New Career

Last year just around this time, I left my job at UMass Amherst for a new position at Smith College. I decided to take the year off from trying to blog or build my career counseling business and concentrate on my new job. It has been a great year, and now that I am settled in my job, I am ready to get back to blogging to help everyone find a career that they love!

There were a few things that helped me stand out in the search process for my position. They are all easy things that anyone can do - and they really help in landing any position.

1. Follow-up without being a stalker! I emailed the hiring manager when it had been 2 weeks past the closing date (and 3 weeks after I applied) just to see where they were in the search. I MAILED thank you notes after the interview and emailed links to some of the work that I had done.

2. Prove your resume! I brought to the interview samples of the work that I have done. In a basic small binder / presentation book that I purchased from Staples, I put in copies of webpages that had information about events I have done, copies of PowerPoint presentations that I developed, copies of thank you notes from successful job seekers that I worked with and a before and after version of a resume that I updated. I emailed them links to what I thought were great examples of what some other colleges are doing. And when I gave an answer on the interview such as "I am a great presenter", I backed it up with an example from my professional life.

3. Technology is key! One of the reasons I was offered the position was the fact that I was not fearful of technology. I was willing to work with Social Media and webinars. I am far from an expert on it, but I am willing to jump in and do the work.

4. Know what they want in a candidate! I did my research, read the job description in detail, checked out their board of directors and practically memorized all the info on their website. I made sure that I targeted my answers to what they were looking for according to my research.

So if you are out there searching for a job now, be sure to make yourself stand out as a candidate!

Why Unemployment is at its Highest Level

Great article from The Onion on why unemployment is so high

Unemployment High Because People Keep Blowing Their Job Interviews

Questions to Ask on an Informational Interview

You can easily do a google search for questions to ask during an information interview, but here are some of my favorite ones:

• How is the changing economy affecting this industry?
• What do you like the most about your job?
• If you could change one thing about your job, what would it be?
• What is the most important thing that someone entering this career should know?
• Can you describe a typical day for you?
• What type of experience and education would best prepare me for working in this industry?
• How do you like working in this industry?
• What decisions do you make each day?
• Can you suggest anyone else in your field that I can talk to?

Networking

My newest YouTube post on Networking from my UMass Amherst Alumni Association event last week... check it out here

Great Job Listing Site

Check out Mary Wasmuth's blog with links to many Massachusetts Niche Job Listings. It is a wonderful resource for anyone looking for a job in Massachusetts!

What NOT to do on your resume

My latest and greatest YouTube video!

What NOT to do on Your Resume

Changing Careers Challenge - Week of 7/7/10

Changing Careers Challenge - Week of 7/7/10



Last week your challenge was to research the job titles that you were interested in.

This week your challenge is to find one person in the job or industry that you are interested in to do an informational interview with.

An informational interview is a meeting where you will be asking a professional in the field or industry that you are interested in about their career. You are looking for advice, not employment, at this meeting. The biggest difference between a job interview and an informational interview is that you are the one asking the questions. For most job seekers, this makes the process a bit less stressful.

Where can you find someone to do an informational interview with?

1. ask people you know if they know anyone who does what you are interested in learning about
2. use LinkedIn to find a connection through someone you know
3. ask current or former professors who they know working in that field
4. contact the local chapter of the professional organization for that industry
5. attend job fairs in your area
6. check out your local one-stop career center
7. contact someone who has written an article about the industry

How should you ask for the informational interview?

You can ask for the interview either via email or phone. Some ideas for what to write or say during your request:

• ___________ gave me your name as someone who knows the ins and outs of working in the _________ filed.
• I'm doing some research on working in the ____________ field and I am looking for some candid advice on the pros and cons of working in this field.
• I have been doing research on the _________ field, but there is only so much one can learn from the Internet and books. I'd love to talk with someone who is actually doing _________ to get a real feel for what it is like day to day.
• I am considering going back to school to become a ___________. I was hoping to speak with someone who could give me a realistic view of what a career in _________ is like.
• _________ said that you are the best in the _________ business. I am hoping to break into the field and was wondering if you had 10 minutes to speak to me about it.
• ___________ is a real interest of mine. Your company has an outstanding reputation and I would love to hear your opinion on where you think the field is going.
• I am really intrigued by the _______ field. Before I make the leap to change careers, I would appreciate speaking with someone like yourself, who is considered an expert in the field.

A few things to keep in mind:

• most people like to talk about themselves and will be more than willing to do this!
• if you were referred by someone, be sure to mention their name in the ask
• ask for a set amount of time to talk; 15 minutes is a good starting point
• be polite and professional