenues and am
wondering if I should include my part-time position on my resume. AND in
what order I should place my experience. I do not want to seem overworked,
however, I know that the salon and day spa will give me an excellent referral.
If you could offer any advice, I would certainly appreciate it. Thank you.
A:
The Career Doctor responds:
You might be surprised to learn that there are a large number of folks
doing the same thing you are doing -- working one job and moonlighting at another.
People have all sorts of reasons for taking a second job. Some do it as the
beginning of a career-change move, gaining experience in a new career field
before making the full switch. Others work multiple jobs to simply meet living
expenses. Still others do it (usually on a temporary basis) to earn extra money.
Finally, others do it because they simply enjoy the second job.
What’s your reason for moonlighting? Your answer will affect whether you should
bother putting the salon on your resume.
For example, if you are attempting to move out of sales into customer service, then
the salon job could showcase your customer service skills.
But if you worked at the salon simply because you needed extra money or
something to fill your day/week, then I would probably leave it off your resume.
Even though more and more job-seekers are moonlighting, there are also more
employers who are implementing or considering implementing guidelines for
when (and where) employees can work second jobs – and as a job-seeker, you
don’t want to hurt your chances of getting an interview based on a
unimportant job listed on your resume.
