Career Expert Quintessential Career & Job Tips -- #5

Q-Tips: Career Expert Quintessential Career & Job Tips -- #5

These tips have been gathered from individual interviews with career, college, and job experts, part of our Q&A with Career Experts series.

The Internet is a huge boon to networking, according to Debra Feldman, specialist in cyber-savvy strategic job-search consultations, in the Q&A interview she did with Quintessential Careers. "Let's face one big and simple fact, whether a job is posted in a newspaper or on the Internet job site, company Website, or trade newsletter, among online resources, they all come down to the same thing -- a listed opening," Feldman says. "We all accept that more than 85 percent of job seekers find their jobs through networking and contacts. The new technology will make accessing one's contacts easier and faster, reducing delays in turnarounds and eliminating some sources of potential data loss."

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In the Q&A interview he did with Quintessential Careers, teacher and writer Martin Kimeldorf observed that "the temporary nature of employment in America has finally hit home. This phenomenon has created a community of job-seekers that now really is inclusive and helpful. This community now includes people who are unemployed and the rest of us who are temporarily employed. As a result, more and more people are willing to help their fellow job-seekers. Most of us are willing to help people with informational interviews or with networking because we know we might be job hunting next."

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Authors Gen and Kelly Tanabe observed in the Q&A interview they did with Quintessential Careers that many students say that the college admission process is a mystery. "They send off their applications and several months later receive either the coveted acceptance letter or hated denial letter in the mail," the Tanabes note. "They wonder who the dark figures hiding in the shadows are who read their applications. The truth is that they are real people. They come from all kinds of backgrounds, former English majors who love to read, alumni who love their colleges, and educators. And perhaps even more surprising is that they are not your critics who take evil pleasure in denying you. Admission officers are actually rooting for you, looking for reasons to admit you," the Tanabes continue.

"Of course the reality is that colleges cannot accept all applicants, but for the most part admission officers approach the applications they receive positively. They review all of the pieces of the application, building a complete picture of who you are from your academic record to the passions you describe in your essays to what others say about you in recommendations. While your academic fit with the college is the most important, admission officers also seek to find your personal fit with the college as well. Will you thrive on the campus? Will you be challenged? Will you contribute to the campus community? The truth is that the great majority of admission officers enjoy the process, especially when they see the new students they have admitted on campus. Help them by giving them reasons to admit you. Don't be afraid of showing them who you really are and what is important to you," the Tanabes advise.

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Updating one's resume as the first step in job-hunting is often a knee-jerk reaction and may not be the best initial approach, according to Debra Feldman, specialist in cyber-savvy strategic job-search consultations, in the Q&A interview she did with Quintessential Careers. "This reaction just leads to an updated version of a document that may not adequately represent all that a person can offer a potential employer," Feldman says. "It would be far better if each person spent the first phase of the job search figuring out just what he or she wants to do and uniquely has to offer. Then the next step would be to determine what types of businesses might best utilize such talents, and using that industry's jargon, prepare a resume reflecting this match of skills and abilities to potential employer's needs. The best way to get an interview -- and only the interview itselfcan lead to something bigger, a job offer -- is to tailor a resume for each specific company where you know that you can make a difference. This technique will separate you from the other candidates. Yes, you will give up more generalized opportunities, but who likes to buy generic brands over the name brand, given the same price?"

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"In a temporary world of work, think of yourself as a portable container of skills," advised teacher and writer Martin Kimeldorf In the Q&A interview he did with Quintessential Careers. "I favor this image because the word 'portfolio' means a portable collection. I invite people to adopt what I call a "portfolio mindset," which, briefly, means making a portfolio, reading and studying those career books that make sense to you ... then put it all into play! Don't wait by the keyboard or the phone -- go out and hit the bricks!" Kimeldorf suggests.

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"One of the best ways to select a college is to ask yourself questions so that you can determine your priorities," advised authors Gen and Kelly Tanabe observed in the Q&A interview they did with Quintessential Careers.

"While there are a lot of important questions you can ask, we feel these are the most essential:

Will the college equip you with the knowledge and experience you need for the future?
If you have some career direction, will the college provide you with the education you need to enter that field? As an example, students who plan to become journalists will want to attend a college with a strong journalism, communications or English program and that offer support to find internships in the field.
Will the college help you to continue growing? Will the class and campus environment challenge you, introduce you to new experiences, and foster the development of your personal ideologies?
Will the college fit your needs on a social and personal level? It's important that you find the best match academically, but it's also important that you fit in the social scene and enjoy yourself. You can only spend so much time in the library. College is a time for living."

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"The secret to a successful job-search campaign is target marketing," said Debra Feldman, specialist in cyber-savvy strategic job-search consultations, in the Q&A interview she did with Quintessential Careers. "If you can be a marketing whiz, then you can get yourself the job you want by correct positioning, clever promotion, and savvy selling propositions," Feldman points out.

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Commenting in the Q&A interview they did with Quintessential Careers on the extent to which students should incorporate career planning into their decision about what college or grad school to attend, authors Gen and Kelly Tanabe observed that, "reaching your career goals is like taking a train. It may be a direct route to your goal. You may be a pre-medicine major in college, attend medical school, and become a doctor. Or, as is the case for many students, it may be a less direct route with connections in between. You may gain experience in several careers before selecting the one that fits the best. And your final destination can be very different from what you expected it to be," the Tanabes note.

"Ideally, your career goals should play a role in your college or graduate school choice. You will want to find the college or graduate school that offers the best preparation for your career. The better idea you have of your career goals, the more clearly you can determine how well a school fits them. It's important to speak with those who are in the field now to get their advice and to speak with students and professors at the school to understand what the college or graduate school offers to help you attain your goals. Know the courses that are offered, the approach to learning, and the support that is provided for finding internships and jobs. If you are not sure what you want to do, try to select a school that offers strong programs in the subjects in which you excel. In any case, be ready for and even welcome changes to your plan along the way," the authors say.

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"Throw out the charts and occupational outlook books," advised teacher and writer Martin Kimeldorf In the Q&A interview he did with Quintessential Careers. "Find out what you have a passion for and develop your connection with that job through reading, 'Net-surfing, emailing, interning, volunteering, and creating in that chosen field. Then go looking for work and you'll find that your job search is really a search for information and meaning. You'll also actually enjoy the search for the occupational grail when the target is near your heart," Kimeldorf urges.

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"I see using the Internet as opening up opportunities and making listings more widely available," said Debra Feldman, specialist in cyber-savvy strategic job-search consultations, in the Q&A interview she did with Quintessential Careers. "I think that the 'Net provides wonderful information and insights as well as job leads that job hunters can use to begin planning how and where they will look for their next job. The biggest bonus of the Web is having a vast range of inside information and published data readily available and accessible -- usually for free. The Internet also means that there is no excuse to walk into an interview unprepared," Feldman notes.

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Commenting in the Q&A interview they did with Quintessential Careers on the difference between high school and college, authors Gen and Kelly Tanabe said, "When we were in high school we learned a lot of facts. From American history to biology to geometry, we learned what year the Declaration of Independence was signed, how photosynthesis worked and how to compute the area of a trapezoid. One of the biggest differences between high school and college is that in college you are required not only to know the facts but to apply the facts to support your opinions. You will debate your classmates, write papers that support a particular position, and take final exams that test your interpretation of the big picture. It's not enough to memorize the facts. You need to interpret, manipulate and draw your own conclusions. This difference is perhaps one of the things that surprises as well as excites students the most when they start college."

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The biggest "reality check" job-seekers face once they successfully make it into the workplace is that that they or their supervisor might be gone within nine months, according to teacher and writer Martin Kimeldorf in the Q&A interview he did with Quintessential Careers. "Therefore, one should keep a portfolio documenting accomplishments and learning on the job. You will profit from taking it to your next employee evaluation -- or your next interview -- whichever comes first," Kimeldorf notes.

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In the Q&A interview she did with Quintessential Careers, Debra Feldman, specialist in cyber-savvy strategic job-search consultations, called the following job sites "MUST VISIT" for job-seekers:

Quintessential Careers
job-hunt.org
DMOZ Open Directory Project
Google Directory
Google
college alumni and college Web sites

"I would recommend starting with these portal sites and then narrowing the focus to specific industries, geographical niches, trade or professional associations, and special interests," Feldman advises. "I would tell everyone to get onto a few major general sites and several ones specific to their circumstances for the sake of exposure to any recruiters who might be trolling. However, the likelihood of an offer is better if one pursues his or her own search and does not just answer posted ads."

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"When students sit down to take the SAT, many of them think that their scores will make or break their chances of getting into college," authors Gen and Kelly Tanabe observed in the Q&A interview they did with Quintessential Careers. "And while colleges are primarily concerned that students are able to handle the academic courseload, they are widening their evaluation of students beyond grades and test scores," the Tanabes said. "This is a recent trend that we view positively. Even some of the largest public institutions in the country that receive tens of thousands of applications are moving to give greater weight to students' essays, extracurricular activities and achievements, and recommendation letters. For you this de-emphasis on grades and test scores means that if you don't have a perfect academic record, your other achievements and the essay that you write will help you to get accepted. Share with the colleges your talents and abilities that are not easily reflected on your academic transcript. Ultimately, this trend is giving you much more control over the admission process," the authors note.

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What's the best way for job-seekers to figure out what career will give them the greatest happiness? "I think we often carry the answer deep inside, in a raw, unformed fashion," said teacher and writer Martin Kimeldorf in the Q&A interview he did with Quintessential Careers. "Through brainstorming the soul, we allow the idea to surface. This brainstorm can and should take multiple forms and connect with our different 'intelligences' or learning styles. Take paper-and-pencil tests, take online tests (but don't give your actual email name, use an alias to avoid spam), talk to good friends, partners and ex-employers. Research on the 'Net, talk to strangers in bars, attend career workshops or conferences. And do the hard thinking and analysis, the kind you find in the exercises that go with [Richard Nelson Bolles's classic] What Color Is Your Parachute? It will come to you in the middle of the night, during a shower or bike ride, while doing something totally unrelated ... it will surface," Kimeldorf says.

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Some jobseekers get a false sense of accomplishment by simply uploading or posting their resume or profile on the Web, according to Debra Feldman, specialist in cyber-savvy strategic job-search consultations, in the Q&A interview she did with Quintessential Careers. "Until that information intrigues a reader and motivates that individual to take an action designed to move the candidate towards a job goal, one is just marking time by using the Internet. It is a valuable part of the search, and most recruiters will not look at a candidate who isn't on the Web. Having your resume displayed on certain sites is critical to making sure that you are perceived as credible and knowledgeable," Feldman advises.

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"If you want to be a job seeker in this new millennium then use a visual medium, a portfolio," advised teacher and writer Martin Kimeldorf in the Q&A interview he did with Quintessential Careers. "A resume is from the last millennium. Both resumes and portfolios will help you focus your job search and provide you with the language you need during networking and interviewing. But please take a portfolio to the job interview," urges Kimeldorf.

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The Internet is "outrageously helpful" for job-seekers, said Debra Feldman, specialist in cyber-savvy strategic job-search consultations, in the Q&A interview she did with Quintessential Careers. "There is no better way to get publicly accessible information as easily or as inexpensively," Feldman says. "The Web contains vast amounts of data that can provide leads, spur ideas, enhance knowledge and maintain or start communication. Networking is the key to finding a new job, and the Internet plays an essential role in this endeavor."

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If you have a career portfolio, how do you go about introducing it to the employer in an interview? Advised advised teacher and writer Martin Kimeldorf in the Q&A interview he did with Quintessential Careers, "Bring the portfolio and when they ask you about a skill or competency that is also illustrated in the portfolio, simply say, 'Two years ago I was in charge of just such a project. In fact, I have a sample of it here in my portfolio. Would you like to see it?' I've never heard anyone say, 'no' to that question. And if they did, I might not want to work for them," Kimeldorf says.

Read more tips from our Quintessential Career Experts series in Career Expert Quick and Quintessential Career & Job Tips -- #6.

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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Q-Tips: Career Expert Quintessential Career & Job Tips -- #5

These tips have been gathered from individual interviews with career, college, and job experts, part of our Q&A with Career Experts series.

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.