Tuesday, March 27, 2012
A Day In the Life of A Job-Hunting Grad Student
Ever since kicking the job search into high gear, the days are a little different than when I was "only a student." Meetings, networking events, emails, internet searches and more have taken over the time I once only devoted to class work. Talk about re-prioritization! Don't tell my Econ professor, but one of my classes has slipped to the bottom of the totem pole! Can you guess which one?
Here is what to expect if you find yourself in the same boat. (And don't worry, it IS manageable if you're smart about it!)
7 am - 8:30 am: Get up, make coffee, let the dogs out, assess which tasks I can handle while waiting for the coffee to kick in. Decide to begin answering emails, work on taxes, and make a list of what to prepare for class this week.
8:35 am: Refill coffee mug. Get my act together to go to kickboxing.
9:00 am - 10:00 am: Go to kickboxing.
10:00 am - 10:45 am: Prepare for a meeting with our Alumni Association, grab a Luna Bar, rush out the door. Run back inside to grab laptop. You never know, may need it later today... On the way, call my grandmother to check in since she had surgery this week.
11:00 am - 12:30 pm: Meet with alumni. Start planning a Graduate Business Association mentor program with the Alumni Association to go into effect in the Fall.
12:35 pm: Grab lunch at Chipotle. Read through emails on my phone while eating. Find out my meeting later today with a social media guru who is helping me find a job needs to be rescheduled for two days later. Send email to Career Coach at Georgia State to find out status on a couple internship applications and get names of contacts at target companies.
1:00 pm: Receive harsh email from professor letting us know that the group presentation we've worked on for over a month has significant room for improvement. Note: We have to give the presentation tomorrow.
1:01 pm: Panic.
1:04 pm - 4 pm: Pull it together. Breathe a sigh of relief that I have my laptop & that meeting was cancelled, which means the afternoon is wide open! Send an email to the group - all of whom are employed full-time - to let them know I'll handle the editing, then thank my lucky stars that I'm a full-time student with time to work on this. Take a few breaks from the project during which I check emails, follow-up on job applications, do a brief job search for my target companies... I might have gone on Facebook, too. Just for a minute. :)
4 pm: Reinforcements arrive! Ashley, a team member, & I keep working on the presentation. Sheesh!
6 pm - 7:30 pm: Change locations to grab a bite to eat while we keep working on the presentation. Just today, we've spent over 6 hours of work on this presentation, folks! This is exhausting! I need a refill on my Diet Coke. We finally finish up the presentation, then send it out to group for final edits.
7:45pm to 10pm: Head home. Walk the dogs. Catch up on the other work I had to push to the side to work on the presentation. Try to stay awake because I'm exhausted!
10pm - 11pm: Get ready for bed. Read a few chapters of the 2nd book in the Hunger Games series. It's so good!
11 pm: Zzzzzzz....
As you can tell, there's a lot we students have to cram into one day! The good news is, it always gets done. It's weird. Snafus and unpredictable challenges are inevitable, but, remarkably, they can sometimes be a blessing. Had that meeting not been cancelled, there is no way we could have made such headway on the presentation with enough time to prepare. Silver lining, you could say. What I've learned is to swallow the panic and frustration and keep on keeping on. It will always get done, and it will be good enough!
Here is what to expect if you find yourself in the same boat. (And don't worry, it IS manageable if you're smart about it!)
7 am - 8:30 am: Get up, make coffee, let the dogs out, assess which tasks I can handle while waiting for the coffee to kick in. Decide to begin answering emails, work on taxes, and make a list of what to prepare for class this week.
8:35 am: Refill coffee mug. Get my act together to go to kickboxing.
9:00 am - 10:00 am: Go to kickboxing.
10:00 am - 10:45 am: Prepare for a meeting with our Alumni Association, grab a Luna Bar, rush out the door. Run back inside to grab laptop. You never know, may need it later today... On the way, call my grandmother to check in since she had surgery this week.
11:00 am - 12:30 pm: Meet with alumni. Start planning a Graduate Business Association mentor program with the Alumni Association to go into effect in the Fall.
12:35 pm: Grab lunch at Chipotle. Read through emails on my phone while eating. Find out my meeting later today with a social media guru who is helping me find a job needs to be rescheduled for two days later. Send email to Career Coach at Georgia State to find out status on a couple internship applications and get names of contacts at target companies.
1:00 pm: Receive harsh email from professor letting us know that the group presentation we've worked on for over a month has significant room for improvement. Note: We have to give the presentation tomorrow.
1:01 pm: Panic.
1:04 pm - 4 pm: Pull it together. Breathe a sigh of relief that I have my laptop & that meeting was cancelled, which means the afternoon is wide open! Send an email to the group - all of whom are employed full-time - to let them know I'll handle the editing, then thank my lucky stars that I'm a full-time student with time to work on this. Take a few breaks from the project during which I check emails, follow-up on job applications, do a brief job search for my target companies... I might have gone on Facebook, too. Just for a minute. :)
4 pm: Reinforcements arrive! Ashley, a team member, & I keep working on the presentation. Sheesh!
6 pm - 7:30 pm: Change locations to grab a bite to eat while we keep working on the presentation. Just today, we've spent over 6 hours of work on this presentation, folks! This is exhausting! I need a refill on my Diet Coke. We finally finish up the presentation, then send it out to group for final edits.
7:45pm to 10pm: Head home. Walk the dogs. Catch up on the other work I had to push to the side to work on the presentation. Try to stay awake because I'm exhausted!
10pm - 11pm: Get ready for bed. Read a few chapters of the 2nd book in the Hunger Games series. It's so good!
11 pm: Zzzzzzz....
As you can tell, there's a lot we students have to cram into one day! The good news is, it always gets done. It's weird. Snafus and unpredictable challenges are inevitable, but, remarkably, they can sometimes be a blessing. Had that meeting not been cancelled, there is no way we could have made such headway on the presentation with enough time to prepare. Silver lining, you could say. What I've learned is to swallow the panic and frustration and keep on keeping on. It will always get done, and it will be good enough!
Friday, March 23, 2012
Just Say YES!
"The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes to your adventure."
And you know what? It was one of the best experiences of my life. No kidding. The entire experience was amazing - the people, the energy, the tumbling through the air trying to catch my breath. I'm even thinking of getting licensed and doing this craziness more often!
Just do it! Make the leap, swallow the fear, tell the voice that says "I can't do it" to hush up because you know what? You can do it! You can make it in a new city; you can wow the pants off of that tough client; you can negotiate a higher salary! You can!
- Joseph Campbell.
This past weekend, a friend of mine came into town. He is a veteran skydiver and was heading to jump out of planes all weekend with a bunch of friends. It had been ages since we'd hung out, so we decided to meet at the drop zone (where all of the skydivers hang out/camp/jump). He didn't mention it initially, but I suspected he might try to convince me to jump. Let's just say this, I was hellbent that I would never fling my body out nothingness. I mean, never.
As you certainly guessed, of course, he tried to convince me. For about 12 hours, he tried to convince me, and during those same 12 hours, I provided a variety of reasons why I would NOT be jumping out of a plane at 14,000 feet!
But then he got me. He came up with a reason so compelling, I couldn't stop the "yes" from falling out of mouth.
As you certainly guessed, of course, he tried to convince me. For about 12 hours, he tried to convince me, and during those same 12 hours, I provided a variety of reasons why I would NOT be jumping out of a plane at 14,000 feet!
But then he got me. He came up with a reason so compelling, I couldn't stop the "yes" from falling out of mouth.
Here is what he said, "Katherine, when you're 85, you won't be worried about how much it cost or if you would have looked silly. You'll be sitting on a patio wondering why you didn't do it and what it would have been like. There are all these people here who are cheering for you. Just do it."
He appealed to the adventurer in me, to the Seize The Day girl who had let the (quite rational) fear keep her feet firmly on the ground. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I knew I didn't want to be the kind of girl who sat on a patio at 85 and wondered what it would have been like. So, I jumped. Out of a plane. At 14,000 feet.
He appealed to the adventurer in me, to the Seize The Day girl who had let the (quite rational) fear keep her feet firmly on the ground. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I knew I didn't want to be the kind of girl who sat on a patio at 85 and wondered what it would have been like. So, I jumped. Out of a plane. At 14,000 feet.
And you know what? It was one of the best experiences of my life. No kidding. The entire experience was amazing - the people, the energy, the tumbling through the air trying to catch my breath. I'm even thinking of getting licensed and doing this craziness more often!
I was so taken aback by how much this experience had truly changed me and the way I saw my life. I mean, 14,000 feet really does give you a different perspective... I started thinking. How many other times have I said no to experiences because I was afraid of not being good enough, looking silly, what may happen, what may not happen, etc.?
Here's what I learned. It doesn't matter if it's skydiving, a blind date, going to graduate school, a consulting project, a job for which you think you're not qualified... SAY YES.
Just do it! Make the leap, swallow the fear, tell the voice that says "I can't do it" to hush up because you know what? You can do it! You can make it in a new city; you can wow the pants off of that tough client; you can negotiate a higher salary! You can!
The adventure that awaits when you step into the unknown - graduate school, a new job, a new home, off of a plane - is beyond your wildest dreams, and those are the moments that make life worthwhile. So say yes to the adventure!
Friday, March 16, 2012
How's your Etiquette? Network Like a Pro on LinkedIn!
Connect with people you know.
Sounds obvious, right? "But accepting invitations from unknowns makes no sense, nor is it appropriate to invite the same," he says. In other words, don't be a LinkedIn creeper. You are developing your personal brand with every move you make. The business world is much smaller than you think, so keep that in mind when you're inviting other professionals to connect with you; after all, it is a professional site. We have to act like it!
Sounds obvious, right? "But accepting invitations from unknowns makes no sense, nor is it appropriate to invite the same," he says. In other words, don't be a LinkedIn creeper. You are developing your personal brand with every move you make. The business world is much smaller than you think, so keep that in mind when you're inviting other professionals to connect with you; after all, it is a professional site. We have to act like it!
Respond politely.
"Whether or not you accept an invitation to connect, a direct, professional response is usually the best next step," emphasizes Linnemanstons. Again, it is a professional site, so we must all act accordingly. If Mr. Linnemanstons turns down an invitation because he doesn't know someone, he encourages the person to find a way for them to meet personally to eliminate that objection. How classy!
Say please and thank you. Frequently.
"What we all should have learned in kindergarten applies to LinkedIn as well. When you ask for something say please. When someone does something considerate, even if it’s not invited, say thanks." These are just good manners for life in general. We could all hear please and thank you a little more often, don't you think?
Keep updates interesting and professional.
If you’ve accomplished something noteworthy, read something that’s valuable, or discovered something you think should be shared, definitely post it! However, consider it might detract from your personal brand if you have frequent updates like "what you had for lunch or what you’re doing this weekend with your family. Save it for Facebook."
"Whether or not you accept an invitation to connect, a direct, professional response is usually the best next step," emphasizes Linnemanstons. Again, it is a professional site, so we must all act accordingly. If Mr. Linnemanstons turns down an invitation because he doesn't know someone, he encourages the person to find a way for them to meet personally to eliminate that objection. How classy!
Say please and thank you. Frequently.
"What we all should have learned in kindergarten applies to LinkedIn as well. When you ask for something say please. When someone does something considerate, even if it’s not invited, say thanks." These are just good manners for life in general. We could all hear please and thank you a little more often, don't you think?
Keep updates interesting and professional.
If you’ve accomplished something noteworthy, read something that’s valuable, or discovered something you think should be shared, definitely post it! However, consider it might detract from your personal brand if you have frequent updates like "what you had for lunch or what you’re doing this weekend with your family. Save it for Facebook."
Give recommendations to get recommendations.
"There’s nothing wrong with asking for a recommendation. But the best way to ask is to first give one. The best recommendations should come from the people you already know and respect the most, and they are naturally the people you can most genuinely recommend." Win-win!
Be a responsible group manager.
"That means respond to requests quickly, and enforce group rules evenly. Enforcement isn’t for everyone, because everyone can interpret rules differently and that can lead to conflict, or to re-visiting rules. Being responsible as a manager means your rules will probably evolve as the group grows. Nothing wrong with that."
Be aware and follow group rules.
"If you want to avoid uncomfortable notes from group owners, read them before you start breaking them. Been there! And if you get called out as a transgressor, be an adult about it." (Read: Be Professional.)
Be Honest.
"We’ve all experienced this. You find a former peer on LI, and as you review their experience, you see they’ve mis-represented a past role or the responsibilities they had. As a result, you look at everything they claim to have done since then with a little more skepticism. Don’t do anything that puts you at risk of harming your credibility." You've worked hard to create your personal brand; protect it!
Don’t be a pest.
"You won’t do yourself any good professionally if you annoy people. We all know someone who does. Don’t be that person."
Participate.
"Kind of like when you go to a party. Don’t go if you’re not going to talk to people and add to the energy of the group. Same thing with LI. Be active, share information, contribute to discussions, grow your footprint, and be additive to the collective good." Love this one! It's so easy; be your sparkling self, seize the opportunity to show off how fantastic you are, and continue to build your brand!
"There’s nothing wrong with asking for a recommendation. But the best way to ask is to first give one. The best recommendations should come from the people you already know and respect the most, and they are naturally the people you can most genuinely recommend." Win-win!
Be a responsible group manager.
"That means respond to requests quickly, and enforce group rules evenly. Enforcement isn’t for everyone, because everyone can interpret rules differently and that can lead to conflict, or to re-visiting rules. Being responsible as a manager means your rules will probably evolve as the group grows. Nothing wrong with that."
Be aware and follow group rules.
"If you want to avoid uncomfortable notes from group owners, read them before you start breaking them. Been there! And if you get called out as a transgressor, be an adult about it." (Read: Be Professional.)
Be Honest.
"We’ve all experienced this. You find a former peer on LI, and as you review their experience, you see they’ve mis-represented a past role or the responsibilities they had. As a result, you look at everything they claim to have done since then with a little more skepticism. Don’t do anything that puts you at risk of harming your credibility." You've worked hard to create your personal brand; protect it!
Don’t be a pest.
"You won’t do yourself any good professionally if you annoy people. We all know someone who does. Don’t be that person."
Participate.
"Kind of like when you go to a party. Don’t go if you’re not going to talk to people and add to the energy of the group. Same thing with LI. Be active, share information, contribute to discussions, grow your footprint, and be additive to the collective good." Love this one! It's so easy; be your sparkling self, seize the opportunity to show off how fantastic you are, and continue to build your brand!
What are your thoughts? What's your etiquette edge?
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Upcoming Networking Opportunities!
Check out these upcoming Networking Events that promise great times and great opportunities!
March 23rd, 2012 from 5:30pm to 8:30pm
GBA Happy Hour with the GSU Business & Law Society at Hudson Grille (Brookhaven). Flex MBA'ers, you'll also get one MBA Advantage Point to come cheer for your favorite team during March Madness! Full members get 2 free drinks + apps! For more info, check it out at www.gsugba.org/events.
March 30th, 2012 at 6:30 (First Come, First Serve!)
The GBA is partnering with the International Business Alliance at Georgia State to offer even more events! Check out the upcoming Dine & Unwind: How to Do Business in South Korea! These sorts of events offer an authentic meal from the country of interest, like South Korea, as well as a country expert who shares tips on doing business in each specific environment. Be sure to RSVP ASAP! It's First Come First Serve, and space is limited to only 20 people!
March 23rd, 2012 from 5:30pm to 8:30pm
GBA Happy Hour with the GSU Business & Law Society at Hudson Grille (Brookhaven). Flex MBA'ers, you'll also get one MBA Advantage Point to come cheer for your favorite team during March Madness! Full members get 2 free drinks + apps! For more info, check it out at www.gsugba.org/events.
March 30th, 2012 at 6:30 (First Come, First Serve!)
The GBA is partnering with the International Business Alliance at Georgia State to offer even more events! Check out the upcoming Dine & Unwind: How to Do Business in South Korea! These sorts of events offer an authentic meal from the country of interest, like South Korea, as well as a country expert who shares tips on doing business in each specific environment. Be sure to RSVP ASAP! It's First Come First Serve, and space is limited to only 20 people!
What I Learned Wednesday for March 13, 2012
This week’s WILW is brought to you by… ME!
Why? Because I want to share with you what I have been learning about resumes, and let’s just say this about that, creating a resume is nothing compared to refining a resume!
Here are some tried, true, and tough tips I've learned from people who took the time to point me in the right direction. (Thank goodness they did, too, because I was NOT on the right track!)
A resume is to get you an interview
NOT a job!
And here, I thought that was the point – to make it
obvious what a good fit I am for the job, not to make it clear I would be fun
to meet in person… whew, I keep having to remind myself of this again and again
as I go through draft after draft.
On that note, keep your CV/resume to ONE PAGE.
This task is particularly a
challenge for those of us with robust experiences and lots of enthusiasm about
the work we have done. (Not that I know anything about that!) :) So, be careful to
avoid telling your life story. The point is to hook your audience and make them
want to learn more about you and give you an interview! (Again, with the
interview!)
Do NOT put anything in a resume you are not dying to
talk about.
For instance, if you are looking
to show off as a community minded individual and list your community service in
a lofty manner, consider downplaying it if your only responsibility at your
company’s Habitat for Humanity project was bringing the donuts. Just sayin’.
Every single line must relate to the job you’re going after.
You must convey that you are a
good fit for the job with every word!
Have separate resumes for each job/company to which you are applying.
Again, tailor your resume to what
the company is looking for (which you can find out on their corporate website
and within the job description). For example, if you’re going for a very
creative agency gig, do not emphasize the conservative corporate work you’ve
done in the past. Dazzle them with your creative pursuits and the innovative campaigns you developed!
On the other hand, though, if you are dying
to have a job with a prestigious investment bank that demands attention to
detail and a focus on results, your resume should shine with your skills and
experiences to showcase that side of yourself. Emphasize the experiences you have had that relate to the
objective they explain in the job description.
Stay tuned for more networking and job-hunting strategies. These are the just a few of them! And as always, I welcome your feedback
on your own experiences and job hunting adventures, so please share!
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
You Are Not a Tree!
"If you don’t like where you are, change it – you’re not a tree.” - Lululemon Athletica
Wow! This perspective gives me such... perspective! We are not trees! We have the power to make choices that elicit change in our careers and our lives!
Forging the trail of a career change is not easy, particularly if you're looking to jump into an entirely different industry. For instance, I am not dying to go back to finance, but my entire career (aka my résumé) concentrates on my experience in finance, which means I have to work pretty hard to reposition myself in the eyes of potential employers and interviewers.
But, driven by a desire to choose differently, I have to accept the challenge, and so do you!
Let's be honest, how many hours a day are spent at a j-o-b? Isn't it better to be invigorated by the prospect of what lies ahead at the office than dread getting up every morning to devote 8-10 hours a day - sometimes 12 - to a "daily grind"? (The phrase itself sounds terrible!)
Choose differently! Set goals for your future and set an intention to align every choice to that goal. I admit, sometimes that means accepting a position for a year or two to build your experience and your résumé so that you can achieve your dream later, and that's ok! But no matter your age or situation, don't get stuck, or distracted from your dreams!
The next few months bring challenges for me that entail finding jobs which enliven me and for which I am qualified, as well as actively portraying myself as a marketer, not a financier, in the eyes of many audiences. It will certainly be a learning experience, that's for sure! But, the passion to abandon finance in the pursuit of marketing fuels the fire to take on this challenge. I am not immobile, and I can choose differently. So can you!
If you don't like where you are, change it. If you don't like where you're going, change it! You are not a tree!
Wow! This perspective gives me such... perspective! We are not trees! We have the power to make choices that elicit change in our careers and our lives!
Forging the trail of a career change is not easy, particularly if you're looking to jump into an entirely different industry. For instance, I am not dying to go back to finance, but my entire career (aka my résumé) concentrates on my experience in finance, which means I have to work pretty hard to reposition myself in the eyes of potential employers and interviewers.
But, driven by a desire to choose differently, I have to accept the challenge, and so do you!
Let's be honest, how many hours a day are spent at a j-o-b? Isn't it better to be invigorated by the prospect of what lies ahead at the office than dread getting up every morning to devote 8-10 hours a day - sometimes 12 - to a "daily grind"? (The phrase itself sounds terrible!)
Choose differently! Set goals for your future and set an intention to align every choice to that goal. I admit, sometimes that means accepting a position for a year or two to build your experience and your résumé so that you can achieve your dream later, and that's ok! But no matter your age or situation, don't get stuck, or distracted from your dreams!
The next few months bring challenges for me that entail finding jobs which enliven me and for which I am qualified, as well as actively portraying myself as a marketer, not a financier, in the eyes of many audiences. It will certainly be a learning experience, that's for sure! But, the passion to abandon finance in the pursuit of marketing fuels the fire to take on this challenge. I am not immobile, and I can choose differently. So can you!
If you don't like where you are, change it. If you don't like where you're going, change it! You are not a tree!
Sunday, March 4, 2012
How To : Apply Your Mind, Skills & Strategies to Every Performance
Whether it's a Blue Ocean for your Business or a Differentiation Tactic for Yourself, sustaining an advantage over the long haul is kind of a big deal!
Graham Jones recently blogged on HBR.org regarding this exact point. Remember how Malcolm Gladwell and other Top Ten Thinkers touted tips on how to stay on top? Well, Mr. Jones conducted a study on Superior Performance Intelligence (SPI) to nail down the MOJO he believes to be a form of wisdom, know-how, or intelligence. He even finds it to be evident among the world's best athletes and has witnessed it among the best leaders and performers in work and military settings. So, no matter your academic, athletic or professional prowess, you may want to get to know his know-how's!
Here's the Scoop on SPI's three core know-how's:
Oof, heavy stuff! But coupling our B-school experience with the tools we've taken from the real world, we can certainly rise to the challenge, don't you think?
Graham Jones recently blogged on HBR.org regarding this exact point. Remember how Malcolm Gladwell and other Top Ten Thinkers touted tips on how to stay on top? Well, Mr. Jones conducted a study on Superior Performance Intelligence (SPI) to nail down the MOJO he believes to be a form of wisdom, know-how, or intelligence. He even finds it to be evident among the world's best athletes and has witnessed it among the best leaders and performers in work and military settings. So, no matter your academic, athletic or professional prowess, you may want to get to know his know-how's!
Here's the Scoop on SPI's three core know-how's:
- Knowing how to maximize your potential, comprising three dimensions which reflect a self-knowledge and ability to self-regulate to realize your capability and potential: 'Knowing yourself', 'Stretching yourself', and 'Sustaining yourself'.
- Knowing how to work with your environment, comprising three dimensions which involve knowing how to shape and use the performance environment to your advantage: 'Knowing your environment', 'Shaping your environment', and 'Being in tune with your environment'.
- Knowing how to deliver top performance, comprising three dimensions around the process of performing to high levels on a consistent basis: "Planning and preparing," "Delivering," and "Evaluating."
Oof, heavy stuff! But coupling our B-school experience with the tools we've taken from the real world, we can certainly rise to the challenge, don't you think?
Friday, March 2, 2012
A Sleeker You? Résumé Design!
I think it's safe to assume that each of us wants to differentiate ourselves as somehow unique in order to first, land the interview, and second, get paid more. Am I right?
Fast Company's FastCoDesign.com recently published an article spotlighting an innovative custom résumé design service that will dazzle up your résumé to ensure you wow your audience. They are kind of snazzy! The first one featured may find itself the new format for my current run-of-the-mill résumé!
Even if you only take a cue from these geniuses who have developed a way to convey a sleeker version of yourself, they raise a valid point: How can you make your résumé work for you right away so you're working smarter not harder right at the get-go of your job-hunt?
As always, your comments are welcome! How do you differentiate yourself among the masses?
As always, your comments are welcome! How do you differentiate yourself among the masses?
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