Campus To Career

Get Uncomfortable

21 05 2013

Guest post by Deborah Brown-Volkman

Are you happy in your career or just going through the motions? Do you know it’s time to act, but you don’t want to? Are you pushing yourself to do more, and be more, or are you too comfortable being comfortable?

Making a change in your career involves work, and not everyone likes to do work. Whether it’s a new job, a new career, or a new way of dealing with a problem at work, challenging situations do not change without your active participation.

Maybe making changes in your career used to be easier. Maybe jobs were handed to you, or opportunities came quicker. Because of the nature of today’s workplace and the competitiveness among workers for jobs, those days are long gone. You get change when you work for change. You can wish that the process for change would be different, and they will be different once you put in the effort. (Or, when you keep going past the point where you want to stop.)

Where Do You Begin? Follow These 3 Steps Below.

1. Admit You Are Comfortable

You cannot fix what you cannot admit. So, say it. You are comfortable. Maybe you like being comfortable and that is ok. Why push yourself if you do not have to? The problem is being comfortable keeps you stuck. Rather than having something to look forward to in the future, you are trapped in your day-to-day life and routines. And although being comfortable allows you to not have to push yourself or exert any unnecessary effort, your comfortableness leaves you unfulfilled and unhappy. So ask yourself, what is worse, moving forward or staying where you are? You will choose forward movement once you admit that standing still is your worst option.

2. Decide To Be Uncomfortable

I am a big believer in deciding, because without decision nothing happens. So, decide to be uncomfortable. Not because someone else thinks you should, but because you want to. Not because you are being forced to, but because you know it’s time. Decide to be uncomfortable because you miss the old you and are tired of being unhappy. Decide because you do not want to complain anymore, and have realized that your complaints are unproductive and are not taking you anywhere productive. Change happens when you decide to change. And once you’ve decided, then you are can move forward.

3. Get Uncomfortable

What was the last risk you took? It probably has been a while. If you are not ready to take a big risk, start with something smaller. Little risks build your confidence and inner belief that you can handle bigger ones. For example, if you don’t usually speak up in meetings, contribute something this week. If you do not usually call people to follow up or ask for something that you need in your career, make one call this week. Something that will shake things up a bit and get you ready for something bigger.

If you want something different in your career, you have to do something different. The world around you may not change or even want to change, but this is not about them, it’s about you. Change is possible once you start making changes. Small steps over time produce great results. You just have to begin.

So, what do you say? You only have one life to live, so it might as well be a life you love!

About the author: Deborah Brown-Volkman, PCC, is the President of Surpass Your Dreams, Inc. a successful career, life, and mentor coaching company that works with Senior Executives, Vice Presidents, and Managers who are looking for new career opportunities or seek to become more productive in their current role. She is the author of “Coach Yourself To A New Career”, “Don’t Blow It! The Right Words For The Right Job” and “How To Feel Great At Work Everyday.” Deborah can be reached at http://www.surpassyourdreams.com or at (631) 874-2877.

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Tags: job advice, career advice, guest bloggers, Deborah Brown-Volkman, get uncomfortable
Categories : The Job Search, Guest Bloggers, On the Job

How to Lose a Job Before the Interview: Facebook No-No’s

14 05 2013

Guest post by Jeri Johansen

Facebook. People either love it or hate it. One thing’s for sure, its popularity can’t be beat – Facebook has now surpassed Google as the most visited site in the U.S. with over a billion users. It didn’t take long for employers to understand that a lot of information can be learned about prospective employees from their Facebook page. While those pictures of you doing a keg stand provide a great memory of a great party, job recruiters are not usually amused by this activity.

Effective January 1st, 2013, new state laws make it illegal for some employers to demand access to their worker’s Facebook accounts, although that does not mean they won’t try to view them. It’s hard to believe that employers had been taking it upon themselves to demand employee’s social media passwords! This tactic just screams Title VII violation. Just think of the type of information an employer could possibly learn from your social media page: gender, race, religion, sexual orientation; the list goes on and on.

Whether or not hiring managers should use social media for employment screening, recent surveys show that about 37% do check Facebook before making a hiring decision. Below is some information to help you clean up your Facebook page before embarking on your post-graduate career search.

Privacy settings

Take the time to set up your privacy settings so that only “friends” can view your timeline. This may seem like a no brainer, but if you restrict a lurker’s access to your information, it makes it all the more difficult to not only find you, but to dig up dirt on you.

Pictures

Quite possibly the biggest indication of a person’s “social media maturity” is their pictures. Would you be interested in going into business with someone whose first impression of themselves is a picture of them chugging a 40-ounce beer and making an explicit hand gesture? Yeah, neither would your future employer.

Status Updates

What you choose to share about yourself on a wide-spread social platform says more about yourself than what you actually say. Constantly complaining about your life, putting other people down or stating controversial opinions with disregard to other’s feelings are all sure-fire ways to have strangers judge your personality before actually getting to know you. So you had a bad day at work? Posting about it on Facebook makes it seem like you hate your job and could concern employers that you would bad mouth them as well.

Proper grammar/spelling

Not being an English major is no excuse for improper grammar or spelling errors. Profanity is another huge turnoff for employers, with 61% saying that they view the use of profanity on social media sites negatively. Maybe you have great things to say but you can lose your credibility if your spelling or grammar is off. Let’s review the following post: “Im so exsited for there company to schedule my inter-view”. Although you may mean well, this post could be viewed by the interviewer who may become “not so ecxsited” to schedule your interview.

Your Likes

Your “likes” on Facebook can be extremely telling. While you may well be a fan of “Tattoos by Deviants”, it may come off as unappealing to some more conservative employers.

While changing or updating your Facebook profile is a good practice for job searching, it’s important to remember that nothing you post on the internet is ever completely hidden. I can still find pictures of myself that I posted during my “only cool people post self-timer shots of them alone in the bathroom” phase in high school. If in 10 years from now you think you could be embarrassed by the stuff on your social media page, don’t post it! You wouldn’t want a profile picture or status update to be the determining factor between you and a competing candidate!

About the author: This post was written by Jeri Johansen, PHR –HR Blogger and Manager of Human Resources at Crimcheck.com and Co-Chair of the 2013 Northern Ohio Human Resource Conference (www.nohrc.org). Crimcheck.com specializes in employment screening and background checks. You can follow Crimcheck.com on Facebook and Twitter also.”

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Tags: career advice, facebook, Facebook no-no's, guest bloggers, Jeri Johansen, job advice, job search, social media
Categories : Networking & Social Media, The Job Search

Let’s Hear It for the Teachers!

7 05 2013

This week, we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week. I’ve been fortunate enough to have some really wonderful teachers throughout my life. I know that you have as well. So, this week, I’m saying thank you. It’s the least I can do. These people have taught me so much!

As I’m thinking about people who pay it forward, teachers always come to mind. Some of the best advice I have ever received came from a teacher. In your job search, seek out the teachers and learn from them. Teachers give so much, asking only for their students to be the best they can be. The doctors, lawyers, astronauts, politicians (yes, even the President had great teachers), educators…basically everyone has a teacher to thank for where they are in life. Here are a few teachers that made me into the person I am today:

Ms. Bridgers – My Kindergarten teacher. As a youngster, I was quite the handful. In between keeping me from jumping off the tables with my friends, chasing the girls and sending me to the Principal’s office (which was often), she encouraged creative problem-solving. My favorite part of class was the “listening skills” portion. She’d read from a lesson and we would have to apply our listening ears to solve the problem. I have used this every day in my life. Thank you, Ms. Bridgers.

Mom - Mom recently retired after serving over 20 years as a Family & Consumer Sciences (previously known as Home Economics) teacher. She taught subjects that range from Parenting to Psychology. She has taught me a lot of things from how to cook and bake (there IS a difference) to how to change a baby’s diaper, even how to sew. All of these lessons that have proven to be very useful throughout my life. She and my dad taught me that “if I fail to plan, I plan to fail.” That’s a lesson I’ve learned the hard way, but hey – that happens. Thanks, Mom.

Dad - Dad never taught a formal class, but that doesn’t mean that I haven’t learned anything from him. I can attribute my knowledge of the outdoors to him. He inspired me to join the Boy Scouts. I never became an Eagle Scout, but that doesn’t mean I failed. In fact, Dad taught me that failure is just part of life. He taught me to pick myself up, dust off, and move on. He has also taught me that life is easier when you have a sense of humor. Sometimes, all you can do is laugh. That includes laughing at yourself. Thanks, Dad.

Ms. Welker – My junior high English teacher who opened my eyes to the world of classic literature, writing, speech and debate. Perhaps even the inspiration for starting (and continuing) my blog, Ms. Welker continues to encourage me to use my talents to help others. We still keep up on Facebook. Whether that’s by inciting laughter, inspiration, motivation or just a little silliness by my arsenal of voices (from Kermit the Frog to Hank Hill), she taught me to be true to myself. This is written just as it was in my first post on teachers. Ms. Welker – you still inspire me!

My wife – She is finishing her first year as a 3rd grade teacher and has a true passion for this field. Every day she comes home with new excitement from her classroom that inspires me. In fact, she’s the very source of inspiration for many of my blog posts. The education system needs people like her: people who truly care about their students, who are there for the right reasons, not just the paycheck and summer vacation. She has great potential and I’m excited to walk hand in hand with her as we embark on the journey together. A little horn-toot for her: She was recently named as one of Missouri’s Association of Colleges & Teacher Education’s (MACTE) Outstanding Beginner Teachers for 2013! So proud of her. Jamie, THANK YOU!!

These people are only a sample of the amazing teachers in my life. There are so many more and new ones are added regularly!

Think: Is there someone in your life that has taught you a lesson you’ll never forget? It may not be a formal teacher in the education system. It doesn’t have to be. In fact, some of the best teachers are those that you encounter every day like friends, parents, grandparents, mentors, etc.

Don’t underestimate the power of learning. One last challenge: Strive to be a teacher in life. Lead. Help someone in need. Pay it forward.

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Tags: life lessons, MACTE, outstanding teachers, pay it forward, Teacher Appreciation, teachers
Categories : Special Posts

A Job Seeker Confession: Your Posting STINKS!

30 04 2013

Job descriptions SUCK. Okay, maybe that statement was a bit harsh. Not all job descriptions suck…just most of them. I’ve seen a lot of them in my life and there seems to be a common theme. Want to guess what it is? Most are so broad that you’re still trying to figure out what exactly the job is by the time you’re done reading it. We’ve all seen the bad ones. You know, the ones that have the giant block of text about their company, a kitchen-sink list of responsibilities and day to day job duties, and qualifications needed.

What? You may be thinking, “I thought those were the good ones.” I’ve been getting a lot of feedback from people and thought I’d share their insight.

I’m writing on behalf of the reader (the job seeker, not the writer of the job description) and say that we’re frustrated. Have you ever tried to assemble a piece of furniture or new bicycle and find that the instructions are so complex that they might as well be in another language? The reason for this is that most of the directions and user manuals are written by the people (engineers, etc.) that understand the inner-workings of the product. The issue is that they’re caught in the weeds (details) and don’t see the big picture. We need to see the big picture. In fact, pictures work REALLY well with assembly instructions. Most times, I just go from the pictures rather than reading the directions. If there’s a video on YouTube, even better! I may or may not have had some extra bolts and screws leftover from my last assembly job…

Why do pictures work? We know where we’re going and what the end product will be. As it relates to job descriptions, job seekers want to know where they’re going. What impact will they have on the business? Will they have support from a team or manager? Will they be trained or will they need to possess certain core competencies before starting the job? What is the company’s culture like? Will there be opportunity for advancement or additional responsibilities?

In my opinion, HR needs to get this right. If you can spell it out in the job description and people actually understand the opportunity, impact and that they’re a match for the job, then you’re more likely to hire the RIGHT person for the job. When I say “right,” I mean that they’re a fit for the position, possess the qualifications, are a culture fit for the company, etc.

What makes a GOOD job description? Good job descriptions outline a day in the life of an employee in that position. They also include information about the company’s corporate culture (be careful here – don’t just regurgitate what’s on your website.) Some of the best job descriptions I’ve seen recently have even included embedded videos (<2min) that provide a fun snapshot into the company and social feeds with recruiters answering job seeker questions in real-time. As a job seeker, we want to know what you’re looking for (if you don’t know, ask the hiring manager) and if we’re a match or not. We’re job seekers, not mind readers, so please help us help you!

Also, we’d like to know what kind of timeline we’re looking at regarding the position: A month? 6 months? I realize that question is harder to answer because it relies heavily upon the quality of candidates, but it’s still a “nice to know.” Check out Jim Stroud’s post on how to make your job descriptions better. He’s a smart guy and I know you’ll learn something.

So, in closing, there’s the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to job descriptions. Guess which ones get more quality applications and result in the right hire? Here’s a brush. Paint the right picture.

What are some examples of good or bad job descriptions that have stood out to you recently? I’d love to hear from you! Please leave a comment below. As always, thanks for reading!

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Tags: career search, job descriptions suck, job postings, job search, job specifications, recruiting advice
Categories : On the Job, Special Posts, The Job Search

Working from Home: Proximity ≠ Productivity

23 04 2013

Photo credit: Go with the flow (Flickr)

Guest post by Kelly Wortham

With the studies that continue to show that working from home (WFH) leads to greater productivity and employee satisfaction, I find it very difficult to understand decisions like those made recently by Yahoo and Best Buy. Stanford’s study showed WFH led to a 13% increase in productivity – only 9% of which could be explained by a reduction of commute time and sick leave necessity. So why doesn’t WFH work as well for some?

4 things companies can do (and candidates should look for) to ensure a successful WFH culture:

Address the slackers

Organizations must identify the “slackers” and address that issue for the issue it is (at the employee level – not the company level). It might be highlighted and worsened in the WFH atmosphere, but those individuals who slack when WFH may do the same in the office, but with a broader negative impact to productivity. I know we have all experienced the office slacker that is always dragging others into conversations about the game, office politics, lunch plans… rarely getting anything done and reducing productivity for everyone.

Trust your people

Second, you must have a level of trust for your remote workers. If they are delivering their goals, are available and responsive – you must trust that they are working just as hard as the folks in the office you see pecking away on their keyboards (remember: proximity ≠ productivity).

Technology and culture

Third, you have to have a culture in the office that supports WFH. That means helping them to set up an effective home office and not conference meetings where 1 or 2 people are on the phone and cannot follow along because the Power Point deck is not being shared virtually and people are talking over each other. That means pausing when asking the room if anyone has any questions to give the remote folks a chance to ask their questions (or provide their answers), too.

Appreciation and recognition

And finally, it means recognizing that those who work remote often work more hours and have worse work/life balance than those who do not. It is important that this extra work is recognized, appreciated and communicated to the entire organization. This reduces that completely inaccurate assumption that the WFH staff is likely doing laundry and watching the game while everyone else is working.

Are there companies who manage to make a company culture so strong that allowing WFH could take away from that? Of course! Just look at Google and Zappos. Both have created atmospheres so perfectly suited to any and all working styles and personalities that no one who works there would likely ever request to WFH. But…(you knew it was coming, didn’t you?) what about the talent great companies are missing out on because some of us cannot or will not relocate to California or Las Vegas? Truly, companies such as Google and Zappos can probably survive without the WFH talent (no matter how awesome we are. ) But what about the Yahoos and Best Buys of the world? Can they really afford to not even consider extremely motivated and highly-productive talent that may require the ability to WFH? Companies willing to broaden their nets to include a greater diversity of work styles are going to get some really talented fish! And frankly, even for the school of fish graduating soon who have been immersed in technology that makes physical proximity nearly completely unnecessary, if there are companies allowing them to work from wherever they can dream of… well, I’d think companies like Yahoo and Best Buy could be left with empty nets.

About the author:

Kelly Wortham, Senior Manager, Global Site Optimization, Dell - Kelly has been working in digital analytics for the past 11 years with nearly 5 of those from home. She joined Dell in 2010 and currently remotely manages an international team of testing managers while coordinating between cross-functional teams that work together to plan, develop and prioritize Dell’s website testing roadmap. You can connect with Kelly through email, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Comments : 10 Comments »
Tags: career advice, Google, job advice, Kelly Wortham, Marisa Mayer, Stanford WFH study, telecommuting, trust, WFH, work from home, Yahoo, Zappos
Categories : Guest Bloggers, Special Posts

Succeeding in the Job Search Today [INFOGRAPHIC]

16 04 2013

At some point or another, most of us will go through the long-winded process that is the job search. It’s a tough business to be in, especially if you’re not getting the results you want. However, when you’ve done your research and have the proper information on your side, the outcome of your job search will likely come out in your favor.

This infographic, compiled by Interview Success Formula, a program that helps job seekers to deliver powerful interview answers, illustrates how job seekers can navigate through the job search today and how to do well in the process. Some takeaways to note include:

80 percent of available jobs are never advertised (here are some networking tips)
20 percent of job applicants get interviews (here are some interview tips)
The average length of an interview is approximately 40 minutes
The most important characteristics in a job applicant are multitasking, initiative, and creative thinking

Check out the full infographic below and let me know your thoughts in the comments!

What do you think? What are some other ways to succeed in the job search?

Please note: The publishing of this infographic is not an endorsement. It’s simply a way to pay it forward, sharing relevant job search information across the world in an effort to help people like you succeed in your endeavors. By the way, if you’re an Enactus USA (formerly SIFE) student or alumni, check out the Enactus USA Career Marketplace here. Over 450 jobs with 72 companies now posted!

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Tags: Career Marketplace, career tips, Enactus, Enactus USA, INFOGRAPHIC, interview, interview tips, job advice, job search, networking tips, SIFE
Categories : Resumes & Interviewing

How to Ask for a Raise

9 04 2013

Guest post by Carol Sand

If you work hard at your job, get complimented on your work, are rarely late or absent and have quality experience, chances are you deserve a raise. Some companies are happy to give out raises to their best workers because it is the right thing to do, but others won’t budge unless they are pushed. Asking for a raise can be a nerve wracking experience. You may feel presumptuous or arrogant asking for more money, but the truth is that you are probably worth much more than your currently salary. Good employees are hard to find, and any company worth working for will recognize this and pay accordingly; however, a raise is unlikely to fall into your lap. You need to be proactive and prepared.

Compare Salaries

The first step to take during this process is to find out what you’re worth in the job market. There are online services that can help you discover competitive salaries for a wide variety of positions in different parts of the country. If average pay for your position is higher than what you are currently earning, you have solid ammunition in support of your raise. If you’re earning the average in your field, you will need to present your boss with reasons why you are worth more than the average worker who has your position.

Prepare Your Case

Computers make it easy to document success at your job. Make sure to keep track of all your accomplishments and efforts to help the company by saving emails, reports and any evidence of an increase in work load. The more solid information you have of your excellence the less power management will have to deny your request for a raise. You can deliver this information vocally during the meeting for your raise request, but providing physical copies can enhance your argument.

Time Your Request

Figuring out when to ask for a raise involves a lot of different factors in the business. Just because you deserve a raise doesn’t always mean management will be willing to give you one at any particular moment. The best times to ask are during your personal milestones with the company: anniversaries, progress reports and annual reviews. A good report from management gives you solid evidence to present when you’re questioned about why you deserve a pay bump. You can also ask for a raise when the company announces plans for expansion or growth. This gives you a valuable opportunity to show how you’ll be an integral part to future business success. If your company just went through a series of layoffs or massive cut backs, you should allow for a cool off period before submitting a request.

How to Respond to a Rejection

Even the best employees have a chance of having their pay raise request rejected. It’s important to have a strategic response to a complete rejection or being given a much smaller raise than requested. Unless you have an incompetent boss, you will be provided with a reason why your request couldn’t be granted. A common answer is that there is not enough money in the budget, but this can be a sign that management is open for negotiation. Try to get job offers from companies in the area to show that you are worth more in the marketplace than what you’re getting paid. Do not threaten to quit unless you can actually afford to do so. If your boss has honest criticisms about your performance, take those critiques to heart and work hard on improving. It will look good when you resubmit your request at a later date.

About the author: Carol Sand MAP Houston is a career counselor in Houston, TX offering skills assessments, resume and cover letter writing tips, and networking advice for job seekers and career changers.