By Caroline Levchuck
Take a tip from Miss Manners: Etiquette is important.
And perhaps nowhere more so than at networking events.
You may already know that networking events are one of the best ways to find job leads and expand your Rolodex. But attending events is only half the battle. You also need to know how to behave at them.
If you talk too much, say too little or arrive unprepared, you can ruin your chances to leave with a job lead.
This Ain't No Party
Remember why you're here.
The purpose of a networking event is to help you advance professionally. It's a social event -- but a professional one. Think of it as a conference social or a business dinner.
The cardinal rule of networking events: Never get drunk. We all remember what happened to Melanie Griffith in "Working Girl."
You want the people you meet to remember you as capable, competent and polished -- not as the guy or gal who was wearing a lampshade on their head at the end of the evening.
Dress appropriately. Err on the side of conservative and choose an outfit you could wear to a job interview. Your attire should say, "I'm a professional," not "I'm a party girl (or boy)."
After all, you're not at a party.
Do Your Homework
Don't arrive at a networking event without a plan of attack.
First, find out which person or organization is sponsoring the event. Next, see if there will be speakers, presenters or any special guests in attendance. Last, make a list of people you expect to be there and want to meet.
Do a little research on each of them. A little knowledge goes a long way. If you know something about the people you approach, it's much easier to start a conversation -- and keep it going.
Pitch In
Don't forget to prepare your elevator pitch.
You'll need it to introduce yourself to people at a networking event.
An elevator pitch is brief -- brief enough to share during an elevator ride. In your pitch, give a three-minute summary of who you are, your experience and abilities.
Practice your pitch before the networking event so that it'll sound natural. Be confident, but not pushy. Remember, a networking event isn't a formal interview. And don't forget to smile.
Quality, Not Quantity
Focus on the quality, not quantity, of your connections at networking events. You'll get better results by making a few good connections than by handing out dozens of business cards indiscriminately.
And first impressions matter, so mind your manners.
Always stay focused on the person you are talking to and maintain eye contact. Don't scan the room trying to decide whom you'll talk to next.
Also, show interest in the people you meet. You can make a great impression by asking a few thoughtful questions. Above all, be genuine and sincere.
A strong professional network is based on relationships, and it takes time to build a relationship.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
6 Reasons They Didn't Call You Back
Are They Just Not That Into You?
by Larry Buhl
In the best of times responding to a job listing can feel like sending your resume out to sea in a bottle. But at least you received a call or an email acknowledgement. Now, with the volume of applicants higher than ever, you're more likely to hear nothing.
If there is a resounding silence from your queries, keep looking and networking. But you can also do some sleuthing to give you a better chance of standing out next time. Recruiters and career experts agree that, if you didn't get an interview or phone call -- or even a thank-you email -- it may be due to at least one of six reasons.
1. They're just not that into you.
You're good, but someone else more closely met the qualifications. In a tight job market employers can usually get exactly the type of candidate they want. A polite "thanks, but no thanks" letter or email would be nice. But don't expect it these days.
2. They may be into you, as soon as they get to you.
Companies receive so many submissions these days that they don't even have time to send out letters or confirmation emails. "I know a major software company that's taking more than three weeks just to send out acknowledgement notes, and some companies are spending months sifting through resumes for just one opening," workplace etiquette expert Sue Fox tells Yahoo! Hot Jobs.
3. They would have been into you if you had followed directions.
"Many job listings use the word 'must,' not 'it would be nice to,'" according to Dave Opton, CEO and founder of ExecuNet. "If it says you must have experience in X, then tailor your resume to show that," Opton says.
If you're answering a job listing, be sure you respond in exactly the way the company wants. And be aware that if you're not applying for a specific job but rather sending out dozens or hundreds of form letters, your resume is likely to end up in companies' spam folders.
4. They might be into you if you apply for a more appropriate job.
Independent recruiter Cheryl Ferguson tells Yahoo! HotJobs that many job seekers are overqualified, under-qualified, or otherwise just wrong. "If we need to fill a specific job, and you're not right for it, don't assume that we're going to find the right fit for you. A lot of times people send me resumes, and I want to ask, 'Did you even read the job description?'"
5. Your presentation could use some work.
"A lot of mistakes I see are a lack of cover letter, and an objective statement on the resume that is all wrong for the job opening," says Lindsay Olson, partner and recruiter at Paradigm Staffing. "Even worse are obviously mass emails where the candidates had no clue what they were applying for."
6. There isn't any job.
Sometimes, due to last minute budget cuts, a position is eliminated before it's even filled. Other times, according to Olson, companies reel in resumes even when they know there isn't any opening. "Some companies want a big applicant pool because they think they may be hiring in the future," Olson said.
How can you learn what happened?
If you feel like your resume is out at sea, and you'd at least like confirmation that you're out of the running, there are things you can do.
1. Contact the company.
Yes, the ad had a NO CALLS warning, and there wasn't a name anyway. But if you're pretty sure you're right for the job, and you've heard nothing after a week, you can still call someone to find out if you're at least in the running. Try to find the hiring manager (HR is too busy, and they almost never want to hear from you).
"If you do follow up by phone, don't leave a voice mail," Opton says. "Early in the morning or after five you're more likely to reach a real person."
2. But don't be a pest.
"If you've had an interview and sent your thank-you letter, wait a week to call," Fox says. One or two emails are OK, but three will probably look desperate, she adds. "And never, ever, show up at the company without an interview and demand to be seen. It will backfire."
3. Re-read the job posting.
Did the resume you sent really fit the job requirements? Or were you hoping they would find another job just for you? "I love it when a candidate has done the homework and already knows the company and the position," Ferguson says. "It makes it easier for both of us."
4. Take a look at your resume.
Get a second opinion, and a third. Does it present you in the right light? Is it professionally formatted? Does it feature accomplishments, rather than merely job titles and dates?
5. Step up the networking.
"It's always best to network your way into a position," Opton says. "You'll get a lot more individual attention than someone responding to a job listing."
by Larry Buhl
In the best of times responding to a job listing can feel like sending your resume out to sea in a bottle. But at least you received a call or an email acknowledgement. Now, with the volume of applicants higher than ever, you're more likely to hear nothing.
If there is a resounding silence from your queries, keep looking and networking. But you can also do some sleuthing to give you a better chance of standing out next time. Recruiters and career experts agree that, if you didn't get an interview or phone call -- or even a thank-you email -- it may be due to at least one of six reasons.
1. They're just not that into you.
You're good, but someone else more closely met the qualifications. In a tight job market employers can usually get exactly the type of candidate they want. A polite "thanks, but no thanks" letter or email would be nice. But don't expect it these days.
2. They may be into you, as soon as they get to you.
Companies receive so many submissions these days that they don't even have time to send out letters or confirmation emails. "I know a major software company that's taking more than three weeks just to send out acknowledgement notes, and some companies are spending months sifting through resumes for just one opening," workplace etiquette expert Sue Fox tells Yahoo! Hot Jobs.
3. They would have been into you if you had followed directions.
"Many job listings use the word 'must,' not 'it would be nice to,'" according to Dave Opton, CEO and founder of ExecuNet. "If it says you must have experience in X, then tailor your resume to show that," Opton says.
If you're answering a job listing, be sure you respond in exactly the way the company wants. And be aware that if you're not applying for a specific job but rather sending out dozens or hundreds of form letters, your resume is likely to end up in companies' spam folders.
4. They might be into you if you apply for a more appropriate job.
Independent recruiter Cheryl Ferguson tells Yahoo! HotJobs that many job seekers are overqualified, under-qualified, or otherwise just wrong. "If we need to fill a specific job, and you're not right for it, don't assume that we're going to find the right fit for you. A lot of times people send me resumes, and I want to ask, 'Did you even read the job description?'"
5. Your presentation could use some work.
"A lot of mistakes I see are a lack of cover letter, and an objective statement on the resume that is all wrong for the job opening," says Lindsay Olson, partner and recruiter at Paradigm Staffing. "Even worse are obviously mass emails where the candidates had no clue what they were applying for."
6. There isn't any job.
Sometimes, due to last minute budget cuts, a position is eliminated before it's even filled. Other times, according to Olson, companies reel in resumes even when they know there isn't any opening. "Some companies want a big applicant pool because they think they may be hiring in the future," Olson said.
How can you learn what happened?
If you feel like your resume is out at sea, and you'd at least like confirmation that you're out of the running, there are things you can do.
1. Contact the company.
Yes, the ad had a NO CALLS warning, and there wasn't a name anyway. But if you're pretty sure you're right for the job, and you've heard nothing after a week, you can still call someone to find out if you're at least in the running. Try to find the hiring manager (HR is too busy, and they almost never want to hear from you).
"If you do follow up by phone, don't leave a voice mail," Opton says. "Early in the morning or after five you're more likely to reach a real person."
2. But don't be a pest.
"If you've had an interview and sent your thank-you letter, wait a week to call," Fox says. One or two emails are OK, but three will probably look desperate, she adds. "And never, ever, show up at the company without an interview and demand to be seen. It will backfire."
3. Re-read the job posting.
Did the resume you sent really fit the job requirements? Or were you hoping they would find another job just for you? "I love it when a candidate has done the homework and already knows the company and the position," Ferguson says. "It makes it easier for both of us."
4. Take a look at your resume.
Get a second opinion, and a third. Does it present you in the right light? Is it professionally formatted? Does it feature accomplishments, rather than merely job titles and dates?
5. Step up the networking.
"It's always best to network your way into a position," Opton says. "You'll get a lot more individual attention than someone responding to a job listing."
Friday, November 20, 2009
Five Deadly Interview Mistakes
Making a good impression on the job interview is as much about what not to do as what to do. Here's how to avoid the most common deal-breakers
By Carl Wellenstein
Attending an interview with the intent to impress the hiring manager ) is dangerous if you go about it in the wrong way. Below are the five most common mistakes you can make.
1. Thinking the interview is about you. In an effort to "get their message across," some interviewees monopolize the conversation with long-winded responses, focusing on how they can enhance their skills and expand their experience.
What you really want is a balanced interview with you talking no more than 60% of the time. Keep in mind that the interviewers are not interested in enhancing your skills or broadening your experiences. They will be trying to assess whether you already possess the know-how they need and how well you might fit into the company's organizational culture. When answering questions, limit your responses to two minutes. If they want you to give examples or provide other information, they'll ask.
2. Failing to translate your skills and experience. You use words and examples that are common to your function or industry and assume interviewers will understand them or be able to translate them to applications in their industry.
Initial interviewers may not be familiar with the acronyms and terms specific to your previous jobs and, as a result, they might assume you communicate poorly with nontechnical people. Don't expect your interviewers to translate your experience to apply to their industry. That will be your task. You need to use terms and analogous descriptions they will understand in the context of their industry or type of work.
3. Being unprepared. True, sometimes interviewers aren't prepared themselves, but that doesn't mean they'll forgive you for the same mistake.
The obvious preparation: Research the company on the Internet and in the news and talk to someone who has some inside knowledge about the company. If it's a publicly held company, check out annual and quarterly reports filed with the SEC. The not-so-obvious preparation: Anticipate what they'll be asking you about: your strengths and weaknesses, why you left your last company, why you chose your career path, and what your positive and negative work experiences have been.
4. Lacking candor. You can't think of any personal weaknesses, you've overcome all your weaknesses, or you say you haven't given it a lot of thought. Mistakes? Not you. You rose through the ranks and never made mistakes.
No one progresses in a career without making mistakes and learning from them. Trained interviewers will be looking to see if you readily acknowledge and admit your weaknesses and can describe mistakes you've made and what you learned from them. Adding a humorous story about a mistake you made, how others may have chided you about it afterward, and what you took away from the experience can endear you to an interviewer. When confronted with a tough interview question about your past, don't give a measured response that sugarcoats reality, as interviewers will quickly see it as disingenuous.
5. Not asking any questions. The interview is coming to a close and the interviewer inquires as to whether you have any questions. You reply that you don't, or you ask a few insignificant questions that you could have easily answered if you'd visited the Web site or knew anything about the company or its industry. Unless you're the only qualified candidate, your job prospects with this company probably just ended.
Interviews are two-sided events. The employer wants to determine whether you're the right person for the business, and you need to know if the employer is the right one for you. Always take a note pad with you when you go for an interview. Prepare your questions and write them on your note pad. You want the interviewer to see that you have questions.
Keep in mind there are only three things interviewers really want to know about you:
• Do you have the right skills and experience to do the job we want done?
• Do you have the personal characteristics that will fit in with our organization's culture?
• From what I hear you say, do I believe you're telling me the truth?
By Carl Wellenstein
Attending an interview with the intent to impress the hiring manager ) is dangerous if you go about it in the wrong way. Below are the five most common mistakes you can make.
1. Thinking the interview is about you. In an effort to "get their message across," some interviewees monopolize the conversation with long-winded responses, focusing on how they can enhance their skills and expand their experience.
What you really want is a balanced interview with you talking no more than 60% of the time. Keep in mind that the interviewers are not interested in enhancing your skills or broadening your experiences. They will be trying to assess whether you already possess the know-how they need and how well you might fit into the company's organizational culture. When answering questions, limit your responses to two minutes. If they want you to give examples or provide other information, they'll ask.
2. Failing to translate your skills and experience. You use words and examples that are common to your function or industry and assume interviewers will understand them or be able to translate them to applications in their industry.
Initial interviewers may not be familiar with the acronyms and terms specific to your previous jobs and, as a result, they might assume you communicate poorly with nontechnical people. Don't expect your interviewers to translate your experience to apply to their industry. That will be your task. You need to use terms and analogous descriptions they will understand in the context of their industry or type of work.
3. Being unprepared. True, sometimes interviewers aren't prepared themselves, but that doesn't mean they'll forgive you for the same mistake.
The obvious preparation: Research the company on the Internet and in the news and talk to someone who has some inside knowledge about the company. If it's a publicly held company, check out annual and quarterly reports filed with the SEC. The not-so-obvious preparation: Anticipate what they'll be asking you about: your strengths and weaknesses, why you left your last company, why you chose your career path, and what your positive and negative work experiences have been.
4. Lacking candor. You can't think of any personal weaknesses, you've overcome all your weaknesses, or you say you haven't given it a lot of thought. Mistakes? Not you. You rose through the ranks and never made mistakes.
No one progresses in a career without making mistakes and learning from them. Trained interviewers will be looking to see if you readily acknowledge and admit your weaknesses and can describe mistakes you've made and what you learned from them. Adding a humorous story about a mistake you made, how others may have chided you about it afterward, and what you took away from the experience can endear you to an interviewer. When confronted with a tough interview question about your past, don't give a measured response that sugarcoats reality, as interviewers will quickly see it as disingenuous.
5. Not asking any questions. The interview is coming to a close and the interviewer inquires as to whether you have any questions. You reply that you don't, or you ask a few insignificant questions that you could have easily answered if you'd visited the Web site or knew anything about the company or its industry. Unless you're the only qualified candidate, your job prospects with this company probably just ended.
Interviews are two-sided events. The employer wants to determine whether you're the right person for the business, and you need to know if the employer is the right one for you. Always take a note pad with you when you go for an interview. Prepare your questions and write them on your note pad. You want the interviewer to see that you have questions.
Keep in mind there are only three things interviewers really want to know about you:
• Do you have the right skills and experience to do the job we want done?
• Do you have the personal characteristics that will fit in with our organization's culture?
• From what I hear you say, do I believe you're telling me the truth?
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Two Words To Boost Your Career: Thank You
By Rosalie Maggio
Beginning with the "thank you" for your first job interview and ending with the "thank you" for your retirement party, your career can benefit enormously from simple notes of gratitude written along the way. Frequent, well-written thank-you notes can foster professional success in unimaginable ways, and they are especially important after a job interview.
The Mechanics
Thank-you notes should be printed on letterhead stationery or personal-business stationery, or -- for a little warmer tone -- handwritten on fold-over note cards. You can simplify the process by sending an email thank-you message (more on this later), which is not as distinctive as a handwritten note but far better than no message at all. As you're writing, don't worry about being creative or clever or profound. People are so charmed to receive thank-you notes at all that they are seldom very critical. "Thank you very much" are words that everyone likes to read.
After the Job Interview
An essential job-seeking technique as well as a gesture of courtesy is to thank the people who interview you. Write a note immediately after the interview and before a decision has been made.
1. State what you liked about the interview, the company, and the position.
2. Emphasize briefly and specifically your suitability for the job.
3. Address concerns about your qualifications that came up during the interview.
4. Mention any issue that you didn't have the opportunity to discuss. But primarily say thanks.
5. If you felt you had a particularly friendly interview, you might close with a sentence or two referring to something you talked about unrelated to the interview (like sports, common interests, or family).
Keep in mind that several people spent time setting up the appointment, doing the paperwork, interviewing you, and doing the paperwork again. They'll appreciate a little recognition.
A few letter-writing experts dislike the "thanks again" that concludes so many thank-you letters and notes. However, it is a popular and benign way of reminding the reader of the purpose of your note. If you like it, use it.
A Sample Note
A sample thank-you note for a job interview might look like this:
I enjoyed this morning's discussion of the research position you want to fill. I was pleased to know that my advanced degree is definitely an asset, and I was impressed by the team spirit among the other employees I met. Thanks so much for your time and for the congenial interview.
Other Factors To Consider
You can email your thanks, but in most cases, it's not as impressive. The point of a thank-you note is that it is personal and somewhat formal. However, if the company you're interviewing with tends to do business by email and if most of your contacts have been through email, then it's definitely the way to go. Once you're hired, you'll want to send thank-you notes -- or notes of appreciation, which is almost the same thing -- to the interviewers, your new boss, and anyone else you dealt with throughout the interview process. Saying thanks is one of the least expensive, easiest strategies in creating a favorable environment for yourself wherever you go. Harvey Mackay, founder and chairman of the Mackay Envelope Corporation and bestselling author of "Swim with the Sharks (Without Being Eaten Alive)," says, "Anyone too busy to say 'thank you' will get fewer and fewer chances to say it."
Beginning with the "thank you" for your first job interview and ending with the "thank you" for your retirement party, your career can benefit enormously from simple notes of gratitude written along the way. Frequent, well-written thank-you notes can foster professional success in unimaginable ways, and they are especially important after a job interview.
The Mechanics
Thank-you notes should be printed on letterhead stationery or personal-business stationery, or -- for a little warmer tone -- handwritten on fold-over note cards. You can simplify the process by sending an email thank-you message (more on this later), which is not as distinctive as a handwritten note but far better than no message at all. As you're writing, don't worry about being creative or clever or profound. People are so charmed to receive thank-you notes at all that they are seldom very critical. "Thank you very much" are words that everyone likes to read.
After the Job Interview
An essential job-seeking technique as well as a gesture of courtesy is to thank the people who interview you. Write a note immediately after the interview and before a decision has been made.
1. State what you liked about the interview, the company, and the position.
2. Emphasize briefly and specifically your suitability for the job.
3. Address concerns about your qualifications that came up during the interview.
4. Mention any issue that you didn't have the opportunity to discuss. But primarily say thanks.
5. If you felt you had a particularly friendly interview, you might close with a sentence or two referring to something you talked about unrelated to the interview (like sports, common interests, or family).
Keep in mind that several people spent time setting up the appointment, doing the paperwork, interviewing you, and doing the paperwork again. They'll appreciate a little recognition.
A few letter-writing experts dislike the "thanks again" that concludes so many thank-you letters and notes. However, it is a popular and benign way of reminding the reader of the purpose of your note. If you like it, use it.
A Sample Note
A sample thank-you note for a job interview might look like this:
I enjoyed this morning's discussion of the research position you want to fill. I was pleased to know that my advanced degree is definitely an asset, and I was impressed by the team spirit among the other employees I met. Thanks so much for your time and for the congenial interview.
Other Factors To Consider
You can email your thanks, but in most cases, it's not as impressive. The point of a thank-you note is that it is personal and somewhat formal. However, if the company you're interviewing with tends to do business by email and if most of your contacts have been through email, then it's definitely the way to go. Once you're hired, you'll want to send thank-you notes -- or notes of appreciation, which is almost the same thing -- to the interviewers, your new boss, and anyone else you dealt with throughout the interview process. Saying thanks is one of the least expensive, easiest strategies in creating a favorable environment for yourself wherever you go. Harvey Mackay, founder and chairman of the Mackay Envelope Corporation and bestselling author of "Swim with the Sharks (Without Being Eaten Alive)," says, "Anyone too busy to say 'thank you' will get fewer and fewer chances to say it."
Thursday, November 12, 2009
The Right People Can Help You Find Your Calling
By Caroline Levchuck
Finding the job you want isn't always easy. And, when you don't know what job you want, it can seem impossible.
What's a job seeker to do? You can spend hours doing research, along with some serious soul searching. But you may still come up blank.
There are people who can help. Some are pros; some you already know. But either way, they can assist you in answering the age-old question of what to do with your life.
Career Counselors
Career counselors can help you shape your career path, including find a job. They rely upon a host of resources, such as personality tests, expert knowledge and experience. If you're really confused, a good career counselor can help you explore many different career options.
There are career counselors for every stage of your career and every budget. School-based counselors offer career advice to students free of charge. Independent career counselors or consultants will often require you to pay an advance fee for a set number of sessions. Others won't limit the number of sessions and will work with you until you land a job.
The best way to find a skilled, dependable career counselor is by word of mouth. Ask people you trust for referrals. You can also screen a counselor through the Better Business Bureau before signing up at http://www.bbb.org.
Personal Coaches
Personal coaches can be very helpful to job seekers.
Coaches focus on helping people identify their values, dreams and goals. But, a word of warning: If you're looking for advice, career coaching might not be for you. A good coach won't tell you what he thinks you should be doing because he believes that, deep down, you already know. Simply put, coaches work to uncover existing knowledge -- and to eliminate self-doubt.
If you know someone who has visited a personal coach, ask for a referral. You can also consult the International Coaching Federation (http://www.coachfederation.org) for trained and certified coaches in your area. To help you find the right coach before making a commitment, most coaches will even offer a free, 30-minute phone session.
Mentors
People frequently find mentors in their workplaces to guide and nurture them in their present position and up the corporate ladder.
But, even if you don't have a job, you can still have a mentor.
Many colleges and alumni associations offer mentoring programs. You can also join a local business or professional association and inquire about a mentor program. Even if there isn't one, you may still find someone to mentor you informally.
Another idea is to find someone who works in a field that interests you. Set up an informational interview. If the two of you click, ask if you can e-mail or phone them from time to time with questions. If you're lucky, it may be the start of a mentoring relationship.
Friends and Family
Everyone you know probably has an opinion about what you should be doing in your career. Most times, we don't care to hear these opinions.
But, if you're stuck, it might not hurt to solicit opinions from friends and family members as to what career they think you should pursue. Likely, they know you well enough to know your strengths, weaknesses, likes and dislikes. They're probably also familiar enough with your past to know what you should avoid.
Ask direct and earnest questions, such as, "What do you think my strengths are?" and "Have you ever imagined me in a certain career?"
Your friends and family may dream bigger than you would ever dare.
Finding the job you want isn't always easy. And, when you don't know what job you want, it can seem impossible.
What's a job seeker to do? You can spend hours doing research, along with some serious soul searching. But you may still come up blank.
There are people who can help. Some are pros; some you already know. But either way, they can assist you in answering the age-old question of what to do with your life.
Career Counselors
Career counselors can help you shape your career path, including find a job. They rely upon a host of resources, such as personality tests, expert knowledge and experience. If you're really confused, a good career counselor can help you explore many different career options.
There are career counselors for every stage of your career and every budget. School-based counselors offer career advice to students free of charge. Independent career counselors or consultants will often require you to pay an advance fee for a set number of sessions. Others won't limit the number of sessions and will work with you until you land a job.
The best way to find a skilled, dependable career counselor is by word of mouth. Ask people you trust for referrals. You can also screen a counselor through the Better Business Bureau before signing up at http://www.bbb.org.
Personal Coaches
Personal coaches can be very helpful to job seekers.
Coaches focus on helping people identify their values, dreams and goals. But, a word of warning: If you're looking for advice, career coaching might not be for you. A good coach won't tell you what he thinks you should be doing because he believes that, deep down, you already know. Simply put, coaches work to uncover existing knowledge -- and to eliminate self-doubt.
If you know someone who has visited a personal coach, ask for a referral. You can also consult the International Coaching Federation (http://www.coachfederation.org) for trained and certified coaches in your area. To help you find the right coach before making a commitment, most coaches will even offer a free, 30-minute phone session.
Mentors
People frequently find mentors in their workplaces to guide and nurture them in their present position and up the corporate ladder.
But, even if you don't have a job, you can still have a mentor.
Many colleges and alumni associations offer mentoring programs. You can also join a local business or professional association and inquire about a mentor program. Even if there isn't one, you may still find someone to mentor you informally.
Another idea is to find someone who works in a field that interests you. Set up an informational interview. If the two of you click, ask if you can e-mail or phone them from time to time with questions. If you're lucky, it may be the start of a mentoring relationship.
Friends and Family
Everyone you know probably has an opinion about what you should be doing in your career. Most times, we don't care to hear these opinions.
But, if you're stuck, it might not hurt to solicit opinions from friends and family members as to what career they think you should pursue. Likely, they know you well enough to know your strengths, weaknesses, likes and dislikes. They're probably also familiar enough with your past to know what you should avoid.
Ask direct and earnest questions, such as, "What do you think my strengths are?" and "Have you ever imagined me in a certain career?"
Your friends and family may dream bigger than you would ever dare.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Smart Risks vs. Foolish Risks
5 Risks That Could Help Your Career
by Margaret Steen, for Yahoo! HotJobs
Playing it safe with your career may seem smart. But to really get ahead, you may need to take some risks.
"Nothing gives your career a boost like succeeding at a risk," says Sheila Wellington, author of "Be Your Own Mentor" and a professor at New York University's Stern School of Business. "It helps you break out of the pack."
Still, before you take a risk -- whether it's quitting your job or confronting your boss -- consider whether it's smart or foolish.
Make sure you know yourself and your organization well enough to understand what happens if you take a risk and it doesn't work out. Will failure damage your career, or will coworkers admire your initiative? Will you be devastated, emotionally or financially, if you don't succeed? Or do you have a high tolerance for failure?
That's what Wellington and other experts say you should consider when evaluating career risks such as these:
* Taking on a tough project. Succeeding where others have given up is a great way to make a name for yourself.
"It's a way to get ahead, to take something that's big and dangerous," says Norm Meshriy, a career counselor and principal of Career Insights in Walnut Creek, California.
But look at what has happened to others who have tried. Have they had their reputations tarnished? Or have their efforts been rewarded?
* Changing careers. It's exciting to think about making a fresh start. But especially in today's economy, make sure you have a Plan B.
"The biggest risk in terms of a job transition is going to a different job in a different industry," says Michael Beasley, owner of Career-Crossings in Portola Valley, California, and a consultant with Right Management. You'll have a lot to learn -- right at the time when you need to be proving your worth to your new employer.
* Taking a contract job. If you have to choose between a contract job at a company where you really want to work and a permanent position at a less desirable company, taking the contract job is the bigger risk -- but could have the bigger payoff.
The key to your decision is "finding out every single thing that you can know" about the company, Beasley says. Assess your chances of being hired on permanently at the end of the contract.
* Taking time off between jobs. This risk can have big personal payoffs. It can also give you time to explore new career options. You can make it less of a career risk by keeping your network current and having a compelling story to tell about what you did with your time.
* Confronting your boss. Disagreeing with your boss in anger, without having thought through what you're going to say, is a foolish risk. But arranging a meeting with your boss outside of the office and offering a rehearsed, well-crafted explanation of how you feel can be a risk worth taking, Meshriy says.
You may not get the answer you want, but you will get better insight into your situation.
Whenever you are contemplating a risk, remember that doing nothing can also be risky.
"Your performance will suffer if you're not happy in your job, or an opportunity could slip away," Beasley said.
by Margaret Steen, for Yahoo! HotJobs
Playing it safe with your career may seem smart. But to really get ahead, you may need to take some risks.
"Nothing gives your career a boost like succeeding at a risk," says Sheila Wellington, author of "Be Your Own Mentor" and a professor at New York University's Stern School of Business. "It helps you break out of the pack."
Still, before you take a risk -- whether it's quitting your job or confronting your boss -- consider whether it's smart or foolish.
Make sure you know yourself and your organization well enough to understand what happens if you take a risk and it doesn't work out. Will failure damage your career, or will coworkers admire your initiative? Will you be devastated, emotionally or financially, if you don't succeed? Or do you have a high tolerance for failure?
That's what Wellington and other experts say you should consider when evaluating career risks such as these:
* Taking on a tough project. Succeeding where others have given up is a great way to make a name for yourself.
"It's a way to get ahead, to take something that's big and dangerous," says Norm Meshriy, a career counselor and principal of Career Insights in Walnut Creek, California.
But look at what has happened to others who have tried. Have they had their reputations tarnished? Or have their efforts been rewarded?
* Changing careers. It's exciting to think about making a fresh start. But especially in today's economy, make sure you have a Plan B.
"The biggest risk in terms of a job transition is going to a different job in a different industry," says Michael Beasley, owner of Career-Crossings in Portola Valley, California, and a consultant with Right Management. You'll have a lot to learn -- right at the time when you need to be proving your worth to your new employer.
* Taking a contract job. If you have to choose between a contract job at a company where you really want to work and a permanent position at a less desirable company, taking the contract job is the bigger risk -- but could have the bigger payoff.
The key to your decision is "finding out every single thing that you can know" about the company, Beasley says. Assess your chances of being hired on permanently at the end of the contract.
* Taking time off between jobs. This risk can have big personal payoffs. It can also give you time to explore new career options. You can make it less of a career risk by keeping your network current and having a compelling story to tell about what you did with your time.
* Confronting your boss. Disagreeing with your boss in anger, without having thought through what you're going to say, is a foolish risk. But arranging a meeting with your boss outside of the office and offering a rehearsed, well-crafted explanation of how you feel can be a risk worth taking, Meshriy says.
You may not get the answer you want, but you will get better insight into your situation.
Whenever you are contemplating a risk, remember that doing nothing can also be risky.
"Your performance will suffer if you're not happy in your job, or an opportunity could slip away," Beasley said.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Gartner's Top 10 Technologies
Gartner's published their annual list of the top 10 strategic technologies, and that's always interesting. It's also interesting that five of the 10 are on the list for the first time. IT is changing:
1. Cloud computing We've been hearing about this for the past few years.
2. Advanced analytics BI (Business Intelligence) plus. Analytics keep gaining importance.
3. Client computing* Companies are providing employees with stipends to purchase their own systems and then giving them the ability to access business applications through virtualized environments.
4. Green IT Anything that reduces energy consumption and a corporate carbon footprint.
5. Reshaping the data center* A new design for data centers which uses pods and adds power, air conditioners and generators only as needed.
6. Social computing Facebook, Twitter, etc.
7. Monitoring user activity* Getting harder with cloud computing, targeted attacks, etc.
8. Flash memory* Fast, rugged, and uses less energy than hard disks. Costs more initially, but the price gap is getting smaller. Also called SSD (Solid State Disks).
9. Virtualization for availability VMware's VMotion; Microsoft's Live Migration.
10. Mobile applications* Moving applications to cell phones.
How many of these affect you? Yet, it's more important than ever to get up to speed and stay current. Things change so quickly in IT, and this includes both the technologies and the jobs. Enroll NOW in our CSTA (Computers: Systems, Terms and Acronyms) Program where we cover ALL of these up and coming technologies.
* First time on the list.
1. Cloud computing We've been hearing about this for the past few years.
2. Advanced analytics BI (Business Intelligence) plus. Analytics keep gaining importance.
3. Client computing* Companies are providing employees with stipends to purchase their own systems and then giving them the ability to access business applications through virtualized environments.
4. Green IT Anything that reduces energy consumption and a corporate carbon footprint.
5. Reshaping the data center* A new design for data centers which uses pods and adds power, air conditioners and generators only as needed.
6. Social computing Facebook, Twitter, etc.
7. Monitoring user activity* Getting harder with cloud computing, targeted attacks, etc.
8. Flash memory* Fast, rugged, and uses less energy than hard disks. Costs more initially, but the price gap is getting smaller. Also called SSD (Solid State Disks).
9. Virtualization for availability VMware's VMotion; Microsoft's Live Migration.
10. Mobile applications* Moving applications to cell phones.
How many of these affect you? Yet, it's more important than ever to get up to speed and stay current. Things change so quickly in IT, and this includes both the technologies and the jobs. Enroll NOW in our CSTA (Computers: Systems, Terms and Acronyms) Program where we cover ALL of these up and coming technologies.
* First time on the list.
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