Career Doctor: Quick and Quintessential Career & Job Tips #10

Career Doctor Q-TIPS #10:
Quick and Quintessential Career & Job Tips

These tips have been gathered from job-seeker Q&A's with the Career Doctor, Dr. Randall Hansen. For more information, go to The Career Doctor.

Smart job-seekers understand the importance of quantifying on their resume. Job-seekers must show prospective employers your accomplishments rather than simply telling them -- and quantifying results is one method to do just that. You might be surprised to learn that you can quantify and showcase your accomplishments in just about any job. For example, a security officer could quantify the number of hours, days, weeks, etc., without incidents; the number of hours of training and professional development; the number (and types) of security devices/technology mastered; number of security investigations successfully closed; and commendations (or other records of achievement) received.

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Considering journalism as a college major.career path? Journalism is a great major -- and a great career field. The biggest benefit of a journalism major is the process you'll learn to view, assess, and write about the things around you. You'll learn new research, interviewing, and communications skills. You'll improve your writing abilities. Besides a job as a journalist, with a journalism major you can have a career in public relations, in community affairs, in speechwriting, in advertising, in fund-raising, in sales, and more. You can find more information about a career in journalism by going to: What Can I Do With a Journalism Major?, from the Office of Career Services at Georgia Southern University. You can also find some other career exploration resources by going to this section of Quintessential Careers: Career Exploration.

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Those seeking an MBA degree will be facing increasing competition to get accepted into MBA programs as the number of applicants nationwide continues to swell. Assuming you get into one or more of the MBA programs, choose the school that has a strong record of placing their MBAs in your field of interest. Consider continuing to work -- or take an internship while in the MBA program -- to continue to gain valuable experience. You will greatly enhance your chances for success by combining the value of the MBA with related experience in your field -- the perfect mix of top-level skills associated with someone who has just received his ir her MBA and a strong record of accomplishments and experience from previous previous or concurrent experience. Finally, read our article, The Master of Business Administration: Is the MBA Worth the Time, Effort, and Cost?

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It's the job-seeker, not the employer, who determines how to frame his or her experience -- both on resumes and in job interviews. The employer is not a mind-reader, so unless you showcase your experience, skills, and accomplishments, you won't get many interviews. Remember that experience is experience, and it likely doesn't matter whether that experience was paid or unpaid as long as you gained skills and accomplishments. Perhaps you worked for a family business, perhaps it was volunteer work, or perhaps it was taking a year off to go back to school. All these things add up to your specific mix of skills and abilities. Employers are more interested in job-seekers that have been doing something during a hiatus from full-time employment than job-seekers who appear to have been doing nothing. Don't discount any experience that bolstered your ability to benefit an employer. Instead, embrace that experience. Find experience, skills, and accomplishments that you can pull from whatever work you've done. If you find the experience doesn't quite fit into a neat career path, then consider switching from a conventional chronological resume to a functional style. What's the difference? Chronological resumes focus on your job history while functional resumes focus on specific (transferable) skills sets you've mastered. Read more in these articles published on Quintessential Careers: Should You Consider a Functional Resume? and Strategic Portrayal of Transferable Skills is a Vital Job-search Technique. You can also find many more resume-related articles and tutorials in the Resume Resources section of Quintessential Careers.

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Trying to find a career? Considering taking a career-assessment test to help in that quest? Only you can really decide what you want to do with your life; no test will provide the answer for you. Yes, there are tests that say that people with a certain set of interests and aptitudes fit a certain career, but that doesn't mean that the test result is right for you. So before you even think about taking one of these tests, sit down in a quiet place and contemplate who you are, what your likes and dislikes are, what kinds of experiences or courses get you fired up, and what you are passionate about. What kinds of jobs do you see yourself having in the future? Do you plan to get further education? Then, and only then, should you take one or more assessment test. Go to the career assessments section of Quintessential Careers. Finally, go to the career exploration section of Quintessential Careers, where you can find numerous resources to help you explore career opportunities, including one of the best sources, the Occupational Outlook Handbook, from the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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If you made it into college, one can assume that you completed your high-school education in some fashion, so drop the high-school listing from your resume. Why waste precious space on your resume on an accomplishment that is inconsequential to most employers? Note to non-U.S. job-seekers: The norm for curriculum vitaes in many countries outside the U.S. is to list your high-school education, but if you're applying for a job in the U.S., leave it off.

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Graduates who've completed college or a trade school and can't find a job should consider getting on the phone to the school and demanding help with placement. More and more, all higher-education and trade schools are being held accountable for the placement record of their graduates. So, call the placement office and demand some help in finding a job. They won't be able to hand a job offer to you, but they should be able to counsel you in methods to improve your job-search. Also consider having a career professional evaluate your entire job-search plan. How is your resume? Your cover letter? Are you networking and being proactive, or are you simply responding to jobs ads and being reactive? I strongly recommend you read this article: Ten Questions to Ask Yourself if You Still Haven't Found a Job.

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Job-seekers who reach a certain age -- generally their 40s -- should consider removing dates from college degrees as a preemptive strike against the possibility of age discrimination. See our section on Job and Career Resources for Mature and Older Workers.

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If you've graduated from college and discover that employers are reluctant to hire those without experience, consider looking into temping. Contact the temp agencies near where you live and see if any of them place people in your field. If so, apply to them immediately! Be sure to check out these temping resources. Also look into posting your credentials and putting in bids at one or more of the freelancing job sites. Like temping, freelancing may not be a permanent solution for you, but if you truly have no practical experience, freelancing may be the way to bulk up your resume. Go to this section of Quintessential Careers: Jobs for Consultants, Freelancers, and Gurus. Finally, don't discount work completed while in school.

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There are really two keys to writing successful resumes and cover letters. The first key is stating your accomplishments (rather than job duties). For an in-depth review of this issue, please read our article, For Job-Hunting Success: Track and Leverage Your Accomplishments. The second key is researching and using job-specific keywords in your resumes and cover letters. Employers are increasingly turning to keywords to conduct searches of resume databases, and if your resume doesn't contain those keywords the company is using, then you are pretty much dead in the water. So, how does a job-seeker know what keywords to use on his or her resume? Good question. The quick and dirty answer is that you need to study job postings and job descriptions and find the pattern of words employers use and then be sure to insert them into your resume. Read our article (and sidebars) Tapping the Power of Keywords to Enhance Your Resume's Effectiveness.

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You really must send thank-you notes or letters to every person you interview with at a prospective employer. Get business cards (or some other method for getting the correct spelling of names and correct titles) and send thank-you letters as soon as possible after the interviews. More formal thank-you letters -- rather than notes -- are appropriate for first interviews. After second interviews, however, where there is obviously good rapport and interest by both parties, a more informal thank-you note, on nice note card paper (rather than standard business paper), in your own handwriting (rather than PC-produced) is fine. A handwritten thank-you note -- beyond any content -- sends a message of connection and fit. For more information about thank-you letters and notes, go to this article on Quintessential Careers: FAQs About Thank You Letters. Follow this link to find some excellent sample thank-you letters.

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In job interviews, resist the temptation to bad-mouth any poor decisions made by your previous employers. Doing so will immediately label you as disgruntled in the eyes of your interviewer -- and you might as well stop the interview because for all practical purposes it ended with your comments. You might dislike not be completely honest about your feelings about a previous supervisor or employer, but in reality, no one really cares how you feel. You're in a job interview -- it's a chance to sell yourself to the employer, not complain about previous experiences. Leave the baggage at home when you go to interviews. Attitude is a crucial element -- so project a positive one in interviews.

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Headhunters and recruiters can be a great tool of any job-search, but you need to find the right fit. Headhunters are typically organized by location or by industry/occupation. Nearly all reputable recruiting firms are paid by employers, so you should not incur any fees. That's the good news. The bad news is that recruiters work for the employers, not for you. So while you are an important part of the puzzle for a recruiter (assuming you have qualifications and skills that match the needs of his or her clients), you will always be second to the clients. The best source for getting information about using headhunters and finding recruiters? Go to this section of Quintessential Careers: Recruiter Directories & Associations. You'll find a growing list of articles and other resources about how job-seekers can best use the services of recruiters, as well as recruiter directories and recruiter associations. Our favorite recruiter directory is Oya's Directory of Recruiters.

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A key part of any job-search is follow-up. It's not good enough just to be pounding the pavement, sending out cover letters and resumes, expanding your network of contacts, responding to job ads and postings, and contacting headhunters and recruiters. All those activities are important, but they'll all be for naught unless you take the time to follow-up every single job lead. Don't let the words "No phone calls" in a job ad or posting deter you from following up. Employers who say "no phone calls" do so because they don't want to answer large numbers of inquiries, but following-up a cover letter and resume is different from calling to apply for or inquire about a job. Following-up shows your interest in the job. And for those employers who don't list their phone numbers? Look them up! Call Directory Assistance, go online, get the phone number, and follow-up! You can find more resources in the Job Search 101 tutorial found on Quintessential Careers.

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Do you know whether your former employers are giving you bad references? And whom are you listing as references on your reference page? If you are concerned what former supervisors might say about you, ask colleagues and former coworkers, a mentor, and other people in your network to be a reference. If you are truly concerned (or just plain curious) about what those former supervisors are saying about you, hire one of the reference-checking services (such as MyReferences.com) and find out. You can find links to all the major services in this section of Quintessential Careers: Job References & Portfolio Services.

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The two best books on careers, career potential and requirements, and job outlook are the Occupational Outlook Handbook and the Career Guide to Industries -- both published by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. The books are available in print (usually in reference areas of libraries) and online (with search or browse capabilities). The Occupational Outlook Handbook (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics) is a nationally recognized source of career information, designed to provide valuable assistance to individuals making decisions about their future work lives. Revised every two years, the Handbook describes what workers do on the job, working conditions, the training and education needed, earnings, and expected job prospects in a wide range of occupations.

The Career Guide to Industries (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics) provides information on available careers by industry, including the nature of the industry, working conditions, employment, occupations in the industry, training and advancement, earnings and benefits, employment outlook, and lists of organizations that can provide additional information. The Career Guide is a companion to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, which provides information on careers from an occupational perspective.

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The current trend in crime TV shows has generated great interest in the field of forensics. For one such permutation of this field, forensic psychology, the best preparation is a dual major in criminology and psychology, with other science courses added to the mix. A master's degree in forensic psychology is also essential. Your key should be researching the best graduate programs in forensic psychology. Depending on exactly what you want to do within the field, you may also need to earn your doctorate degree. Where to start? Well, you need to be thinking about grad school! To find programs that offer at least a master's degree in forensic psychology, go to one of our favorite sites, GradSchool.com: Graduate School Directories -- Forensic Psychology.

Don't forget to visit the Graduate School Resources section of Quintessential Careers, where we have articles, books, and key resources to help you with all aspects of grad school -- from grad schools admission tests to choosing the best grad program to writing the grad school admissions essay.

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Numerous books are available about careers within specific industries. For example, someone interest in marketing as a career could read Opportunities in Marketing Careers. You can find a fairly extensive list of career books -- organized by industry -- in this section of Quintessential Careers: Industry-Specific Career Books. A growing number of Web sites either offer just industry-specific career information or a combination of job postings and career information, and many universities with majors in specific disciplines also offer career information. Visit these two sections of Quintessential Careers: Career and Job Resources -- by Industry and Career Exploration Resources.

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Geography major? A great source for information about careers for students who majored in geography can be found at: Careers in Geography, from the Association of American Geographers. Finally, other career/job possibilities for students who majored in geography include: Business Analyst, Map Analyst, Land Use Analyst, City/Regional Planner, Distribution/Transportation Analyst, and many others. Some of the work is in government while other jobs are in business. For more information, go to another of our favorite sites: What Can I Do With a Major in Geography?, from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

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To confirm whether a career path is right for you, an internship is your best bet because it will give you vital experience, confirm your career interests, and give you some vital contacts that you will need upon graduation. Find all sorts of great internship resources, including articles and other resources in this section of Quintessential Careers: Internship Resources for College Students. Whether you complete an internship or not, take the time to conduct some informational interviews. These are not job interviews, but sessions you conduct with key professionals in your field to learn more about job and career opportunities, to expand your network, and to get solid career advice. You can learn more about the value, the method, and the potential outcomes by visiting this free tutorial from Quintessential Careers: Informational Interviewing Tutorial.

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No matter how difficult the economy and job market are, try to maintain a positive attitude/outlook during your job search. Try to defuse frustration and negativity. Employers can sense bad job-search karma a mile away. The other thing to remember is that job-hunting is often streaky; you may be in a rough streak right now, but a good streak could be just around the corner, so hang in there.

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Whenever possible, contact hiring managers during your job search and forget the HR departments. It's not always easy to get the names of the hiring managers for any job in any organization -- it just takes some time and persistence. Make sure -- for future job searches -- that you send your job-search package to the proper persons.

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For all you teens out there looking to make some money, check out Job Ideas for Teens 15 and Younger: Beyond Babysitting. The article is designed to help younger teens be creative in providing services around their neighborhoods to make some spending money. Of course, older teens can also use these suggestions, though many end up working in part-time jobs with local businesses and retail establishments. If you decide to start your own business, find your "hook," as we say in marketing. Who is going to buy your service -- and why? Develop a list of potential clients of your service. Then you need to figure out why they would buy. Once you've developed your list of potential clients and a reason (or reasons) people would (or should) buy from you, then you can develop flyers. What do you put on your flyers? All the reasons why people should buy your service! Make sure people have an easy way to reach you. Now, flyers around your neighborhood might not do much to get you any business. You will probably need to be creative in getting people to notice your business. Finally, make sure that you satisfy your customers! Deliver a great product or service, address any complaints, and work your butt off to please your customers. Not only will satisfied customers continue to buy from you, but they will tell their friends and your business will begin to grow! Just remember that all businesses start out slowly, so have patience with your new venture -- and best of luck! See also our guidelines, Teen Business Do's and Don'ts.

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There is way too much pressure on teens and young adults to find the "one" career, when in reality you will most likely change careers multiple times over the course of your life. So, spend less time worrying about the ideal job and more trying to understand the types of passions you have about work. Take the six-step journey of self-discovery described in detail in our article, Choosing a College Major: How to Chart Your Ideal Path.

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When done correctly, career portfolios can become powerful tools for job-seekers. Different portfolio experts have slightly different ideas about portfolios; here is our view:

First, invest in a really nice three-ring binder with a cover sleeve where you can insert your name and vital contact information. Second, formulate a plan for the organization of materials in your portfolio, such as career summary, mission, and goals; traditional resume; scannable resume; skills sets; samples of your work; testimonials; awards and honors; transcripts; and other career-related information. Third, develop a table of contents. Fourth, using dividers or some other clever method, place your material directly into the binder or in plastic sleeves made for three-ring binders. Place duplicates (or high-quality copies) -- not originals -- in your portfolio.

You really need only create one portfolio. The idea is not that these are disposable, but of lasting quality. Besides making a great first impression and showcasing your skills and abilities, the other great advantage of a portfolio is that it gives you a reason to see the employer -- so that you can retrieve your portfolio after the hiring manager has had a few days to review it.

Finally, there is something to be said with how you present your portfolio in an interview. Don't just simply lay it on the desk in front of the hiring manager. Wait for a question to arise, such as a question about your level of skills or technical expertise, at which point you can pull your portfolio out of your briefcase and walk the employer through it.

You can find more details and ideas in our article, Your Job Skills Portfolio: Giving You an Edge in the Marketplace. And one more thing: portfolios do not just have to be print volumes; more job-seekers are also developing portfolios on the Web and on CD-ROM.

In fact, you can see a version of Career Doctor Randall Hansen's online Career Portfolio.

Review all our Quick and Quintessential Career & Job Tips.

Maximize your career and job-search knowledge and skills! Take advantage of The Quintessential Careers Content Index, which enables site visitors to locate articles, tutorials, quizzes, and worksheets in 35 career, college, job-search topic areas.

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Career Doctor Q-TIPS #10: Quick and Quintessential Career & Job Tips

These tips have been gathered from job-seeker Q&A's with the Career Doctor, Dr. Randall Hansen. For more information, go to The Career Doctor.

Review all our Quick and Quintessential Career & Job Tips.

Maximize your career and job-search knowledge and skills! Take advantage of The Quintessential Careers Content Index, which enables site visitors to locate articles, tutorials, quizzes, and worksheets in 35 career, college, job-search topic areas.

Career Doctor Q-TIPS #10:
Quick and Quintessential Career & Job Tips