Career Doctor Q-TIPS #5:
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.
Disabled and trying to find a job? While there are a few sites on the
Web for disabled workers -- there is a list of them at
Quintessential
Careers -- your best bet may be looking in the phone book for your community's
social service organizations and contacting them about programs. If
you live in or near a major metropolitan area, there are probably
several large employers that you should target. Once you have
identified the companies, contact the human resources offices and see
about job openings.
What can you do to keep your mind from going blank in an interview,
creating an awkward silence? Those silences in job interviews seem
like they last for hours when your mind is racing for an answer, but
all you draw is a blank. Not only is it embarrassing, it usually
kills the interview. The easy answer is that you need more experience
interviewing -- and more practice and rehearsals before big
interviews. The more you rehearse, the less likely you will draw a
blank. The best way is to ask a friend to serve as the interviewer
and fire questions at you.
Even if you've practiced, you should have a system down to give your mind
more time to think, such as asking the interviewer to rephrase the
question or rephrasing the question yourself and asking the
interviewer if that was what he/she had in mind. Many employers we've
talked to about this issue are split on our next piece of advice, so
take it with a grain of salt: If you carry a portfolio with you to
your interviews, keep a sheet of paper in there with a few memory
aids that you can glance at to jog your brain. Keep in mind that some
interviewers might find this practice odd.
Be careful not to overload your resume with too much information.
When identifying employers, list your position/title, company name,
city, state, and dates of employment. You do not need street
addresses, phone numbers, or names of supervisors. The rule of thumb
for someone with considerable experience is to list about 15 years
worth of jobs. Age discrimination, unfortunately, is a reality, and
even more likely, employers may think you're too expensive if you
list too much experience on your resume.
Interested in a career in politics? The best way to get involved is
to join the staff of a local candidate or elected official, either as
a volunteer (the easy way) or as a paid staffer. Once on board, you
can learn the jobs and either move up the staff ladder or venture off
on your own and run for elected office.
Network with political science professors at your college or alumni who are elected
officials or staff members. See if they have additional contacts with
current office holders or candidates running for office. If you are
open to relocation, you can go to the national political party of
your choosing and get more information.
You want a better career but haven't attained a college degree -- and you
don't feel you are in a position to attain one. Try to find a way to
complete the degree anyway -- part-time at night, on weekends, or
through one of the growing number of universities that offer courses
via distance learning. Our society increasingly requires a college
degree for almost any job, much as the high school diploma was
required 20 to 30 years ago.
Taking courses and finishing your degree
is long-term. In the short-term, design your resume to emphasize the
transferable skills you have developed from your previous employment.
Check our article,
Transferable
Skills: A Vital Job Search Technique.
The final step is finding those few enlightened employers who realize
that experience is at least equally important with education. Even
for positions that require a college degree, these employers have a
formula in which "X" number of years experience is equivalent to a
college degree; however, you should know that these formulas usually
end up requiring quite a few years of experience to compensate for
the lack of a degree.
Want three best pieces of advice for someone fresh out of college
starting a resume? First, get a hold of as many resumes of recent
college graduates as you can get your hands on. Looking at these
resumes will help you decide what you want to do with your resume.
Your college's career services office should be able to show you
samples. Second, get some expert advice. Again, you can start with
your college's career services office, which probably has handouts
and books on resumes. Visit some resume Web sites. Quintessential
Careers has a list of the best
resume sites. Consider buying a book on
resumes or borrowing one from the library. A good one for recent
grads is
Resumes
for College Students and Recent Graduates (VGM), but
there are plenty of others. Third, remember the purpose of your
resume as you are writing it. A resume is a document that describes
your work experience, your education (and any special training you
have), and your skills.
What makes an excellent resume, however, is
marketing. You have to consider yourself a product, with the employer
as the buyer. Why should the employer buy (hire) you? Your resume is
a key marketing tool in your employment search. You can learn more
about resumes -- as well as the keys to a successful job search -- by
reading The Domino Effect.
Sending out lots of resumes and not hearing anything back? You may
have fallen into the classic mistake of many job-seekers: not being
proactive. It is a rare situation where the employer will contact
you. Instead, put on your best speaking voice and call all the people
you sent resumes to and suggest setting up an interview.
For many job-seekers, this aspect of job-hunting is the hardest part. Perhaps
we feel as though we are like the telemarketers who always call our
homes -- and in a way, we are. We are calling with the intent selling
ourselves over the phone to get an interview. Making these telephone
calls is not magical. While you will succeed in scheduling some
interviews, keep in mind that the rejection rate will still be high --
depending on your field and the demand for the type of job you seek.
Here's another tip: If the employer you call says that the firm has
no current openings, you should still push for an interview, but
instead of a job interview, ask for an informational interview to
learn more about the field or company. Quintessential Careers has a
tutorial
on informational interviewing.
Informational interviewing may not land you a job, but it is a way of
building your network -- especially when you have just moved to a new
area -- and a way to possibly obtain referrals to other job openings
in your field.
Numerous computer-science majors realize they don't enjoy programming
but are not aware of what other types of jobs they might pursue.
Plenty of other computer and technology-related jobs that do not
involved programming are available. Some job titles/areas include:
technical support, network administration, Web development, database
administration, customer/client support, information specialist, and
trainers.
To get a better idea of what is out there for you, talk
with your professors. Also go to one of the general
careers sites and conduct a search. Or, go
to one of the technology-specific Web sites, such as IT Talent, and
conduct a search. Quintessential Careers offers a list of
technology-specific job sites.
Headhunters (also known as recruiters or executive-search firms) want
to package job-seekers in the best light so that they can place them
in client companies and earn their commissions. If you find that
recruiters are shying away from you, try to set up an appointment
with one of them and have a frank discussion about your resume and
your market potential. Get their evaluation of your situation.
Oya's
Recruiter Directory is a great place to start.
Should you include a cover letter when you send your resume via
e-mail or via fax? Unless an employer specifically states no cover
letters, you should always include a cover letter. You wouldn't want
to eliminate a key selling tool in your job-search portfolio. The
whole point of a cover letter is to draw interest in you and motivate
the employer to look over your resume.
For some great tips on writing
a dynamic cover letter, visit our
cover letter
resources page, which includes some great
links, such as to a cover letter tutorial (for those who need a lot
of help with writing cover letters) and a cover letter formula.
When sending a fax, of course, send a normal cover letter. Email is a
little trickier. Send your cover letter both as part of the email and
as an attachment. You need to make a quick sale in your email, so why
not take advantage of the possibility?
Being fired is a problem, but nothing to panic about. Sit down and
take a breath. Then evaluate your situation. Do you want the same
kind of job, or are you looking for a new challenge? Do you want or
need to stay in the same area, or are you willing to relocate? Next,
update your resume and contact people in your network and tell them
that you are looking for new employment.
If you are a "non-traditional" college student who has gone back to
college because you reached a level in your career where you could
not continue to advance without the college degree, realize that
while the degree is often a sticking point for higher positions and
salaries, you shouldn't expect a huge response in job offers once you
have the degree. A bachelor's degree is more like a basic
requirement, unlike an advanced degree, which might give you a more
competitive edge.
The once ill-perceived "job-hopping" stereotype is not as much of a
career-killer as it used to be. Yes, employers seek stability, but
once employers started demonstrating disloyalty to employees by
rightsizing, downsizing, and re-engineering long-time workers, the
entire picture changed. More employers recognize that some people
will have several short stints on their resumes due either to some
form of corporate re-engineering or to advancement.
If you feel you might be stigmatized by short stays at several jobs, move to a
functional resume instead of a chronological resume. With a
functional format, several short-term job changes won't be that
evident because the focus of the resume is on the skills you have and
your experiences and abilities. The actual job history goes at the
end of your resume.
Looking for information about blue-collar resumes? The best bet is
the late Yana Parker's book,
Blue
Collar & Beyond: Resumes for Skilled Trades & Services, or visit the Web
site about her book.
A couple of examples of blue-collar resumes appear at the site, and
you can also go to your local library or bookstore and get the book.
Is it appropriate to request a prospective employer to pay for your
airline ticket to an out-of-state interview? Any employer worth
working for will buy your airline ticket, arrange for your
transportation from the airport to your hotel, and pay for your hotel
stay. Some pre-pay, others reimburse.
In a number of smaller firms
and certain industries, companies do not pay for travel expenses and
use the approach: "when you're in the area, give us a call and we'll
set up an interview" to get around paying expenses. If you have any
questions about who is paying, be sure to ask. It's better to know
beforehand; employers shouldn't be offended by the question.
One of the secrets of writing great cover letters that get you
results is writing to a named individual. Rather than writing to a
title or human resources, it makes much more sense to contact all the
prospective employers on your targeted list and obtain the names of
hiring managers for the type of position you seek. Address your
letters to a named individual rather than just a title.
If a want ad asks for a salary history should you include this
information in your cover letter or resume, or should it be a
separate page? Most employers who ask for salary history in a want ad
do so as a method of screening applicants out who are outside the
salary range. Ask yourself whether you are outside (particularly
above) the salary range. If not, you may choose to prepare a brief
salary history, which can be part of your cover letter or on a
separate piece of paper, just as a reference sheet. If you are above
the salary range, state in your letter that your salary range is
negotiable. The downside of not including your salary range is that
you could be screened out anyway.
Just what is a curriculum vitae anyway? A curriculum vitae (Latin for
"the course of one's life") or CVs or vitaes for short, are basically
resumes, used most often by academicians, physicians, and scientists.
They are also often required when applying to graduate or
professional programs, and when applying for international
employment. CVs contain all the basic information that resumes
contain -- name, address, work experience, education, certifications,
awards and honors -- but usually also contain other pertinent
information, such as scholarly activities (such as papers published
in academic journals, presentations and workshops, creative projects,
etc.), professional development, patents, teaching/course
evaluations, service to the profession.
Vitaes also do not have the short (1-2 page) requirement of resumes. See our article,
Preparing a
Curriculum Vitae (CV), which also
contains links to some helpful Web sites and lists other resources.
Are you a teen who would like to work in an office setting for the
summer? How is your network? We all know people who work in an office
setting. Are any of them managers or in a position to help? Make a
list of your friends, neighbors, and other family members who can
help you. Use your network to line up some interviews.
Second, use the good old cold-contact method of securing employment. Develop a
list of the larger employers in your area. Contact them to get the
name of the office manager or human resources director. Write a
letter to each person -- and make sure it is a person and not a title
-- outlining the type of employment you seek.
Next, try a few Internet sites. I happen to love
Summer Jobs; it's a
great resource for teens to find employment. You can search by keyword
and location.
Whom should you ask to serve as your references? For recent college
graduates, the ideal sources of references would be:
1. College professors. Any professors you have worked closely with,
had for several classes, or was an adviser to an organization you
belonged to would make a great reference.
2. College administrators. Any management-level administrators who
you worked closely with would make a great reference.
3. Internship/volunteer work supervisors. Anyone who has supervised
your actual work patterns would make an ideal reference.
4. Former employment supervisors. As long as your employment was not
too long ago, those people who supervised your work -- even if the
work was waitressing or working in retail -- would be good references.
5. Character references. Anyone who can discuss your character as a
person, such as a family friend, athletic coach, clergy person, etc.,
would make a good reference.
Some other comments about references: Requesting that people serve as
your references is much better than asking them to write a generic
letter of recommendation, which many employers discount (because
anyone who who like a recommendation letter for you would say only
good things about you, so the letter isn't especially credible). To
list a reference, you simply need the name (with correct spelling),
title, and contact information for each person who is willing to be a
reference. Then let employers contact the people directly.
Finally, never put actual references on your resume. Submit a separate piece
of paper (that matches your resume format) that lists your references
-- and make sure the people you list know they will be on your
reference list.
Heard rumors about what the prospects are like in your intended
career field? Rather than listening to rumors or opinions of other
students, do some real investigating. The best source? The faculty at
your college or any college that has a department related to your
field. Just because you are not a student there does not mean you
can't call, email, or set-up an appointment with a faculty member and
discuss issues and concerns. You could also talk with the career
resources office on campus and ask about the types and rates of job
placement recent grads in your have had.
After that, there are some great sources on the Web. For example,
you could search the
Occupational
Outlook Handbook. Finally, conduct informational
interviews with those actually working in your intended profession to
find out what the prospects are really like.
Interested in freelance or consulting work? You'll likely find that
clients come from networking and word-of-mouth. People will not know
your services are available unless you tell them. Many types of
networking are available to you. Start with friends and colleagues
outside your company. Move on to people in your professional
organization. Then move on to the Internet and network through
discussion groups.
You could also develop your own Web site (even for
free at many places, such as Geocities) and advertise your services.
If you'd like to earn more by making the transition from the
non-profit world to the corporate sector, your experience in
not-for-profit shouldn't be a stumbling block. Have your resume
reviewed by someone who can check both style and content. You may
want to omit older experience from your resume, as many companies shy
away from job-seekers who appear overqualified. Smaller companies are
often more flexible, so consider that avenue. Don't rule out looking
at other not-for-profit organizations. While some nonprofits take
advantage of their employees with low pay, others parallel for-profit
organizations.
Making a geographic move to enhance your career should not too much
of a hassle if you do some planning before you move. Determine your
job opportunities in your new location, which you can do in a couple
of different ways. First, go to a library get a phone book for your
new city. Develop a list of possible employers. Write (and then call)
hiring managers at these organizations and ask about job openings and
possibilities. Second, go on the Web and check out a few
geographic-specific job
sites, which you can find through Quintessential Careers.
As the world continues to get smaller, there is a growing need for
individuals who are fluent in languages other than English.
Governments, businesses, and nonprofit organizations all have needs
for employees who can speak (and write) other languages.
Did you go back to college and major in a different area than that in
which you've been working? If you are currently working, you should
be able to develop a list of transferable skills that you use in your
current position that would also be valued in the type of position
you aspire to. Determine the key skills needed for your dream
position by looking at job descriptions for that kind of position.
You can find such descriptions at Web sites related to your new field
or by asking one of your old college professors. Once you have that
list, examine what you do in your current job and see how many skills
match the skills in your ideal field. With your degree and work
experience, you should be able to polish your resume and find
yourself a new job.
What kinds of questions should you ask prospective employers in an
interview, when you are asked, "Do you have any questions?" Employers
are truly interested in answering your questions, but mainly they ask
you because they want to see how prepared you are for the interview.
If you don't have any questions, the interviewer may assume that you
are not really interested in the job or too lazy to prepare any
questions. Thus, have some questions ready! There are numerous
questions you could ask in reply to that question:
You could ask fact-based questions about the company, division,
branch, or product. Example: "How do you determine the value
customers are receiving from your products or services?"
You could ask specific job-related questions for the position you
are interviewing for. Example: "How much of the current position
involves meeting with clients?"
You could ask about future plans of the company, division, branch,
or product. Example: What are some of the challenges you see this
organization (or division, branch, brand) facing in the next year?"
You could ask questions about the hiring process. Example: "When
can I expect to hear back from you?"
You could ask a question that places you in the job. Example: "What
kind of projects/assignments would I be working on first?"
You could ask about anything that you are really interesting in
getting an answer to that was not already discussed during the
interview (but avoid asking "me-first" question about salary and
benefits).
A number of great interviewing Web sites can help. For a list of the
best, go to
Quintessential Careers:
Interviewing Resources. There are also many good
books on interviewing. One of our favorites is:
Killer Interviews,
by Frederick W. and Barbara B. Ball (McGraw-Hill). A complete list of
the best interviewing books can be found on
Quintessential Careers.
Strong verbs, also known as action verbs, are a vital part of a good
resume. For your current position, verbs should be present tense
(negotiate, resolve, conduct, provide, etc.). For all your past
positions, the verbs should be past tense (monitored, researched,
collected, etc.).
Another key is that you should list achievements or
outcomes of your positions, rather than simply duties. You "achieved
a $100,000 increase in sales" rather than "managed client relations
and sales."
Looking for a job is a job itself. Make sure you are doing a complete
job search. The Internet should be just one part of your job search.
Make sure your resume is posted at all the best (and free) job sites.
Answering want ads and job postings can be another part of your job
search, but the percentage of people who actually get jobs from this
method is small (about 5 percent). Developing a list of companies you
want to work for and contacting them directly should be a key part of
your search. Contacting recruitment or headhunter agencies, if your
field has such companies, is another method. Finally, networking
should help. Talk with former co-workers about possible positions.
And does your profession have a professional organization? If so,
network with people within your organization.
Is your resume the best it can be? You might want to get it critiqued by a professional
-- or do the critique yourself. There are some great resume resources on the
Web, as well as some great books on the subject.
Disabled and trying to find a job? While there are a few sites on the
Web for disabled workers -- there is a list of them at
