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.
Phil writes:
I am simply having no luck in job-hunting. I know you say networking is important,
but I have no network to speak of -- and no idea of what to do about it. Why is
networking really so important -- and how can I improve my network?
A:
The Career Doctor responds:
Networking is an essential tool of job-hunting because of its potential.
Networking is all about growing and nurturing a group of contacts,
including friends, family, former bosses and colleagues, peers, etc.
It’s these contacts who can then possibly be in a position to help
you when you are searching for your next job.
A common misconception is that networking is about asking people
you know for a job. But networking is more about asking people to
assist you in your job-search by providing information or connecting
you with people in their network.
For example, let’s say you really wanted to get a job with Brown &
Brown, Inc. You could simply apply for a job there, but you would
be just one of many unknown job-seekers to do so. But what if you
had a contact within the company who could recommend you to the
hiring manager? All of a sudden, you go from an anonymous job-seeker
to top prospect.
But what if you don’t know anyone who works at Brown & Brown?
That’s where you ask the folks in your network to ask the people
in their network if they know anyone at the company.
I could list hundreds of job-seekers who I personally know found
their jobs through networking… it is simply that powerful.
And how do you build/improve your network? By meeting new people.
Certainly, you should belong to at least one professional group, but perhaps
there is another you could join. Community groups are another option
-- especially if you are seeking a new job in the same location. Volunteering
is another great way to meet people -- and also do something rewarding.
And, of course, there are a growing number of Web-based networking resources.
Get many more details about networking -- including some great resources --
by going to this section of Quintessential Careers:
The Art of Networking.
Q:
Jerry writes:
Our company office party is coming up next week and I am seeking some
advice so as not to experience the same problems I had at last year’s
holiday party. I thought the idea was for everybody to have fun and blow
off some steam, but after doing just that last year my boss had me in
the doghouse for quite some time. What’s proper and what’s not?
A:
The Career Doctor responds:
From what I’ve heard and read, more employers are bringing back holiday
parties as a fairly inexpensive reward for employees who have worked hard
this year. And I think holiday office parties can be a nice perk for employees,
assuming you know the boundaries and don’t blow off too much steam.
Holiday parties should be a chance to relax and unwind outside the office,
to celebrate a year of hard work, and to enjoy the spirit of the holidays. It
should be a time to see the boss -- and perhaps even higher-ups -- and
socialize on a personal level rather than a work level. It’s a chance to build
your network within the company. It’s a chance to show company spirit.
Unfortunately, holiday parties can also be traps for some people -- who
somehow think it’s the perfect time to hit on a co-worker, tell off the
boss, or get stinking drunk. And at one of my office parties, I saw more
than one person do all three!
Here are a few holiday office party do’s and don’ts to avoid the doghouse:
Do conduct yourself professionally at all times. Don’t
use the office party as an excuse to blow off steam. It’s still a company
function, so proper etiquette and decorum matter.
Don't pass up the invitation to an office party; not attending could hurt your
reputation. And when you attend, do spend at least 30 minutes at the
party for appearances. But don’t overstay your welcome by partying
until the wee hours.
Don't bring the party lampshade, gag gifts for the boss, or any other crazy stuff you
might do at a personal holiday party.
Don't forget to thank the person responsible for the planning and coordinating
of the party. And do consider sending a thank-you note to top management for
hosting the party.
Heidi writes:
What are some tricks to making resumes more effective? I am not having
much success in finding a new job and at least one person has suggested
my resume could be stronger. But how?
A:
The Career Doctor responds:
I don’t know about tricks, but I can certainly give you some strategic pointers.
I am constantly amazed at how many bad resumes I see on a regular basis --
and with all the articles, books, and Web-based resources, I simply do not
understand how it is possible.
Let’s start with the purpose of a resume. A resume is a marketing document
designed to arouse enough interest in a prospective employer to call you for
a job interview. It’s a statement of facts -- education, skills, and accomplishments --
designed to show how you would make the ideal candidate for the open position.
A resume should focus on the positive. It should not include any negative information.
It should also not include duties and responsibilities, salary information, names
of supervisors, or references.
And a resume should be tailored to each specific job, each specific employer.
Once you have your resume written, you’ll want to modify it each time you send
it off. From the job description and from the company’s literature or Website, pull
some of their words and jargon and incorporate them into your resume.
Finally, consider adding some kind of summary at the top of your resume. You
could use a keywords section, a job title, or a qualifications summary… something
that a hiring manager will see from a quick scan of your resume.
And please do not forget that looks and writing matter. Make the resume attractive
and avoid all grammatical errors. Do not use a template, but instead create your
own format or borrow one from a resume you find attractive. And whenever possible,
have someone proofread your resume before you send it out.
For more help with resumes -- from articles to tutorials, samples, and more -- go to this
section of Quintessential Careers: Resume
and CV Resources for Job-Seekers.
Q:
Randle writes:
My question for you is how heavily do prospective employers consider the
fact that you have been fired? I have asked others whether I should I
remove this place of employment from my resume, and most have said
no because it will leave an unexplainable gap in my employment. I was
only employed there for 6 months and was terminated because I didn't
fit in. I was told there was no room there for me anymore and they were
going to hire someone else.
A:
The Career Doctor responds:
Your letter just goes to show how callous some employers can be. So sorry,
we don’t really like you and you don’t fit, so see you later. Of course, in some
ways, that employer did you a favor because it’s certainly better to find out
sooner rather than later.
My opinion is that as long as this was not a dead-end job, that you should
include it on your resume.
There are several ways to judge whether you should put this job on your
resume. You need to decide how important it is to your career advancement.
If this was your first job in your field, then you need to use it to show you
have experience… If you gained valuable skills from this job, you need to
include it. And if you have solid accomplishments, you need to include
the job.
On the other hand, if you were taking classes or volunteering at the same
time as this job -- and you have something to fill the gap, then you might
consider omitting it.
Most importantly, do not call attention to it. Don’t say you were fired.
Simply list it as you do any other employment on your resume. Remember:
no negative information on your resume.
Once you get to the next level of your job-search -- the job interview -- you
will need to have an explanation about the short stint. And what employers
are looking for is not any kind of excuse; what employers want to hear is
what you learned from it, so always look for a positive lesson.
Being fired can certainly be traumatic, and job-seekers sometimes feel as
though they have been branded with a big “F” on their foreheads, but you
need to clear your head and move on, otherwise your lack of confidence
will come through in your job-search.
