Friends with benefits: Is your job offer a potential friend?

When I got my first job out of college, the pay was nothing to write home about. In fact, at the time email was still pretty new, so I would have had to literally write home about my paycheck. And I didn’t want to waste money on a stamp, the pay was that pathetic!

But what can I say? It was 1993 and the job market was the worst it had been in years, so new college grads were gobbling up any job offers they could get. I worked a second job in the evenings to bring in some additional funds, as did my live-in boyfriend (now hubby), and ate peanut butter-and-jelly sandwiches pretty much every day for lunch for a year.

And I wouldn’t trade that first job for anything in the world! 

When you’re evaluating job offers, make sure to look beyond the paycheck. Yes, the bills must be paid; but a first job is not where you’re going to earn the biggest bucks. Read between the lines, briefly ignore the dollar signs, and take a good look at the offer on the table. Even if the starting salary is below your initial expectations, it still might be the job for you.

Forget friends with benefits. Does your job offer have benefits that are appealing?

1.       Health insurance: With my first job offer the company was initially going to hire me as a temporary employee, thus avoiding giving me health insurance. That was a deal breaker. Health insurance coverage is a hot topic these days for good reason. One visit to the doctor’s office or emergency room can significantly set you back financially. Don’t think the job offer that has the higher salary but lacks health insurance is a good trade off. It’s not.

2.       Retirement or 401(k) plans: If you’re fresh out of college, a retirement or 401(k) plan isn’t important. Quite the contrary! Despite any debt you may have, if you aren’t married, don’t have kids or own a home, now is actually the least amount of debt you’re likely ever going to have! A job offer that includes a solid 401(k) or retirement plan is one to consider.

3.       Opportunity for growth: Statistics show you won’t work for one company your entire life. But does the company that wants to hire you promote from within? Are jobs at the next level of interest to you?  

4.       Job satisfaction: Ask anyone who hates their job. No amount of money makes you happy in a job you dislike every day. When you evaluate the duties and tasks for which you’ll be responsible, do you smile?

5.       Commute time: With gas prices not likely to fall below $3 per gallon anytime soon, the commute to and from the office becomes a factor. If the higher paying job is further from home – with no public transportation options – how much of that additional salary will find its way to the gas tank?

6.       Relocation package: If the job offer is in a different city, is the company offering a relocation package? Moving is a huge expense. If you know you want to live somewhere else, this could be your all-expenses-paid ticket to getting there.

7.       Perks: Campus work-out facilities, on-site childcare, happy hours, company softball teams and golf leagues. All are items you might be looking for. Could make life a lot easier if you found them at the office.

I hated my first paycheck. But I loved my first job. What I learned, the people I met, the perks of the job all made it worthwhile. And I couldn’t have gotten my second job without that first one. Remember, job searching is a lifelong process. It’s understandable to want to earn a fair wage; but, don’t let the salary cause you to overlook the complete offer that’s on the table.

5 Reasons You Can't Afford Not To Volunteer

Volunteer means unpaid. No paycheck. No direct deposit. Nothing but the satisfaction of doing something for someone else.

And if you’re looking for a job, it could be the job search strategy missing from your toolbox.

Whether you’ve been recently laid off, are looking to make a career change, or are starting your job search for the first time, don’t let the missing paycheck allow you to overlook the golden opportunities volunteering creates.

1.       Networking

Meeting people is an essential part of the job search process, and it can’t be accomplished sitting in front of your laptop. Your time will be better spent networking rather than perusing job boards. Through volunteering you’ll meet lots of people with whom you know you share at least one common interest: Supporting the organization with which you’re involved! Strike up a conversation with someone at the next volunteering event. You never know who that person might know in the profession you’re trying to break into. People can’t know you’re job hunting unless you tell them.

2.       Building a resume

If you’re in between jobs or unemployed, volunteering is a great way to avoid gaps on your resume. You’re going to list the volunteer experience just as you would a job: Company, position, duties, dates of service. You’re going to reference your experience in your cover letter and talk about it in your interview.

3.       Building and trying out new skills

Animal shelters don’t just need people to walk dogs. They need help with fundraising, public relations, event planning, accounting, etc. Talk to the volunteer coordinator about the experience you have: You never know where it might come in handy! Additionally if you’re hoping to develop certain skills, volunteering is a great way to do so. It’s important to do a great job – the organization is counting on you – but you can do so minus the pressure of job performance reviews.

4.       Focusing on someone else in need

I once counseled a client who had been job searching for over a year with no success. His job search was consuming him and making him depressed, so I suggested he find a volunteer opportunity. He began volunteering with a local organization that assists kids in need. What a difference! The experience helped him appreciate all that he truly had going for him in his life. Knowing the kids at the organization were counting on him gave him a reason to get out of bed in the morning. And he was more motivated than ever to find a job because he realized his potential in a new profession (working with kids!).

5.       Connecting to the community

No one can live in a bubble. Feeling part of a community is important for everyone. Volunteering gets you connected. Even a one day “Clean Up the Park” initiative brings people together. From a job searching perspective? Employers want to see this connection. They’re hiring the entire person, not just the skills you bring to the job.

Job Shadowing and Externships: Test the career waters before jumping in!

At a luncheon last week, I met an intern working for a magazine for which I write. I assumed she was just home from college and jumping into her summer internship. Nope. She was a soon-to-be high school graduate spending the week job shadowing and interning at the magazine. In the fall she’s off to the University of Alabama with plans to study journalism.

What a great concept: Learning first-hand about a career before leaping into one. Okay, one week in a magazine office isn’t going to make or break most high school seniors’ plans. Teenagers are known to be pretty head-strong! But it might. I wish I had taken the initiative to job shadow as a teen. I based my plans to pursue journalism solely on my interest in writing and the lack of knowledge as to what other careers I could pursue with that interest. You like to write? Write for a newspaper!

I didn’t talk to those working in communication fields (journalism, public relations, etc.) until my senior year of college. Suddenly I found myself not so enthralled with the profession. My career path took many different turns in the past 18 years and ironically has found its way back to journalism. Every career path is winding; but, I wonder what directions mine would have turned had I seen my career choices in action prior to heading to college. Hmmm….

If you’re just graduating from high school or are a first or second-year college student, take some time this summer to job shadow. One afternoon or one week. Find an office where people are working the job you’re planning to pursue. No career plans yet? Even better! Think of it as a scavenger hunt.

Reach out to your friends, family, teachers, professors, part-time job supervisors, anyone in your network. I guarantee someone knows somebody who’s working in a job that interests you. Some companies may even have established externship programs. The human resources department would be the place to check.

It’s like the car comparison again. Would you buy your first car without taking it for a test drive? Why should your career be any different?

Summer isn't for Slacking

The end of final exams marks the beginning of summer vacation. Time to relax, hang out with your friends and…take charge of your career path.

Yep, that’s right. With the stresses of a heavy course load and final exams behind you, summer time is the perfect time for focusing your career interests. Do you already know your career path? Great! Spend some time this summer getting career-related experience that will be a great resume booster.

Not sure where to begin? Check out these 10 easy ways to explore career interests and get some career-related experience this summer.

1.       Do some soul – and website – searching. It’s tough to think about careers as they relate to your interests with tests, projects and papers looming over your head. But now you have some time. In between Facebook chats with friends, hop on some websites that can help you define your skills, interests, and values.

2.       Meet with a career counselor. If you’re staying on campus for the summer, take advantage of the campus career center resources. Schedule weekly or bi-weekly career counseling sessions to help you develop a career strategy for the fall semester. Going home for the summer? Check out career centers at colleges close to home. Many may let you meet with a career counselor and develop a plan to continue with your own college’s career center when you return in August.

3.       Take a summer class. Consider taking one or two summer courses. Doing so frees up your fall and spring semesters for internships. Check the courses you’ve taken: You may be surprised to find yourself only one or two classes short of an additional minor that could be obtained during the summer. Use summer class offerings to knock off general education requirements.

4.       Get an office job. Sales assistants, camp counselors and lifeguards are all quintessential high school and summer jobs. Why not branch out? Through an administrative job you’ll learn communications skills and on-the-job etiquette that will prepare you for an office environment after college.

5.       Volunteer. Whether you’re in high school or college, volunteering speaks volumes about your commitment to those in your community. Both colleges and employers value applicants who value the importance of helping others. And honestly, focusing on someone else’s needs is a good experience for everyone.

6.       Job shadow. Whether your list of career interests includes one or 10 professions, talk to people in your careers of choice. Your family, friends, neighbors, campus career center and campus alumni office are great resources for finding people to shadow.

7.       Do an internship. Internships are no longer reserved for college juniors and seniors. Consider a summer internship to help gain experience in the career field of your choice.

8.       Redo your resume. Summer is a great time to tackle the resume project you’ve put off since school started.

9.        Attend a networking event. Many cities have young professional organizations that sponsor everything from picnics to softball leagues, all in the name of meeting people. These events are great opportunities to network with other professionals.

10.   Road trip. Do you plan to relocate to a different city after graduation? If your schedule permits, take a week to visit that city.

6 Reasons Business Cards Still Matter

"Back in the day," one of the primary tools to carry in a job search supply box was a stack of business cards. In today's tech-savvy world, are business cards still relevant? I say yes, and here are six reasons why:

1.      Business cards summarize contact information: No one get can in touch with you unless they know how. 

2. Business cards force you to be concise: There's no room for rambling on a card that's 3.5 x 2 inches. 
3. Business cards allow for creativity: Resumes follow fairly standard formats. You have more room for creativity when designing a business card. 
4. Business cards are easy to carry: They easily fit in your portfolio, wallet, even pocket.
5. Business cards are inexpensive: Many websites like Vistaprint and Free Business Cards let you create cards for free. Microsoft Word has a template for designing and printing them from your own computer.
6. Networking is still the most effective job searching tool. I’ve lost track of the number of opportunities to exchange business cards. You don’t know who’s going to be at the dinner you’re attending tonight. Don’t make them drag out their Blackberry or iPhone to enter your contact information. Hand them a business card with the information already in writing.

Okay, so even though you can get creative with business cards, don’t let your flash outshine your purpose. The dos and don’ts lists for creating business cards are fairly straightforward.

Do:

·        Include your name, phone number and email address (mailing address optional);

·         Know your audience. What design works for your target industry? Check out other business cards for examples.

·         Make it stand out. What font, card color or image can you use that will differ your card in a stack?

·         Create a scannable business card. Many people now use business card scanners to electronically save cards. Some designs, fonts and colors won’t scan. Play it safe: Use big text, avoid fancy fonts and keep all pertinent information on one side of the card.

Don’t:

·         Crowd the card. What’s the most pertinent information? The purpose of a business card is providing people your contact methods. If you add background information (degrees, certifications, specialties), do so in a clear manner.

·         Forget to spellcheck.

·         Make multiple designs. Any marketing expert will emphasize the importance of consistency when it comes to logos and designs.

·         Print multiple copies before testing it. Present your card to friends and peers for feedback. Add your card to a stack of business cards. Does it stand up – and hopefully stand out – among the others?

What does your email address and voice mail say about you?

If you think about it, you actually get multiple chances to make a first impression with potential employers. Your resume and cover letter. Your handshake and dress. Your interview answers and questions. And your email address and outgoing cell phone message.

Yes, your email address and voicemail message say a lot about you. Employers want to know from the start whether or not you’re a candidate for the job. It starts with whether or not you take the job search seriously. Fair or unfair, a cute email address or funny voice mail message can give the wrong impression. In a competitive job market, there’s small room for taking chances.

Email addressUse a simple, professional email address for job searching. Your first name or combination of your name with numbers serves the purpose. Don’t contact potential employers from an email address such as partygal@hotmail.com or rockfan@yahoo.com. With so many email options available, create an account specifically for job searching. This lets you keep your “rock fan” or “party gal” status with friends while corresponding with companies from a different address. Doing so will help you keep better track of applications and inquiries, too.
If you share an email address with a family member, spouse, or friend, now’s the time to create your own account.

Create a professional signature for your outgoing email. List your name, contact information, title (if appropriate).

Outgoing voice mail messageWe’ve all created funny outgoing voice mail messages that get a chuckle when friends or family call. When job searching, change your voice mail message to one that won’t ruffle a potential employer’s feathers. Keep it simple: “Hi you’ve reached Kelli Robinson at xxx-xxxx. Please leave a message and I’ll return your call promptly.”

During the job search every contact you make with employers – in person, over the phone, or through email – has the potential to make or break a job offer. Once you’re hired, celebrate with a funny outgoing voicemail or email from your “alter ego” account!

The toughest interview question I ever heard!

Strangest question I ever received in an interview: If you could be any part of a bicycle, what would you be and why?

Huh?

Scrambling for an answer, I quickly replied “the tires, because when they’re full of air the bicycle moves.” Great, I just described myself as an airhead. Goodbye job offer.

But I actually got the job, and a few weeks later my supervisor and I were laughing at both the question and my response. He confessed he’d read the question in an interviewing manual.

Job interviews rattle nerves, especially when you’re thrown a question that leaves you speechless. My “airhead moment” reminded me of three important facts:

1. Interviewing is a dialogue
While it’s possible – and important – to practice interviewing, they are are unscripted conversations. The best answer to a question is an honest, thoughtful one. Spending time trying to figure out the answer only leaves you frustrated. Was it better to be the chain of the bicycle instead of the tires? I didn’t know. Turns out my boss didn’t either.

2. Interviewing is a learned skill
My supervisor admitted browsing an interviewing how-to book before our meeting. Interviewing is an art, and some are better artists than others. What’s important for the interviewer to learn about you? Whether or not you have the skills for the job and the personality to compliment your supervisor’s and department’s vision and goals. What questions would be asked to learn these important characteristics? Plan thoughtful answers to them.

3. Time is on your side
During an interview, five seconds of silence feels like five years. Tick…tock. Hard to believe, but silence is good. In fact, it’s golden. The worst response to a question is immediate babbling that leaves you and the interviewer forgetting the original question asked. Take time to process the question. The answer may not be as important as the steps you take to arrive at it.

And yes, I’ve finally come up with a great answer to the “Bicycle Question.” What part do I want to be? The one in charge, the one driving the machine.

Of course, I want to be me!