Campus To Career

Before You Start, Know Thyself

21 02 2012

“There are three things extremely hard, Steel, a Diamond, and to know one’s self.” – Benjamin Franklin as quoted in Poor Richard’s Almanac

A new reader recently reached out to me via LinkedIn and left a great comment. She said, “I think there’s one thing that I need help with in my job hunt and that’s knowing myself. I am graduating soon and I still don’t know what I should do career wise. I am excessively curious about everything and don’t know what kind of job I should go for.” I’m guessing she’s not the only one faced with this conundrum. Why do I say that? Well, you see I was in the very same position not too long ago. Here are three tips to help you find that job that fits you perfectly:

Discover your values and beliefs. What are they? Beliefs are concepts that we hold to be true, determining our attitudes and opinions. Values are ideas that we hold to be important, governing the way we behave, communicate and interact with others. This is a time that you should spend on yourself. Find time with your family learning the why of their core values. Does this career opportunity and company align? Research to find out! The best technology is available to you via the internet. Whether you use Google, Bing, or Yahoo, research the company, learn what the culture is like (network with people who work there) and determine if this is a fit for you.

Try new things. We all don’t know what we want to do when we grow up. Depending on when you asked me, my job interests have ranged from cowboy (age 4) to marine biologist (high school) to doing cartoon voices like the legend, Mel Blanc. Ok…that might still be a job interest. :) Find out what really interests you by seeing the full job in action. Try job shadowing with someone who holds a position that interests you. You’ll find out what you don’t do well and don’t want to do at all very quickly. Use job shadowing as a way to find what you really want to do, one day at a time.

Fail spectacularly. We all make mistakes and fail from time to time. The smartest people in business aren’t perfect. They just know who to properly recalibrate when they do fail, so they’re prepared next time. Failure can be a teacher or the Master, so don’t let it rule you. Find something positive from your mistakes, adjust accordingly and move forward. Don’t be afraid to fail, and when you do, do it spectacularly. What does that mean? It means that you don’t hold back – believe in what you’re doing!

These are simply three suggestions. You’re the one to make it happen, so do what makes the most sense for you. Have a recommendation? Leave a comment and help add to this article. I’ve learned a lot from my readers (thanks Jenny, for inspiration to write this article) over the past few years and continue to be inspired and amazed by the way good people help others in need. So, thanks for reading. Pay it forward. You’ll be glad you did.

Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: beliefs, Benjamin Franklin, job advice, job search, job shadowing, know thyself, pay it forward, values
Categories : The Job Search

5 Things to Leave Off Your Resume

14 02 2012

It’s Valentine’s Day today, so in an effort to spend some well-deserved time with my sweetheart, this week’s post comes to you from a fan. This blog, now in its fourth year of operation, has brought together some excellent job seeker tips and tools for you to use. The best part? They’re free. If you’re interested in guest posting on Campus to Career, please email me your pitch at kirk.baumann@att.net. All articles should be between 400-600 words in length, relate to the job search, social media, leadership or recruiting, and refrain from promoting links such as freeproducts[dot]com, etc. Make sense?

Without further adieu, I give you this week’s guest post: 5 Things to Leave Off Your Resume:

Photo credit: Networkingnote

There are many career networking opportunities available for job seekers. Networking opportunities prove useful however, at some point, you are going to be required to submit one of two documents. The documents required will be a resume or Curriculum Vitae (A typed summary of your professional and educationalbackground). Resumes and Curriculum Vitae are documents that should never be considered “finished.” These two things should be continuously updated in order to properly display pertinent information about your professional and academic careers. It is highly recommended that resumes contain no more than one page for sometimes, less is more and resume writing proves no exception. There are certain things that you should leave off your resume.

The following are five suggestions for worthwhile exclusions:

Leave photos off your resume

Discrimination suits prove rampant in the field of Human Resources and employment services. If someone presents a resume with a picture and that person is not hired, it leaves room to file a discrimination law suit claiming the person was not hired because their picture was not appealing. Most company Human Resource departments will just throw resumes with pictures away or save them to avoid the discrimination issue altogether.

References Available on Request

This statement should NEVER appear on your resume. Hiring mangers know that you need reliable references during your job search. Ensure that you have your “reference” list prepared upon request. You want the list to be updated with the correct contact and professional information. Do not forget to update your reference sheet before job hunting. It could prove embarrassing if one of your professional references is contacted and they no longer work at the same company. This can put uncertainty into the minds of hiring managers and could cause you to not get the job.

Unprofessional email address

Unprofessional email addresses should not be placed on resumes. Email address such as notsodumbperson@gmail.com or likestoparT@yahoo.com will not impress a potential employer. It is highly recommended before you start job searches that you create another email address. The address should include a basic first name [dot] last name. Yahoo and Gmail are popular email servers that offer free email accounts. These accounts allow for creating professional email addresses to use for job searches.

BONUS: Don’t forget about LinkedIn! Is your profile filled out? Click here for some great tips from career expert, Emily Bennington.

Posting every job you had since high school

All of us remember working at the local theatre or pizza shop during high school. You should leave this point out of your resume. It proves necessary to keep your job history accounted for, but you do not have to list every job you have held dating back to your high school years. It is essential to determine what jobs in the past proves relevant to the job(s) you are applying for. Re-read your resume and you should determine if the jobs listed fall into these two categories: Recent and relevant. If a past-job does not qualify for these categories, leave it out.

Avoid boring and inadequate language

Phrases such as “detail-oriented” and “team player” are no longer phrases that can effectively promote you. Instead, use terms that describe what makes you a team performer or how you pay attention to detail in making projects and company missions successful. Keep in mind that the “verbiage” you place on your resume is what catches the attention of hiring managers. Words do prove effective and can make the difference in obtaining an interview or a letter in the mail stating you are not qualified for the job.

BONUS: Click here for a great article from CareerBuilder regarding resume keywords.

About the author: Wilson Campbell is an HR expert, who specializes in team building and team building activities. He is also an expert in troubleshooting the concerns and considerations of employees.

Comments : 4 Comments »
Tags: 5 things to leave off your resume, careerbuilder, Emily Bennington, resume keywords, resumes, Wilson Campbell
Categories : Guest Bloggers, Resumes & Interviewing

SHIFT_ Your Mindset

7 02 2012

“SHIFT_. A single word that captures the passion and commitment that has revived and drives our future. Everything we touch, we shift. And everything we shift, we try to make better and uniquely Nissan.

SHIFT_ thinking changes the way we look at things, the way we do things and the way we react to life around us. It’s no longer about just doing, but doing for a purpose, doing effectively. It is change, but change driven for better, faster, higher performance. We are not afraid to take the lead at times or to stretch the boundaries in wider, better directions. When you change the way you look at reality, you will find that amazing things can happen.”

Why am I talking about an automotive company? Look a little closer. You see, shift happens. Things change. Life moves on. What Nissan has discovered is that you’ve got to keep moving toward your goals, whatever they may be. Curveballs will be thrown at you! To help you catch some of those wild pitches (or better, yet – help you knock them out of the park,) here are a few examples of how my mindset has shifted regarding some of the social tools I use (yes, this still relates to your career):

Twitter:

Original mindset: This weird, new tool has no value. Why would anyone care what I think? And who really wants to know what I had for lunch?

Current mindset: This awesome tool keeps me connected to the world in real-time. News, humor, relevant articles – you name it, Twitter has it! It’s all about how you use the tools, not the tool itself. Ever used a sugar packet to level a wobbly table? It’s up to YOU to find the value!

LinkedIn:

Original mindset: It’s the professional space online. I should be using it for business, connecting only to people I know. Oh, and I might as well copy what’s on my résumé into my profile. It’s the same thing, right?

Current mindset: LinkedIn is valuable, but again, it’s all about how you use it. I use the platform to connect with people (and continue to connect with them after the initial invitation) in my network, along with people I’ve never met. WHAT? Connect with someone you DON’T know on LinkedIn? There’s value in doing this. Expand your network. We’re all connected by fewer links than you think! LinkedIn is also great for group participation and to establish credibility. Know the answer to someone’s question? Build your reputation! By the way, I still don’t link all my tweets to LinkedIn. For me, it’s distracting. Sure, I cross-post sometimes, but EVERYTHING isn’t worthy of LinkedIn. Know your platform and purpose.

Facebook:

Original mindset: Facebook isn’t for me. Why? Actually, Facebook wasn’t available to me when it first launched (I’m not THAT old) and I didn’t have an .edu email address, which was required for users at that time. When the platform opened up its membership, I joined just see what everyone was talking about, connecting with long-lost friends and family members. I posted pictures…some weren’t too flattering. After all, who would use Facebook as a job seeking tool?

Current mindset: Facebook is the future. Most of us already know this. Why do I say that it’s the future? Apps like BranchOut and BeKnown are bringing a new side to Facebook that allows job seekers to build their professional profile, without it being linked to their general profile (you can still have a locked-down Facebook page, but the apps open the professional information up for outside viewers, like recruiters.) Think of this: Facebook has nearly 800 million active users. It’s where people are spending their time – day and night. I check my social profiles and email every morning before getting out of bed. That’s a powerful sense of connectedness! We all like to share things on Facebook. What this does is give others a sense of our personality and culture fit. It’s who we are at our core. Think about that before you question recruiters using it as a research tool. You have the power to work this in YOUR favor! YOU control what YOU post (and who sees it, who tags you in photos, etc.)

Pinterest:

Original mindset: What is this and why are people posting pictures of food or their newest craft project on Facebook? That feature can be turned off, by the way. Hint, hint. Why would I want to even entertain another social sharing tool?

Current mindset: I joined. To my surprise, it’s quite useful! I use Pinterest for moments when I need some inspiration or motivation. I use Pinterest to help spark creativity as well. The next time you hit a wall trying to squeeze creativity out of your fried little brain, check out the site. You’ll be surprised at how refreshed and inspired you are when you get back to work on the task at hand, including your job search. NOTE: Pinterest, like many other social sites, CAN BE A TIME SUCK!! Again, you make the rules. It’s up to you regarding how you use the tool. PS. If you have any delicious recipes, I’m happy to serve as your taste-tester. :)

One platform I’m missing is Google+. I’m still in the infant stages of discovery with this tool. The original mindset is this: What makes it so special, so different than anything else out there? That’s the million dollar question that a lot of people are asking.

You tell me – what do you think about Google+ or any of the other sites covered in this post? How are YOU using them for your job search? How has your mindset shifted? Please leave a comment below. I want to hear from you.

As always, thanks for reading!

Comments : 4 Comments »
Tags: facebook, goals, Google, job advice, job search, LinkedIn, pinterest, social media, twitter
Categories : Networking & Social Media, The Job Search

Career Advice from a Novice Runner

31 01 2012

Hi there. Welcome back to Campus to Career. This week, I’d like to share some personal lessons I’ve learned recently as I prepare to run my first marathon in 2012. Before February 2011, the only way you’d catch me running was when something or someone was actually chasing me. Sound familiar? I wasn’t a guy that found joy in the act of running…or exercise, to that point. To me, it was something only Olympians and other serious athletes did. Not a sport for me.

I was wrong. I can go on and on about running, the solace I find in the activity, the rewards I’ve reaped because of my new-found joy in running (I lost 30lbs last year), or the satisfaction of knowing that something I trained for actually worked out the way it was supposed to in the end. I’m going somewhere with all this, so stay with me.

There’s a career-related lesson in all of this. I’ve broken it down into a few points below:

Set a goal. The Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland said, “if you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there.” He had a very good point. In your career and in life, set goals that you want to achieve. Write them down, set a recurring calendar reminder (great for keeping you on task with deadlines) and tell your friends and family that you’ve set these goals. They’ll help keep you accountable.

Set a plan to achieve that goal. A goal without a plan is just a wish. Ever hear someone tell their friends, “I wish I could lose weight,” or “I wish I would get promoted this year?” When you set a plan to achieve your goals, you’re making a commitment to yourself. You don’t want to let yourself down, do you? Set the plan. Again, like setting the goals, tell your support network. Ask them to keep you in line when you have a moment of weakness.

Set realistic expectations. Everyone automatically thinks of a marathon when they find out someone has taken up running as a sport. For me, that’s certainly a goal. But, in 2011, that was a stretch goal. Instead, I focused on eating healthy, establishing a workout routine and training for a few races (I ran a 5K and two half marathons last year.) My current boss has a saying that goes something like this: “set goals that are inspirational, yet achievable.” We set stretch goals. Why? Because if we only give 100%, we’re more likely to end up with 80-90% of our goals achieved. But, if everyone shoots for an extra 10%, we’re more likely to land at 100% overall. Set expectations, but make sure that your goal can be achieved and that you’re giving more than “just enough.” You’ll be surprised at the positive results.

Follow through. The path to achieving your goals is sure to be filled with triumph and adversity. When the going gets tough, the tough gets going, right? Don’t quit when things get too hard for you. Follow through. Keep your goal in mind, ask your support network for a little boost, and push through. But don’t just push through and run yourself into the ground. Make sure you’re taking breaks throughout so your brain and your body have time to rest and recuperate. Rest is just as important as the training itself.

Be flexible. Like the point before about follow through, remember to stay flexible. Life happens. Have a Plan B (or C, D, and E) ready for times when life throws you a curveball. As a runner, I’ve learned that sometimes, I don’t have time (or my body says STOP!) to train according to a strict schedule. Flexibility has kept me on track. If I can’t get my run in during the evening, I do it the next morning. Sometimes, you have to make the decision to skip the activity and just keep moving forward. Whatever plan you have, just know that there will be interruptions and distractions. Learn how to make the most of those moments and keep moving toward achieving your goal.

That’s it. I tried to keep it as simple as possible. I’ve used running as a metaphor, but feel free to use what makes the most sense for you. This post isn’t about running. It’s about setting achievable goals, creating an action plan, following through with that action plan and learning to be flexible as you move towards achieving your goal.

If you’re interested in keeping up with my progress as I train for my first marathon this year (and who wouldn’t be?), please check out my other blog, Run Because. There’s a theme to it, but basically I’ve found blogging to be very beneficial as I stay on track. It’s amazing what kind of support you’ll get from family and friends when they know just how serious you are about something! I’ll leave you with a final note: thank you. Say it (and mean it) as much as you can. We all have untapped potential that is just waiting to be unlocked. Sometimes a simple thank you is the key to unlock it. So, thank you!

PS. The marathon is set for November 4, 2012 (Bass Pro Wildlife Conservation Marathon in Springfield, MO.) I have 40 weeks to train and yes, I have a plan in place! Thanks Logan.

Photo credit: Jami Garner

Comments : 6 Comments »
Tags: goal setting, goals, job advice, job search, marathon, running
Categories : On the Job, The Job Search

Fostering Innovation with Shaun White

24 01 2012

Photo credit: Shaun White Snowboarding

My job requires me to travel – a lot. You know the magazines that the airlines provide to their passengers? I actually read them (even SkyMall.) From time to time, there’s a good article with a real lesson that can be shared. As I was reading through this month’s issue of American Way, I came across an article featuring Shaun White. I probably don’t even have to explain who he is, right? Shaun has become a household name with his line of clothing, Oakley sunglasses, video games, newly launched partnership with Burton snowboards…he even has his own gum (“whitemint”), thanks to a partnership with Stride. Most of us know him either by name, reputation, or by his fiery red hair. He’s competed (and won several medals) in the Olympics. In most people’s opinion, Shaun White has arrived.

How does someone get to this point of success in their career? It all starts with the competition. I’ll dig a little deeper:

Competition fosters innovation. If we all did the same thing every day, we’d live in a very boring world. To break it down a further, competition to me means that a variety of ideas and people are fighting to find the most innovative idea and person. Shaun didn’t stop when he won the gold medial in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver with a high score on the half pipe of 48.4 (highest you can get is 50). He kept innovating new tricks, new ways to put a spin on snowboarding. By the way, his business franchise speaks for itself. He’s also breaking down the snowboarder stereotype, so think twice before you make assumptions about someone based on their job or hobby! Consider “best” as a given…are you really being innovative in your approach to your career? Could you do more? We all need a little healthy competition!

There’s a deadline and everybody is watching. Innovation doesn’t just happen overnight. It also doesn’t happen without setting goals or without taking action regarding those goals. In the American Way interview, Shaun mentioned that it’s all about adrenaline and focus with his tricks. That, and the fear of failure. “I can’t do certain tricks unless it’s in a contest because that pressure – you need it,” he says. “You get into that zone and I’m like, ‘Ok, I have to land. It’s not an option.’ Tricks seem to happen easier when you’re at events. You need that contest mode to see the crowd, the clock’s ticking – all these things make you push harder.” Think about he uses deadlines and acts to achieve his goals. Are you following a similar philosophy?

Short and simple – that’s how this week’s post wraps up. The next time you’re reading a book or magazine article, think how it applies to you, your success or life in general. You might be surprised what you can learn! For reference, check out www.americanwaymag.com for American Way‘s full article.

Like this post? I want to know why. Leave me a comment! Disagree? Leave me a comment. Campus to Career is shaped largely by your feedback, so don’t be shy – let me know what’s on your mind!

Mind sharing this article with a friend, colleague or classmate? There are several options to share via Google+, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and more. Just click the share button below! Thanks for paying it forward. Have a fantastic week!

Comments : 3 Comments »
Tags: competition, innovation, job search, shaun white, Shaun White snowboarding, vancouver, winter olympics
Categories : The Job Search, Uncategorized

Leaders Matter

17 01 2012

Photo credit: Knol

Yesterday, the U.S. observed a special holiday. The holiday was in remembrance of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday. You see, Dr. King had a dream. He knew that effective, responsible leadership mattered. He was a leader. King once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’ Your success…our success…is intrinsically linked to the success of others. So before you blaze a trail for yourself, ask yourself the question above. What are YOU doing for others? To get you started, here are a few tips:

Think of yourself and believe in yourself as a leader. This is the foundation. If you don’t think of yourself as a leader, why would anyone else? You can do this without coming off as arrogant or entitled – just keep your goal in mind and have an action plan to make it happen.

Invest in yourself as a leader. I mentioned having an action plan in the bullet above. It’s good to have your goals in mind. Better yet, it’s good to have them on paper with a clearly outlined action plan. You have to invest in yourself as a leader. Look at relevant webinars (there’s a lot out there for free,) conferences, books, blogs, etc. Another way to invest in yourself as a leader is to find a mentor.

Practice effective, responsible leadership. This is the secret to success. Those who practice effective, responsible leadership set the example for others. It’s actually a lot easier in the long run than cutting corners. Who cut corners? Think of any global corporate scandal recently. Most of the problems have been because the leaders weren’t responsible. They didn’t make ethical decisions. Believe me, this does matter. When leaders make ethical decisions, their followers make good decisions as well. It’s all about setting the example.

Help others. You can’t climb the ladder to success if no one is holding the proverbial ladder. It’s also a lot harder to climb if there isn’t a wall to lean your ladder against. Help others as much as you can. Pay it forward. This isn’t just a flowery sentence. Do it. Paying it forward and helping someone in need will pay itself back ten-fold. But don’t just do it because of the payoff. Do it because it’s the right thing to do. Remember, the point before this one? It’s all about responsible leadership.

Confession: I can’t take all the credit for the ideas conveyed in this post. In my life, I’ve chosen to surround myself with the best leaders in the business, learning from their successes and from their mistakes. It’s made me into the person I am today. Am I done learning? No way. Do I help people as much as I can? You bet. This blog is one of the ways I’m helping people find their passion and the job of their dreams.

What are you doing to ensure effective, responsible leadership? I’d love to know. Please feel free to leave a comment below, or if you’d rather converse one on one, send me an email at kirk.baumann@att.net. I want to hear your story so we can help others together. As always, thanks for reading.

Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: effective leadership, ethical leadership matters, leadership, Martin Luther King, mentor, MLK Jr., pay it forward
Categories : Mentorship, Leadership & Teamwork

Working with Muppetational Personalities

10 01 2012

Question of the day: What do a college freshman, a level-headed frog, an over-the-top pig and a fuzzy bug-eyed alien have to do with job advice?

I’ll give you a hint: it rhymes with “puppet.” With the 2011 release of The Muppets in theatres (I haven’t seen it yet – please no spoilers,) it’s perfect timing to bring them all together for a fun blog post. Don’t you just love pop culture?

The eternal optimist. Let’s start with the frog. To be more exact, his name is Kermit. Kermit (voiced by Jim Henson) once said that his job was “trying to get a bunch of crazies to actually get the job done.” You see, Kermit is the guy in charge. He has to work with a variety of personalities from Animal to Sam the Bald Eagle to Statler and Waldorf, the show’s toughest critics. Where am I going with this? Kermit chooses to see the positive in every situation. He’s the eternal optimist, sees the good in people and helps in every way he can. Why? He wants others to be successful! Have you had a boss like this? How would you work with them?

The star(?) of the show. When I think of Miss Piggy, I think of someone who must be the star of the show. That person is determined and nothing will stand in their way. Miss Piggy has a volatile personality. She presents a public face which is the essence of feminine charm, but can instantly fly into a violent rage whenever she thinks she has been insulted or thwarted. Kermit is often the target of her anger, sending him flying through the air. Why is he the target? Miss Piggy sees him as a doormat because of his good nature. If it isn’t good for “moi” (pronounced ‘mwah’), then it isn’t worth doing. Do you work with someone like this? If so, how do you get the job done without conflict?

The weirdo. Do I really have to say who this is? You got it – Gonzo. He’s known as “Gonzo the Great” or “the Great Gonzo” to his fans. He takes pride in his uniqueness and finds great enjoyment in EVERYTHING he does, no matter how bad the job really is. I think he’s a lot like Kermit in that he’s an optimist. I think Gonzo’s career wouldn’t be what it is today without his positive attitude. Yes, he’s worked some crazy jobs, but he’s found enjoyment in it all (no matter how far he had to dig to find it.) In the end, he’s learned from his failures (and like anyone, knows there will be more) and grows from it. Does this sound familiar?

The dreamer. Jim Henson imagined puppets with a life of their own. He changed the entertainment industry forever. Did you know that Kermit was created from a women’s coat that his mom had thrown into a waste bin? He used two ping pong ball halves for eyes. I’ve created a few sock puppets in my day, but what Jim Henson did was so much more. His imagination helped launch characters that we’ve grown to know and love like the ones mentioned above, Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, Bert and Ernie, and Cookie Monster. It’s amazing what you can achieve if you dream big enough.