My Campus Chronicles
Our college blog dedicated to helping students prepare for life outside of college.
Brent Short archive
A recent Big Time post addressed the issue of strange interview questions are how to handle them. This week, we talk about the opposite - bad interview answers and embarrassing moments.
I came across a Fortune article that covers the subject of dumb job interview moves from candidates. Some of the examples of stupid interview moves include:
"The candidate got his companies confused and repeatedly mentioned the strengths of a competing firm, thinking that was who he was interviewing with."
"A guy called me by the wrong name during the entire interview."
"We're a retail company, and when we asked the candidate why she wanted to work for us, she replied that she didn't want to work in retail anymore."
"An interviewee took his bubble gum out of his mouth and held it in his hand. Then he forgot about it and shook hands with me."
Now, being nervous and giving answers that may not be the most compelling is one thing, but not paying attention and being completely checked out of your surroundings is quite different.
Some interview "errors" are unavoidable, such becoming ill or stumbling over your words. As a matter of fact, recovering from these blunders may actually work in your favor.
If you have made a mistake or blunder, try not to let it derail the rest of your interview. Hiring managers and interviewers are human, and will understand nerves or issues that cannot be avoided. So make up for it as best as possible.
There will be a chance the interview isn't salvageable. If this is the case just chalk it up to experience and move on. Don't beat yourself up over interview mistakes either. Learning from your blunders will help you better prepare for your next interview.
It's that time of year when vacations are planned and everyone is clamoring for time off.
I came across an article that stated recent survey findings found that "21% had been denied vacation time because a co-worker had already asked for the same days off."
Vacation time off is a very important element to balancing your work schedule, and personal lives. Whether you are planning a week in the islands, or a day at the spa, make sure that you are taking advantage of the time off provided by your employer.
I find the survey referenced above very interesting because I have not heard of employees ever being denied their time off because co-workers had already requested it. However, it does not seem to be an illogical argument for not being able to take your vacation. I have, quite often, known employees who were denied time off because they did not request the time off far enough in advance.
What about our readers...has anyone ever been denied their vacation time because a co-worker or co-workers were already taking time off? If so, what was your solution, or how did it effect your vacation?
Most everyone knows how to dress appropriately for a job interview, but what about preparation for a job promotion?
As one article points out, dressing for success doesn't only refer to landing a job, but getting that promotion you want as well.
A good rule of thumb for moving up the ladder is to dress as your immediate supervisor would. If you work in a casual office, stick to the strictest business casual guidelines for dress. The more professional you look, the more your superiors will view you as someone ready for a higher position.
You might want to work towards building a wardrobe with a few key pieces:
- For women - black, navy blue, or dark brown skirts no shorter than to your knee
- For men or women - black, navy blue, khaki or dark brown slacks that are neat and pressed
- Dress shirts with a collar
- Both men and women should have at least two nice suits, or even more if you are not working in a business casual environment
- Stay way from faded pants and bare-shouldered tops
- Nice dress shoes that are not scuffed are also advisable
Take a few cues from the executives and managers around the office and pay attention to what they wear to the office. Once you start dressing like an executive, you might find yourself working as one too.
Have you ever had a job interview, and were asked questions that seemed out of left field? For example, if you could be a household appliance, what would you be and why?
This type of question would throw nearly everyone a curveball, and might make you question the point of being asked these types of questions. The way to handle this situation is to stop and think about the hidden meanings behind these questions. In the interviewer's mind, a household appliance may symbolize the type of culture or work style the company possesses. Perhaps it's how the interviewer gains insight into your personality.
Whatever the reason, take time to carefully answer the question knowing that the interviewer has his/her own reasons for asking it.
But what about questions that make you feel uncomfortable? Interviewers delving into your personal life can clearly cross the line. One article even discusses the illegalities of interviewers asking these types of personal questions.
Should you encounter this in an interview, don't be afraid to tell the interviewer that you feel that information is personal and you are not comfortable providing the information during an interview, or to your employer.
Try to stay polite with your answer, but be firm. If the interviewer continues to ask inappropriate questions and continues to make you feel uncomfortable, you might consider telling the interviewer that as a result of the line of questions, you are uncomfortable and believe that this company is not the right fit for you. Thank the interviewer, and then excuse yourself from the situation.
Don't worry about burning a bridge by not completing the interview. More than likely, this is not a company you want to work for anyway.
What about our readers? What was the strangest or most offensive question you have ever been asked during an interview?
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.
The holiday season is a fast-paced, stressful time of the year, too active to concentrate on the job hunt, right? But, just because the holiday season is here doesn't mean that you have to abandon the job search until the New Year.
Here are a couple of tips for networking during the holiday season. For example, the number one place to network is holiday parties. Professional organizations as well as friends and family will be hosting parties to celebrate the season. These events will allow you to meet new people and potentially find a new employer.
Friends and family will more than likely be inviting people from their offices to share in their celebrations. What better way to find a new employer than close friends and family? You might also want to mention to those close to you that you are looking for a new job, that way they can make sure to introduce you to their colleagues during these social occasions.
Professional and industry organizations will also be celebrating the holidays. Do a little homework and find out which ones will be the best fit for you as an employee. It might also help to become a member while you are there, if you are not one already. Becoming a new member at the holiday party will certainly make an impression, and it will give you an opportunity to go back and network some more with those members who may have been unable to attend the party.
The job search doesn't have to be a burden or put on hold until the first of year. As a matter of fact, go ahead and have a little holiday fun while you are at it.
When is it time to move on from your current job? If you are feeling dissatisfied and unfulfilled, then you should not be expected to stay.
You may want to ask you friends and colleagues for their advice about why you are looking to move on, but they may not be as supportive as you would like. An article in BusinessWeek touches on the subject of job change and seeking advice from colleagues.
Friends and colleagues may or may not be supportive of your decision, and it's up to you whether or not you want to share your plans. But you do want to make sure that you are leaving for the right reasons.
First and foremost, have a clear plan about what you want out of your career. Make a list of five to seven career goals and observe whether your current job is meeting at least four of those goals. If it's falling short of those expectations then it might be time to find a new job.
Second, take time to evaluate the pros of your current job. You may be missing out on opportunities to develop a new skill or career interest that can be cultivated with your current employer.
Lastly, remember that the grass may not always to greener elsewhere. Searching for jobs and transitioning into a new one can be stressful. If you do find a potentially new employer, do your research to make sure it is what you are looking for. It would be a shame to leave a job with stability for a new one that may not be as exciting or fulfilling.
Two sides of one coin, a catch 22. Both terms mean the same thing. Two options, with equal consequences. It seems to be the current trend regarding employee time off. One day, you will read an article about how much employees enjoy their flexible schedules because it helps with work/life balance. The next day, you will read another story about how little time Americans take off for vacation, and disconnect from work completely.
Now, companies are trying a new trend recently written about by a fellow blogger. Allowing employees to take time off as they please, without making formal arrangements and without having a set amount of time to take. IBM is one such company, and the Herald Tribune recently wrote an article about it. Sounds like a great idea, right? But there is an apparent drawback.
Turns out many of the employees offered an arrangement of unstructured vacation time, admit that they are more likely to check email and work while they are supposed to be taking time off. It appears this new approach isn't relieving Americans from being overworked or those who don't take advantage of their alloted vacation time.
One might argue that structured vacation time allows employees to make plans to actually be away from the office. Taking time sporadically may not allow employees to do this, or might make them feel like their "vacation" time comes with a price.
How do our readers feel? Would you like the IBM style time off benefit, or the traditional paid vacation?
The tight labor market has become a salary and benefits coup for many job seekers. Although there have been a couple of blog posts here on the Big Time that offer advice about negotiating a salary, now that qualified candidates are becoming so hard to come by they are finding themselves in the cat-bird seat when considering their salary and benefits.
I came across this recent article posted on the Society for Human Resource Management web site that features a survey of workers and their desired benefits. The study also discovered that some candidates have turned one job down over another because of more money. So what does this mean for candidates in high demand, especially in the managerial and supervisory positions? You could have your pick of jobs and employers, based on your needs and desires for salary and career advancement.
Now, does this mean that you should request an outrageous, unrealistic salary with benefits to match? Of course not. But it does mean that you could command a significant increase in pay from the employer of your choice.
Remember though, just because employers are more willing to offer a higher salary for better qualified candidates doesn't mean that negotiations should come without preparations. So check out these Big Time posts on salary negotiation.
Last but not least, it's nice to have a higher salary but there are other considerations when seeking a new job. You might be passing up a great company to work for more money.
I've recently read many articles about how little vacation time American workers are taking, and the impending implications of not taking a break from the everyday. Now the question is whether or not working longer hours makes you a more valuable employee.
Alvin Lim wrote a blog post on his ‘The Thinker' blog about working longer hours on a daily basis. Lim believes that working long hours (more than 9 a day), can be both good and bad. I happen to agree to with him.
Workers who are consistently burning the midnight oil may be working harder, but not smarter. We can all agree that in order to meet tight deadlines, sometimes the long hours are necessary. But some workers may not be working as efficiently as they should be, which could result in putting them behind on their work, leading to 10 or more hour work days.
On the flip, those who are never working past 5 or 5:30, may be perceived as having a lesser workload or uninterested in doing what it takes to get ahead. Not to say that you have to work overtime to move up the ladder, but working late every once in a while will definitely position you as part of the team.
As with everything, moderation is the key. So be sure to weigh when it's necessary to work longer and when to leave on time. You're guaranteed to achieve a healthy, balanced work-style.
If you think that executives who are making larger salaries are satisfied, think again. I ran across a recent blog post on College Recruiter.com about a survey conducted by ExecuNet indicating 48% of executives with an average salary of $221K are dissatisfied, and 52% think they'll leave their company within the next 12 months.
Maybe the Millennial generation of workers has the right idea. There's a lot of research that shows this younger generation of worker is more interested in working a job that they love, even if it means not making as much money. Some focus their career choices on fields that involve the environment, or social work.
Perhaps those of us working the daily grind as an executive, or in a more traditional career on the verge of job burnout, should take a cue from these workers. At the very least, maybe make time for a fun hobby, or utilize that vacation time that's coming to us. As they say, money doesn't necessarily buy happiness. Maybe balancing our personal and work lives does?
Without question, one of today's most popular work/life balance benefits is telecommuting or working from home. In fact, our latest Emerging Workforce Study finds that 16% of respondents are currently telecommuting from home one or more days a week.
For those of you who fall into this category, there is a new and incredibly helpful section of CNN's Web site that focuses solely on the subject of telecommuting. It offers tips and "how to's" on everything you can imagine about telecommuting, from setting up your home office to income tax benefits on home office equipment. They also offer up their two cents about the motivations behind telecommuting, such as saving money on gas and spending more time with the family.
We too have explored this subject here on the Big Time. For those of you who may have small children at home, check out our post for tips specific to that situation.
Do ever wonder if greener pastures await you in another position at a different company? Chances are that one is available with your name on it, but are you ready to make the move? A recent blog post on Jobacle addresses the issue of an exit strategy, or how to leave your current position as seamlessly and organized as possible.
Spherion's most recent Emerging Workforce Study found that nearly forty percent of workers plan on changing careers within a year. Reasons for this varies from finding a job with more work life balance, to seeking more training and career growth opportunities from one's employer..
So how do you prepare to leave your current employer for another job? As the Jobacle post points out, you need to make sure that you stay in touch with your contacts, keep your resume up to date, etc. But you should also remember one very key point: Be sure that the new job/employer is right for you.
Some workers take job stability for granted. So if your current employer offers you that, be sure you are comfortable with making a move to a new company. You can always bide your time and continue working for your current employer until the right position comes along.
Also, never quit your job without having another one to go to. Even if you believe your prospects are good ones, it may still take weeks or even months to be hired.
If you decide to move on, remember not to leave your old employer in a lurch by not transitioning someone else into your place, or at least give the appropriate two weeks notice. This will give the company time to hire a replacement for you, or at least allow you to tie up loose ends.
All in all, making the switch to a new company can be very rewarding and beneficial to your career, as long as you prepare, are organized and timely when doing so.
In a May 10, 2007 post on Career Ramblings there was mention of how recent college graduates can have a successful first year on the job. The blogger, Jane May, notes that all young professionals go through the awkward stage of no longer being a student, neither being quite a professional yet either. Check out the post for some helpful advice to help you through your first year.
But what about your first day on the job? This is no doubt a very daunting experience. You're the new kid on the block and you may feel that all eyes are upon you. New surroundings, people, processes and unknown expectations have butterflies swimming amuck in your stomach. This is all normal, but there are things you can do to relieve some of the stress. Here are some tips I give to my candidates to ensure they have a successful first day on the job:
1. First impressions set the tone for your future workplace relationships so be aware of your actions, comments and non-verbal behavior. When in doubt, dress conservatively. Try to relax and speak confidently. Make good eye contact and smile. Avoid talking about religion, politics or sex with co-workers you just met. Be an active listener. Make an effort to remember names.
2. Your first day will be filled with the logistics of finding your office space, getting an email address and passwords, filling out forms, meeting people and maybe sitting through an orientation. People may ignore you or go out of their way to welcome you to the company - be prepared for both reactions.
3. When you ask questions, no matter how silly you may think they sound, people know you are eager to learn and understand the material. If you keep questions to yourself, you may get confused or look like you don't know what you are doing. There is nothing to be ashamed of if you don't understand everything or can't remember everyone's name.
4. Observe what is going on around you in the workplace so you have a clearer definition of the way things work.
5. Showing up early lets people know that you're excited to be there. It also tells them that you're committed to working there and doing your best. Don't rush out the door when your day is over. Wait around a little bit, and ask if there is any work that needs to be done before leaving. You'll fit in much faster if your boss and coworkers see you putting forth an effort.
Most importantly, remember that everyone you meet that day was once the "new person." You will survive.
I remember my first management role... vividly. Because I was scared out of my mind! I had no previous experience managing people and although my boss and others obviously felt I was ready for the role, I wasn't quite as confident as they.
If you find yourself in a similar situation, here's some "hindsight is 20/20" advice I can share.
First, get to know your new peers - i.e. the people with whom you'll be working. Try scheduling informational meetings and interviews with other managers and peers. This will give you the opportunity to ask them what they think it takes to succeed within the organization. Don't forget to schedule a similar meeting with your boss to find out the departments' togals, company goals, etc. Then, set up more meetings (are you sensing a theme here?) with each of your new team members to discuss their individual goals.
Review their prior performance appraisals and make a note of their strengths and weaknesses. Discuss their career goals and let them know that you are there to help them succeed. And remember to keep goals and expectations realistic and don't make any promises you can't keep regarding future merit pay or other rewards.
Instead, make sure you provide ongoing rewards and recognition. Employees want to feel valued more than once per year. Do things like find out what your team members like to do outside of the office and provide gift cards or time off for them to pursue their hobby. Or, distribute a note to the entire team acknowledging a team member's recent success.
Delegate, delegate, delagate. Enough said.
One of the most important tips I would offer is to establish office hours. Make yourself accessible to your team as often as you can. If you are regularly unavailable due to all day meetings or business travel, set up office hours for your team members so that they know that you are available to mentor and support them in meeting their goals and objectives.
Lastly, listen and learn from your team. Although you are now serving as the teacher in many instances, don't underestimate the value of listening to different points of view to solve problems and improve processes. Your team members may have been around longer than you and could have valuable historical information to offer.
As the saying goes, first impressions mean everything. Giving a first impression to your new subordinates and co-workers that you are prepared and qualified to do the job will go a long way in building respect, loyalty and productivity from your team. Good luck!
Blogging is arguably one of the greatest social marketing methods to surface today. Corporate America has certainly recognized its power and is on the forefront of using this communication tool to gain momentum for new products or consumer lines of business. A recent article in Investor's Business Daily discusses the elements of blogging for business, and how useful a tool and it can be in the development of a brand or product.
Similarly, blogs can be helpful for individuals looking for a job because they aid in the creation and promotion of the brand most important to you - you! Employers are googling candidates more and more in the recruiting and hiring process so the more you promote your "brand," the more visible you will be to prospective companies. Starting your own blog is relatively easy and painless - in fact, blogs can be set up in less than an hour! Once you are a working member of the blogsphere, you can begin to market yourself as an employee. Personal blogs can illustrate your knowledge and expertise within a certain field. And don't forget about the all-important networking benefit.
Similar to popular networking sites like Linked-In, blogs allow you to build your network, communicate with potential employers, and reconnect with previous colleagues. The more you connect with others, the more likely one of them may point you in the right direction to finding a new employer.
I am curious to know how many Big Times readers have their own blog. What has been your experience, good and bad, with entering the blogsphere? Has anyone found a job through your own blog, or through blogging on other career or individuals' blogs?
We all want to get along with our bosses, but what happens when your boss doesn't respect your personal boundaries?
BusinessWeekOnline features a weekly Q&A where readers can ask HR managers advice about job issues. A question recently addressed an issue regarding a boss that calls one of her employees at home after hours to discuss small issues and chat about things that could be discussed at work.
This could be a difficult situation for many employees. You're afraid to risk offending your boss by asking them to stop calling, but you don't want to sacrifice your own time by late night calls from your workaholic supervisor.
The BusinessWeek answer advised the employee to limit the phone call to ten minutes by stating at the beginning that you only have a short time to talk. This could work for a short time, and eventually your boss may get the hint, but without explaining your actions you could risk hurting their feelings. Another idea is to speak directly with your boss, and ask them to reconsider calling you at home. Make sure to explain that you are willing to be available in case of an emergency, but that you have a number of personal responsibilities that require your attention after work and the importance of dedicating your time to those instead of non-emergency business items.
This is a tough situation, and there may not be a right or wrong answer. I would like to know what others' opinions are, and if anyone has had a similar experience and how they handled it.
We have received a lot of questions asking for our collective opinion on a story that recently appeared in BusinessWeek entitled, Napping Your Way to the Top. The story features a Q&A with sleep scientist Sara Mednick in which she praises the midday work nap as a natural productivity booster.
I think we first need to address the work-related conditions contributing to America's endemic lack of substantive sleep. In a business environment where connectivity is key and more workers are tethered to the office via their various "smart" gadgets, there is no such thing as leaving your stressful workday at the office. Nowadays, a "bad day at the office" follows you home and taunts you with incessant bleeps and blinks. It's no wonder we aren't getting enough sleep. Employers and employees alike must decide for themselves when their individual work day ends and leave work AT work.
Since that isn't always possible, we would agree that ANY form of (legal) workday rejuvenation, be it a "venti" java from Starbucks, a run around the block or yes, a quick power-nap is A-OK. The fact of the matter is, tired workers make for tired companies. A recent survey of a Global 500 organization's workforce by wellness program consultancy Vielife, showed that surveyed employees were ineffective an average 25% of their time at work as a result of preventable health risks caused by poor eating and sleeping habits. This loss in productivity was costing the organization approximately $2,800 per employee every year.
So, while we first recommend addressing the larger issues keeping you up at night, we can't argue with the business case for letting workers catch some Z's during their lunch hour.
With the abundance of new technologies used to keep an eye on employees these days, it would be wise to practice discretion at work. The line between spying and maximizing return on the company dollar is fine indeed.
A recent USA Today story said some companies are going as far as tracking workers' whereabouts using a Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite and even hiring private investigators to confirm workers' activities.
Spying on employees is nothing new. However, it has become exceedingly commonplace in our society of mistrust and over-the-counter surveillance equipment. Would employee monitoring help to improve productivity and increase efficiency? Or would it only help to diminish the delicate trust between employee and employer? The answer is relative of course, and the decision of what is appropriate is left to the company and the individual.
Every company has their own policy on what is work-related activity and what is not. It would be prudent to understand what can and cannot be used against you, especially given the growing technology on monitoring the workplace.
Remember that you can be held accountable for your actions, regardless of whether it's at work or at home.
More evidence was just released highlighting a hotter-than-ever accounting field. Career Solvers recently posted some results from American Institute of Certified Public Accountants indicating enrollment in accounting majors has risen 19 percent between 2000 and 2004. I’m not surprised.
Why? Well, just consider two enticing characteristics of the accounting field today – money and job security. Our own research with Association for Financial Professionals has found that the average salary of financial professionals is more than 30 percent higher than the national average salary. That’s a strong incentive to enter the number-crunching field.
And a little thing called Sarbanes-Oxley is contributing to a demand for accountants that for now is outstripping the supply. That means a healthy dose of job security for the near future.
Lastly, although nationally-representative studies are good indicators of what’s happening in a given field, I always turn to my own business and marketplace for true evidence of any particular trend. Let’s just say, business is good. Oh, and if you know anybody with SEC reporting knowledge or Big 4 internal audit experience, send them my way.
