The question of inclusion of GPA on a resume is one I get from time to time, and is a topic worth exploring. There are differing schools of thought on what your GPA needs to be to include it on your resume. Some say if it isn’t 3.0 or above then don’t include it. Others believe a GPA above 3.5 is considered exceptional. In either case, I personally wouldn’t personally list anything below a 3.0. Doing so gives the screener nothing more than an arbitrary reason to disqualify you based on a number.
My experience has always been that candidates who have high GPA’s can set themselves apart initially from those who do not. I have to admit at least at a glance it is more impressive to see a candidate with a 3.8 GPA versus the applicant who lists a 2.8. Keep in mind that the average GPA in college is around 2.6 or 2.7, so anything at or below this will plant a “below average” perception of you at a glance. In some fields, such as those of a more technical nature, listing a GPA is pretty much a given as they will want to know what it is. Most non-technical fields are not so strict. Make sure if you do choose to list your GPA that you use an actual number that matches transcripts, and not just a guess. It won’t help your credibility any if you list a 3.6, when in reality your GPA is a 3.3.
I often see cases where candidates have achieved higher grades in their major versus the conglomerate of classes taken overall (particularly when taking into account the generals that are required to be taken). In this type of situation, consider including your GPA within your major if it is significantly higher than your overall GPA. Or perhaps you were a late bloomer (or just played around too much the first couple of years), and your GPA during the last few years was higher. If so, then list it accordingly.
What if you did not graduate from college? This really depends on the requirements and views of the specific employer, but the rule of thumb I always follow is that if you have completed some college, then definitely list it. If you have not completed anything at all, then explore this topic – addressing the lack of a degree on your resume.
Finally, as you progress during your career upward, the need to list your GPA diminishes. There is not one reason I can think of for someone who is 10 to 15 years into his/her career, and who has a track of upward progression to list a GPA. The farther away the date of the degree becomes, the less need to list your GPA.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Monday, April 9, 2012
Would you spend $50 for someone to convert a resume in Word to text format? Beware of this, and other SCAMS
This morning I was informed by a job seeker that he had paid a handsome sum for a resume writer to convert his resume to a format that could be posted online. I will make it clear that I do not advocate posting your resume online in any way, shape or form (The pitfalls of posting your resume online), but if you insist on doing so, don’t throw away your money by having someone do it (and convince you it is “difficult” to do). It’s just another in the long line of scams out there to upsell services beyond resume creation.
This type of resume is commonly called a text resume, or referred to as ASCII, and is intended for website posting. Simply open your resume in Word, then simply complete the following:
1. Click Edit → Select All
2. Click Edit → Copy
3. Click Start → Programs → Accessories → Notepad (this opens the Notepad program)
4. Click Edit → Paste
5. Turn on the “Word-wrap” feature in the “Format” drop-down menu
6. Save the resume as “yourname.txt” (for example, “JohnGill.txt”).
You have now saved your resume in .txt format, and it is ready to post. Let me reiterate; there are many more productive ways to conduct your job search (Does Your Job Search Strategy Follow the Numbers?), and posting your resume online is not one I recommend.
In fact, let me go beyond overpaying for someone to complete something that takes a minute to do on your own. I would advise you to be cautious of the majority of “add-ons” being touted in addition to a resume. Let me compare it to an experience I has this morning. I had to get the oil changed in my car, happened to drive by such an establishment, and noticed there were two docks empty. So I turned in, and got the oil changed. I am there for one thing – to change the oil. However, it becomes an opportunity for them to “sell” me on about 20 other things. Suddenly I am being barraged with “needs” to replace a barely touched air filter, windshield wipers, etc. It’s even being suggested that they should wash out the inside of my headlights, and rotate my tires, which by the way I just had rotated about 200 miles ago and keep up on it regularly since I paid for lifetime rotations and balances when I bought the tires! Get the picture? They attempted to sell me on anything and everything they could, even when it was unnecessary. The bottom line: they are in business to make money.
I have people all the time tell me how they paid hundreds and hundreds of dollars for customized cover letters for every single position (and they are encouraged to apply A LOT), LinkedIn profiles, bios, Thank You letters, follow up letters electronic resumes, scannable resumes. I haven’t even mentioned the companies that charge anywhere from $19.95 to $750 to spam your resume to “hundreds of recruiters,” and that may take the cake as the biggest scam of all. What starts as a simple need for a resume turns into hundreds to upwards of a thousand or more in “necessities” you didn’t even know you needed. And truth be told, 90% of them you don’t. Kind of like when I went to change the oil in my car.
I am going to be addressing some of the specifics in upcoming posts (and there are many). For now, just be aware of the actual return on money spent before opening your wallet for these types of services. If you still have money burning a hole in your pocket that you are intent on using, try some of these instead:
- Spend it to join a professional association or two (or more), and attend the meetings
- Take 10 people in your network to lunch, or 25 to coffee
- Invest in courses or certifications that will progress your career
Network, network, and network some more. Use LinkedIn, and increase your visibility (for free). Do yourself a favor, and don’t waste money on ineffective and useless products and services.
This type of resume is commonly called a text resume, or referred to as ASCII, and is intended for website posting. Simply open your resume in Word, then simply complete the following:
1. Click Edit → Select All
2. Click Edit → Copy
3. Click Start → Programs → Accessories → Notepad (this opens the Notepad program)
4. Click Edit → Paste
5. Turn on the “Word-wrap” feature in the “Format” drop-down menu
6. Save the resume as “yourname.txt” (for example, “JohnGill.txt”).
You have now saved your resume in .txt format, and it is ready to post. Let me reiterate; there are many more productive ways to conduct your job search (Does Your Job Search Strategy Follow the Numbers?), and posting your resume online is not one I recommend.
In fact, let me go beyond overpaying for someone to complete something that takes a minute to do on your own. I would advise you to be cautious of the majority of “add-ons” being touted in addition to a resume. Let me compare it to an experience I has this morning. I had to get the oil changed in my car, happened to drive by such an establishment, and noticed there were two docks empty. So I turned in, and got the oil changed. I am there for one thing – to change the oil. However, it becomes an opportunity for them to “sell” me on about 20 other things. Suddenly I am being barraged with “needs” to replace a barely touched air filter, windshield wipers, etc. It’s even being suggested that they should wash out the inside of my headlights, and rotate my tires, which by the way I just had rotated about 200 miles ago and keep up on it regularly since I paid for lifetime rotations and balances when I bought the tires! Get the picture? They attempted to sell me on anything and everything they could, even when it was unnecessary. The bottom line: they are in business to make money.
I have people all the time tell me how they paid hundreds and hundreds of dollars for customized cover letters for every single position (and they are encouraged to apply A LOT), LinkedIn profiles, bios, Thank You letters, follow up letters electronic resumes, scannable resumes. I haven’t even mentioned the companies that charge anywhere from $19.95 to $750 to spam your resume to “hundreds of recruiters,” and that may take the cake as the biggest scam of all. What starts as a simple need for a resume turns into hundreds to upwards of a thousand or more in “necessities” you didn’t even know you needed. And truth be told, 90% of them you don’t. Kind of like when I went to change the oil in my car.
I am going to be addressing some of the specifics in upcoming posts (and there are many). For now, just be aware of the actual return on money spent before opening your wallet for these types of services. If you still have money burning a hole in your pocket that you are intent on using, try some of these instead:
- Spend it to join a professional association or two (or more), and attend the meetings
- Take 10 people in your network to lunch, or 25 to coffee
- Invest in courses or certifications that will progress your career
Network, network, and network some more. Use LinkedIn, and increase your visibility (for free). Do yourself a favor, and don’t waste money on ineffective and useless products and services.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Join Professional Associations and Attend Meetings
Joining a professional association not only gives you an opportunity to become known in the industry and/or community, but it can also help build your brand, expand your business contacts, and most beneficially can enhance your job prospects. The latter is of most value to job seekers, as it is just one more way to tap into the hidden job market. The meetings themselves are usually filled with employees, managers and executives in the specific industry, and allows for chances to mingle and network. I have found professional associations to be valuable also in that you can share ideas, to ask for advice, volunteer to be a speaker or become a member of a committee. You also have an opportunity to communicate with others who may also be looking to share and learn new information, and if you are lucky you may even gain a new mentor.
Let me just throw out this piece of advice to follow when you are at a networking function such as this – strive for quality over quantity when it comes to contacts. Don’t be “that guy” who shows up and annoys every single person in the room for 10-15 seconds, business cards in tow. The only thing that is memorable about him is the mental not I have made to avoid him at the next meeting. I’m going to go out on a limb and guess he wasn’t received too positively by anyone else in attendance either. Rather, focus on striking up meaningful conversations and developing productive contacts with one or two people. One job seeker who I spoke to recently told me how showing up to one meeting, and making meaningful contacts with two people have literally led her to double her business in a short period of time. She didn’t talk to the entire crowd, because she didn’t need to. I speak from both personal experience as well as the experience of others when I say that making just a few contacts each time is the most productive method.
In the preceding discussion I have spoken more about the benefits derived from attending meetings, but there are also many perks from just being a member. One of these is the membership-only job listings a number have, either online or in print, and available only to members. It makes sense to advertise this way, because in theory the best candidates should be found among current industry professionals. I have also seen many associations that offer additional professional development options in the form of seminars, training or certification classes. Most often these classes and trainings can be completed through webcasts or podcasts, making it easy for you to do in the comfort of your own home. And don’t limit yourself to joining only associations exclusively in your area. There are numerous opportunities to join associations on social media sites such as LinkedIn, and now Twellow. If you aren’t taking advantage of participating in forums, chat groups or discussion boards on LinkedIn, you are not fully utilizing potential avenues that could lead to new employment.
There are associations for nearly every profession or area of interest, and many have national, state and regional chapters. To find associations that are of interest to you, simply go to Google and conduct a search. Three other resources that I have found very helpful:
Associations Unlimited - a database comprised profiles of approximately 460,000 international and U.S. national, regional, state, and local nonprofit membership organizations in all fields,
Weddle's Guide to Associations - http://www.weddles.com/associations/index.cfm
American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Gateway to Associations Directory - http://www.asaecenter.org/Community/Directories/AssociationSearch.cfm
Finally, listing your association membership on your resume is a way to demonstrate to potential employers that you are dedicated to staying connected in your profession. In some cases, it shows you are dedicated to staying in the industry, period. This is especially true when job applicants have two or more career paths, and it otherwise could be uncertain which path they want to continue on. If I can see a current membership in an industry specific association, it makes me feel a bit more assured of the intent. Along the same lines, don’t list previous memberships that are unrelated to the career path you want to pursue as they can bring unnecessary questions or concerns.
Let me just throw out this piece of advice to follow when you are at a networking function such as this – strive for quality over quantity when it comes to contacts. Don’t be “that guy” who shows up and annoys every single person in the room for 10-15 seconds, business cards in tow. The only thing that is memorable about him is the mental not I have made to avoid him at the next meeting. I’m going to go out on a limb and guess he wasn’t received too positively by anyone else in attendance either. Rather, focus on striking up meaningful conversations and developing productive contacts with one or two people. One job seeker who I spoke to recently told me how showing up to one meeting, and making meaningful contacts with two people have literally led her to double her business in a short period of time. She didn’t talk to the entire crowd, because she didn’t need to. I speak from both personal experience as well as the experience of others when I say that making just a few contacts each time is the most productive method.
In the preceding discussion I have spoken more about the benefits derived from attending meetings, but there are also many perks from just being a member. One of these is the membership-only job listings a number have, either online or in print, and available only to members. It makes sense to advertise this way, because in theory the best candidates should be found among current industry professionals. I have also seen many associations that offer additional professional development options in the form of seminars, training or certification classes. Most often these classes and trainings can be completed through webcasts or podcasts, making it easy for you to do in the comfort of your own home. And don’t limit yourself to joining only associations exclusively in your area. There are numerous opportunities to join associations on social media sites such as LinkedIn, and now Twellow. If you aren’t taking advantage of participating in forums, chat groups or discussion boards on LinkedIn, you are not fully utilizing potential avenues that could lead to new employment.
There are associations for nearly every profession or area of interest, and many have national, state and regional chapters. To find associations that are of interest to you, simply go to Google and conduct a search. Three other resources that I have found very helpful:
Associations Unlimited - a database comprised profiles of approximately 460,000 international and U.S. national, regional, state, and local nonprofit membership organizations in all fields,
Weddle's Guide to Associations - http://www.weddles.com/associations/index.cfm
American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Gateway to Associations Directory - http://www.asaecenter.org/Community/Directories/AssociationSearch.cfm
Finally, listing your association membership on your resume is a way to demonstrate to potential employers that you are dedicated to staying connected in your profession. In some cases, it shows you are dedicated to staying in the industry, period. This is especially true when job applicants have two or more career paths, and it otherwise could be uncertain which path they want to continue on. If I can see a current membership in an industry specific association, it makes me feel a bit more assured of the intent. Along the same lines, don’t list previous memberships that are unrelated to the career path you want to pursue as they can bring unnecessary questions or concerns.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Job Board Alternatives
When I sit down or speak to job seekers who are struggling to get interviews or find a job, there always seems to be one commonality among them – they are spending over 90% of their time searching the big job boards, and some are literally applying to every single position advertised regardless of qualifications or chances of actually landing the job. The time spent is completely wasted, and the strategy in terms of numbers is almost opposite of what they should be doing. Statistically speaking, the breakdown in the time you spend on your job search should be more closely matching the following:
80% networking
10% with agencies/recruiting firms
10% applying to positions posted online, in a newspaper, or other publicly advertised method
(Full article here)
The hidden job market is where they should be spending the bulk of their time, and activities such as networking should be emphasized. There does need though to be time devoted to keeping up with jobs posted online, but there are some alternatives that can help maximize the time spent, and provide options in addition to the big job boards.
- Industry newsletters are great in that many contain job postings not otherwise found online or in the newspaper.
- Sign up for alumni listerves at your University or College, current student or not. These can be very helpful as they are exclusively for alumni and in addition to job postings are a great way to connect with other alumni.
- Search for and follow blogs pertinent to your industry, particularly those that have job postings. It may take some work up front, but stumbling upon postings that are not found elsewhere will be a huge advantage down the line.
- Join a professional association and actively attend meetings. These avenues not only give you an opportunity to become known in the industry and/or community, but it can also help build your brand, expand your business contacts, and most beneficially can enhance your job prospects.
- Use Twitter as part of your job search to connect with others in your industry, search job postings and follow companies. It’s important to also be aware of the most commonly used hashtags relevant to job seekers.
- Follow companies on LinkedIn and join industry groups in order to keep apprised of the latest jobs, many of which are posted before the job boards or not at all.
The problem with job boards is that you are going to be one out of a thousand applicants, and some of the jobs posted are actually scams and don’t exist. Don’t rely heavily on this method, because the results do not follow the successful recipe for a job search strategy. Think outside the box, and be creative. The more personal interaction you can garner or the more exclusive the job postings you can locate, the higher your chances for securing a position.
80% networking
10% with agencies/recruiting firms
10% applying to positions posted online, in a newspaper, or other publicly advertised method
(Full article here)
The hidden job market is where they should be spending the bulk of their time, and activities such as networking should be emphasized. There does need though to be time devoted to keeping up with jobs posted online, but there are some alternatives that can help maximize the time spent, and provide options in addition to the big job boards.
- Industry newsletters are great in that many contain job postings not otherwise found online or in the newspaper.
- Sign up for alumni listerves at your University or College, current student or not. These can be very helpful as they are exclusively for alumni and in addition to job postings are a great way to connect with other alumni.
- Search for and follow blogs pertinent to your industry, particularly those that have job postings. It may take some work up front, but stumbling upon postings that are not found elsewhere will be a huge advantage down the line.
- Join a professional association and actively attend meetings. These avenues not only give you an opportunity to become known in the industry and/or community, but it can also help build your brand, expand your business contacts, and most beneficially can enhance your job prospects.
- Use Twitter as part of your job search to connect with others in your industry, search job postings and follow companies. It’s important to also be aware of the most commonly used hashtags relevant to job seekers.
- Follow companies on LinkedIn and join industry groups in order to keep apprised of the latest jobs, many of which are posted before the job boards or not at all.
The problem with job boards is that you are going to be one out of a thousand applicants, and some of the jobs posted are actually scams and don’t exist. Don’t rely heavily on this method, because the results do not follow the successful recipe for a job search strategy. Think outside the box, and be creative. The more personal interaction you can garner or the more exclusive the job postings you can locate, the higher your chances for securing a position.
12 Ways to Avoid Blowing Your Internship this Summer
In a competitive job market, there is certainly is a need to make yourself stand out among the sea of candidates. For those of you who are graduating seniors, I’m sure you have been told a time or two that employers prefer to hire applicants who have career-related work experience. The experience gained from an internship can serve as a crucial addition to your resume, and could lead to an offer if you impress the employer enough. Although the internship you undertake might not be a perfect match for your major or your chosen career path, it still can provide you transferable skills, develop a strong work ethic, and give you as a candidate a competitive edge. Your internship can afford you ample opportunities to network, apply knowledge gained in the classroom to the real world, and decide if the specific field really is right for you.
The reasons to complete an internship are plentiful, but once you secure an internship opportunity, don’t simply assume all you have to do is show up. You should be prepared to work hard, and put your best foot forward. I have both seen and heard the horror stories in which interns did not work out. I have compiled a list of 12 DON’TS as a guide to use during your own internship to make sure you don’t blow it and end up as another story on the
• DON’T play on or use electronic devices during work hours. Phone calls, texts, games, and listening to music (unless it is permissible) are not going to impress your employer, and may even get you dismissed. Save ‘Words with Friends’ or responding to text messages for breaks or lunch.
• DON’T sleep while you should be working. While I’m sure you are chuckling by now, I wouldn’t be mentioning if it has not happened before.
• DON’T violate your employer’s policies. Being constantly late for work, failing to report absences in advance or misusing equipment creates a reputation of not caring or being unreliable. Violating other policies, such as confidentiality, safety or those involving sexual harassment usually will result in immediate dismissal. You could find yourself in hot water with the law, too.
• DON’T dress inappropriately. Look, I was a college and grad student not too long ago myself, and I was known for dressing comfortably; flip flops, shorts, hats, t-shirts, sweatshirts. That usually changes when you are working as a professional. If you are a male and your internship dress code requires a shirt and tie, then wear a shirt and tie. If you are female and expected to wear a button up blouse and skirt to your knees, then it’s probably not a good idea to show up in a halter top and mini skirt. Unless your internship is on a beach, leave the sandals and bathing suits at home.
• DON’T lack initiative! Without trying to take on more than you can handle, actively look for ways you can make a difference by being proactive. There is nothing worse as a manager than to constantly have to be telling people what to do when they could easily be taking initiative and doing it on their own. Keep this in mind.
• DON’T blame others for your mistakes. We all mistakes, and particularly in a situation like a new job or internship you aren’t going to be expected to be perfect. But if you start developing a reputation for shifting blame, you aren’t desirable to hire, either.
• DON’T NOT take notes when important instructions pertinent to your job are being provided. Avoid becoming known as someone who can’t remember processes because you neglect writing them down. I once had a trial employee for a day who thought she didn’t need to take notes, even when I reminded her three separate times. It turned out her memory was not as good as she thought, because she spent the remaining seven hours trying to figure out what she was supposed to do. She was not invited back the next day.
• DON’T try to do too much. It is admirable to show your abilities and initiative, but taking on too much responsibility can backfire on you. Ironically you may actually be perceived as unorganized or incapable by trying to bite off more than you can chew. Take on a reasonable amount of projects or responsibilities, and execute those first before trying to take the load off the shoulders of ten people.
• DON’T eat outside of designated areas. If the company has a designated breakroom for eating, use it. Conversely if a policy is in place that outlaws food or drink at your desk, adhere to it.
• DON’T ask for ridiculous reimbursements. I have heard the stories of interns asking to be reimbursed for parking, bus fare or subway fees. Unless your employer specifically mentions such reimbursements as part of the overall package, then don’t embarrass yourself by asking for them.
• DON’T act entitled. Entitlement among younger workers is the number one complaint I hear from companies and clients, and it’s not even close. I have had many newly graduated college students tell me in interviews they will not take anything less than a position at the director level. Let me repeat that. I have I have had many newly graduated college students tell me in interviews they will not take anything less than a position at the director level. And they are dead serious. Early on in your career you should not expect to walk in and be presented a corner office or a parking spot with your name on it. It’s going to take time and proving your worth first. Acting entitled is a sure fire way of making sure this process is delayed or never happens at all.
• DON’T become upset at grunt work. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the reality of many internships is that they are created to fulfill the menial tasks. You have to start somewhere, so grin and bear it, do a good job, and keep in mind that you won’t be running to Starbucks or color-coding files forever. Well, not unless you complain too loudly and ruin opportunities for advancement.
Overall, make your internship an enjoyable experience and do try to have some fun along the way. Seek out ways to add value to the company through tangible achievements that will not only reflect well on a resume, but will also reflect well for you with your manager and with the organization. Ask questions when you need to, set and attain some goals, and learn all that you can about the industry and the company. You may even pick up a mentor along the way, and could even find yourself with an offer with the company.
The reasons to complete an internship are plentiful, but once you secure an internship opportunity, don’t simply assume all you have to do is show up. You should be prepared to work hard, and put your best foot forward. I have both seen and heard the horror stories in which interns did not work out. I have compiled a list of 12 DON’TS as a guide to use during your own internship to make sure you don’t blow it and end up as another story on the
• DON’T play on or use electronic devices during work hours. Phone calls, texts, games, and listening to music (unless it is permissible) are not going to impress your employer, and may even get you dismissed. Save ‘Words with Friends’ or responding to text messages for breaks or lunch.
• DON’T sleep while you should be working. While I’m sure you are chuckling by now, I wouldn’t be mentioning if it has not happened before.
• DON’T violate your employer’s policies. Being constantly late for work, failing to report absences in advance or misusing equipment creates a reputation of not caring or being unreliable. Violating other policies, such as confidentiality, safety or those involving sexual harassment usually will result in immediate dismissal. You could find yourself in hot water with the law, too.
• DON’T dress inappropriately. Look, I was a college and grad student not too long ago myself, and I was known for dressing comfortably; flip flops, shorts, hats, t-shirts, sweatshirts. That usually changes when you are working as a professional. If you are a male and your internship dress code requires a shirt and tie, then wear a shirt and tie. If you are female and expected to wear a button up blouse and skirt to your knees, then it’s probably not a good idea to show up in a halter top and mini skirt. Unless your internship is on a beach, leave the sandals and bathing suits at home.
• DON’T lack initiative! Without trying to take on more than you can handle, actively look for ways you can make a difference by being proactive. There is nothing worse as a manager than to constantly have to be telling people what to do when they could easily be taking initiative and doing it on their own. Keep this in mind.
• DON’T blame others for your mistakes. We all mistakes, and particularly in a situation like a new job or internship you aren’t going to be expected to be perfect. But if you start developing a reputation for shifting blame, you aren’t desirable to hire, either.
• DON’T NOT take notes when important instructions pertinent to your job are being provided. Avoid becoming known as someone who can’t remember processes because you neglect writing them down. I once had a trial employee for a day who thought she didn’t need to take notes, even when I reminded her three separate times. It turned out her memory was not as good as she thought, because she spent the remaining seven hours trying to figure out what she was supposed to do. She was not invited back the next day.
• DON’T try to do too much. It is admirable to show your abilities and initiative, but taking on too much responsibility can backfire on you. Ironically you may actually be perceived as unorganized or incapable by trying to bite off more than you can chew. Take on a reasonable amount of projects or responsibilities, and execute those first before trying to take the load off the shoulders of ten people.
• DON’T eat outside of designated areas. If the company has a designated breakroom for eating, use it. Conversely if a policy is in place that outlaws food or drink at your desk, adhere to it.
• DON’T ask for ridiculous reimbursements. I have heard the stories of interns asking to be reimbursed for parking, bus fare or subway fees. Unless your employer specifically mentions such reimbursements as part of the overall package, then don’t embarrass yourself by asking for them.
• DON’T act entitled. Entitlement among younger workers is the number one complaint I hear from companies and clients, and it’s not even close. I have had many newly graduated college students tell me in interviews they will not take anything less than a position at the director level. Let me repeat that. I have I have had many newly graduated college students tell me in interviews they will not take anything less than a position at the director level. And they are dead serious. Early on in your career you should not expect to walk in and be presented a corner office or a parking spot with your name on it. It’s going to take time and proving your worth first. Acting entitled is a sure fire way of making sure this process is delayed or never happens at all.
• DON’T become upset at grunt work. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the reality of many internships is that they are created to fulfill the menial tasks. You have to start somewhere, so grin and bear it, do a good job, and keep in mind that you won’t be running to Starbucks or color-coding files forever. Well, not unless you complain too loudly and ruin opportunities for advancement.
Overall, make your internship an enjoyable experience and do try to have some fun along the way. Seek out ways to add value to the company through tangible achievements that will not only reflect well on a resume, but will also reflect well for you with your manager and with the organization. Ask questions when you need to, set and attain some goals, and learn all that you can about the industry and the company. You may even pick up a mentor along the way, and could even find yourself with an offer with the company.
Monday, April 2, 2012
How to Handle Resignations
As bad as things may have become, or as much as you want to take a parting shot at your soon to be “former employer”, it’s best to bite your tongue and take the high road. These are commonly emotionally charged situations, and doing something regrettable now can end up haunting you in the future. Trust me, I have seen more than one person who has waged a small war versus a former employer, only to end up having no course for which to retreat when a much needed reference is required in the future, or when paths cross professionally in some capacity again. It happens all the time.
A recent and much publicized letter by Greg Smith was published for the world to read in The New York Times as to why he resigned from Goldman Sachs, and it was not pretty. Mr. Smith provides a quite detailed account of the reasoning or such, and at one point calls Goldman a "toxic and destructive" work environment. I’m not here to judge whether what Mr. Smith did was right or wrong, as there have certainly been supporters on both sides of the fence. However one fact that is inescapable and undeniable at this point is that since it is public, it could at some point (or many points) be to his detriment. In the same manner, a scathing letter to a former employer in writing does not go away. It may feel good to emit frustrations at the moment, but there is no telling what harm that letter could do to you and your career down the line.
I have come up with five things you want to make sure you follow when resigning from a position. Not only will you leave more dignified than if you lash out, but it will also curtail potential issues that may arise and harm your job prospects.
• Avoid publicly airing dirty laundry on Facebook or Twitter – as tempting as it may be to vent and gain support from friends and family in order to feel vindicated on a public forum such as Facebook or Twitter, DON’T DO IT! Once anything is posted online – words, pictures, feelings – they are there forever. Even if you quickly delete or recant statements, keep in mind it only takes a split second for someone viewing it to capture an image on a screen shot or with a cell phone. It may seem you are getting revenge for the moment, but these situations always end up painting you in a bad light in the end. Avoid it all costs – it is not worth the damage it will cause you.
• Do it in person – whenever possible, extend the courtesy of resigning in person, with a letter in tow that can be presented at that time so that it is in writing. There are times when it is not possible to do it in person, such as in the case of a remote employee. But most cases do allow for it, and there is just a respect factor shown when taken care of face-to-face. Often times these experiences allow for opportunities to clear the air or bury hatchets. I would just advise to not let the discussion turn into the opposite; don’t let the conversation turn into pouring more salt on the wounds or fueling the fire. This will only make the situation much worse.
• Submit a resignation letter in writing – state the date you are submitting it, the date the resignation is effective, and thank your employer for the opportunity. Do not write anything negative or disparaging about the company or your co-workers. Keep it concise, and straight to the point. I am writing this post under the pretense of avoiding the negative effects, but there are other reasons for writing a resignation letter as well. You could be relocating, pursuing an opportunity to attend school, or otherwise. In cases such as these, convey your gratitude for the opportunities you have been given to grow professionally and personally, and if possible, give your employer more than the allotted time required for notice in order to ensure they are fully prepared to transition your position without any hitches.
• Honor the commitment for proper notice – if the policy for the company is 2 weeks, then give them the courtesy of 2 weeks. Offer to assist in transitioning the position or in finding a replacement if possible. Don’t use your leaving as an opportunity to leave the company in a lurch for purposes of revenge. I promise you, bad karma will eventually find a way of appearing back at you. There are a few cases where it is warranted to leave before the suggested time period, especially in situations where hostility or extreme negativity are present. There is no reason to continue on just to fulfill a time commitment if you are going to be subject to further abuse.
• Don’t let your negative emotions show in interviews – no matter how prodded you may be to give negative reasons for leaving a previous employer, don’t take the bait! I can’t count the number of times in an interview where the candidate says the right things, but the body language and tone of voice tell a different story. Do whatever you need to do in order to eliminate the negativity attached to your last position, because if you don’t, we observe it. It’s comparable to a gray cloud hanging over you; it’s noticeable. Nobody wants to hire gloom and doom.
A recent and much publicized letter by Greg Smith was published for the world to read in The New York Times as to why he resigned from Goldman Sachs, and it was not pretty. Mr. Smith provides a quite detailed account of the reasoning or such, and at one point calls Goldman a "toxic and destructive" work environment. I’m not here to judge whether what Mr. Smith did was right or wrong, as there have certainly been supporters on both sides of the fence. However one fact that is inescapable and undeniable at this point is that since it is public, it could at some point (or many points) be to his detriment. In the same manner, a scathing letter to a former employer in writing does not go away. It may feel good to emit frustrations at the moment, but there is no telling what harm that letter could do to you and your career down the line.
I have come up with five things you want to make sure you follow when resigning from a position. Not only will you leave more dignified than if you lash out, but it will also curtail potential issues that may arise and harm your job prospects.
• Avoid publicly airing dirty laundry on Facebook or Twitter – as tempting as it may be to vent and gain support from friends and family in order to feel vindicated on a public forum such as Facebook or Twitter, DON’T DO IT! Once anything is posted online – words, pictures, feelings – they are there forever. Even if you quickly delete or recant statements, keep in mind it only takes a split second for someone viewing it to capture an image on a screen shot or with a cell phone. It may seem you are getting revenge for the moment, but these situations always end up painting you in a bad light in the end. Avoid it all costs – it is not worth the damage it will cause you.
• Do it in person – whenever possible, extend the courtesy of resigning in person, with a letter in tow that can be presented at that time so that it is in writing. There are times when it is not possible to do it in person, such as in the case of a remote employee. But most cases do allow for it, and there is just a respect factor shown when taken care of face-to-face. Often times these experiences allow for opportunities to clear the air or bury hatchets. I would just advise to not let the discussion turn into the opposite; don’t let the conversation turn into pouring more salt on the wounds or fueling the fire. This will only make the situation much worse.
• Submit a resignation letter in writing – state the date you are submitting it, the date the resignation is effective, and thank your employer for the opportunity. Do not write anything negative or disparaging about the company or your co-workers. Keep it concise, and straight to the point. I am writing this post under the pretense of avoiding the negative effects, but there are other reasons for writing a resignation letter as well. You could be relocating, pursuing an opportunity to attend school, or otherwise. In cases such as these, convey your gratitude for the opportunities you have been given to grow professionally and personally, and if possible, give your employer more than the allotted time required for notice in order to ensure they are fully prepared to transition your position without any hitches.
• Honor the commitment for proper notice – if the policy for the company is 2 weeks, then give them the courtesy of 2 weeks. Offer to assist in transitioning the position or in finding a replacement if possible. Don’t use your leaving as an opportunity to leave the company in a lurch for purposes of revenge. I promise you, bad karma will eventually find a way of appearing back at you. There are a few cases where it is warranted to leave before the suggested time period, especially in situations where hostility or extreme negativity are present. There is no reason to continue on just to fulfill a time commitment if you are going to be subject to further abuse.
• Don’t let your negative emotions show in interviews – no matter how prodded you may be to give negative reasons for leaving a previous employer, don’t take the bait! I can’t count the number of times in an interview where the candidate says the right things, but the body language and tone of voice tell a different story. Do whatever you need to do in order to eliminate the negativity attached to your last position, because if you don’t, we observe it. It’s comparable to a gray cloud hanging over you; it’s noticeable. Nobody wants to hire gloom and doom.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Interview Order – Is There an Actual Advantage or Psychology to This?
I don’t get this question posed to me often, but once in a while it comes up, and is worth addressing. The inquiry is this, and is composed of two parts: is there an advantage to the place in order in which I interview, and is there a strategy hiring managers or recruiters use when setting the order of interviews? The third part of this question – are there any psychological effects in terms of order that affect the interviewer’s decision as to who is ultimately selected for the job?
The most common theme in relation to these questions has to do with the primacy and recency effects. These are terms used in psychology to describe the effect of order of presentation on memory. The primacy effect results in events or information presented earlier being better remembered than information presented later on. The recency effect results in better recall of the most recent event or information presented. Combined, these two effects are said to lead the earliest and latest event or information in a given presentation being recalled best, with the event or information in the middle being least remembered. In other words, the first and last people interviewed will stand out in the interviewer’s mind the best, and those interviewees in the middle will be forgotten.
Interesting notions, but how much truth do they hold? Although there have been extensive studies conducted in social psychology on these two effects, the findings have varied. Some studies have supported the theory of primacy, others the theory of recency, and other studies showed no effects for primacy or recency. Outside factors such as the person’s ability and motivation to process the persuasive communication, the context in which the information is learned or presented, and the individual’s attitude toward the information being presented are also contributors. The answer to the question is – it depends.
I cannot honestly think back to a time when a group of interviewees were interviewed and only remember the first or last; what I remember were the candidates who were “memorable” because of specific traits, background or real-life experiences. And not all were positive, so even though it is possible that an interviewer could be impacted by primacy and/or recency effects, an interview that did not go well will stand out as negative. There seems to be a strong assumption among some people that just because one interviews first or last it will give him/her a distinct advantage. Again, it depends on factors that influence the interviewer, but if a candidate in the first or last slot blows the interview, it will make no difference at all. Let me take this opportunity to stress the most important factor of all, and that is I would be much more concerned with how you actually prepare for and perform in the interview versus where in the pecking order you are placed. If you cannot demonstrate you are the best candidate, you will not get the job. Period.
It seems to me there is a small faction of people who have almost turned this otherwise non-issue into some kind of conspiracy theory as to why they are not being selected for jobs. I have run into a handful during my time, and in my experience the order they interviewed has nothing to do with it. However, their interviewing skills, experience, and abilities relative to the position and in comparison with the other candidates do. If you find yourself being passed up time after time after time, you probably want to examine your actual interviews instead of placing blame on the order you interviewed in. Further, realize that the order of interviewees most times is simply luck of the draw, with no thought whatsoever by the interviewer put into who interviews when. The order is commonly determined by who fits into interview slots when, or I have also seen it determined alphabetically. No conspiracy theories in these situations.
It is true that once resumes have been sorted, and skills and experienced assessed on paper, that sometimes a leading candidate (or candidates) emerges. But this is why interviews are held, so that interviewers can see firsthand if the same luster shines off the paper, too. So even if there is a leading or first choice candidate, there is no way of telling that this individual won’t blow the interview. It does happen, and whether this person was first, last or in the middle, it is irrelevant.
Now there is one way I can think of where there is a definite strategy in which interview orders are set. Sometimes recruiters do this, and save the best candidates for last. The reason is that they can glean information from earlier interviewees in terms of questions asked, stressed requirements, and client feedback in order to better prepare subsequent candidates with additional information. But it does not always translate into the candidates deemed by recruiters as being the best receiving the offer. Again, is an interview is blown, it won’t matter that he/she interviewed last. Or it may simply a matter of the client liking someone different. As with the other examples, it has less to do with the order, and more to do with the actual interview.
The bottom line is, there are many other factors that play into who is ultimately selected for a position outside of what slot in the order he/she interviews. While it is true that some interviewers are influenced by recency or primacy effects, other interviewers are not. My recommendation is rather than placing emphasis or worrying about where in the order your interview is going to occur, focus instead on the interview itself. Taking time to research the company, prepare good questions, and think about how you are going to answer questions with real-life achievements will carry much more weight to how you are remembered versus whether you were first or last.
The most common theme in relation to these questions has to do with the primacy and recency effects. These are terms used in psychology to describe the effect of order of presentation on memory. The primacy effect results in events or information presented earlier being better remembered than information presented later on. The recency effect results in better recall of the most recent event or information presented. Combined, these two effects are said to lead the earliest and latest event or information in a given presentation being recalled best, with the event or information in the middle being least remembered. In other words, the first and last people interviewed will stand out in the interviewer’s mind the best, and those interviewees in the middle will be forgotten.
Interesting notions, but how much truth do they hold? Although there have been extensive studies conducted in social psychology on these two effects, the findings have varied. Some studies have supported the theory of primacy, others the theory of recency, and other studies showed no effects for primacy or recency. Outside factors such as the person’s ability and motivation to process the persuasive communication, the context in which the information is learned or presented, and the individual’s attitude toward the information being presented are also contributors. The answer to the question is – it depends.
I cannot honestly think back to a time when a group of interviewees were interviewed and only remember the first or last; what I remember were the candidates who were “memorable” because of specific traits, background or real-life experiences. And not all were positive, so even though it is possible that an interviewer could be impacted by primacy and/or recency effects, an interview that did not go well will stand out as negative. There seems to be a strong assumption among some people that just because one interviews first or last it will give him/her a distinct advantage. Again, it depends on factors that influence the interviewer, but if a candidate in the first or last slot blows the interview, it will make no difference at all. Let me take this opportunity to stress the most important factor of all, and that is I would be much more concerned with how you actually prepare for and perform in the interview versus where in the pecking order you are placed. If you cannot demonstrate you are the best candidate, you will not get the job. Period.
It seems to me there is a small faction of people who have almost turned this otherwise non-issue into some kind of conspiracy theory as to why they are not being selected for jobs. I have run into a handful during my time, and in my experience the order they interviewed has nothing to do with it. However, their interviewing skills, experience, and abilities relative to the position and in comparison with the other candidates do. If you find yourself being passed up time after time after time, you probably want to examine your actual interviews instead of placing blame on the order you interviewed in. Further, realize that the order of interviewees most times is simply luck of the draw, with no thought whatsoever by the interviewer put into who interviews when. The order is commonly determined by who fits into interview slots when, or I have also seen it determined alphabetically. No conspiracy theories in these situations.
It is true that once resumes have been sorted, and skills and experienced assessed on paper, that sometimes a leading candidate (or candidates) emerges. But this is why interviews are held, so that interviewers can see firsthand if the same luster shines off the paper, too. So even if there is a leading or first choice candidate, there is no way of telling that this individual won’t blow the interview. It does happen, and whether this person was first, last or in the middle, it is irrelevant.
Now there is one way I can think of where there is a definite strategy in which interview orders are set. Sometimes recruiters do this, and save the best candidates for last. The reason is that they can glean information from earlier interviewees in terms of questions asked, stressed requirements, and client feedback in order to better prepare subsequent candidates with additional information. But it does not always translate into the candidates deemed by recruiters as being the best receiving the offer. Again, is an interview is blown, it won’t matter that he/she interviewed last. Or it may simply a matter of the client liking someone different. As with the other examples, it has less to do with the order, and more to do with the actual interview.
The bottom line is, there are many other factors that play into who is ultimately selected for a position outside of what slot in the order he/she interviews. While it is true that some interviewers are influenced by recency or primacy effects, other interviewers are not. My recommendation is rather than placing emphasis or worrying about where in the order your interview is going to occur, focus instead on the interview itself. Taking time to research the company, prepare good questions, and think about how you are going to answer questions with real-life achievements will carry much more weight to how you are remembered versus whether you were first or last.
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