Did I Get the Job or Not?
If I don't hear from an employer within two weeks after the interview, should I assume that I didn't get the job?
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If I don't hear from an employer within two weeks after the interview, should I assume that I didn't get the job?
If I'm required to relocate for a job, should relocation assistance be discussed during the interview or after the job has been offered?
If I wear slacks and a blouse to a job interview, instead of a skirt or dress, will I hurt my chances of getting the job?
I'm a job hopper who want to settle down; how should I write my resume to convey my desire for stability to potential employers?
I just graduated from high school and have started applying for my first job. How do I write a resume?
As an executive recruiter, I see large numbers of resumes and speak to companies daily. There are many job opportunities, but fewer than in recent years and with a larger pool of qualified candidates. Thus, the time spent to secure a new role can easily go beyond 6 months.
Now is the time to consider and evaluate three strategies. First, if you decide to enter the workforce, take full advantage of all available tools. The career center is usually an under utilized resource on the college campus. This is a fantastic place to begin the process.
If you are out of school, the career office is still a valuable resource. They are usually happy to assist alums in their efforts. They can also facilitate connecting with alums in your community and/or area of interest.
A second approach would be to enlist aid on job search from books and web sites. Unfortunately, the quantity of suggestions is great, but the quality varies wildly. One source that may prove helpful is "You're Hired Actions to Get and Keep the Job You Love." It is a book designed to assist the reader in all aspects of the job search from resume to negotiations to start up in the new workplace.
This may prove to be a good tool because the author has been a senior corporate executive who hired many professionals, a candidate several times and is a retained executive recruiter. Thus, he provides a broad perspective on the process and provides actions you can implement now to help your search.
The third option is to pursue additional education, full or part time. This is an attractive option. More education and/or training will enable you to develop skills and competencies in an area that you may find appealing. In a two year program, your knowledge will have expanded and you will be exposed to additional possibilities for career pursuits.
If you choose to pursue the educational route, take advantage of internship opportunities during the course of your studies. This combination of experience with academic studies will make you a more attractive candidate for the firm with whom you interned or another firm.
Regardless of your path, now is the time to build on your skills.
Dwain Celistan is an executive recruiter and former senior corporate executive. He is the author of several books, including, "You're Hired" and "College Students 6 Steps to Achieve Your Dreams". He can be reached at dwain@reinvent2achieve.com or visit his websitewww.CareerAccelerationCoach.com
This has become one of the major questions for graduating seniors to answer and when I think about the individual who is faced with this question, I believe you need to first think about the question, "what do I want to do when I grow up?" Here is why - graduate school can be an outstanding path for an individual, not only because it further develops and prepares you for the work world, but it allows you to bide your time for a 1 to 3 year stint away from this economy and its discouraging employment outlook. Let's be honest, a few years from now, we can safely assume you will be graduating with a post-graduate degree in what most believe will be a much better economic climate, so certainly your odds of landing a job are going to increase. It just seems logical, right?
Prior to jumping into grad school, let's consider a few things.
What are you going to graduate school for?
And what do you expect from it?
If you are thinking of law, engineering or perhaps a MS in a specific field in business, such as accounting or finance, I say grad school is a very reasonable option. I say these fields specifically because they relate to a definite end result for which a graduate degree will without doubt better prepare you and in some cases, they are an absolute necessity. For example, if you desire to become a lawyer, unless you are Abe Lincoln, you will be required to go to law school.
Now, if you are thinking about going from undergrad directly into an MBA program, I would advise you to chat with career services and some employers to see how they would value a candidate with a MBA but without full time work experience. When I am asked the question, I typically advise to get a few years of work experience under your belt prior to getting your MBA - if nothing else, that experience helps you gain clarity around the types of industries, roles and responsibilities that are available to you. Once you have that information in hand, you can better understand how a MBA will position you to reach those career objectives. It is also importantly to note, most, if not all, of the top MBA programs require you to have a certain amount of full time work experience prior to applying.
Second, what are the costs associated with graduate school, both monetarily and opportunity?
Did you graduate with student loans? Is debt starting to build up? What are your current costs of living? Here is the reality - only you know your own financial situation. No one wants to pile on more debt, but sometimes your options seem limiting and closing in around you fast. To help make the most informed career decision, each of us needs to be thinking "what is the ROI associated with this career move?" And career moves most certainly includes contemplating graduate school.
The second half of this question asks you to think a bit more abstract - what are you missing out on if you go to grad school? Is there an employment / income opportunity around your corner? In this economy, assuming you have been working diligently in finding an employment opportunity, you most likely know that career options are limited. But to accurately answer this question, you need to self evaluate how intently you have been job searching. Remember, only 19% of the 2009 US graduating class that has actively been pursuing a job has landed one. With a job climate like this, have you done everything possible to find the job you want?
Some helpful ideas...
The fact that you are reading this and beginning to search your options is a great start. Here are a few recommendations to continue the research.
Above all things
Remember, the fact that you are even contemplating graduate school says are you are highly educated, qualified and most importantly, that you have options. Having options in life is what makes life fun, challenging and rewarding. I wish you the best of luck!
Guest post by, Vin McCaffrey, Founder and CEO of Game Theory Group International
Will sites like CareerScribe and VisualCV one day replace the traditional resume? Please explain why or why not.
How important is it for college students or recent graduates to have experience studying or working in a foreign country?
Given the state of the economy, is it a good idea to negotiate salary? If so, when's the right time to do so?
Will getting a master's degree automatically qualify me for a higher salary?
Will staying in school or returning to school to get a master's degree improve my chances of getting a job?