My Campus Chronicles
Our college blog dedicated to helping students prepare for life outside of college.
January 2008 archive
Q: Dear Seymour, I am a young professional who has been in the Logistics field for the last 10 years. I am now looking to relocate to a warmer climate such as GA or NC, but need to have employment first. Would it be smart to start dialogue with a staffing company in the area first?
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A: Dear Logistics professional,
First and foremost, make sure you have narrowed down the market(s) where you want to live and work. Pay attention to cost of living and financial facts about the areas, as well as whether or not they offer you activities that interest you, such as parks, museums, sporting activities, etc.
Contacting a local staffing and recruiting company is certainly one step you could take to get the job hunt started, especially if you are want to relocate to an area of the country that you are unfamiliar with.
A staffing company can provide you with a wide array of opportunities, and the professional recruiters will know exactly which companies are in need of talent with your level experience.
Another suggestion would be to conduct some research about trade organizations and chapters located in the markets where you are looking to move. Not only do these organizations have searchable job boards and databases, but you can begin to make connections with people, and have contacts once you relocate to a new city.
You can also consider blogging. Industry blogs can open you up to a wide audience of colleagues all over the country. Someone might know someone in Georgia or the Carolinas, or a blogger may work for a company that has offices in those areas, and can point you in the right direction.
Good luck on your search, and enjoy soaking up the sun in your new surroundings!
Q: Dear Seymour, I can't seem to shake this nagging feeling that I am not in the right career for me. I just feel like it's time for a career switch. Any advice on making a very confusing and important decision more focused?
- Submitted by Erin Frederics, Lubbock, TX
A: Dear Erin,
If you wake up most nights anxious about which career path is right for you ... believe me, you're not alone. Contemplating switching careers is a big decision. It will have a major impact on your life and may even impact your family. Workers often find themselves overwhelmed or unsure of how to choose the right career or profession. As with anything in life, if you want to make your career change a successful one, make sure you prepare adequately before taking the leap.
While there are thousands of websites, books, counselors, professionals who can assist in this endeavor, here are the basic steps you should take and a few resources and tools to consider. Following these key steps will help you feel more organized and clear about the career change process.
Assess Yourself. How can you be sure a career is the best fit for you without understanding yourself first? Do a self-assessment of your interests, personality, values, preferred work environment and existing skills or talents. There are a variety of self-assessment tools that are tailored towards finding a career and are available at your local bookstore, online or even at your community library. Look for self-assessment resources that aid you in building a list of potential occupations.
Assess the Situation. Now that you've narrowed down the field of professions to ones that best suit you, your next step is to assess each of these occupations. Be prepared to spend some time researching each profession to understand the job's description, responsibilities, outlook in terms of future growth opportunities, required skills and/or training and of course, salary ranges. You can find this information on the internet, in bookstores, or libraries. Or, if you have friends or family members that work in the profession, ask to talk with them about it or shadow them at work.
Identify a Fit. Once you've done your self-evaluation and industry research, you should feel confident that you're making a well-thought out choice. However, to give you even more assurance in your decision, take the opportunity to explore the profession you've chosen. Try pursuing part-time work in your given career, or seek out volunteer or internship possibilities. These are low-commitment, low-risk ways to really understand the responsibilities and characteristics of a particular job.
After following all of these steps to choose a career path best suited to you, its time to direct your efforts towards landing your dream job! For advice and tools to aid your job search like writing a resume, or job interview techniques, visit our career center.
It's great to make friends at work. The work environment and enjoying who you work with are many times the reasons why workers stay at their job.
However, I recently read an article about 13 topics that should not be discussed with co-workers. They include intimate details about your life and career, such as wild weekends, divorce proceedings and salary information. Not to mention how annoying Peggy, who sits in the cubicle next to you, is on a daily basis.
Although you may forge friendships with your co-workers, it is true that certain information and topics of conversations should be kept to yourself, or at the very least be selective about whom you share your thoughts and feelings with.
So here are a couple of topics that you should share with co-workers:
- The new computer class that you took at the community college. Not only is it helpful information, but if your managers hear about it they will be impressed with your desire for continuing education.
- Your favorite volunteer or community activity. Monday morning cooler talk always starts with your weekend. Although part of your weekend may have included a rowdy club, choose to mention the beach clean-up or hiking trip you took instead.
- Information about competitors or industry news. Not only will you position yourself as a leader in the office, but you really are helping the company by keeping others informed.
- Good news that you know to be true. Congratulate and praise to others about the co-worker who just received a promotion or accolade from management. You will be spreading goodwill throughout the office, and your team support will shine through.
Let's face it. Everyone can have difficult times at work that force you to show your emotion. Whether it's personal issues that spill into the work environment, or frustration as a result of work, emotions can emerge at the worst time during the work day.
I recently read an article about anger in the workplace, and I wasn't surprised about how easily the person in the article allowed their emotion to boil over in such dramatic fashion.
It can be difficult to contain how you are feeling, especially at work where you may be experiencing criticism or questions about your abilities. Sometimes, your emotions may not stem from work at all, but something happens and that's where you will express them.
Anger is probably one of the most common emotions overly expressed at work. Co-workers, managers and supervisors may provoke you, but you still need to keep your cool as best as possible.
If you begin to feel yourself becoming angry, take a break and regroup instead of staying in a situation that may escalate. Just as in your personal life, take the higher road and diffuse angry moments before they get out of hand.
Also, find an activity outside of the workplace that might help you relieve stress and calm any work-related anger issues that you might have. Exercising, meditation and yoga, or perhaps finding a hobby like painting, can all help relieve stress and allow you to decompress from work.
Bottom line is that it's ok to show emotion at work, as long as your reactions do not go over the line.
We all know the feeling- the end of the work day is approaching and the clock couldn't possibly tick any slower. You're exhausted from an 8+ hour work day and have a "to-do" list with never-ending errands to run. Well before you rush out the door into a sea of traffic jams and shopping cart congestion, consider this. Why not ditch your daily routine and join your co-workers and other professional colleagues for happy hour?
Not only is happy hour a laid-back place to enjoy appetizer's and drink specials, but it is also a great opportunity to chat with your co-workers in a more personal setting and to network with potential employers if you are considering a job change. Experts suggest that by simply socializing at the occasional happy hour, you greatly increase the potential to advance your career within your organization and beyond.
As a junior-level employee or job seeker, happy hours can potentially facilitate social and professional relationships with senior level executives and provide you with unique insight into the company's culture and into your industry that you may not have experienced in a more formal, workplace setting.
However, there are some important guidelines to keep in mind when casually rubbing elbows with co-workers, company executives and potential employers:
• Be sure to check your individual company's policy on social drinking. While some organizations may sponsor social work events where alcohol is present, others may seriously frown upon this activity.
• Always remember that just because alcohol is served, that does not mean it is a requirement. Keep in mind that you are at an office function and should not drink in excess.
• Maintain a demeanor that is professional, appropriate and respectful by paying attention to what you say. Save your personal problems or spreading gossip about colleagues for your friends.
"Ten years ago, compiling a list of career-focused New Year resolutions may have just included a quick resume update and passing out a few business cards. Today, thanks to advances in technology, social networking and online recruitment, that list continues to grow. Check out other posts for tips on how to take advantage of online networking and job search tools this year.
Q: Dear Seymour, After several years of working for my current employer, I have decided to pursue another opportunity because of one reason only - my boss. Despite my dislike for my boss, I have worked hard and succeeded in my job. How can I leave without letting my bitterness towards my boss get the best of me?
- Submitted by Skip Wurhal, Arlington, VA
A: Dear Skip,
Despite all the hard work, commitment, loyalty and drive you've given to your employer, you've decided it's time to leave. While it sounds like the decision to quit your job may have been a difficult one, the choice to exit gracefully should be an easy one. Why wipe away a stellar track record and reputation with a bad exit? Don't let the challenges with your boss stand in the way of preserving your good work history, or worse, igniting a burning bridge.
Remember, last impressions can be just as important as first ones because they are... well, lasting. If you want your employer to serve as a future reference, or perhaps open new doors for you, here's my advice on how to leave with poise and dignity:
1) Provide ample notice. While the industry standard is to provide at least two weeks notice, many organizations have different expectations. Check your employee orientation or HR manuals just to be sure. And while the expectation is at least two weeks, the sooner you can alert your employer the better.
2) Put it in writing. It may not be a requirement, but it is always a smart idea to provide a letter of resignation. It should include expressions of appreciation for the opportunity to learn and grow, explain in broad terms why you are leaving, and include your final day of work.
3) Don't fall down on the job. It may be tempting to "slack off" once you've given notice, but avoid this temptation. Continue to work hard and be productive. And definitely don't begin calling in sick or use your final weeks to eat up vacation time.
4) Make the transition easy on your employer and your replacement. Leave as many projects or assignments completed as possible. Provide notes or other documentation that can help the next person pick up quickly and hit the ground running. Offer to help find and/or train your replacement.
5) Resist the urge to cast aspirations. Even if you have anger or bitterness towards your boss or others, do not take your departure as an opportunity to tell them how you feel. If you are asked in a formal exit interview or other manner to share your opinion, it is ok to offer your critique in a professional way that includes solutions or ideas to the problem.
6) Give thank you notes. Be sure to thank your employer and colleagues for all they have contributed to your career and growth. Also, it is important to be sure your employer and co-workers know how to reach you, and vice versa. Sustaining professional contacts and relationships is the best way to build your network.
Take these steps and you'll leave a lasting impression as impressive as your first.
It's that time of year again... so without further ado, here are my workplace predictions for 2008:
1) Upon graduation from college/university, the tail end of Gen "X" and the emerging Generation "Y" will begin to migrate overseas due to rapidly emerging global opportunities. In the short term, this will open more doors for the older workforce. As the years rush by, it is possible that these ex-pats will stay abroad for their lifetimes and they will be sending money home to their aging parents who have not saved enough for their own futures.
2) Evolutionary technologies and new terminologies will become a part of your daily life and vocabulary. Get ready. Study the start of wireless technology that will improve our thought processing. Rejoice as new medical breakthroughs begin to improve the aging process by extending the quality of your life.
3) Prepare as "tens of millions of American workers experience an element of job insecurity that has heretofore been reserved for manufacturing workers," according to the Vice Chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Alan S. Blinder.
4) Workers over the age of 45 will account for 40% of our workforce in 2008. A few short years from now (2012), the march of time will find workers over the age of 55 approaching 20% of our workforce. As a result, organizations that have been dragging their feet in hiring older workers will change their ways BUT many mature workers will only be engaged to fill project needs and job insecurity will still rule. Get ready now.
5) Watch the advances in the robotic workforce with me. Read about Japan's efforts in this area. Future workers may collaborate with robots or be replaced by them. Advances may happen sooner than you think, and they may affect your chosen career in a very few years.
For a look at what happened with my 2007 predictions, check out the archived newsletters at www.agelessinamerica.com.
Workers' commutes are getting longer and longer. Some workers are traveling two hours, one-way, to get to their jobs. This might be extreme to some, but the norm for others. I think that most people would agree this is asking a lot for any job. Not only is driving stressful, but it can be dangerous if you are too tired to be on the road.
Still, this trend of long commutes is worth it for workers who feel that they cannot pass up the salaries they are receiving. According to a recent blog post, this is the case for many.
However, long commutes can be detrimental to your career. Not only can in cut into your work/life balance, but your production can suffer because of exhaustion or stress, which can lead to anger and frustration that might be detected by your manager or colleagues. Furthermore, your pocketbook could suffer from the wear and tear on your car and the price of fuel.
So what's a worker to do if this is the situation that they are facing? For one, you might want to ask your manager about flexible scheduling or work at home options. This would relieve the need and stress of being in the office everyday.
You could also check into park and ride or carpooling options. Again, you would save money, and sanity, while sharing the load of the commute, or leaving the driving up to others.
A last option that might not be so easy, is to just find another job option closer to home. If the other solutions mentioned are not viable and the commute proves to be too much, then you might be better off finding a closer career opportunity.
Happy New Year! The mad dash to the holidays has ended the new year is beginning. Now is the time when we all make those resolutions to start 2008 off on the right foot. You know what I am talking about... lose weight, call your mother more often, shop less, read more. There are hundreds of them.
But what about turning your focus on your career? In the spirit of Baby New Year, here are my top five career new year's resolutions:
1. Learn a new skill. This is one that can not only enrich your career, but your personal life too. Better ways to communicate and team building/participation are two ideas to start with.
2. Develop new responsibilities. Many times, posts on the Big Time focus on getting ahead in your career, and that means more responsibility. This is the time of year to focus on doing it, instead of just thinking about it. No new responsbilities on the horizon? Find one that fits your expertise and go for it!
3. Become a leader. How may times have you sat in a meeting and wondered who was in charge of the project? Maybe you are that person who can provide guidance and structure to your team or company. Go ahead and take the reigns.
4. Volunteer and network. Need to jump start your career search? Get out there and find an organization or group and make new connections and friends. Not only are you developing a career network, you may be helping your community while you're at it.
5. Find that work/life balance. You know who you are. You work 12-hour days and have "Blackberry Thumb." This year, try to take time out for yourself and don't get too caught up in the rat race. Not only will you save your sanity, you might also be nurturing your productivity at the same time.
Those are my suggestions for new year's resolutions. How about our readers? Do you have a 2008 goal for your career? We want to hear about them.
