Life After College: Ethics in the Workplace

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first job, graduation, life after college, seniors, workplace ethics

In less than a month, Northwestern seniors will leave their college years behind to enter a new phase of their lives: their first real job. But in between job searching, networking, applications and interviewing there is one area that doesn’t always cross our minds when entering the workforce: Workplace ethics. Behaving ethically may seem second-nature to us, but often what is fine and good in college and our personal lives may not be accepted in the workplace—especially when workplace policies vary across the board.

With this in mind, UCS featured its “Workplace Ethics Challenge” on Facebook as part of its May “Life After College” series. The challenge offered five separate scenarios centered on workplace ethics and polled fans to choose the most ethical approach for each. If you missed it—or would like to refresh—here they are again, with the answers in bold:

Scenario #1: You’ve just started a new job and your friend from college calls and invites you to drinks with your college buddies. The reunion ends up being a night of partying. The next day at work you know will be uneventful, so you decide to stay out late. The next day you are not feeling well. What do you do?

A. Call in sick, nothing much is happening at work today.
B. You feel too sick, so you go back to bed.
C. Go to work as you normally would.

Scenario #2: You are at a team meeting and your boss is presenting the results of the last month’s work to a new, important client. You notice that your boss has made an error. What do you do?

A. Correct your boss at the presentation because this is a time to get noticed.
B. Mention the error to your boss in private and offer solutions to correct it.
C. Say nothing, someone else will say something and get fired.

Scenario #3: Over the weekend you meet the woman/man of your dreams! You are so excited to see and talk with this new person! You decide you can wait no longer to chat with them and you want to set up a date for that evening.

A. Send them an email or IM during work hours, it can’t wait!
B. Send them a text on your iPhone from your office.
C. Use your iPhone while at lunch at Chipotle to set up your date.

Scenario #4: Your new boss assigns you a task to complete. After you complete it, your boss gives you feedback on your work. This feedback is direct and uncomfortable for you. You don’t feel at all good about this situation. What do you do?

A. Speak to your boss’ supervisor about the issue.
B. Go to Human Resources to complain.
C. Meet privately with your boss and discuss ways in which you like to receive feedback.

Scenario #5: You are working on a new client’s account and notice you made an error in your calculations. You are concerned that mentioning this mistake will create a negative impression with your boss. You decide to not say anything because there is a very small chance anyone will notice. Is this the right move?

A. Yes
B. No

Do you have a workplace ethics question of your own? Email it to careerservices@northwestern.edu with the subject line “workplace ethics.”

ADVANCING – “You’ll Be On Your Way Up!”: Standing Out Your First Year

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first year on the job, life after college, professionalism, succeeding at work

Credit: Etsy.com

The first day on the job can be an anxiety provoking experience. New rules, new people, new expectations. The ability to transition from a college student to a successful working professional requires discipline, attentiveness, initiative, teachability and discernment. Thankfully, there have been many former students that have successfully managed this transition. In turn, they have been able to make valuable contributions to their companies during their first year of employment. “What are some of the things I can do to stand out in the workplace,” you ask? Here are some actions you can take to pave your pathway to success:

Showcase your team spirit

Credit: sugarswings.blogspot.com

Fostering connections with colleagues is essential to having a successful and enjoyable first year on the job (and many years after). Therefore, it is important to show kindness, generosity, and praise towards your colleagues in order to build rapport. Invite colleagues out for coffee or lunch to get to know them and the work environment better. Likewise, accept invitations from your colleagues when they have been extended. For those days when co-workers are overstressed with projects, bring office snacks to make the experience more pleasant. Cookies and candy never disappoint when people want to take a break. Lastly, when working on team projects, acknowledge each teammate’s contributions publicly. When you share credit with others for work well done, others will begin to share credit with you. All of these acts will show your colleagues that you are invested in them. As a result of your thoughtfulness, camaraderie will begin to cultivate within the office which will take the work environment to new heights!

Be engaged in supervision

Credit: Amazon.com

Supervision is an opportunity to get tailored advice on how to be successful at your job. Your manager will have a vested interest in your work performance as it impacts the organization’s productivity. Therefore, be receptive to constructive feedback from your boss on areas you are excelling in and areas you can improve upon. Be sure to implement those suggestions. Ask questions to gain clarity on how to complete tasks that are assigned to you. This will show your boss that you are attentive to details and serious about your work. It is also important to set a developmental plan with your boss when possible. It gives you and your boss the opportunity to discuss position responsibilities, establish key goals that need to be accomplished in your role, and develop ideas on how to achieve those objectives. Additionally, it allows you the opportunity to disclose what you want to learn and how you want to grow from the process. By taking this approach, both of you will have a clearer understanding of each other’s expectations and action steps to meet those requests. In the end, you will be able to achieve the milestones that were set forth and gain an ally that can testify to the credibility of your work.

Project a professional image

Credit: reporternews.com

Behaviors get noticed on the job, whether they are positive or negative. Demonstrate professionalism in all circumstances to garner respect from your colleagues.  When in large and small meetings, carry a notepad and take notes. Keep a running diary of everything you learn, whether it is an acronym for a work procedure or department, or more complex ideas. Organize your notes in ways you can understand the content. This will allow you to access and recall information quickly and easily which shows your colleagues that you are a fast learner. Also, show initiative by coming to work early, staying late, and volunteering for projects. Your willingness to take on additional assignments and put in extra hours of work shows your boss and colleagues that you are dedicated to the organization’s success. They will be more likely to hold you in higher regard based on your diligence. Furthermore, it is important to not criticize office policies and procedures early on in your position. By embracing office practices, it shows your workmates that you are a team player and willing to follow rules that have been set in place. If you believe there are improvements that can be made to the office, think your ideas through carefully, and anticipate questions before presenting your ideas to others. Only make your suggestions over time as you gain more experience within your position. Also, be aware of the appropriate time to present your ideas to others based on their availability and work priorities. By being strategic and conscientious, colleagues will be more likely to consider your proposals as they will view your ideas as ways to make the office grow and become more efficient.

In summation, your first year of employment after college is going to be a transformational experience, but it can also be very rewarding. By following these tips, you will demonstrate your dedication to be the best. Pretty soon, others will appreciate your ambition and will begin to see you as a credible professional.

Credit: mtiblog.mtishows.com

Where the Wildcats Are: ’04 alum Jenny Fogarty on “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

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alumni advice, Career Development, where the wildcats are

I’ve had a decade since NU to try to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. Some stops along the way include a master’s degree, some professional certifications, and a few very cool jobs. And here I am, still trying to answer this question.

In the last few years I started a life coaching practice in addition to my other work.  Through coaching I’ve met lots of people grappling with similar questions, and I have some ideas about how to get closer to understanding what you want – and how to embrace the journey along the way. Here is some advice from my time as a life coach so far and as someone still exploring my own career options.

Throw yourself in fully. Remember that first internship or job you had? I can guarantee that something you gained from it – a skill, a connection, a perspective – will pop up in your career decades later. That summer catering gig taught you event planning skills; the babysitting job was the start of your teaching career; and your high school retail job led to a corporate gig after college. Dive in to all your professional experiences, even without knowing how they fit into the larger puzzle and even if you change career directions four times. You can get a lot from each job, even without a clear long-term goal.

Set short-term goals. Take the pressure off trying to picture yourself in ten or even twenty years. One perk of setting shorter term goals (“what do I want to be in one or two years?”) is that there’s built-in flexibility. You can feel a sense of accomplishment once you’ve hit the goal, and can then change direction if you want. And you’ll likely have about five decades from college until retirement to keep changing your mind.

Avoid social comparison. It’s easy to look at your acquaintances and think that you’re falling behind. They sold a company, got elected to office, or published a book. Instead of feeling bad about yourself, use their public success as inspiration to achieve your own goals. Jealousy can be a great motivator. And consider the wide variety of things you’ve been able to experience and accomplish already with your not-quite-as-linear career path – what Sheryl Sandberg calls the “career jungle gym” as opposed to the “career ladder”.

Listen to your elders. Once you enter the working world, it’s easier to befriend people of all ages. Recently I’ve gotten to know a few inspiring women in their 50s and 60s: coworkers, friends of friends, classmates, strangers in cafes. They all have a few things in common. They have way more patience than I do, are wise and like to give advice, know that things in life take longer than I think they will, and are all still exploring new and different career paths. They’ve built interesting and meaningful careers, but continue to enjoy asking themselves “what do I want to be when I grow up?” Their perspective reminds me to embrace every experience, accept uncertainty, and have patience – there is no rush.

Keep tabs on your acquaintances. If you’re setting out on an unchartered multi-path career, your acquaintances can be a fantastic resource. They probably represent a range of career paths themselves, and I can almost guarantee there’s someone in your network doing each thing you’ll want to do in your career. You never know when you’ll reach out to an acquaintance for advice: “how did you make the transition from tax lawyer to music blogger?” And, it turns out, people like to help out.

If you’re not finding a simple answer to “what do you want to be when you grow up?” don’t be too hard on yourself and – most importantly – enjoy the journey. You’re in good company.

Jenny Fogarty is a nonprofit management consultant, executive coach and life coach: http://www.jennyfogarty.com. She received her bachelor’s degree in urban studies and history from Northwestern University in 2004, and a master’s in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School in 2008.

About Where The Wildcats Are
University Career Services’ alumni blog series “Where The Wildcats Are” features the career experiences and advice from Northwestern University alumni of all ages and stages. Learn where your fellow Wildcats are post-graduation and how they reached their career goals. Are you a Northwestern alumni interested in sharing your career development process with current students? Email careerservices@northwestern.edu and include “Alum blogger” in the subject line.

Where the Wildcats Are: ’12 WCAS Alum Kaasha Benjamin on Slow and Steady Wins the Race – The Journey to Law School

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alumni advice, applications, law school, LSAC

Like many people have probably said, applying to law school is a difficult process. Whether you’re one of those people who like to stay organized, or you’re the residual racing against the deadline type of person, the application procedures associated with getting into law school can be a daunting task for anyone in many regards. Although I can proudly say that I have made it through that stage, I still remember it like it was yesterday.

What the heck is LSAC?
If you’re like me, LSAC seemed just about as familiar as a distant relative. Short for the Law School Admissions Council, LSAC is the resource that every applicant will use to submit their application materials to the schools of their choosing. It provides a relatively easy to use platform, for which each applicant can store their LSAT test scores, statement of interest, and letters of recommendation. In addition, each participating law school hosts their online application within the LSAC platform, making it easy for applicants to submit their information and materials for review. My best piece of advice to all applicants, whether applying through an early action program or general applicant pool, is to create an LSAC account as soon as possible once you decide to apply to law school. By doing this, you can get access to the platform to check out what steps you will need to take in order to submit applications to law schools. One of the easiest, yet often disregarded, things you can do to increase your chances of getting that acceptance letter is to FOLLOW DIRECTIONS. Whether it’s missing a deadline, or forgetting to submit a supplemental essay, law schools will recognize and appreciate applicants whose applications are free of any procedural flaws.

Recommendation letters- simple concept…right?
Depending on which schools you apply to, the number of recommendation letters required for a valid application will vary. One of the tools available through LSAC is the retention of recommendation letters received on an applicant’s behalf, to be used when submitting an application to a law school. What you probably don’t know about this tool is that letters may be designated as either “specific” or “general.” For example, an applicant can request a letter from her professor that addresses her qualifications for acceptance to a particular school, school B. In addition, she may also solicit that professor to write a letter that is more general in nature, and can be submitted to any school the applicant chooses to apply to. LSAC allows applicants to store an unlimited number of “specific” letters, but only allows a certain number of “general” letters to be stored in the system. Therefore, when you are thinking about asking a professor or professional source for a letter of recommendation, be sure to tell them whether you would like them to address a specific audience, or give a more general assessment of your qualifications.

In addition to the organization of your letters, applicants should make sure to understand the process for sending letters to LSAC. Particularly for recommenders who are out of state, this process can be difficult to monitor, in order to make sure that all letters are sent to LSAC on time. When I applied to schools, I sent my out of state recommenders a pre-paid addressed envelope for them to use to submit their letter of recommendation. I also included the form that was to accompany their letter. Finally, I provided them with a packet of materials for them to review in order to write the letter. For applicants, this may include writing samples, work completed under their professor/recommender’s supervision, and any other materials that will help your recommender write a glowing recommendation on your behalf. By doing these things, you will make sure that your LSAC account will not notify you of outstanding documents on the deadline for the application.

My application is submitted- what now?
My final piece of advice for anyone beginning the law school application process is to talk to former and current applicants. Everyone experiences this part of the process in a different way, but should remember that we are all part of the same group. There is no better feeling than knowing that your applications have been submitted, and it is only a matter of time before that acceptance arrives in the mail. Finishing the application is an accomplishment, and you should take time to acknowledge this point in the process. When talking to prospective law students, I always try to tell them to slow down and take advantage of the relief that comes with knowing that their applications are complete. With acceptance comes the responsibility of visiting the schools, talking about finances, and making the ultimate choice of where you will be spending the next three years of your life. Perhaps it should be called the calm before the storm, but in any regard, you have done all you can do. Now you can get back to all of the other activities that have taken the back seat to what once seemed like an impossible task. Congrats!

Kaasha Benjamin is a graduate of the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, Class of 2012. While at Northwestern, she majored in Political Science, minored in the Harvey Kapnick Business Institutions Program, and participated in the Alice Kaplan Humanities Scholars Program. Kaasha is currently a first year law student at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, and hopes to practice corporate and business law as a transactional attorney.

About Where The Wildcats Are
University Career Services’ alumni blog series “Where The Wildcats Are” features the career experiences and advice from Northwestern University alumni of all ages and stages. Learn where your fellow Wildcats are post-graduation and how they reached their career goals. Are you a Northwestern alumni interested in sharing your career development process with current students? Email careerservices@northwestern.edu and include “Alum blogger” in the subject line.

Where the Wildcats Are: WCAS ’11 Alum Naveen Kumar on Career Lessons from HBO’s The Wire

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alumni advice, Career Development, career lessons, work/life balance

One of the best pieces of career advice I ever received was from The Wire.

Image courtesy of HBO.com

While you wouldn’t think working as an analyst at JPMorgan would have anything to do with a Baltimore based crime drama riddled with stories of drugs and corruption, there’s one conversation from the HBO drama that I have constantly referred back to for guidance in my young – sometimes stressful – career:

Lester: Tell me something, Jimmy. How exactly do you think it all ends?
McNulty: What do you mean?
Lester: A parade? A gold watch? A shining Jimmy-McNulty-day moment, when you bring in a case sooooo sweet everybody gets together and says, “Aw, man! He was right all along. Should’ve listened to the man.” The job will not save you, Jimmy. It won’t make you whole, it won’t fill your [expletive] up.
McNulty: I dunno, a good case—
Lester: Ends. They all end. The handcuffs go click and it’s over. The next morning, it’s just you in your room with yourself.
McNulty: Until the next case.
Lester: Boooooy, you need something else outside of this here.
McNulty: Like what, dollhouse miniatures?
Lester: Hey, hey, hey, a life. A life, Jimmy. You know what that is? It’s the stuff that happens while you’re waiting for moments that never come.

As is clear from the quote above, McNulty and Lester are both detectives working for the Major Crimes unit of the Baltimore police department. Both are cops who are working on taking down a notorious drug operation with McNulty particularly invested in the outcome on a personal level. Lester, who is senior to McNulty in both age and wisdom, alludes to him that he needs something “outside of this here”.

I think the point Lester makes is an important one for anyone about to embark on a new job or opportunity. Coming from an academically rigorous school like Northwestern, we are used to working as hard as we can to achieve the high goals that many of us have had since we were kids. However, what I’ve learned in my own high intensity career – and what the seemingly fictitious Lester has learned in his – is that it’s important to have balance in your life – or as he puts it “something outside of this here.” What does balance mean? It means having a healthy dosage of “stuff” outside of work – whether that’s personal hobbies, interests, relationships etc. As Detective McNulty fails to understand, getting ahead at work and getting behind in your own personal development are not mutually exclusive.

Sure there are days when I work late. Sure there are instances when I spend weekends in the office. To be completely honest, I’m going to do these things because my job is important to me. However, my job isn’t the ONLY thing important to me. For Lester, he balances using wiretaps to break criminal codes by creating wooden dollhouse miniatures. Likewise, I’ve learned to balance financial analysis and spreadsheets by attending Brooklyn Nets games or volunteering through my company’s outreach program. Taking your mind off work and pursuing your own passions, even if it’s just for a few hours a week, can go a long way towards your own development as a well-rounded person.

The truth of the matter is, if you’re reading this blog on this career website, you are already very invested in the outcome of your own career. In fact, you have probably succeeded in most things you’ve done in your life thus far and are going to do whatever it takes to succeed at the next level.  As you move towards achieving your goals and aspirations, however, just remember to have a healthy balance. The “well roundedness” that made you successful at a place like Northwestern can make you successful in your career too. But hey, don’t take my word for it – just listen to the words of Detective Lester Freeman: part-time crime solver and part-time career counselor in the world’s greatest show.

Naveen is 2^nd year analyst for JPMorgan Asset Management.

About Where The Wildcats Are
University Career Services’ alumni blog series “Where The Wildcats Are” features the career experiences and advice from Northwestern University alumni of all ages and stages. Learn where your fellow Wildcats are post-graduation and how they reached their career goals. Are you a Northwestern alumni interested in sharing your career development process with current students? Email careerservices@northwestern.edu and include “Alum blogger” in the subject line.

Where the Wildcats Are: ’11 Alum Lexi Britton on The Road Not Taken

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alumni advice, Career Development, career path, job search

“Where do you see yourself in five years?”  I remember hearing that question repeatedly from friends, family, and potential employers alike.  Always responding with the same formulaic answer, I would say “Well, I plan to work for three years in a policy job focusing on international development, attend law school, and then pursue a career in diplomacy.” Was this what I actually wanted to do with my life? Perhaps, but I never took the time to step back and recognize that every decision doesn’t need to adhere to a preordained path.

During my senior year, I spent countless hours applying to jobs that would fit my expected trajectory. I only looked at positions that adhered to my esoteric criteria for professional development. Unfortunately, the jobs I sought were nearly impossible to obtain without previous work experience. Although I spent summers and quarters completing internships, I still remained under-qualified to work on international policy in the capacity I had hoped. At this point, I realized that the “perfect job” might not be a possibility for my first year after graduation.  In turn, I finally began to expand the parameters of my job search.  It was then, and only then, that I started receiving invitations for second and third round interviews.

In March of my senior year, I accepted a job as an international arbitration assistant at a well-respected law firm in Washington, D.C.  Although it may not have been exactly what I had in mind, the position allowed me to better analyze my interests while improving basic research and administrative skills. Working in a fast-paced law firm also forced me to recognize that I did not, in fact, want to become a lawyer.  Coming to terms with this not- so- small detail forced me to derail my five-year plan yet again, and re-evaluate.

I started the job search again- this time learning what I’d used from my past successes and failures.  I reached out to personal networks, utilized LinkedIn, and refrained from sending out applications without forging a link to the organization in question.  Using a Northwestern alumni connection, I landed a job at an organization that focuses on ending genocide and crimes against humanity, specifically in Sub-Saharan Africa.   I never would have predicted this off -the -beaten career path, but I’ve found that it’s more in line with my world views and general interests than what I initially envisioned for myself.

Through these experiences, I now understand that career mapping is a valuable tool, but you should never let it limit your perceived thinking and potential.  Who knows what I will do next? I certainly don’t.  Fortunately, I have learned to appreciate and value the journey more than the destination. With Robert Frost’s words in mind, I’m grateful that “I took the one less traveled by, / And that has made all the difference.”

Lexi Britton graduated from Northwestern University in 2011 with a triple major in African studies, international studies, and political science. She currently works as the assistant to John Prendergast at the Enough Project, a subsidiary of Center for American Progress.

About Where The Wildcats Are
University Career Services’ alumni blog series “Where The Wildcats Are” features the career experiences and advice from Northwestern University alumni of all ages and stages. Learn where your fellow Wildcats are post-graduation and how they reached their career goals. Are you a Northwestern alumni interested in sharing your career development process with current students? Email careerservices@northwestern.edu and include “Alum blogger” in the subject line.

Staying Positive in the Face of Rejection

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internship searching, interviewing, job searching, networking

Image credit: careercopilot.com

“Dear Sir or Madam,

We have received your application for the position of ___________________. After careful consideration, we regret to inform you that you have not been selected to interview for this position.

Sincerely,
You Didn’t Get The Job, Inc”

Ugh. You read this email and your heart sinks to the pit of your stomach. WHY!?! I don’t understand. I am perfectly qualified for this position! I wanted this position so bad! This is the 17^th rejection email I received this month!

Unfortunately, it happens. We’ve all been there. You apply for a multitude of jobs or internships, only to receive that fateful email or phone call. Rejection is part of the application process, but there is hope. Light at the end of the tunnel, if you will. Here are some things to think about to stay positive in the face of rejection.

1. Switch Up Your Strategy
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results. So if you are using the same search strategy, maybe it’s time to shake things up a bit. If you are sending your resume to endless databases, try searching individual companies/organizations and applying through their website. Also, I cannot stress enough how important NETWORKING is. Talk to previous professors, supervisors, friends, families, etc. to see who you can get connected with.
-Unsure about networking? Set up an appointment at UCS. We can help you learn how to effectively network and even set up a LinkedIn Account.

2. There’s Not Always “An App For That”
Technology is great, and there are so many new ways to search and apply for jobs. However, all that technology means nothing if you do not know how to use it properly. Think of it like trying to use Instagram to get directions to Navy Pier . . . It doesn’t work that well. Instead of using endless apps and websites with no luck, try meeting with someone in-person to gather some new ideas and insight. Make an appointment with UCS, talk with professors, family members, friends, etc. If you are finding your inbox full of rejection emails, it could be a wake-up call that you’re not using technology to its fullest potential.

3. Are You Missing the Red Flags?
There are some really common mistakes that a lot of people make when applying for jobs or internships. Are you effectively showing your value to an organization? Is your resume hard to read? Are you not answering interview questions as strongly as you could? If you find yourself faced with rejection, maybe you need a career check-up. Come to UCS and we can talk with you about what your experiences have been so far. We can help you assess what may be going wrong and how you can fix it. We have resume and cover letter reviews, mock interviews and more!

4. Take a Time Out
Applying for positions and getting rejected can take a huge emotional toll. Especially on top of all your classwork, extracurricular activities, personal life, etc. Give yourself a break (if even for a day or an hour). Go out and do something fun. Go bowling. Watch your favorite TV show. Take a walk. Do something for yourself. This time to recharge will help you de-stress so you can come back to the search refreshed and positive.

Rejection is tough, but don’t let it get you down. There are resources available to you that can help. You are smart, capable and hard-working. So go out there, land that dream position, and be a success story!

Where the Wildcats Are: ’03 Alum Joseph Bubman on 5 Tips for Convincing your Employer to Send You Overseas

Tags

alumni, Career Development, secondment, working abroad

Editor’s Note: If you’re interested in working abroad, 2003 alum Joseph Bubman shares a great alternative to consider.  

Some young professionals frustrated with their jobs falsely assume a binary choice between either grinning and bearing the monotony of a soulless job or risking everything by quitting on a whim without guarantee of a future paycheck. An often overlooked opportunity exists for high performers able to negotiate a secondment, a temporary transfer to a foreign office or to a related organization.

During a six-month secondment from Vantage Partners to Mercy Corps’ conflict management group in 2011, I worked with field staff, government officials, and community leaders in Kenya and Guatemala on tools and strategies for resolving disputes. My friend Brian Soloway joined KPMG’s Financial Services group in its Shanghai office for 11 months in 2008 and 2009. The secondments enriched both of us personally and professionally.

And you can arrange your own secondment, even if your employer lacks a formal program—mine did! Here are five tips for making it happen:

1. Pay your dues. Unlike perks such as year-end bonuses or vacation days, secondments aren’t routine. Position yourself for a secondment early on by demonstrating exceptional performance and a strong work ethic. Volunteer for less glamorous assignments. Help others with their work when they need it.  Do what is needed to exceed your managers’ and clients’ expectations. After all, your manager will want to be able to explain why you were selected instead of others.
2. Develop key relationships and mentors. Neither hard work nor exceptional performance is sufficient for rapid growth within an organization. Just as you may need a senior manager’s endorsement to ensure a promotion, you may need an influencer to help bring a secondment to fruition. “Find someone senior who has enough authority, who you feel some sort of connection with, and who can advance your ideas,” Soloway says. “Seek out mentors and push them until they are impressed by the drive you exhibit and the value you deliver.”
3. Generate your own ideas. It’s not your employer’s responsibility to arrange a secondment for you. And the last thing your busy manager wants to do is research the range of opportunities that might exist. Identify possible options for an overseas stint, investigate them as much as you can, and offer to do whatever administrative work (e.g., emailing contacts, drafting letters of reference) that might alleviate the burden on your boss.
4. Articulate how the firm would benefit. My non-profit secondment placed me in challenging rural settings. I could no longer rely on my consulting firm’s partners or creative design team to do everything for me. Instead, I myself had to determine how to structure a workshop in Karamoja, Uganda, decide how best to engage semi-literate participants, and figure out what to do when the generator failed mid-session. My experiences overseas afforded me new opportunities once I returned to my firm in Boston. Determine what skills are in demand at your employer and describe how you can better develop those during a secondment.
5. Maintain flexibility: Think about what you can agree to that costs little to you but that means a lot to your employer. For example, consider proposing that your secondment start only after you stick around for what is typically the busiest period of the year. Or commit to return to the firm for a minimum amount of time following your secondment. Finally, be open-minded. “You may want to go one place, but they have a need in a different place,” Soloway says. “Or you’re interested in working in one group but the need is with a different group. You’ve got to be flexible.”

Joseph Bubman is founder and CEO of Company Connector, which matches professionals with the best employers for them. He is also an affiliate senior trainer on negotiation and conflict management at Vantage Partners, LLC, where he has helped leading companies across a range of industries to negotiate and manage their strategic relationships. He received his bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Northwestern University in 2003.

About Where The Wildcats Are
University Career Services’ alumni blog series “Where The Wildcats Are” features the career experiences and advice from Northwestern University alumni of all ages and stages. Learn where your fellow Wildcats are post-graduation and how they reached their career goals. Are you a Northwestern alumni interested in sharing your career development process with current students? Email careerservices@northwestern.edu and include “Alum blogger” in the subject line.

Where the Wildcats Are: WCAS ’06 Alum Louis Levine on The Four Horsemen of the Job Search Apocalypse

Tags

alumni advice, interviewing, job search, networking

Congratulations, you made it through the Mayan apocalypse!  Sadly, that means you’ll have to get a job.  And just because you survived December 21^st doesn’t mean you’re free from sabotaging your own job search and blowing it up worse than Chicago in the second Transformers movie.

Since graduation, I’ve been continually involved with recruiting – first while working for a large strategy consulting firm, and now as a manager at a healthcare insurance company.  During this time, I’ve seen plenty of things that make me shake my head (Can I really see that 2 am bar photo on Facebook?) but have also impressed me (Paper thank you notes? Nice touch).

But since you probably already know how to avoid the big mistakes or charm me with small gestures, let’s focus on the more subtle (and more common) challenges I find with candidates.  I’m calling these the Four Horsemen of the Job Search Apocalypse, four traits you should avoid to keep your job hopes alive:

Horseman #1: Anonymity

In this competitive market, the odds of you finding a job by flying solo or just pressing “Submit” are pretty low.  Getting an offer requires meeting and talking with everyone you possibly can, from recruiters to entry level employees to partners.  In your job search, it’s easy to minimize the importance of talking with people – avoid that trap.

Why? First, you never know who might have a job opening and networking may uncover a hidden opportunity.  Second, conversations can give you a better sense of a company’s business and culture, important considerations and talking points as you go through the process.  Finally, you never know who’s going to influence the hiring decision – even the most junior staff member may weigh in.  And if I’ve interacted with you and like you, there’s a better chance you’re getting a “Yes”.  But if I only know you through a general email or a resume in my system, you’re not getting any advantage.

Horseman #2: Timidity

First impressions count in any job and I’m looking for people who exude confidence.  Put another way, if you’re not confident with me, how can I trust you to represent my company to our executives or clients?  Give me a firm handshake, look at me in the eye, speak up, and show some resolve when we talk.

Also understand that if I’m hiring, I want to talk with you and learn about your background, no matter how intimidating I might sound or my title might be – how else am I going to find great talent?  But if you’re not comfortable talking with me, I’m not comfortable hiring you (note, however, you can fake confidence if you have to – I usually can’t tell).

Horseman #3: Cockiness

Don’t be timid, but don’t be cocky either – confidence should only go so far and drifting over that edge can be just as dangerous.  Don’t try to wow me by using obscure industry terms or telling me about your outrageous work experiences because I’ll see right through that.  Instead, just have a conversation that shows me you know something about my company and are interested in what I do.

The other key is to understand that you don’t need to know everything – to a certain extent, it’s important to acknowledge there’s a lot you don’t know.  As an employer, I don’t expect you to come in as an expert – in fact, I want you to be very coachable.  If you come in fresh, that means you’re open to new ideas and I can help you develop into a strong employee.

Horseman #4: Lack of Preparation

Congrats, we’re talking face-to-face or you made it to the interview!  You will immediately be disqualified in my book if you haven’t done any research or shown any interest in my company or industry.  If you haven’t put in the time or preparation for this chat, how do I know you’re going to put in the time or preparation to do the job?

On top of that, I get really excited about my work – our conversation is much more fun when we can talk the same language.  And please have questions ready – if you’re not curious about the position or company now, how can I expect you to make an informed decision if I give you an offer?

Enough doom and gloom, let’s focus on what you should do:

- Put yourself out there and talk (not just email) with anyone and everyone – you never know where the next job lead or information might be, so have that elevator speech ready

- Be confident and show me that you’re a mature adult that I’ll want to put in front of my boss or a client

- BUT, show some humility, know what you don’t know and don’t be afraid to admit you want to learn

- Research the companies and industries you’re interested in – just a little preparation could go a long way

Do these take time?  Yes.  Are some of these unnatural?  Absolutely.  But the job search is a microcosm of this strange and awkward world, so get accustomed to it and don’t be afraid to fail (or be wildly successful) by putting yourself out there.  Rather than torpedoing your chances by making these mistakes, be more like Optimus Prime and let’s “face this future together.”

Louis is a WCAS alum and product strategist at a Fortune 50 healthcare company, where he analyzes consumer behavior and develops products to help people stay healthy.  You can read his thoughts on helping people make better healthcare decisions at  one-ounce.blogspot.com, or contact him with any thoughts or questions at Louis@LouisJLevine.com

About Where The Wildcats Are
University Career Services’ alumni blog series “Where The Wildcats Are” features the career experiences and advice from Northwestern University alumni of all ages and stages. Learn where your fellow Wildcats are post-graduation and how they reached their career goals. Are you a Northwestern alumni interested in sharing your career development process with current students? Email careerservices@northwestern.edu and include “Alum blogger” in the subject line.

Eat Right and Get That Job!

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Photo credit: usda.gov

Alright NU, you’ve probably heard this a million times from your parents, your doctor, your Phys Ed teacher in high school: Eat Healthy! Eating healthy is important for a multitude of reasons, but if you’re trying to land that dream internship or job, you might want to change your daily habits prontito!

When Barack Obama was younger, he was said to have eaten only the healthiest of foods (spinach, lean meats, fish, etc.). It was rumored that he wanted to fuel his body to run at peak efficiency so he could work hard and achieve great things.  You could say that in order to become president, Obama went on the ultimate job interview. Ladies and gentleman, he landed that job! So regardless of your political views, maybe it’s time we take a tip out of Obama’s playbook and start eating healthy – for ourselves and our careers.Here are a few nutritional recommendations to keep in mind when you are preparing for that big interview.

1. Water, water, water
Drinking water is so incredibly important for our overall health, but also during the day of your interview. You want to make sure you are fresh and ready for any question they throw your way. Make sure to drink plenty of water before and after your interview to stay hydrated.

2. Carbs for an energy boost
If you’re looking for a quick energy boost before that interview, don’t reach for coffee or an energy drink. Eat some complex carbs! Whole grain carbohydrates will give you energy, won’t cause any drowsiness and will keep your stomach full and free from growling.

3. Protein
You probably can’t eat a steak or piece of salmon right before the interview, but you can keep a stash of almonds or other nuts and seeds handy. Chomp on these while you travel to your interview and they’ll keep your energy up so you can be more alert for those tough behavioral interviewing questions.

4. Fruits and Vegetables and Oils, oh my!
As part of a healthy diet, fruits and vegetables are always important. They give you tons of essential nutrients and help keep your body running in top form. But did you know that oils help your body process and absorb those great nutrients? If you take a look at the new food pyramid, good oils (olive oil, coconut oil, etc.) are part of a healthy diet. Make sure to incorporate lots of fruits, veggies and healthy oils!

If you’re looking to stay healthy, stay energized and land that dream job or internship, take a look at your eating habits. Fuel yourself for today and for the job you want tomorrow!