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.
Betty writes:
I’ve heard and read some things about developing career portfolios,
but why should a job-seeker do it? And, do you have examples of
portfolios as well? I have found your site very informative!
A:
The Career Doctor responds:
I think all job-seekers should take the time to develop career portfolios for a variety of
reasons, but before I get to those reasons, let me give a quick overview of what career
portfolios are all about.
A career portfolio (sometimes referred to as a job skills portfolio) is a tool that a job-seeker
develops to give prospective employers a complete picture of who you are, including
samples of your work -- your experience, your education, your accomplishments, your
skill sets -- and what you have the potential to become -- much more than just a cover
letter and resume can provide.
A career portfolio has these benefits to job-seekers:
First, by compiling a portfolio, a job-seeker is forced to conduct a comprehensive audit
of work experience and accomplishments, education and training, skill sets, and honors
and achievements. By conducting this audit, I have found that many job-seekers discover
things they have done that they had overlooked in the past.
Second, developing a portfolio forces the job-seeker to become organized. Once the portfolio
is complete, the job-seeker will know how to quickly find all vital job-search materials and
work samples.
Third, a well-organized and detailed portfolio makes a strong statement about who you are
as a prospective employee and shows exactly the type of work you have accomplished in
past jobs. Employers are always impressed by quality portfolios.
Kevin writes:
In your article about getting fired, you advise to not include a job that resulted in
a firing if it did not last more than three months. I recently got fired from a job after
only two months of employment, appealed the decision, and then lost the appeal.
This was my first "real" full-time position after college, and I have decided not to
include it on my resume.
As I search for a new job, can employers somehow do research and discover
that I omitted this job? Also, how did you arrive at the three month figure?
A:
The Career Doctor responds:
Job-hunting -- for job-seekers -- is about showcasing all the positives about
what you can offer prospective employers. Even if you have had some bumps
in the road -- and who has not -- your goal as a job-seeker is to downplay them
as much as possible so that the employer sees you as the ideal candidate
to fill a position.
Please let me emphasize that I say downplay and not lie or hide the truth. I
never support any efforts by job-seekers to lie on resumes, cover letters,
or job applications.
First, let me ease your mind a bit. Many, many college grads have bad
first-job-after-college experiences, so please do not be too hard on yourself.
Only a small handful are lucky enough to find a job in their ideal career with
their perfect employer.
Can a prospective employer find out about your short first job? If you are
looking for a job in the same industry or same small geographic area, it is
slightly more likely that at some point -- not necessarily as you are searching
for a job -- that it could be found out. And again, as long as you never lied
about it -- such as on a job application where some ask if you have ever
been fired from a job -- you have nothing to worry about. And many employers
don’t give out negative information about former employees for fear of legal action.
Why the three-month number? Because a three-month (or less) gap in
employment history is not going to raise too many eyebrows, especially
in the current job market. A longer gap, however, begs the question of what
you have been doing all that time. You again have an advantage over
other job-seekers because many college grads take a few months after
college to catch their breath and recharge their batteries before
heading to work.
Colby writes:
I was invited to a Job Fair at the end of the week and am extremely excited
but nervous as well. I have never been to a Job Fair so I am unsure what to
expect. The fair is for entry-level, ticket sales positions within the 12 "Major
League Soccer" teams around the country.
The biggest problem I want to address is how to distinguish myself from
others in such a short, more informal than a 1 on 1 interview, setting in such
a short time. I am interested in all 12 teams in various locations, so I am
extremely open to any suggestions.
Thank you very much for your time.
A:
The Career Doctor responds:
Job fairs are great tools for job-seekers to make contacts -- and possibly
make good enough first impressions to be called in for an onsite interview
with one or more prospective employers.
And you are absolutely correct – you need a strategy for success.
The first thing you need to do is know everything possible about the
requirements and expectations of ticket sales employees. What are the
key skills these folks need?
Second, you need is information on each of the teams. You need to
have information on each one, partly to decide if you really would work
for any of them and partly to showcase your knowledge.
Third, you need to do is choose your top teams and plan your job fair strategy.
Fourth, you need to do is plan your sales pitch. Some experts refer to
such a pitch as your elevator speech -- the same amount of time you have to
sell yourself to someone you meet on an elevator. While the basic pitch may
be the same, you will want to tweak it some based on your research of the
teams. Your elevator pitch tells the recruiter exactly why you are better
than all the rest of the folks at the job fair.
You also need to make strong eye contact, smile, and have a firm
handshake. You should try and establish rapport -- even if just for that
short time.
Finally, be sure and get each recruiter’s business card (contact information) --
and then write a strong follow-up thank you note to each one of them.
Joyce writes:
My daughter has just graduated from an excellent university with a BA in
English and she has no direction to pursue a career. She was told that she
would need either a teaching certificate or grad work to find a job. She has
no interest in teaching, but she is really good at writing and editing.
What kind of careers are open to her and where can we look for information? I
have suggested she go back to the college career center and tap in to the
alumni association. in order for her to write some letters for networking purposes.
A:
The Career Doctor responds:
The good news for you and other grads and parents is that the situation
your daughter faces is not that uncommon. I’ve found that many liberal
arts majors get caught up in the learning -- which is wonderful -- but at the
expense of career planning. And going to grad school with no clear direction
would be a waste of time and money.
The bad news is that there is very little mercy in today’s job market.
Employers expect even entry-level job-seekers to have work experience.
English is a wonderful major because communications is vital to all
organizations. Employers are always talking about the need for good
communicators.
What your daughter needs to do is find a career focus. I would suggest
she start by examining her likes and dislikes. What have been the
activities she has enjoyed the most over the last few years. Next, she
should meet with a career professional from her alma mater and do
some serious brainstorming. And yes, sure, she could use the alums
for informational interviews and networking.
She might also try volunteering or temping while she is developing her
career focus -- because the more careers she tries out, the more
she’ll know what she does and does not want to do.
Finally, she should remember that finding a career is often a lifelong
process.
