ajcjobs > BlogBreak > Archives > 2007 > July
July 2007
Nickel-and-dimed at the office
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Sunday ajcjobs lead story by Laura Raines this week brought up a topic that many of us face at the office but are reluctant to complain about (at least not too loudly): the cost of being a good co-worker. None of us wants to be seen as Ebenezer Scrooge, but surely many of us get a little bit of a sinking feeling inside when we see our co-worker coming with that wrapping-paper sales brochure for her child’s school or when Harold picks the expensive seafood restaurant when your department treats him to a birthday lunch.
Baby showers, bridal showers, birthday lunches, welcome-new-employee lunches, company charitable fund-raisers, raffles, Girl Scout cookies … It adds up after awhile. If you say “yes” to everything and everyone, you could break the budget. If you say “no,” won’t you seem like a party pooper at best and an antisocial jerk at worst?
Do you sometimes feel besieged by these types of requests for money? Do you feel social pressure to contribute or participate? Or have you put an end to the “nickel-and-diming” — and, if so, how?
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Career Fairs: Do they help?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Career Fairs allow employers to provide exposure and direct access to their company and more importantly an opportunity for you to meet someone who actually works for the company.
At a career fair, you have an opportunity to ask specific questions to company representatives about the company’s culture and employment process. You can also find out tips on how to make yourself available for future opportunities.
While you are sizing up the company, the company is sizing you up. Although no one will admit to this, employers like the idea of sizing up candidates without having to go through all of the formal processes as well.
Attending job fairs that are culture or profession focused are like going to a crawfish boil. You get to taste all of the goods from the same pot.
For example: If the job fair is titled “Nursing and Health Care”, this is beneficial to those who want to be a nurse. Another example is the “Latin American Career Expo”. Companies at this particular fair are specifically looking for individuals with Latin American descent and most likely people who are bilingual.
Career fairs are another avenue that can make your job search productive. Career fairs are often held on weekends, but if not, you may have to ask for some personal time off.
What kind of success rate have you experienced by attending career fairs?
Post interview thank you notes are key!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
After a nerve-racking three-hour interview with the company president and two other division managers, you’re cautiously optimistic about your chances of landing this great new job!
As you drive home, your mind is racing as you think about what you’ll say in your thank you note. The fact that you’re thinking about a thank you note so soon after the interview is a good thing. If you played your cards right in the interview, you will have obtained a business card from each person with whom you interviewed, so that you have current contact information.
In addition to expressing your appreciation for their time meeting with you, a thank you note is a great vehicle for reiterating your interest in the job, clarifying an issue that you feel uneasy about from the interview, or sharing an idea you had on the way home that you wish you’d thought of during the actual interview.
Timing is everything with a thank you note. You want write it immediately, so that the interview conversations are fresh, and so that there is no delay in properly thanking the company officials.
Professional opinions may differ slightly on thank you note protocol, but in my mind, you can’t go wrong sending with a quick email to each interviewer within 24 hours of your meeting. At the same time, you should sit down and compose a handwritten thank you note to each interviewer and drop it in US mail that day.
Some will advise typing out a thank you note instead of the handwritten note. I say that’s a judgment call. If you know that your handwriting is poor, perhaps a typed letter is more appropriate. But, there’s something very personal about a handwritten note that many people like. Think about it: In your current job, how many handwritten notes do you receive? Probably few, if any and it is likely your impression is quite positive when you do receive one.
Either way, you should use quality, professional stationery like resume paper, or a neutral colored note card (avoid flower prints, cartoons and other cutesy note cards and stationery). If you’re unsure about what to use, visit your local printer or a stationery store and ask a clerk to recommend something appropriate.
Not sending a thank you note is a fatal job search mistake and you should send one each and every time you have an interview without exception. Even if you have decided that it’s not a job you’d be willing to accept, you should still send the thank you note. A new position for which you’re better suited could open up at that same company next week, so don’t risk burning bridges.
The bottom line is that if two candidates are equal in every way and one sends a thank you note and the other doesn’t, who do you think will get the job offer?
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How do you stay energized?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I just returned from a great, high energy conference - top speakers, good opportunities to network and many new ideas. I wasn’t sure what to expect since it was my first time attending. And with so much stimulation, it was also exhausting.
Every morning a Yoga class was offered before the day’s agenda went into full swing. Since I was in California, I rose quite early and joined other Eastern Time zone folks as we did our stretching and breathing exercises out on the hotel veranda.
In the increasingly intense workplace of today, classes like Yoga and Tai Chi can help us stay more centered. I know people who keep meditation phrases on their screen saver, play nature’s music on their iPod or slip out for some solitary time. Taking slow breaths can also be a welcome refresher.
What are you doing to stay calm and energized?
HOT jobs for women and minorities
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There are companies in the U.S. that are dying to hire women and minorities. If you have the qualifications, and you are a good fit for the company, you have a pretty good chance of getting hired when there is an opening. So, what are these jobs?
- Actuaries
- Engineers
- Doctors
- Nurses
Actuaries working in insurance companies and accounting firms are in great demand. There are not enough people seeking jobs in these areas and the number of minorities and females in these roles are low. Companies are desperately trying to find talented individuals who have exceptional math skills.
Engineers are in great demand and the college graduation rate in the U.S. among U.S. citizens it is less than the demand rate. This is the reason why U.S. companies are lobbying for the Feds to raise the H-1B Visa numbers. Many of the engineers graduating from U.S. universities are from China and India. If you have a degree in geological and electrical engineering, you can practically write your own ticket.
Doctors and Nurses are next on the list. There are not enough doctors and nurses to go around. The college graduation rate is not on par with the demand. Many of the RN’s out there today are baby boomers. Guess what, they are going to retire some day.
If you are not making the money you desire, it is time for you to pursue your dream of financial security. Going back to school is a good option!
Just make a decision!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A friend recently complained that the biggest challenge she faces in her job is a boss who cannot make decisions. As an “executive” decision maker, when faced with a variety of options, he’s paralyzed and usually resorts to appointing a committee to make the decision for him. The committee meets and meets and dithers and everyone’s time is wasted. This approach will get you just so far before a revolution occurs among the peasants.
Making a decision and living with the results without stalling out or delaying is a tool missing from the tool chest of many managers. How do people get to the point of paralyzed indecisiveness? It’s possibly inexperience or lack of education in effective decision-making. You have reached your level of incompetence. More often it’s fear of repercussions above and below if the wrong decision is made. If your head (or your position) were on the block based on the outcome of your choice of options, wouldn’t you waffle or choose delaying tactics that spread the blame? A supportive supervisor will usually support one or two mistakes but will cut and run if the poor choices continue.
Overcoming the paralysis or dealing with an ineffective decision maker challenges the best of us on the job or at home. How much time and money is wasted on poor decision-making?
Isn’t it annoying when someone just plows ahead, making decisions without thought or justification? Naturalistic decision making or intuition is only worse when they’re always right! If you’re paralyzed in decision-making on the job, does into your daily life - who to marry, what house to buy, when to have kids, latte or chai?
I suppose if you have an MBA you’re probably chuckling and thinking back to Pareto Analysis, Grid Analysis or Cost-Benefit. If you want to forward some tools to your boss or review them yourself, there’s plenty of support out there to help overcome your paralysis.
Are you indecisive or is your manager? Feeling utterly frustrated because you can’t get any answers? Are you or your boss a dare devil risk taker instead?
Facing a lay off?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
No one ever really expects to find a pink slip in their own hands, but the harsh reality of big business proves that no one - no matter how loyal and dedicated - is immune to the possibility. With corporate mergers, off-shoring, and downsizing, even the best employees can find themselves unemployed.
So, how do you manage life after a lay-off?
Certainly, you’re entitled to any feelings you may have about the situation. You may feel angry, frustrated, betrayed… or you may even be glad, relieved, to be free from an unhealthy employment situation. If you do have negative f eelings about the lay-off, take a few days to collect yourself and deal with any feelings you may have about being laid-off - BEFORE you start your new job search.
Potential employers are not interested in the politics of your former company and they certainly don’t want to hire someone who is still obviously bitter about something that happened at his last job. Get it out of your system. The sooner you put the past behind you, the sooner you can move on.
Decide on the day you’ll officially launch your job search, then set your alarm and get out of bed at a reasonable hour that morning. If the lay-off was surprise and you haven’t already done so, your mission for this first day is to get your affairs in order. Take stock of your finances, research how you can consolidate any debt you may have, make time to understand what benefits (severance, unemployment, outsourcing support, etc.) you’re entitled to now that you’ve been separated from employment.
Your next step is to create a plan for moving forward. Get out your calendar and set small goals for yourself each day. Day two’s goal might be to polish up your resume. Day three’s goal might be to contact five people with whom you can set up networking meetings over coffee.
Then move toward larger goals. Perhaps your goal for the next week is to attend one networking event and take on one volunteer project, in addition to identifying at least ten companies who may have job openings in your area of expertise.
Factor these activities into your schedule and use the hours between 8 am and 5 pm to focus fully on your job search. Then at 5:00, turn off the computer, put away your job search materials and enjoy your evening. Plan to return to your project the next morning.
It’s important to have a routine that forces you to work toward finding a new job. Even if you have been given a generous severance package, you’ll want to start this process sooner, rather than later, as it could take several weeks or even months to land an interview. This is especially true when your field of experience is highly specialized.
When you’re not working, the hours in the day will slip by you much more quickly than you can anticipate, so make sure your efforts are focused. Make the most of this time that you have been given to meet new people who could be valuable contacts. Don’t let time get away from you, be sure to plan your work, and work your plan!
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Motormouths annoy recruiters!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Recruiters polled recently cited that “talking too much” is the most prevalent thing a person interviewing for a position handles incorrectly.
An interview is an exchange of information between the hiring manager or recruiter and the job candidate.
Be aware of how the interviewer is responding during the interview by the questions posed and respond accordingly.
The candidate in the interview
In an interview the candidate’s goal is to learn more about the position and ask specific questions about the position and company to ensure it is a good match for his/her talents. A candidate should also confidently represent their successful career history throughout the interview - topic specific. It is not a bad idea to create your own personal story of your career with the companies you’ve worked with as well as the key points and benefits to the organization that you were able to bring in each position. No need to memorize this story word for word, but it will make the interview more familiar and comfortable if you are simply discussing a premeditated true story you’ve been reading all week.
The recruiter in the interview
A recruiter is in the interview to assess whether the candidate is a great match for their client. Recruiters want to be sure you are a strong candidate for the next stage of the interview process with their client. So the recruiter is making sure you will not go into the interview as a chatterbox with a lot to say, a negative person with a lot of bad things to say about past employers, an under-qualified candidate or anything that will not hold them, as the recruiter, in a positive light.
Maintain professionalism
Remember being concise, professional and articulate in an interview is crucial to impressing these people that conduct interviews all day. No matter what, don’t feel too comfortable with the recruiter and tell them your life story like an old friend. If you feel comfortable with a recruiter that is a sign you are with a recruiter doing their job well. It doesn’t mean you really connected and should tell them things about yourself that will ultimately hinder your job placement. You should be honest at all times, but focus the interview on the things that were your greatest successes. You will make a positive impression and blow away your competition if you keep it simple and friendly.
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Professional networking as a tool
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I was sitting down to write this blog and decided to reactivate my LinkedIn account. LinkedIn is a professional networking site used mainly for acquiring and maintaining business connections. Since I tried it a few years ago, this site has enhanced its features. You can, for instance, download your personal address book and reach many more possible contacts. Also, there is a section, called “Linked In Answers” which allows you to pose questions to the online community.
It can be a tool to find jobs, business opportunities and people. Time will tell if there is payoff. Users have shared that they like having access to a wider circle of potential connections. Others enjoy the ease of awakening old relationships with friends and former coworkers.
In this day and age of overload, I think it makes sense to use technology to supplement our networking strategies with approaches that reach wider audiences.
I do wonder, though, if these sites are just a fad that prevent us from getting important work done. Are they are a distraction? What are the real payoffs? It seems like one must discipline themselves not to get carried away on surfing these sites (for e.g., two hours after submitting my info I still hadn’t written my blog entry! I already find myself checking to see who has responded and reading their profiles. Not exactly a high priority on my to do list.)
Have you found any wins or losses from using LinkedIn or other professional networking sites? Are you convinced there is a payoff?
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Good jobs that aren’t going to go away!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If you are going to live to be 100 years old, are you in career that you can work in until you are 65 or 70 without being replaced by a nano-bot, robot, i-bot or some other form of artificial intelligence? If you are going to work until 2030 or 2040, you need to start doing your homework.
These are careers that we know will not be going away:
- Cooks, waiters, waitresses and bartenders - although food preparation may be different.
- Police officers, security and military personnel
- Senior management within a company
- Caregivers for children, elderly and disabled
- Lawyers, judges, certain political positions
These are the careers that are in the most demand today and will continue to be in the future that are not going away:
- Electrical engineers
- Geological engineers
- Civil engineers
- Medical doctors
- Nurses
- Bio Pharmaceutical analysts
- Bio Medical research analysts
- Bio Technology research analysts and engineers
- Computer technology engineers
Just about everything else can be replaced by technology or will be performed in a location in the world at the least costly place, that most likely will not be in the U.S.
Just food for thought. It is not too late to re-tool your skills!
Strive to achieve independence!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Despite the perennial 4th of July staples that we can look forward to every year to commemorate our country’s right of passage, this nation was founded by people who acted in spite of uncertainty.
Today, as always, uncertainty will continue to be a factor, but so do its rewards, especially in such entrepreneurial endeavors as are uniquely available to this nation’s citizens.
Just this week I met a women, Lesley Hatfield, at an Atlanta Woman magazine event, who had the courage and the ingenuity to leverage talents that she already employed in her job as an Exercise Physiologist and Licensed Personal Trainer to become an entrepreneur in a completely new light.
Lesley would have made the founding Fathers proud by putting her vision and problem-solving skills to work. Knowing that one of her clients was suffering from sleepless nights due to hot flashes, Lesley called upon her out-of-the-box thinking and related expertise. She recommended that her client sleep in sportswear, which is engineered to handle heat and perspiration.
The solution provided impressive results and spawned a tremendous business idea. Instead of merely being satisfied with solving a problem for one individual, Lesley seized the opportunity to share her solution for the benefit of many. She founded a much-needed clothing line known at NiteSweatz that addresses the aging Baby Boomers’ needs.
What a massive market opportunity that many among us acknowledge exists, but only professional risk-takers like Lesley show the fortitude to pursue. Able to utilize her current knowledge to generate an idea, she was brave enough to transfer her skills into new roles—product developer, sales person, and CEO.
Those of you who haven’t dared can still do the same thing. Whether it means pursuing a completely new career, developing a marketable new skill, going back to school for that long-overdue degree, or starting your own business, in this land of opportunity the only thing that is likely to stop you is you.
In honor of Independence Day, dare to believe in yourself and your dreams, keeping us at Execume in mind if you need a helping hand.
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Are vacations ever really vacations?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
When I was growing up, a vacation meant that you piled in the car with your family and drove to the beach and life took on a completely different pace. Dad read the paper, relaxed and played with us like he was a kid again. Sometimes we went to see family but even then, the adults and kids loosened up. Adults talked, napped and ate at a different pace. No one considered calling the office or worrying about what was going on back at work.
Jobs being the way they are these days, often don’t permit the luxury of really being “away”. As I plan my vacation next week, I wonder why I feel the need to give permission for folks at work to call if needed. I have colleagues who fly away to distant shores, ditch their cells and blackberries and don’t check their emails. Others I know call the office daily. Why is that??
In some surveys, 75% of executives say they perform work at least “a few times a week” during their vacation. Among non-managerial employees, on the other hand, only 26% say they do any work during their vacation time and the majority (54%) they never work during their vacation.
Intellectually I believe it’s important to your sanity and health to mentally separate yourself from your day-to-day for however long you can afford to be away. I’m talking - you really need to go - for your sake, your family’s sake and for your colleague’s well being as well. You need a new perspective and a new attitude - to be able to see things clearly without the dust of the day-to-day grind. Too often, though, we have this idea of being indispensable. Are we afraid to face the fact that we need the job more than it needs us?
I’m going to give it a try, I won’t even think of work or what’s going on back at the office. They’ll just have to survive. It’ll wait till I get back or someone else will do it while I’m gone just like I covered for others while they’re gone. How about you? Will you really take a vacation this time or will you return with sand sticking to your crack-berry? Think about it. Here are some ideas on severing the ties temporarily!
Do you constantly check your blackberry or call in when you take time off? Or do you completely relax while you are on vacation?
