Career Prep Before the MBA Program

It’s the time of year when prospective MBA students are looking towards leaving their current employers and transitioning back to the world of academics. Almost every reason a prospective MBA student has for applying to B-School comes down to career. Whether they want to dramatically change professions or the trajectory, MBA candidates seek to change something in their careers. As with any new initiative, people start out extremely motivated and ready to work. At the beginning of their programs, most MBAs aggressively nod their head at advice from their career coaches and promise to stay actively engaged in their job search. Naturally, this energy starts to wane after the grind of academics kicks into high gear. After students begin to realize the amount of time and energy their academic program requires, they start to prioritize their time which sometimes results in the job search being moved down the list. Some students move their job search down the list farther than others, but suffice it to say that job search energy will decrease to some degree within the first month or two of an MBA program.

Knowing the importance of a successful job search in addition to the importance of successful academics, consider implementing the following early to get ahead of the job search process:

1. Connect with your career advisor (coach) this summer to begin identifying your goals, strengths and weaknesses in regards to your future career goals. Learn what areas in regards to your job search that will require coaching and refining, so you can spend less time making mistakes this fall. National Career Fairs and internship postings start popping up on the calendar very early; therefore, MBA candidates must be prepared to compete effectively in the market.
2. Start writing your resume NOW! Refrain from taking your original resume and adding a few updates. Start from scratch and construct a targeted resume that presents your professional brand. Seek professional advice from your career coach and learn how to write a new resume that connects your past accomplishments and experiences with your future goals and the skills needed for success with a potential employer.
3. Join the professional organization most respected in your field of study. Anyone returning to school for a career in human resources should join the local and national chapters of the Society for Human Resources Management. Be sure to not just stop at joining the organization and looking for the next national conference. Engage with other members. Contact the organization officers or board of directors and ask questions on how you can get involved. Look for ways to connect and learn from others in your chosen profession. Share information with other members through a LinkedIn group or Twitter. Show the membership that you are eager to learn and someone to meet. The best way to do this is to focus on being interested in others. Be interested in career paths, companies, and latest trends in HR, etc. Help others help you.

One of the worst things that a potential MBA student can do is wait until the last minute to start thinking about how to activate the search for an internship. The typical professional job search can take upwards of eight months. Waiting to start your job search until the time you begin your academics will most definitely ensure that one of the two will have to suffer. The best job search approach is one that is steadily active and involves great initiative. Start today by seeking ways you can kick start your job search before you arrive on campus and establish a activity rhythm that will sustain you during the busiest of times. Don’t miss the perfect opportunity due to poor planning.

 

 

 

 

Contacting Employers the Old Fashioned Way

Who would have ever thought that the use of telephones and the US Postal Service would become old fashioned to job seekers? On the flip side, who would think bringing back these old fashioned resources in finding employment could be considered creative? Today’s younger job seeker is amazed at the idea of calling a potential employer over the phone much less sending a resume and cover letter through the mail. The very idea of printing a resume, printing a cover letter, signing the cover letter, addressing an envelope with a stamp, stuffing then sealing that enveloped and finally walking this envelope to the mail box is almost inconceivable in today’s job market.

“Pounding the pavement” has become a lost art in seeking employment. Too many have flocked to the comfort of the online application process. As I have said many times, applying for a position online is a task. An effective job search is a process. As a job seeker, what are you willing to do in addition to applying online to secure your targeted job?

When looking for innovative or unique ways to be noticed by potential employers, why not first return to these two basic techniques used from the not so distant past:

Pick up the telephone: The internet provides easy access in finding general telephone numbers to every business in the world. Call employers. You can certainly call the HR department, but you will probably be more successful by calling the department in which you want to work. Emails can often time get lost, but phone calls are rarely lost or overlooked.

Mail your resume: Typing resumes and cover letters on bond paper and sending these job search packets through the mail used to be the most widely used practice for job seekers just 20 years ago. Today, very few job seekers take the time to print resume and cover letters to mail much less know what bond paper is in the first place. In addition, we are more likely to read the mail we physically receive over every email we receive. The volume of mail we receive at the office has dramatically decreased. Job seekers stand a very good chance of their letter being opened.

Applying online will get your resume into the company applicant tracking system. While some companies do look at these resumes for identifying talent, candidates must take extra steps to be noticed unless you believe in the needle in a haystack theory. In order to prove your interest and commitment for the job to employers, think about returning to basics if you will. Purchase a book of US postage stamps, stationery paper and envelopes, and good ink for your printer. The walk to the mailbox will be good for you. In addition, use the Internet to find a few phone numbers and dial the telephone. Dare to be innovative by returning to what many consider “old fashioned.” You might be surprised with the positive feedback you receive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seeking an Internship After Spring Break

The facts don’t lie.  On-campus recruiting dramatically decreases after Spring Break.  Career Centers are still posting positions and employers are still visiting campus, but the volume is much lower than what is normally seen from the middle of January to the middle of March.  Employers have attended Career Fairs, held first round interviews on campus, and are now either extending offers or invitations for second round interviews.  The on-campus recruiting train for spring 2013 is leaving the station. Does that mean it is too late to find an internship for summer 2013?  No.  Just as my blog from January titled Too Late to Find an Internship for the Summer  NO WAY!, it is NOT too late to find an internship.  It is just time to change your strategy.

For the first eight weeks of the spring semester, internship seekers seek opportunities, attend employer events and apply for jobs.  After spring break, internship seekers much shift their focus to new ideas and strategies.  Please continue seeking internship postings, but new strategies much be included for a successful search later in the season.  Consider implementing these action items to your job search strategy for the remainder of this semester:

1. Reconnect with employers you met earlier in the year:  While an employer may have interviewed or offered positions to other candidates, you do not know if all of those offers turned to accepted invitations for employment.  Reach out to those you have met throughout the year and communicate your continued interest.  This approach has worked more times than I can count in the past 20 plus years of my career.  As I always tell job seekers:  no today does not always mean no forever.

2. Talk with faculty:  Career Center professionals may cringe, but faculty often receive employment leads from business colleagues or former students.  These opportunities may never go through the campus career center.  Make sure the faculty who know you are aware of your goals and current employment status.

3.  Consider projects:  Employers hire based on knowledge, skills and abilities.  It s not uncommon for projects to arise late in the spring which leads to businesses needing summer talent.  These projects provide tremendous experience as well as ability to prove value to a potential employer just as a traditional internship.

4. Job leads through social media:  I would be remiss not to remind any intern seeker of the importance of social media.  Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook groups all provide not just job postings but avenues to potential employers.

A successful internship search after spring break requries more creativity, more personal connection and more flexibility.  Good luck!

 

International Student Job Search Troubleshooting

It’s no secret that international students have very specific challenges in seeking employment in the United States.  Companies that sponsored H1B Visas last year are turning away potential candidates due to changes in hiring practices.  Identifying oganizations that sponsor H1B Visas presents an even greater challenge than usual.

International students quickly realize upon arrival in the US that job search practices here are much different from other countries.   The US Job Search is a breeding ground of mixed messages as to how to find opportunities and secure employment.  It’s no wonder our international students find our job search practices difficult to manuver.   Company recruiters and campus relations departments tell students to apply online while career coaches encourage them to connect with hiring managers and not only rely on the online job application process.   No wonder our international students find our process so confusing.  Now that we have stated the problem, what can our international students do to be a successful job seeker?  Here are a few ideas:

• Reach out to your network:  Forget the notion that international students do not have a network in the US.   If you are an international student here in the US, you have a large network.   Think about all of the students who have come to the US before you and are now working in the US.  Identifying people who have walked in your shoes is the best avenue for finding people to provide guidance.  A network isn’t just a group of people you know.  A network is a group of people in which you can identify with to build comradary.
• Get involved in a professional organization:  While sponsoring restrictions may in fact be company wide, your best resource for finding information will always be through your professional organizations.  The contacts you make through the organization can become your best voice for connections and recommendations with others within a company.
• Build your online professional reputation:  One of the best places for any professional to gain information is through online networking communities.  Notice I was very careful is using the term Social Media.  Change your mindset from how you currently use Social Media to how you can effectively use it as a networking community instead.  Participate in LinkedIn group conversations and professional chats on Twitter, comment on a company’s Facebook or LinkedIn community page, or look for former students from your undergraduate programs in your home country for discussions.

International students must learn one thing if they want to pursue a successful job search in the US — there is not a mathmatical formula to a successful job search process in the US.  The silver lining of the US job search process is that there is a long list of best practices anyone can use.  (Please refrain from the worst practices)  People find employment using a myriad of successful practices.  If one avenue in identifying opportunites does not work, our culture provides many other options as well.  Troubleshooting invovles repairing a broken process.  The US job search culture involves a great deal of troubleshooting but with a great number of options for success.

 

Discussing Salary in Information Interviews

I’m often asked by job seekers when it is an appropriate time to discuss salary in the job search.   Let me start by stating when it is absolutely not appropriate to discuss salary and that is during the information interview.  A job seeker gathers a great deal of information during the search and salary is included on that list; however, an information interview is an inappropriate time to discuss money.

The purpose of an information interview is to gather information about a company, industry, profession, etc.  While salary is an extremely important topic, it’s often considered rude when discussed too early.  Consider these reasons why you should never discuss salary during an information interview:

1.  Poor Marketing Message:  If you are working to increase your network and market your value  to potential employers, your message should focus on what you can do as opposed to what you want.   We all want to be paid adequately for the services we provide; however, salary is a very sensitive topic.  Your first order of business is to sell your ability to bring value to a potential company or profession.  Get the professional contact in your corner first based on what you can do.

2.  Lack of Authenticity:     When a job seeker asks networking contacts about salary, it sends the wrong message as to the authenticity of the reason an information interview was requested.  Salary information can be found through numerous channels including websites and HR representatives.  Information interviews should be used to gather information not readily available which might include best practices for navigating through a company or career.

3.   Barking up the Wrong Tree:  Most of the time, a networking contact is unable to tell you about salaries.  The subject of salary is a moving target.  Salary ranges can vary a great deal depending on industry, company, location and experience level.  More importantly, your reason for talking with a networking contact is for professional information.  Do not spend your precious time asking about salary.  It’s a question most networking contacts cannot and will not answer.

Do not confuse the goal of your job search with one of your desired results.  As a job seeker, and hopefully a professional job seeker, your goal is to secure a fulfilling position that provides you the opportunity prove your value.  Salary should always be discussed in the job search process, but an information interview is one of the first steps in the process.  It’s like discussing marriage on a first date.  You do not want to scare away your potential networking contacts.  People you talk with during your job search will hopefully become esteemed colleagues and mentors of yours in the future.  Don’t blow it!

When You Can’t Get An Interview

For many, the kneejerk reaction for job seekers who cannot get an interivew is to change their resumes.  Your resume may very well be a part of the problem, but most likely there are many other things you need to do to either change or add to your job search strategy.  Of course, your lack of experience and skills may also be a reason you are not chosen for an interview, but sometime it is neither your background or your resume that is keeping you from interviews.  Your approach may be at fault.  Consider these ideas if you struggle with your job search stalling at the resume submission stage:

1.  Are you only applying online?  While this is probably the most widely used format for applying for positions, too many job seekers only use this step.  The problem with only applying online is that you are not setting yourself apart from the competition.  You aren’t directly reaching out to the hiring manager.  I liken using online applications as your only step in finding a job to that of purchasing a lottery ticket.  You could get chosen, but think about the odds.  They aren’t good folks.

2.  Are you asking for people to distribute your resume for you?  Networking with friends and colleagues is the key to a successful job search, but please be careful in how you approach this important part the progress.  Some of your contacts are ideal for floating your resume around a company and will volunteer to do so, but only expect someone to do this if they offer.  Be careful in asking someone to distribute your resume for you.  Instead of asking someone to do you a favor (please distribute my resume), ask for advice (can you provide me some guidance?).  Advice is easy for someone to provide you, but doing work for you is an entirely different request.  The more people you can connect with yourself, the better opportunity you have for controlling your ability to secure an interview.

Job seekers have to come from behind the computer screen to exercise a successful job search strategy.  Email, the Internet and the telephone can only take you so far in your search.  Implement that human connection that only you can provide.

Why Job Seekers Should Tweet

For those of you who think Twitter is the energy drink form of Facebook, please think again.   While I agree there are thousands upon thousands of people who “tweet” every thought that comes into their heads, business takes advantage of this Social Media site for an entirely different reason.  News, sports, and business organizations use Twitter to send information out to the public at a faster rate that any other source in the past.  A trending topic can go viral within seconds of release.   Twitter’s 140 character format has introduced an entirely different way in which we can gather information and, for that matter, communicate with one another.

Like many other naysayers, I created my Twitter account as soon as I heard about this new service.  I logged in for the first time and logged back out after five minutes.  I didn’t log back into my account for several months.  I was overwelmed and could not figure out how Twitter could be of use to me.  I had Facebook.  I had LinkedIn.  What more did I need?  Boy, was I wrong.

Facebook is our online family, high school and college reunion all wrapped into one.   Businesses are starting to take advantage of Facebook too which has added a whole new dimension to this form of Social Networking.

LinkedIn as I often call it, is our online Rolodex.  What a better way to stay connected with colleagues, carry on business conversations, and reach out to new people in business today.

So what about Twitter?  How can Twitter help a job seeker?  We see the people who use this platform for a place to share their unfiltered thoughts.  To each his own I suppose.  But, professionals use Twitter to share information.  Business also uses Twitter to share job opportunities.  Twitter is a great opportunity for job seekers to find out information at a moment’s notice.  And you can easily reply back to organizations without having to wait for your invitation request to be accepted.  Instant.  And you would be very surprised at the number of companies that respond back and even cross reference job applicants with those who communicate with them via social networking platforms.

Another feature of Twitter that is probably my favorite of all is the #hashtag search capability.  Twitter has created this capability not just to search for topics but also carry on conversations with those interested in the same subject.  Twitter chats have become extremely populary for job seekers.  These chats allow candid question and answer conversations.  #InternPro, #jobhuntchat, #careerchat, #genychat, #hfchat, and #internchat are some of my favorites.  Please stay tuned to my next blog when I will be discussing each of these Twitter chats in more detail.

Twitter provides a platform for job seekers to seek out the most respected advice, job opportunities, information on prospective employers and much more in just a few seconds.   The value of Twitter needs no further explanation.  Simply put, job seekers and serious career managers must use Twitter in today’s job market.

Never underestimate the power of Tweeting your way to a great job.

High Tech / High Touch Job Search

How many of you remember the first time you applied for a job?  If you are like me, you didn’t have the internet.  You had to leave your home and “pound the pavement.”  For my first job, I had to physically walk into a business and ask for an application.  If I was going to go out and look for a job, I had to also dress the part.  In addition, I wanted an office job, so that meant I had to wear a dress with hosiery and heels.  I will never forget how nervous I was to walk through the front door of that office building and ask the receptionist for an application.  After What a frightening and exhausting experience.

The reason for my walk down memory lane is not to bore you with my history but to set the stage for an illustration of how the “internet” has changed the way we seek employment.  Today’s job seeker does not even consider my “old fashioned” way of finding a job.  Today’s job seeker typically starts out in front of a home computer.

While I understand it takes a great deal of time to complete online profiles with the companies where you submit a resume, I urge everyone to only use the Internet to research and apply for positions only.  What sets today’s job seeker apart from the thousands who only apply online is good old fashioned human interaction or as we call it today, networking.

The High Tech portion of our job search should consist of research and submitting necessary documents for positions.  The element of High Touch in the job search closes the deal.  Reach out to those in your professional field, college alumni, or other networks to build professional relationships.  Ask for guidance and direction.   Reach out to professional groups through LinkedIn, blogs, and face-to-face meetings in your area.  Become known in your profession and help employers find you.

Technology has become a very important component for today’s job seekers, but its use should be to enhance your job search research.  An “apply online” only approach rarely closes the deal.  How often do you hear job seekers say they applied for multiple positions online and not receive one interview in return?  Technology’s role in the job search is not to replace good old fashioned interaction.   Technology and human interaction must go hand-in-hand in order to successfully conduct an effective job search.

 

Too Late to Find an Internship for the Summer? NO WAY!

The spring semester has begun and organizations around the globe are beginning the new recruiting season for fulltime candidates and summer interns. My blog today will address some of the most popular questions I am asked by students during this time.

1. Is it too late to find an internship for this upcoming summer? No. For a few years before our latest economic crisis, companies were focusing more on fall recruiting for interns due to the supply and demand for talent. Since that time, both the fall and spring provide even activity especially at the graduate level.

2. Since most companies visit campus before spring break, does it mean that students cannot find a fulltime opportunity or internship after that time? Once again, no. While on-campus/face-to-face opportunites dramatically decrease after spring break, employment opportunities for both fulltime candidates and interns will still become available until the end of the semester and beyond.

3. What other resources can I use to find employment? My favorite resource today is LinkedIn. This one resource can provide you posted positions, connections, discussion groups, research information and much more. In addition to LinkedIn, take advantage of Twitter to communicate with companies and professionals of choice as well as Facebook. Please do not limit your job search to just on-campus opportunities.

4. How do I effectively find hiring managers at the companies in which I am applying? First of all, do not wait until after you have applied to a position. Get in front of that curve and start reaching out to people in the professions and companies that interest you. It takes time. If you think you are doing to apply for a position and connect with the hiring manager in a matter of a few days, you are probably setting yourself up for disappointment. Finding key people in organizations who are willing and able to help you is not easy nor quick, but it is the most effective.

While I have only touched on the answers to the questions listed above, I have listed the bottom line answer to each. It’s not too late! Opportunities at both the fulltime and internship level will be available throughout the semester, but you must take advantage of the other resources available to job seekers in addition to your on-campus career centers. Building professional relationships takes time but must be a key element in your career management plan.

Please comment and list other questions you would like for me to answer.

 

21 Day Job Search Improvement Challenge

Happy New Year!!!!

As I sit down to write my first blog for 2013, my thoughts go back to the last blog I wrote for 2012.  Your Job Search Resolutions for 2013  In that entry, I talked about challenging yourself to resolutions that will improve your job search practices.  Please reread the suggestions I outline.  I hope a few make their way into your job search plan this year.

Studies show that you can create a habit if you continue something for 21 days — some good and some not so good.   Today’s generation uses the word “like” at least once in almost every sentence.  They didn’t start this habit overnight, and they won’t stop overnight either.  It takes time — 21 days.  I challenge you to take the next 21 days and change some of your bad job search habits.  Here are a few recommendations:

1.  Manage your jobsearch part time not in your free time.  Let’s face it, we do not have free time.  Saying that you will do something in your free time just doesn’t happen anymore.   Maybe you need to treat your job search like a class period or maybe you can just mark time on your calendar easily and stick to the schedule.  Whatever you do, you have to plan your work and work your plan.  You can’t just plan to work out and get in shape.  You have to actually work out.  So, schedule time for your job search and stick to that time doing something productive.  Do that for 21 days in a row.

2.  Emphasize a high touch / high tech balanced job search.  If you only apply to positions online, your chances of failure are extremely high.  You must network your way to key hiring managers in the organizations to succeed.  It is difficult to find the right person who knows about the position in which you applied and can get you to the right hiring manager.  But, you can’t ignore that the number one way vacant positions are filled is through inside direct referrals.  Does it take a long time to complete the online application?  Yes.  Does it take time, effort and perseverance to network effectively?  Yes.  Does it get frustrating?  Absolutely.  Nonetheless, you have to measure your career goal against the time you are willing to put into reaching this goal.  Maintain this balance for 21 days.

3.  Stop sounding desperate.  When you have bills piling up, getting a paycheck is the goal.  When you need a job, you need a job.  But, keep in mind that hiring decisions are made the same way you shop.  Have you ever purchased something because the vendor needs your business?  Would you hire a chef to rewire your home for electricity because that company needs your business? Of course not.  You would hire a company that specializes in fulfilling your needs.  Be very careful in marketing yourself as a jack of all trades lest you be known as an expert of nothing.  We purchase and hire excellence.  If you find yourself telling people you can do anything, then I challenge you to redesign your job search marketing plan.  Do this for 21 days.

In order for you to break your old job search habits, you must first accept your plan in the past isn’t working for you.  Maybe you have been able to apply online and get a job in the past.  Maybe you are from cultures that focus on placement as opposed to personal branding to succeed.  Whatever your past experience, anyone wanting to climb the corporate ladder must accept that with a more advanced career will come a more advanced process in managing your career.

Are you up for breaking your old habits and taking the 21 Day Job Search Improvement Challenge?