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.
Barbara writes:
I’m an experienced professional, currently working fulltime, but feeling a bit
burned out and underappreciated. I also have a number of other strengths and
skills that my employer does not utilize.
So, here’s what I am thinking. I want to sort of have multiple careers at the
same time. I don’t want to work more than the typical 40 hours or so a week…
I don’t want to moonlight, but I do want more control and more from my job/career.
Do you have any suggestions?
A:
The Career Doctor responds:
What you are seeking -- having a new career of multiple careers/jobs that you manage
and control -- is something more common in Europe but beginning to gain favor in
the U.S., especially among baby boomers.
What you are seeking is called a portfolio career. In such a career, you manage a
portfolio of part-time jobs, that when combined result in the equivalent of a full-time
position. For example, an accountant may work two days a week with one client,
teach part-time at the local college, and also have a consulting practice (and during
this time of year, perhaps also a tax service).
Some say the term originates from the early 1990s when management guru Charles
Handy stated that future careers will be made up of lots of small jobs rather than one
big one. Handy talks of careers that offer more control to the worker rather than to the
corporation. Portfolio careers offer greater flexibility, and Handy especially sees more
women taking advantage of this type of career -- with much of the work being based
in home offices.
Before you move toward this multi-job strategy, know that there are some disadvantages.
It may be difficult to mesh multiple employer demands into your schedule, and it will
typically add more stress and uncertainty into your life. You’ll also have to either rely
on a significant other’s health insurance or find your own.
But, if you are an organized person who seeks flexibility, new challenges, and autonomy,
then a portfolio career could be just the direction you should follow.
Patty writes:
Hello, I am going for my third visit to a prospective position. This will be the
third time meeting with the director and the reason for the third visit is so she
can make sure I meet co-workers. The last few people were not a good fit. I
wore the same suit w/different shell the first two times and am wondering if it
would be appropriate to wear a long skirt and blouse to meet the co-workers.
I really don't want to wear the same suit a third time to meet the same director.
The dress in this counseling setting is casual but professional.
A:
The Career Doctor responds:
First, let me congratulate you for getting this far in the interviewing process…
a job offer sounds like it is forthcoming as soon as you pass this last “test” of fit.
I’m sure the hiring manager already has a good sense that you will fit, but it is
important that your future co-workers find you acceptable.
If you’ve read my column or articles in the past, you know that I always believe
in erring on the conservative side, so my advice would be to wear the suit,
perhaps with a new blouse, and not worry about the director really noticing
that it’s the same suit three times running.
On the other hand, because fit is important for this visit, you don’t want the
prospective co-workers to think you are trying to upstage them by wearing a
suit when their attire is more casual.
So, you have two options. First, wear the suit. You are job-hunting, and the suit is
the outfit of choice. I don’t believe the co-workers nor the director will be put off by
it. Second, call either the director (or her assistant) or someone from human
resources and pose the question to that person.
If you do call and ask, don’t frame it as “I only have one suit, so what should I do?”
But, instead, “I want to make a good impression on my future co-workers and called
to solicit your advice on what type of outfit would be best to wear to meet them.”
Asking about attire can actually add to your status as someone who wants to fit
in with the organization.
For other issues related to how to dress for interviews, read my article,
When Job-Hunting:
Dress for Success, published on Quintessential Careers.
Q:
Keith writes:
I am about to embark on my doctoral coursework in economics. While spending
the last six years as a corporate finance manager, I am excited about the
opportunity to research and teach. However, I have not yet uncovered any
resources to help new graduates find assistant professor positions. Surely,
some school needs an economics professor somewhere. Is there anywhere
I can go for help?
A:
The Career Doctor responds:
The good news for anyone in a doctoral program or contemplating entering a
doctoral program is that demand should be strong in many disciplines,
especially as wave after wave of baby boom (and older) professors transition
to part-time status or retirement.
And having the chance to teach, empower, and interact with some of the future
leaders is one of the greatest benefits of being a college professor. Your
corporate finance experience should be a plus -- both in your teaching and in
your research.
The academic job market is fairly different than the corporate market. While
many universities do post job listings on their Websites and some also
advertise jobs, many of the initial interviews for new assistant professors
are actually conducted at academic conferences. I’ve also found a lot of the
academic market is based on word-of-mouth and referrals.
Since you are just starting your studies, the best sources for information are the
professors in your doctoral program. Talk with them about the most important
conferences. While still a student, try to get one or more papers accepted at
these conferences -- or simply attend -- so you can watch the process before
you have to experience it as a job-seeker.
And you can start looking now at job postings to see the types of qualifications
that universities are seeking in assistant professors of economics. And if you
have a specific set of colleges in mind, you might start making connections,
building your network.
Q:
Jeanette writes:
Hi there. I am a current undergrad student upon the threshold of graduation
and am in the search of a job. I have compiled a resume and
sent it to one employer that posted a job I was very much interested in.
My question is focused on a matter of etiquette. It's been perhaps 2 to 3
weeks since I submitted my resume and was wondering if it would be proper,
and conducive to the exhibition of etiquette, to call the employer and ask if
they received my resume and if so were interested? I would more so than
appreciate any advice you could give.
A:
The Career Doctor responds:
You have great timing in sending your question because I just received an email from
Gina, a hiring manager, who complained about the prospective candidate who showed
up in the office unannounced a few days after his interview to check on his status,
and while they met with him to not appear rude, he just lost that job opportunity --
very bad job-seeking etiquette.
Your situation is quite different, though, and it gives me the opportunity to again
stress the importance of follow-up to all job-seekers. Please remember these
words if you want to succeed in finding a new job: follow up, follow up, follow up.
Following up job leads shows prospective employers your interest in the company
and position -- and gives you another chance to sell your qualifications. Some job-seekers
fear sounding desperate or annoying when making follow-up inquiries, but as long
as you do it right, you will come across as interested, not desperate.
You need to track down every job lead and keep on top of the status of each of
those leads. I recommend waiting no more than two weeks to follow-up with a
prospective employer… calling or emailing to make sure your resume was received
and get your name remembered.
Here are some other tips:
If you apply online for a position, consider following-up the online application with a
cover letter and resume sent to the hiring manager via postal mail. You will stand out over
the other online applicants because few will also send a hard copy.
Keep your follow-up brief, to the point, and professional.
Focus your follow-up around your fit with the position and organization and your USP.
You might also ask the hiring manager if he/she needs any further information not included
in your original application.
If you recently completed training, received an award, or earned some other recognition
that would make you an even better candidate for the position, be sure to mention it in your follow-up.
