The federal government is on the lookout for minority professionals in science and technology
By Celia Colista
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We Want You
September 10th, 2010Creating a Work Portfolio
September 10th, 2010When up against scores of other qualified candidates for plum positions, students need to find a way to stand out in a crowded field. The best way is to present a work portfolio to prospective employers, contends Jake Newton, a senior recruiter at Seattle-based Aerotek, a technical staffing firm.
A Chain of Correspondence Not a Chain Letter
September 10th, 2010The interview is the heart of the job application process, but the resume and correspondence will make the first and last impression
By Candace King
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Correspondence: Say It In Writing
September 10th, 2010Write your way to the top during the job search. Practical advice on cover letters, thank-you letter, letters of recommendation, list of references, job search emails, and letters of acceptance and decline.
By Valerie Anderson
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Working for the Work
September 10th, 2010
Recession-Proof Jobs,” the headline read.
Really? Does such a thing exist?
Let’s face it: the job market is tight these days. The unemployment rate grew more than 2% in 2008 to a 15-year high of 7.2% as of December 31, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Not only that, the U.S. Conference of Mayors projected recently that major metropolitan areas like New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Chicago will be among the hardest hit in terms of job losses for 2009.
Rising unemployment, big cities losing jobs at a faster rate than the rest of the country . . . sounds like “recession-proof jobs” is more of a tease than a promise.
In an article published by Forbes, Sophia Koropeckyj, an economist at Moody’s Economy.com said, “A lot of people won’t have the luxury of going for their first choice in a down economy.”
For what it’s worth, various publications and websites addressing this topic listed computer science, engineering, energy, and environmental specialists (like engineers and other scientific positions) as being among the so-called “recession-proof” areas.
But, as a philosophy instructor of mine once shrugged, “So what?”
How does that change your job search strategies? In a strong economy, do you think recruiters are going to cold-call you and ask you to please, please, please send them your resumé?
Conversely, in a down market like today, are companies completely shutting down their recruiting efforts? Are they not rethinking the way they do business and looking for fresh minds with fresh ideas? Don’t they want young employees educated in the latest theories and technologies to thrive in their new, leaner environments?
The answers are obvious. And your course of action is still the same: you make yourself more attractive to your employer of choice than every other person lined up before and after you at on-campus interviews and at on-site visits.
When it comes to your first job search, the same rules that applied 10 to 12 years ago still apply today. Good economy. Bad economy. Common sense and diligence never go out of style.
You’re already making yourself more valuable. If you’re reading this publication, it’s likely that you’re on your way to a college degree. Guess what? Remember that 7.2% unemployment figure at the top of this article? That’s for the total working-age population. For those with college degrees, the figure drops to 2.3%.
So there’s step number one. All the other steps? They’re just as easy if you’re willing to put in the time and effort. They are the cornerstones of any job search at any stage in your career.
Experience
Are you ahead of the curve when it comes to internships and other practical experience that relate to your career? Nothing beats that. Nothing will prepare you for an interview like experience. Nothing will resonate more with an employer than someone who can talk a real game and not just recite what they’ve heard in the classroom.
Know Yourself
Speaking of talking a real game, never go into an interview cold. What’s going to happen when you hear “tell me about yourself” or “why do you want to work for our company?” Will you stumble and search for your words? Or will you confidently and comfortably deliver a clear, concise response? Work on it. Get used to talking about yourself—if you’re not already—in a professional manner. If you don’t know what you can bring to an employer, it’s a good bet that the employer won’t know either.
Know Your Potential Employer
Be able to take the interview beyond the rudimentary. Remember that the interview is a dialogue and if you’re letting the interviewer drive the bus, it’s probably not a good interview. If you can’t come up with questions more engaging than “How many employees do you have?” or “Where are your offices located?” you’re going to be looking at a disbelieving, albeit sympathetic, face. Understand the issues facing the company and the industry. Reference relevant current events that might affect the industry. In short, talk like a pro.
Read Your Resumé, Then Read It Again
The more you look at your resum, the more likely it is that you’ll find an error—spelling, grammar, a missing word, a wrong date, etc. Keep refining it and updating it with all your current information. And when you think you’re done, walk away, come back, and read it again. Same thing with your cover letters and thank you notes. Always give your documents the once-over twice.
Keep At It
Even in a strong economy, nothing is a sure thing. You might have nailed that on-site interview and really hit it off with the hiring manager and your potential co-workers. But guess what? Things change, stuff happens, and the job offer went to somebody else. Or the position was eliminated. Or who knows what. Just make sure you don’t get hung up on one particular job. Yeah, times are tough. You just have to work at it a little harder.
Remember, it’s not about finding a job that’s recession-proof, it’s about making yourself recession-proof. Robert Shannon is a freelance writer in Chicago.
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Evaluating a Job Offer
September 10th, 2010Don’t make a decision without weighing the pros & cons
By Molly Joss
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“We’d like to offer you the position”. These are exciting words that every recent graduate longs to hear. Finally, someone has offered you a real job. You can start paying off your student loans and maybe even buy a few new things. But wait! Before you say yes, it’s important to take some time to evaluate the job offer.
It’s a big temptation to take the first job offer you receive without considering the details. You may worry that another job offer won’t come along, especially considering the rocky economy, but it’s worth taking your time. No matter what you do, don’t accept any offer on the spot. Even if it’s your dream job, and you’re certain that you’ll accept the offer in the end, you should always take time to evaluate the option.Mental Checklist
The first part of the evaluation process is a checklist of job basics:
Is the salary fair and in line with the pay average of your current location, the job type, and the responsibilities you will be expected to handle?
Are the benefits (health, retirement, vacation, etc.) fair and sufficient for your needs?
Does the job title accurately reflect the main responsibilities of the job?
Are the responsibilities clearly defined, and you are capable of fulfilling them?
These details should be set down in writing by the company in the form of a letter or a formal contract signed by a company representative and by you. Larger companies will do this without being asked. Smaller companies and start-ups may want to operate more informally, but you should still ask for all the pertinent details in writing before you make a final decision.
If the company refuses to put an offer on paper, this should be a clear red flag. Be prepared to walk away from an offer if the company will not write up a formal contract, or if they put it off indefinitely. An email won’t suffice either. It should be a formal letter on company letterhead, signed by a senior executive.
Once you get the offer on paper, make sure it’s complete and includes the checklist items. Go over the details, paying close attention to the job description. Some companies like to keep the descriptions of responsibilities as vague as possible so they can change them later. If the description is vague, work with the company to revise it. Make sure it clearly matches what you were hired to do.
Keep a copy of the agreement at home and another at the office. Start a file that includes all emails, memos, and files that you receive that change or expand your job description. This will be handy material to have for future performance reviews.What to Watch Out For
The first red flag we discussed was companies refusing to put an offer in writing. Oftentimes, these same companies will follow up with our second red flag – they will rush you to make a decision on an offer. They might say things like, “We really want to get moving on this,” or “We’re already behind.” Reputable, well-run companies won’t act like this. To them, hiring decisions are extremely important and should not to be rushed. Similarly, they won’t mind if you take some time to make a good decision as well.
Another thing to watch out for is any company looking for investments. Never invest your own money in a company in order to get a job. If you’re asked to do this, even with a start-up technology company, consider it a scam operation and not a real company.
Sometimes companies have standard employment contracts that try to restrict the employee’s rights even after the employee and company part ways. For example, the contract may say that you cannot work for a competitor for a few months, a year, or even longer after you stop working for your employer. Although the laws on this matter vary from state to state, and such agreements are difficult to enforce for several reasons, there are still companies out there, particularly in the technology field, that try to restrict your rights after you leave the company. I recently saw one contract that said the employee could not work for a competitor or any company the former employer might consider a competitor located anywhere in the world for 12 months after the employee left the company – whether they were fired or left to take another job. That’s unacceptable because your best option for the next job is probably going to be at a competitor.
Similarly, some companies insist that you sign a very restrictive non-disclosure agreement or claim rights to products you developed while employed to them. At times these agreements can be so restrictive, it’s like they’re saying you’re not supposed to use anything you learned while employed by them.
The final word on contracts is to just be careful with any contract you sign. If something seems suspicious to you, take your time, ask plenty of questions, and have the contract looked at by a lawyer before you sign on the dotted line.Good Signs
Just as there are some red flags, there are also some good signs to indicate you’ve found an employer worth working for. If the company pays for ongoing training – a benefit that is particularly useful for technology jobs – that is a great sign. It says the employer values its employees and is willing to invest in their education.
During your experience interviewing with the company, you should ask questions about opportunities for advancement within the company. If the company has a policy of hiring from within, that is also a good sign.If You Decline
If you’re considering a job offer and the red flags start piling up so high you can no longer see the hiring manager’s desk, don’t take the job. As soon as you decide the job is not for you, decline the offer as quickly as possible. You should do so professionally and in writing – again provide a letter on paper and do not send an email. Thank the company for the opportunity and briefly outline the reasons why you decided to decline the offer. A short sentence or two of explanation is sufficient. Worth the Time
It can take a while to find a job, particularly in today’s tough economic times. However, it’s better to find a job that’s right for you, even if it takes longer than you might like, than to jump at the first job that comes your way.
Do research on the companies that you’re considering, and if you’re having trouble deciding on an offer, talk to your friends, family, professors, and to the career planning staff at your college. Discussing the job offer with knowledgeable professionals and weighing your pros and cons will help you make the best possible decision for your future. Molly Joss is an IT veteran who writes about career and job issues, among other topics of note.
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Negotiating a Job Offer
September 10th, 2010
To negotiate or not to negotiate, that is the question. As much as you were excited to hear the words, “Congratulations, you got the job!” you wonder, is it safe to negotiate or should you just accept the offer? This can be a difficult question to answer. After all, the economy is pretty tough right now and you might not have the luxury of multiple offers from which to choose. However, you have nothing to lose by having the discussion. Although the job market might be tight, there are still job offers being made. So here are some of the basics to consider when negotiating an offer.
What’s the Figure?
Once you’ve heard the magic words, “You’re hired,” you should have been given a salary figure. If the offer is given to you by phone, don’t negotiate yet, just ask to get the quote in writing. Human Resources should send you a letter within a few days outlining the salary and benefits of the position (make sure the exact job title is listed on the letter as well), along with a start date.
Step One: Know Your Worth
With the job title and figure in hand, start doing your homework. Go to websites like Salary.com (www.salary.com) and Payscale (www.payscale.com), research the job title, and see how your offer compares to the average person in the field. In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics also has general salary information by industry and location (nationwide, state, and regional). Finally, do not forget your university’s career center and alumni association. Many of them keep salary data of graduates from your institution, so you can see what offers were made to others in your major and how your offer compares.
In addition to gathering information, you need to strategize the upcoming negotiation process. Aside from being armed with salary statistics, you will need to justify why you deserve a higher salary. What do you have to offer an employer? What skills have you acquired from past experience from internships, co-ops, and school activities? Is your area of study (research) of particular interest to this company? Knowing your strengths and what you have to offer will be your major line of defense.
Next, research your field/industry and your future employer. What is the future growth within the industry? Who are your company’s biggest competitors? How is this company doing financially? Having this information will give you an idea of how far you can take the process. For example, if you received an offer from a company in a growing industry—with a lot of competitors—and the research you did for your senior thesis can lead to major advancements in the field, you probably have the upper hand and can go further with negotiations. On the other hand, if the company you are negotiating with has very few competitors and is the industry leader, you may not be able to take it too far.
Finally, use your personal network. Do you know any friends (or relatives of friends) that went into your field, or better yet, work at that company or a competitor? Ask around, you will be surprised by the information you can get from your network.
Step Two: Start the Negotiation Process
Once you have this information in hand, you are ready to start the process of negotiating. Never negotiate with a recruiter or Human Resources; it should always be done with your future boss. The number one rule in salary negotiation is you should not be giving the figure. Have your “magic figure” in your head based on your research, but don’t give that number out. Consider starting with the statement, “Could you tell me what the salary figure is based upon?” If the response sounds similar to, “Well, all of our Engineer 1s start at this figure,” then this is your opportunity to showcase why you deserve more money. Remember the homework you did in step one? Use this information to demonstrate, one point at a time, why you deserve more than all of the other Engineer 1s that will be hired. It is important to take it step-by-step and not to give all of your reasons at one time. With each step, you will be able to get a sense of where the negotiations are going (is your potential boss receptive or is he/she becoming perturbed?) and how far you can take it.
Step Three: Consider Topics Other Than Salary
Salary is not the only bargaining point. If you can’t budge your future employer on increasing your salary, perhaps there are other topics to consider. Gone are the days of huge signing bonuses but maybe this can be an option. However, keep in mind that with bonuses, 50% is usually taken by the U.S. government. Does the company require a lot of overtime with no monetary compensation? See if they will consider giving you an extra day off over and above what is offered for vacation. What is their relocation policy? If they give you a flat sum, possibly you can find the cheapest way to move and pocket the residual money. Finally, if none of the above work, consider asking your potential boss to move up your salary/performance review. Rather than waiting a year to get to that first review, perhaps he/she would be willing to do this process after six to nine months, thus increasing your salary sooner.
Final Step: Close the Negotiation
When it comes to negotiation, my best advice is to go only as far as you feel comfortable. If you have reached your salary goal, or if you get a sense that you have gone as far as possible (your future boss starts to sound annoyed), stop. Always leave the conversation on a positive note. Let your future employer know you are happy to have received the offer, and tell him/her what date you will call them back with your final decision. Never leave an employer hanging.
Despite everything said above, there is nothing wrong with accepting the offer without negotiating for a higher salary. In these times, people are afraid to lose the offer. As long as you have carefully evaluated the offer and it meets the standard requirements, namely, the stated position title/description as previously agreed upon and typical benefits (health, retirement, sick, vacation, etc.), you should be good to go. But it doesn’t hurt to have options.
Graduating from college is a big accomplishment—going through the job search and accepting a job offer is just a culmination of your hard work. So why not take the time to do your research and negotiate the best offer you can? I always tell students, “You probably don’t want to start a job with the thought hanging over your head, ‘I wonder if I got the best deal?’” If done with class and respect, your prospective boss will appreciate the fact that you have done your homework, you know what you are worth, and that you have knowledge about the world of work. In the end, he/she will admire you for it, and most of all, you know you had a hand in the outcome.
Jonie Watanabe Tsuji is a career counselor and career fair coordinator at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.
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Ensuring Our Environment
September 10th, 2010Do something worthwhile with your career at the Environmental Protection Agency
By Nancy J. Mellem
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Since 1970, the EPA has been working for a cleaner, healthier environment for the American people.The EPA employs 17,000 people across the country in their headquarters offices in Washington, DC, 10 regional offices, and more than a dozen labs.Their staff are highly educated and technically trained; more than half are engineers, scientists, and policy analysts. They also employ a large number of legal, public affairs, financial, information management and computer specialists in their mission to protect human health and the environment.
How to Write a Follow up Letter
September 10th, 2010I’d like to reiterate my interest in the position of…
I feel my skills and experience would be a great addition to your company…
It’s one thing to turn on the charm during an interview. There you can follow the flow of small talk, interject pertinent information as needed and heck, you get to talk about yourself! But it’s quite another thing when writing a follow-up letter. We’ve all been there (or will be eventually): sincerely trying to be sincere without sounding as lifeless and flat as a week-old can of soda left open in the refrigerator.
And once you’ve impressed the company with your resume and you’ve come out of the interview feeling good, there’s no need to sweat over your follow-up correspondence, right?
Wrong. Don’t let up now! Remember, you’re still being evaluated.
“I read every thank-you letter and email I receive,” says Lynn Zuraski, recruiting manager at a Deerfield, Ill.-based company. “And a bad letter or email can make the hiring manager think twice.”
It’s very important to treat follow-up letters with the same care as any correspondence you would send to a prospective employer. Any mistakes you make can be just as costly as errors on your resume or cover letter. And as Zuraski says, a mistake at this point might make a hiring manager think twice about hiring you. But follow-up letters also give you an additional opportunity to set yourself apart from the other candidates and cement your place as the perfect person for the job.
True Story #1
In a previous life, my supervisor and I were interviewing candidate for a position on our staff. After a round of interviews, we were down to three candidates. All three sent thank-you letters, but one of them included an egregious grammatical error-we were quickly down to two candidates.
“It’s a great filtering device,” says a human resources professional from Chicago. “It’s another example of how thorough a prospective employee is. It’s like your resume and cover letter: if it’s done well it won’t necessarily put you above another candidate, but if it’s done poorly it will definitely count against you.”
A successful follow-up letter shouldn’t sound like a form letter that you send out to all prospective employers. Remember to reiterate relevant points made during the interview, and keep the tone of the letter professional.
True Story #2
Also in a previous life, I received many cold-call letters pitching ideas for freelance articles. One writer, who I had never met, had never talked to and had never done business with, sent a series of letters that all started with the same salutation-”Dear Bob.” It’s safe to say I never made it past the salutation.
Don’t make the same mistake on your follow-up letters; just because you think you hit it off with the interviewer doesn’t put you on a first-name basis with him or her. If you are not sure how to address your interviewer in a follow-up letter, err on the side of caution, and don’t be overly familiar or casual in the tone of the letter.
The errors that really stick out in follow-up letters, are those committed through carelessness: misspellings, grammatical lapses, and other obvious gaffes that show little thought or preparation was put into the composition of the letter. Proofread, proofread, proofread! And then walk away for a while and proofread it again before you send it. A little effort goes a long way.
Be mindful of the medium by which you send the letter as well. Zuraski says she prefers standard “snail” mail to email. “Mailing a letter takes more of an effort,” she says. “To me, this shows definite interest in the company and appreciation for the time it takes me to interview candidates.”
However, if you are aware that the interview process is moving very quickly, and a decision will be made before a letter will make it through the mail, it makes sense to email instead.
True Story #3
I helped organize a resume/cover letter seminar at an outplacement firm. One job seeker who had worked at the management level for many years sheepishly admitted to the group that he had never written a cover letter or a thank-you letter.
At once, the two facilitators and I cringed, “Oh, no, no, no, no, no.” You need to take advantage of every opportunity you have to set yourself apart from your competition. A follow-up letter can remind the prospective employer of your unique experiences that make you a perfect fit for the position. At the very least, it’s an opportunity to show them that you know how to communicate professionally, which is an important workplace skill. As Zuraski says, your effort alone shows your interest in the job, and it’s imperative that you at least make the effort. Therefore: “Thank you again for your time and consideration.”
Robert Shannon is a freelance writer in Chicago who knows he sounds uptight in True Story #2, but “Dear Bob”? C’mon.
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