What Did I Do Today?

By ConnieMcD on September 2, 2010

So over the weekend I had a nice conversation with my sister about life and all the goals that we both hope to accomplish, especially career wise. The longer we spoke, the longer the list grew and the more intimidating those accomplishments became. So today I decided that my blog was going to be about staying proactive in accomplishing goals. I came across a number of articles and blogs that gave steps on what exactly to do in order to stay on track but none of them really inspired me. Then I came across a blog post by Anne Headley where she explains how one of her friends has been searching for a job far too long and she doesn’t really understand why.

She then goes to explain that at the end of the day everyone should have a conversation with themselves and ask, “What did I do today?” She says that if you accomplish at least three activities from the list that she created, (listed below) that you are on the right track to fulfilling your goals. I really liked that she put down easy activities that are incredibly plausible in day to day life. Clearly you do not need to follow the list exactly and your list may vary, like, “I helped the new neighbors carry in boxes, introducing myself as I did so” but something along the lines of networking with a new group of people would suffice as well. Just remember to remain positive and goal oriented. Nothing is going to happen overnight so just know that a lot of small little steps can eventually get you to where you want to be.

Here is Anne Headley’s list from her blog post, “What Did You Do Today?”:

I wrote a letter to the editor of the paper

I posted a review of the movie that I watched yesterday

I helped the new neighbors carry in boxes, introducing myself as I did so

I checked the online bulletin boards

I called my friend from a former position and set up a time to meet for coffee

I walked in the cool morning air (the only time of the day you can do it here in Maryland this week!)

I prayed/meditated about my situation

I volunteered at the local (fill in the blank here), offering my best skills, but willing to do anything that’s needed

I sent a copy of my revised resume to a place I had previously interviewed

I despaired a bit and hoped more

"Thinking" courtesy ~tibi~ via Flickr Creative Commons

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Looking to Add a Little More Weight to that Wallet?

By Eve on September 1, 2010

Hey ThinkTalkers,

I’m sure most of you are rejoicing, as I am, that it is Wednesday; that means the work/school week is halfway done. While looking forward to the rapidly approaching weekend and thinking about all of the glorious activities you could be doing I bet some of you are sighing and thinking, “man, I wish I could afford that.” Maybe you’re in school and can only work part-time because of classes and an internship, maybe you have a full time job as a recent grad and aren’t making quite as much as you thought you’d be. Regardless of your situation everyone could use a little extra income on the side. Wondering what side job to pursue? Brazen Careerist writer Michelle Barbeau has a few effective suggestions that can fit your schedule and fill your wallet:

Two that I personally turn to when times are tough are tutoring and babysitting.

Tutoring: The great thing about this is that people will pay a lot for it and everyone has something they excel in! You can do anything from teaching someone the guitar to helping a middle schooler with math (if you’re like me, you don’t know anything past geometry). You can probably find work through word of mouth. But I really like Wyzant. You set the rate, and they take a portion of it (a pretty big chunk if ya ask me). But I’ve charged as high as $50/hour. People will pay for it if it means good grades or a new talent they can show off.

Babysitting: You may not have time to take on a full-time nanny job (which pays very well btw), but you can pick up a few weekend shifts here and there. If you can’t hang with babies like me, try an elementary school kid.

These are just a couple ideas to get you started. You can always look for on campus employment or go for freelance jobs in writing or creating websites or editing resumes if that’s your thing. The point is there’s always an option to help you earn a few extra bucks so you can buy that pretty girl from your physics class a drink this weekend or get yourself a new party shirt!

"Mo Money Mo Problems" courtesy greggoconnell via Flickr Creative Commons

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Continuing the Job Search from Home

By Eve on August 26, 2010

Whether you’re looking forward to the social events, friends and classes, or sadly saying goodbye to sun, sand and water, the end of August means the same thing for most your age…back to school. And while those of you that are still students will be kept busy with homework and papers while you begin the painstaking but necessary process of a job search, what about those of you that have already graduated?

If you are still living at home while you search for a full-time job I’m sure a concern or two has gone through your mind about your financial and personal future. Maybe you are afraid that you’re not saving enough to someday get your own place? Or getting discouraged that you will in fact find a great job (...which you will!)? Regardless, there are a few tips to keep you on track in your job search and keep you sane while you do it.

I love my lists, so today I’m going to share with you a list of advice from Brazen Careerist writer Patricia Hudak who wrote a blog post entitled Make the Most of Your Time at Home After College. In addition to these 6 points, Hudak also stresses saving as a key component to life at home after school. As she points out in the article, saving money on rent isn’t going to increase your bank account if you’re spending on things like entertainment and technology. On to the list:

Get up at a normal time, and the same time every morning, just as you would if you were going to work. Don't get used to sleeping in; you can sleep in on the weekends.

Schedule one job search outing each day. It can be an interview, a trip to the library to do research, a trip to Kinkos to copy resumes, anything. It can be a lunch date with an acquaintance that has an interesting job you want to learn more about. Make sure it’s something that gets you out of the house.

Complete one job search task each day. And it can't be "surfing the Web to research the industry." Yeah, nice try! No, you need to create a product: a cover letter sent in with your resume, a thank you and follow up letter, or a letter or email requesting an informational interview.

Do some kind of exercise each day. You will feel physically and emotionally healthier each day if you take care of your health and stay fit.

Try to connect with a friend each day, someone from school or someone from home. Don't withdraw just because you are not working or are in a crappy job. Stay connected with the important people in your life.

Get some type of work. You may not have looked for a part-time job because you are interviewing for jobs, but you can still do some work. You'll feel better about yourself and you'll have some cash. Here are 10 ways to roundup some extra dough:

1. Signup with a temporary agency. You can opt to take work that fits around your job search schedule, and temping is a great way to find a permanent job
2. Substitute teach
3. Have your parents get out the word that you are available for babysitting, house-sitting, or yard-work
4. Tutoring independently or through a company. Post fliers in and near local schools and colleges
5. Become a dog walker for pet owners who don’t have time. Post fliers where people typically walk their dogs
6. Waiting tables or bartending. They are classic post-college jobs, but great communication skill builders
7. Working in retail. May not be the most exciting work, but there are always store discounts to look forward to
8. Giving your opinions. Call companies that do market research and offer to participate in a focus group. They pay cash and typically meet in the evening
9. Work the phones. Sign up with a telemarketing company that pays you on commission for what you sell
10. Freelance writing. If writing has been a strong point of yours or you have a particular area of knowledge, let that work for you. Newspapers and other publications are always looking for good content and it pays well too

Good luck in your search and come visit us again for some more helpful advice!

"bedroom wall" courtesy otakuchick via Flickr Creative Commons

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What Kind of Person Are You?

By ConnieMcD on August 25, 2010

Seth Godin is a blogger who I like to follow because his topics are both interesting and entertaining. One his posts in particular really caught my attention, partly because of it's simplicity but also because it really made me think. In his blog, “Exploration and the Risk of Failure” Godin states that there are two types of people in the world; “Those who seek stability, affiliation, work worth doing and the assurance it (whatever it is) will be okay” and “Those who explore, need to know that failure is an option and quest to make a dent in the universe”.

Originally I thought that I was the perfect combination of these two types. However, Godin argues that you can only be one or the other. After a long thought, I have realized that I am most likely the type of person who seeks stability and work worth doing.

What kind of person are you? Godin makes  a great point that if you like stability, you need to find a career that will give you that assurance. On the other hand if you enjoy taking big chances, then you need to find a job that is going to keep you occupied and fulfill those needs to be a bit risky, otherwise, you’re going to be miserable. It is defiantly important to figure out what kind of job you are going to be most comfortable at. You don’t want to get stuck in an environment on a daily basis that you don’t like or working at a speed you are not really prepared for. While applying for jobs, really think hard about what your values are and how your career needs to fulfill them.

"Staircase Silhouette" courtesy Randy Son of Robert via Flickr Creative Commons

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Leaving on a Good Note

By Valerie Nam on August 20, 2010

Hi ThinkTalkers! Believe it or not, we’re now in the last stretch of summer break which means that most of you are probably soaking up the last few days of freedom before the school year starts up again. For me, this also means that this will be my final blog post as my summer internship here at ThinkTalk comes to an end. As I sit here and write, I wonder to myself… where has the time gone?

Although I’ve only spent a few weeks interning here, it has definitely been an amazing experience working in such a positive and upbeat environment. I’ve had the opportunity to work with a great staff that has not only fed me an endless supply of cookies, but has also encouraged me every step of the way. Yes, to indulge in delicious treats, but to also have high hopes for the future.

As young college students, you will inevitably spend a majority of your time building up a resume. In order to do this, it is vital to gain work experience by seeking out all sorts of academic internships, study abroad programs, and odd jobs. Always keep in mind the solid relationships you form, and to keep your head held high. The combination of the gaining power of a college education, and experience in the workplace will benefit and mold you into the professional and collective individual that you dream of one day becoming.

Even though I may be moving on, I know that I am also “movin’ on up.” Tears and all- best of luck!

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Greek Life: It's Not Just The Stuff Good Movies Are Made Of

By Erika on August 16, 2010

We’ve all seen them . . . the funny, the wild, and the CRAZY (mostly) R-Rated movies centered around the benefits and shortcomings of Greek life on college campuses. There are several that immediately come to my mind; one in which actor, Will Ferrell, attempts to recapture his youth and freedom by joining a fraternity along with a gang of other misfits (hilarity ensues) and another in which Ryan Reynolds refuses to graduate from college, changing his major over and over, for fear of the unknown and love of the keg parties.

These movies are a lot of fun in that they give a heightened example of what Greek life can offer students who choose to rush, and while the characters are always a little two-dimensional, the plots usually do provide an underlying example of the joys of new friendships and same-sex bonding.

But one thing these movies don’t always showcase is that beyond the foam parties and community service events there is another advantage to Greek life: networking for that future job.

According to an article on Greek life in Ezine, “With jobs becoming somewhat scarce these days, it is important for people to do everything they can while they are in school to make sure they are ready to be hired right after college. One of the things students can do while in college to help their resume is to become active in Greek life at their university.” (Feel free to copy and paste this quote in an email to your parents.)

Greek membership is a great way to connect with people in your pledge class, at your school, in your community, and with members who have already graduated and are in the working world. You never know who you’ll meet through your new connections and social events; hopefully someone that will give you a great recommendation down the road or better yet, a JOB! So, whether you have been waiting to pledge Greek ever since the first time you saw “Animal House” or have never considered it, below are four reasons from Connor Sullivan at Ezine to rethink the rush.

REASONS WHY YOU MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER THE SPANAKOPITA:

1. Usually, the most of the people in the Greek organization that you choose have similar interests as you. In fact, there are even some fraternities and sororities that are purely scholastic or only focused on a specific group of people, like agriculture students. It can be very beneficial to have people who will probably be in the same classes as you, for study reasons and so you know at least one person in your classes.

2. Having a Greek organization on your resume can be a big help when you are looking for jobs. For example, one young lady went to interview for a company and found out that the interviewer's wife was an alumnus of her sorority, which gave them something unique to talk about and she ended up getting the job.

3. In a fraternity or sorority there is plenty of opportunity to gain valuable leadership experience. In most Greek organizations, you can be the head of a committee, which has less responsibility or you can become a member of the executive board, which has more responsibility. This is great because you can have some kind of choice in which type of leadership experience you would like to have.

4. The networking possibilities that come about through a Greek organization are endless. Many graduates have been able to get jobs right out of college simply by talking to fraternity brothers or sorority sister who have recently graduated or by talking to someone from their alumni group.

And if none of these reasons excite you, then just bank on that fact that in four years you’ll have met great people, made a ton of memories, and have more Facebook pictures than all of your high school friends. You can also read more about the benefits of Greek systems at Suite101.com.

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Friday Fun - When you don't want the job anymore...

By Eve on August 13, 2010

Happy Friday ThinkTalkers,

Today I’m going light on the career advice and instead sharing with you a story that I’m sure some of you have already seen as its quickly gathering lots of popularity on the internet. The Chive recently posted the slideshow and article Girl quits job on dry erase board, emails entire office - how anybody doesn’t click on that link is beyond me. It tells the story of “Jenny” and her grand exit from her job as an assistant. This might not be the ideal situation to look to for advice when thinking of quitting a job, but it certainly is entertaining. Enjoy…

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How to Put Together A List of References

By ConnieMcD on August 10, 2010

Although you may think that having a great interview is the only thing you should be focusing on while trying to land a new job, things like your reference list are incredibly important as well. Picking the right references for your possible employee to contact is important because these people are the ones that will back up everything you said in your previous interview. Using your parents or best friend since the 5th grade just isn’t going to cut it on your reference list. You need people listed who really know how well you can handle tasks and stressful situations in a work environment. The best resource I've found so far is “Reference Check” by Liz Seasholtz, which takes you through the steps of perfecting your reference list:

Decide who to ask

Again, your best friend who you swapped lunches with all throughout junior high isn’t going to cut it. Seasholtz recommends contacting people like former professors, school advisors, bosses, coaches, extracurricular supervisors, or internship directors for references. Who you choose as your references should be able to attest to qualities that would make you ideal for the position you are looking to land. Quality examples include: Professionalism, being able to handle yourself in stressful situations, respect for coworkers, and retaining a positive attitude.

Prep work

Do not leave your contact list to the last minute! Definitely allow your contact person some time between you asking them if they would be ok with you using them as a reference and the time in which they are actually going to be contacted. This way you don’t come off looking unorganized at the last minute and your reference has time to think about all the great things he/she can say about you!

Keeping in Touch

Remain in touch with any contacts you have on your reference sheet. You never know when they might chance email addresses or change office locations so they have a new number. The last thing you want is to give a new employer the wrong phone number or contact information. Keep everything up to date!

Asking for the Reference

A simple, “Would it be alright if I used you as a reference for the new position I am interviewing for?” If your reference agrees, ask what is the best way for them to be contacted. Again, make sure that their information is correct when you take it down. Seasholtz does make a good point in offering them the option of saying “no” so they do not feel cornered or pressured.

Keep Them Informed

Make sure to let your reference know who will be contacting them. Information about the person and company with whom they will be speaking will give your contact person a better idea as to what kind of responses your interviewer is looking for.

What to provide your interviewer

For the most part, providing your interviewer with a name, contact information, and your relationship with each reference will be fine. Although, if there is a better way to contact your reference, like on LinkedIn.com , be sure to add that onto your contact sheet. When to provide it: Seasholtz says that there is no real rush when it comes to turning in your contact sheet. Meaning, don’t throw it into your interviewers hands unless they ask for it during the interview process. For the most part, interviewers will only ask for your contact list when they are ready to make a decision about hiring you and all they want to do is confirm that you are the right person for the job.

Staying on top of your reference list is a vital part of landing a job. Your contacts will be able to back you up and set your interviewer’s mind to ease in knowing that you are the right person to hire. Making sure that your reference list is as pristine as your resume is important because that list is what is really going to back your resume and your interview up.

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Find Passion In Career-Building

By Valerie Nam on August 6, 2010

For those of you who may be unfamiliar with PostSecret, this clever community art project is as intriguing as it is simple. Anonymous people from all over the country mail a homemade postcard to Frank Warren (the creator of PostSecret), which portrays a secret that has never before been revealed.

A couple of weeks ago, I stumbled upon one that read:

“It makes me happy to know that none of use get a how-to guide – we’re all just kind of winging it.”

I considered this statement as it relates to my own life. Many of you probably think about, and envision yourself and your future career. Regardless of the tracks we choose to follow as college-students, I relentlessly hope for myself and for others to fearlessly pursue their passions.

Sure it may sound cheesy, but the word “career” not only evokes a feeling of excitement, but also a sense of anxiety. For most of us, our entire lives have been structured around the core of education. Our parents, teachers, mentors… and even society have conditioned us to believe that our sole purpose is to find a career that will leave us (and our loved ones in the future) financially stable.

What I find, however, is that we are often paralyzed by fears of failure. Why not take your passions and hidden talents, and blend them within a career? Failure can’t happen if you never begin to create the reality of the life you dream about.

So today, let yourself daydream a bit. Climbing the rigid corporate ladder is not for everyone. Freely explore your interests. Your own career does not have to resemble anyone else’s. Who said it even has to be conventional?

Nevertheless, always keep in the mind that every person is a resource. You have the ability to learn from the experiences of others to help yourself prosper in any career-field you choose.

Photo courtesy of PostSecret

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How to Be Properly Assertive

By Valerie Nam on July 30, 2010

When we think about effective leadership, the first thing that may come to mind is a “pit bull” attitude, which includes such traits as competitiveness and assertiveness. Is anyone a fan of HBO’s Entourage? Unfortunately, the aggressive Ari Gold method may not work so well for most people. Others may believe in a more subtle approach – to be more collaborative, nurturing, and sensitive towards others. However, if we allow ourselves to find a balance between the two, we may just be able to have our cake and eat it too…

To be able to present your point of view while simultaneously being able to persuade others to actively listen to you is a recipe for success. Rather than characterizing yourself as powerful and strong-willed in a negative light, you can accomplish great things by learning to become a good leader.

Here are some tips that can make all the difference:

1. Agree to disagree

Hear out other people’s point of view. They may have a great counterargument that can lead to smart decision-making. If you acknowledge others instead of shutting them out, you can also demonstrate the benefits of teamwork.

2. Seek Common Ground

Understand where the other person is coming from and join forces to make the best possible decision. Remember, you both have a mutual goal for success.

3. Start a Revolution

Don’t act self-righteous because you can, and because you want others to give into your beliefs. Instead, inspire others to come together and build upon the possibilities.

4. Accept the Haters

There will always be those who find fault with authority. No matter how you approach a situation, make sure to be the ‘bigger man” …or woman. Intimidation should not be met with aggression when there are other people involved who do wish to reach an agreement.

Remember, effective leadership can lead to the implementation of changes you want to see. And it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to back down… For some laughs, check out this video on how not to handle your next conflict.

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