Work, success, and meaning at every stage of your career
It was a good interview. Maybe even a great interview. You felt a connection to the interviewer, you felt that you answered the technical questions well, and there were no unpleasant surprises regarding the duties or the salary. You’re feeling hopeful, but you know they have two more candidates to see. What next step will really advance your chances for this job?
A great thank you note.
If you’re finishing up a degree and getting ready to enter the job market, you may be feeling overwhelmed about the prospects for landing your first job out of college. Despite the current economic climate, the job outlook for new college graduates is becoming more positive. The National Association of Colleges and Employers reports that employers will employ at least 10 percent more new college graduates in 2012.
If you’re regular job seeker just trying to make your way in a tough economy like the rest of us, chances are you haven’t committed a serious crime, and your past isn’t riddled with dark secrets. But you may have some issues with creditors (long-term unemployment can wreak havoc on our finances), etc. And you may be wondering how much influence the details of your past can have over your future. How long will you be haunted, for example, by a firing or lay-off? What are the odds that a previous employer will say negative things about you during a routine reference check? Can an unpaid parking ticket tank your job prospects?
Wiens writes, “Good grammar is credibility, especially on the internet. In blog posts, on Facebook statuses, in e-mails, and on company websites, your words are all you have.” People do judge you by how well you speak your native language, and there is still (believe it or not) a standard for how English is spoken and written.
I get occasional requests from people who want to start a blog, get exposure as a writer, or just get their writing noticed and published somewhere. Here is the best advice I’ve ever seen on how to become a better wrtier. (Thanks to Copyblogger.com for the graphic.)
There’s no denying the fact that college graduates face a tough job market today. That will discourage a lot of new graduates, but there’s a silver lining to their predicament. The college degree that they worked so hard to earn is probably the most important piece of paper in their job search – more important than any resume or cleverly written cover letter. Not enough college graduates understand that they’re part of a lucky demographic that gets first consideration when employers consider new hires. Despite what some critics claim, a college education is still the standard qualification for most entry level professional positions.
Having a defined list of priorities is the key to confident decision making. Your list of priorities might be global (family, health, quality of life) or specific to a decision (no more than a 30-minute commute each day; requires no more than 25% overnight business travel.) Knowing what your values and priorities are helps you evaluate each option carefully and objectively.
Dr. Rubin defines a “real” decision as one that is “a free, unconditional, total, and personal commitment to a choice or an option.” He writes that many people abdicate their right to make decisions, making themselves and those around them miserable. We’ve all met people who dither over even the smallest decisions, or choose what everyone else is doing – or the opposite, just to be different. In the matter of what to order for lunch, not a big deal, perhaps, but being unable to make a decision and stick with it can be crippling to a relationship or a career.
Are you a new graduate drafting your professional resume for the first time? Are you about to return to the work force after a long absence? Maybe you’ve been actively employed for many years, and it’s been so long since the last time you looked at your resume that you may as well start a new one from the beginning. No matter your circumstances, these eight simple resume tips can help you get started.
For many people, the hardest part of getting organized is deciding what’s most important. Procrastinators are sometimes paralyzed by the fact that they simply don’t know where to start on a project. It’s easier to get started on what you enjoy, or what’s in front of you, instead of working on what’s most important.
Your Work, Your Way 