March 17, 2010I asked many last summer why they hadn’t established a profile to begin social networking professionally on probably the most productive and useful of all social media sites. The excuses ran the gamut – “That’s for my mother’s crowd,” or “I don’t have anyone to connect to,” and surprisingly “Never heard of it.” Consider this your official notice: LinkedIn is an amazing channel to help launch and develop your career, and while the average user is over 40, this is a good thing. Chances are the individuals you want to connect with are decision makers within their firms, have experience and wisdom to share. You will find some of your Facebook friends are already using the site, as well as your professors, neighbors, former bosses, teachers, coaches, relatives and family friends, all of whom are great folks to link in to. Here’s how to get started:
- Complete a keyword rich, professional profile before making connections. The first time you reach out to someone may be the only time they take a good, long look at your entire profile. You want it to be complete and best represent your skills and experiences. Upload a photo that is professional looking, a headshot, just of you. If you don’t have a good one consider using your athletic headshot from your school’s website (provided you’re not in gear) or your senior portrait.
- You will be asked to give yourself a professional headline or title of sorts. This should be brief yet memorable, and describe accurately who you currently are in a professional context. It can be “Senior Economics Major at Wesleyan University” or “2009 Holy Cross grad seeking paralegal position in Boston.”
- Choose an industry. This can be hard for current students who are open to entering more than one field. For example, if you’re interested in both financial services and management consulting, you’re going to have to select one or the other. Recruiters understand this, so pick one and don’t get too hung up on it.
- Summarize what you’ve done and what you seek. Your summary is similar to your elevator pitch and should sum up nicely what you’ve done, what you offer and what you seek.
- Craft your list of specialties. Languages you speak, technical proficiencies, unique qualifications and other important phrases that set you apart are to be listed under your professional summary. Choose wisely.
- Add your experiences. Choosing the import resume option can create formatting issues. I recommend entering each experience and using strong keywords such as those you see under qualifications on job descriptions for jobs you’re targeting. LinkedIn increases your visibility with potential employers and using searchable keywords relevant to the jobs you seek is a vital part of the process. Employers will search the site and the web for keywords and your presence here makes you findable.
Don’t neglect to include unpaid internships, volunteer involvement, leadership positions and associations you belong to. These are relevant, skill-building experiences that you need to highlight.
- Flaunt your academic record. Dean’s List, scholarships, academic accolades, terms abroad, relevant coursework and interesting activities are all great material to include in the Education section. Major and minor should be included as well, but don’t forget to mention the other highlights that distinguish you.
- Now make connections. Search for current and former classmates, family, academic advisors, former co-workers, friends from summer school. Consider adding the LinkedIn application to your Facebook profile so that FB friends who want to connect professionally can do so with ease and link directly from one social networking site to the other. Have you recently attended an on-campus networking event with alums and have a small collection of business cards stashed somewhere in your desk? Check to see if any of them are on the site and send an invite to connect! Do make all of your invitations personal. Delete the automated message that is offered and compose a more personal, custom note referencing how you know each other and why you are interested in being back in touch. You are given 300 characters for this note.
- Join groups. Groups can help you reconnect with people and make new connections entirely. The discussions and news postings within groups offer terrific industry insight, and groups often share exclusive job listings and offline networking events.
- Claim your name. LinkedIn allows you to create a custom URL for your public profile, which makes your professional presence more findable on search engines. It also looks better when you add the link to your profile to your e-mail signature. Your custom URL is limited to 5-30 characters and can be set in the Edit Public Profile mode.
- Bells and whistles help. Do you also have a blog and use Twitter to draw attention to it? Share your Twitter handle and blog web address on your profile as well. Are you a graphic designer with an online portfolio? LinkedIn allows all users to include links to 3 personal websites on your profile page. Avail yourself of this additional feature.
I will close here and let you get started. Next up is an equally detailed account of how students can leverage LinkedIn connections, forge new relationships and reach out to alumni to expand the job search network.
February 16, 2010The 3.0 GPA threshold
In 2001, George Bush addressed Yale’s graduating class with these famous remarks, “To those who received honors, awards and distinctions, I say, well done. And to the C students I say, you, too, can be President of the United States."
A well-connected family didn’t hurt, but in these tough economic times, college graduates need to pull off the hat trick of a strong network, meaningful work experience, and a solid GPA to find success in the job search. For my undergraduate readers, I say, take heed. I myself was lucky to have an older brother who reminded me repeatedly throughout my college career that a GPA below 3.0 would hamper my choices later in life. Now, more than ever, his advice holds true.
I reached out to recruiters, career coaches and advisors as I grappled with this blog. The opinions varied greatly. All agree that the further out from college you are the less it matters, and the importance will vary depending on the industry you seek. Caroline Ceniza-Levine, career expert, writer and co-founder of SixFigureStart advises job seekers to do their homework: “The importance of GPA to the job or company you want is something that the job seeker should research to have a realistic assessment of their chances.”
For management consulting, investment banking, accounting and high-tech, the GPA minimum hovers around a 3.4. One accounting firm I spoke with mentioned in the past they used a 3.0 minimum, but recently raised it to 3.5. In addition, they now use GPA as a deciding factor when choosing between two otherwise similar candidates.
On the flipside, a real estate development recruiter stated that GPA never weighs in to her company’s hiring decisions, as they focus solely on looking for candidates with a history of excellent job performance. She did add that perhaps Google has stricter standards. So, I turned to the recruiters at Google. Greg Marsh, University Programs Manager for the tech giant, set the record straight:
“GPA is in fact one of the data points considered in a candidate’s application. It is important we view GPA in context with the rest of the application. For example, if a candidate is working 20 hours to help pay for their education or playing a Division 1 sport, we would not hold this candidate’s GPA to the same standard as another candidate who is not as involved outside the classroom.”
Greg added another important point to the mix, “We also realize that not every GPA is created equal. Some schools or departments use different grading standards than others.”
When I ran entry-level recruiting at JP Morgan I quickly became aware of how widely GPA averages varied from school to school, major to major. To use UVA as an example:
Average GPA university-wide: 3.39
Liberal arts majors: 3.47
Commerce students: 3.27
Engineering majors: 2.87
I won’t attempt to tackle the issue of grade inflation at American universities in this post. Grade inflation has long been an issue. We took a look at it with regards to recruiting some 15 years ago, along with doing a careful examination of GPA as it related to job performance for JP Morgan’s Sales and Trading Analysts. In my study, I found an inverse correlation between success in the training program and GPA. And while this should have been an “Aha!” moment for me, it was not. Those evaluated had already passed our 3.0 hurdle. Additionally, the fact remains that employers need to draw a line in the sand when flooded with resumes and reduced recruitment budgets that prevent them from interviewing as many candidates as they’d like. GPA matters more in the earlier years of your career when you have spent far more time in academia than you have in an office. It is a statement of how dedicated you have been to your studies, how well you have multi-tasked, how hard you have worked. It does not tell the whole story of your candidacy, but it is something to go on in this overwhelming market.
If you’re still in school and reading this: do what it takes to keep the grades over the 3.0 threshold! If, however, you’re a recent grad with a less than B average, I suggest the following:
• Craft an exceptional cover letter which highlights meaningful internships and depth of relevant skills and experience
• Secure a terrific academic reference who will speak on your behalf to potential hiring managers and allay any concerns
• Consider a temp-to-perm opportunity through a staffing agency which will not factor GPA into the hiring decision, giving you an opportunity to prove yourself to the hiring manger in a work environment
• Network effectively so that your resume makes its way into the hands of a hiring manager who will make a decision knowing more about you than just the numbers
I interviewed a broad range of seniors last year who had not started the search before graduation. They had a good many reasons for the delay which included:
· the recession and dismal jobs reports were overwhelming
· senior thesis was taking up more time than anticipated
· having too much fun during last semester
· working too hard to set aside the time for a search
· no idea where to begin
If your last semester of college is now starting and you have yet to begin thinking about full-time employment, consider this your wake-up call. Take advantage of the many resources available to you on campus such as those at your career center, your professors and other university administrators, your friends and classmates, student clubs and organizations. When you've moved back home with Mom and Dad, as did two-thirds of the Class of 2009, you will be wishing for access to the wealth of resources school provided.
Establish an action plan complete with a timeframe that accounts for the demands of your last semester's course load, sports, activities, and part-time job. If you cannot see a way to fit the job search into your schedule, you might need to cut back or drop an activity entirely. Consider creating an accountability group of fellow job seekers who will get together once a week to discuss progress, share leads, brainstorm and be there to support one another. Be persistent and creative. Don't be discouraged by any initial rejection you may experience- it comes with the territory especially in a challenging job market. Also, if your school isn't holding an event that will help you with your search, create one yourself! Gather like-minded students and make a plan. For example, if you're looking for a job in sports management, get your teammates and others in on the action. Scour the alumni database for notable alums in the field and invite them to speak on campus. Making the contacts, planning the event, hosting it and following up with participants would all be skill-building and networking experiences that will benefit more than just your job search.
For additional ideas and tips, read the very first GCC Blog post at the bottom of this page, but don't wait until the end of the semester to get started! The sooner you tackle the challenge of getting the ball rolling the sooner you will achieve success. Acknowledge what is stopping you and then move beyond it. Senior week will certainly be more fun without the shadow of the job search looming overhead.
4. Image is everything. While you may not be promoting a video game with your name on it or repping sports apparel, you are your own brand. People care about image – there’s a reason Tiger Woods was a Twitter trending topic for days. Similarly, employers care about your image and how it will affect theirs. It is safe to assume you will be Googled. This is not to suggest you need to be an internet phantom. Having a positive, findable online presence can boost your chances of landing a job. A LinkedIn profile complete with recommendations puts your skills and references out there for the world to see. If you’re a writer or graphic artist with a portfolio to share, start blogging to showcase your work. Establish an image that will attract opportunity.
November 24, 2009 
Other Outfits
Do you leave the house with sweat pants and a bad case of bed head, or with a polished look that says hire me? There’s a great deal of information out there about what to wear on an interview, but what about the rest of the time? If networking is the most critical job search activity and every person you encounter represents an opportunity, present your best self everywhere you go. Follow these guidelines on the “other outfits” that impact the impression you make.
Three steps you might take before selecting an outfit for a specific event:
1. Consider the venue: an event taking place in a bar does not require the same attire as a reception in the conference room of corporate headquarters.
2. Call: if the dress code was not made clear, simply phone the event coordinator and ask! It’s that easy.
3. Plan in advance: think about what you’ll wear with enough lead time that should something need to be laundered or dry cleaned you’ll have ample time to do so.
Specific occasions:
Networking events: business casual plus. Again, the venue will dictate, but for the most part, you will want to look pressed and professional at all networking events be it a gathering of friends from the alma mater or an organized large-scale meeting of professionals from your industry. Business casual + for men means pressed pants preferably with a jacket. For women: a dress, slacks or skirt with a jacket, tailored top or sweater.
Career fairs and corporate info sessions: sorry to say mean interview attire, and for this a suit is the outfit of choice. I can’t tell you how many times on college campuses I saw students stroll in having just rolled out of bed or come from the practice fields or the gym. Those who arrived ready to shake hands and pass out fresh resumes left a lasting, positive impression. The career fair reps are taking notes and will follow up with those who ask meaningful questions and are dressed the part. They are not there to simply pass out promotional cup holders, business cards and brochures.
Informational interviews: again, interview attire. Treat such meetings as you would an actual interview, especially if it is taking place at the individual’s office or other business setting.
Skype interviews: often trip people up. You plan for the session and only worry about your appearance from the waist up, but the pajama bottoms and slippers may just throw your performance. Dressing for success will help you feel and sound the part. The suit jacket and tie up top and nothing but boxers below may not be visible to the interviewer over the internet, but you’ll know and may in fact distract yourself. That said, I also recommend dressing for phone interviews for the very same reasons.
A few other tips to keep in mind:
- Be certain your clothes all fit well, a suit borrowed from a roommate can be spotted a mile away. And if you’ve recently lost or gained a significant amount of weight, visit your tailor.
- Stick with dark colors for suits and white or light blue for shirts.
- Be certain you have pockets in an outfit you plan on wearing to a networking event. This is especially relevant for women. Collecting and distributing cards is much easier if you are pocketing them as opposed to fumbling with a purse or portfolio.
- Folks notice shoes. Be certain they are polished, not too worn and comfortable. If you are at an event that will require a lot of standing or you need to hoof it quite a bit en route to an interview, you will want to be able to do so with ease.
Do remember all of these events are for the purpose of advancing your career, not a date or a chance to find a date. The sexy camisole peaking out from under a suit or the heavy cologne that maybe went over well at frat parties: not to be worn when networking. If you really are in the market for a significant other, remember employment is attractive and will help your cause. Get a job and I promise your dating prospects will soon improve.
October 4, 2009 
Shout it from the mountain tops: I'm job seeking!
Maybe not the mountain tops, but for recent grads who continue searching, one of the worst things you can do is keep your job search a secret. With over 80% of new jobs this year obtained through networking efforts, it is critical for your contacts to know what it is you seek and what you have to offer. Yet, so many people who have felt the sting of unemployment during this recession have kept quiet about their job search.
It is understandable that you might be inclined to keep this information under wraps. Graduation is meant to be a celebration of your accomplishments followed by a launch of new endeavors. Unemployment is an emotional roller coaster and the pressure, financial strain and uncertainty can be overwhelming. Life/Success coach Kat Jaibur of Amesbury, MA, recommends moving beyond the negativity by focusing on what the future holds: “Embarrassment is emotional quicksand. You need to spot it and avoid it as soon as possible. Easier said than done? Maybe. But the sooner you replace it with thoughts of what you want next in your career, the easier it is.”
Remember that you are not alone in your struggle to find meaningful employment. Over 80% of the Class of 2009 graduated without a job and 2/3s moved back home with Mom and Dad.
Staggering unemployment numbers cause hiring managers to shy away from publicly posting positions. Word-of-mouth and employee referral are the biggest sources of corporate recruiting, so keeping quiet about your status may cause you to miss out on a terrific opportunity. GCC coach Bridget MacMillan recommends thinking about your network in a broader sense than just former colleagues. Consider calling friends and neighbors for coffee. “Reconnecting casually takes the pressure off and just might be an inroad to the hidden job market. You might also inquire about potential contracting opportunities that may be available.”
By acknowledging that you are not the first to fall prey to this economy, and that networking is an inherently important part of a successful job search, you will be well on your way to heading back to work. As Jaibur says “When you are open and honest about your situation, you open the door for others to come in and help.”
August 31, 2009
Back to school blues? Volunteer.
It's back to school time. There are reminders everywhere you turn: in the mall, the grocery store, on television. You can't escape it. For recent college graduates not returning to school for the first time in nineteen or so years, this is going to be a tough month. My recommendation for the back-to-school blues: volunteer.
For the hundreds of thousands of recent graduates still looking for gainful employment, the end of summer will be a wake-up call. It might be particularly hard if college-aged friends are returning to campus and you remain home. Signing up for meaningful volunteer work is just the boost your spirits might need. The recession has hit the non-profits hard and volunteers are in demand. Volunteering provides an ideal solution to so many problems that plague today's job seeker, and:
- forces you to leave the house, giving your day both a schedule and meaning;
- builds skills and provides new resume material;
- creates a good reason to step away from the job search and focus your energies elsewhere for a time;
- provides new networking and relationship building opportunities.
August 16, 2009
The ubiquitous black hole
Somewhere in the universe is a collection of millions of job applications that have been left unanswered this year. There's a black hole, or swirling vortex of negative energy of sorts, where the promise of employment goes to die. This rudeness the gatekeepers of opportunity display is simply a sign of the times. So what is a job seeker to do?
Get over it. You don't have much choice. Gone are the days when employers felt the need to send you, at the very least, a postcard acknowledging receipt of your resume. It's a crying shame that the tightening of budgets have eliminated common courtesy, but its a fact. You may have discovered the ultimate job description that appears to have been written for you by your dream employer. You've sent a carefully crafted resume and cover letter that is sure to attract attention and highlight the ideal fit between the company's needs and your qualifications. There are no typos. You've hit every key word imaginable to suit the job description. You even tracked down a name to address the application to through some super sleuthing. Yet these efforts have been met by radio silence. Surely, they could not have received your materials! Maybe you hit send during one of Comcast's recent e-mail outages. The website says "No calls" and you have no other way to inquire about your application. Or do you?
Network. We've discussed the importance of networking this year and it can truly make the difference between blasting your dream into an uncaring galaxy and having your resume actually read by a live person with hiring powers. It gives you a point of contact to ensure your application made it there. It might also give you inside information about the hiring firm and the job specifically that will put your candidacy over the top. Tap your friends, family, alumni database, classmates, teammates, roommates, academic advisors, neighbors and former employers. And when you're done with them, tap into their willing contacts. Manage the process on LinkedIn and for those you encounter not using this all-important social media channel, offer to give them a personal tutorial.
Remember. When the day comes. and it will in time, when you are the hiring manager and the fate of eager new graduates rests in your hands, remember this. Remember the frustration and desperation, and rather than pass along this hazing of sorts that employers seem to be engaged in this year, stop the madness. Set up a postcard system or auto e-mail response to let the applicant know the materials have reached their destination and will be given careful consideration. And if by chance you happen to be a hiring manager now reading this post, have a little heart and send word.
August 2, 2009
Informational Interviews
I continually stress the importance of informational interviews and at my talk in Old Greenwich, CT, this week I was asked "What do you mean by informational interview and why is this so important?"
The term was coined by Richard Bolles in the book What Color is Your Parachute? and has become an effective method for obtaining occupational information, particularly in a down economy. An informational interview is a meeting for the sole purpose of gathering career advice. It is not intended for soliciting employment. It is an opportunity to practice your communication skills and expand your network. Because you are initiating contact as the job seeker, it is your responsibility to lead the meeting, get the conversation started and ask purposeful, prepared questions. You should aim to collect information on a range of topics including:
- the individual's academic background, career path and development
- industry insight and advice for breaking into the desired field
- company information / research
- networking strategies and suggestions for additional leads
- general job search guidance
June 11, 2009
The Elevator Pitch
We've launched a contest to hear the best elevator pitches out there for the job search. We considered a variety of ideas to inspire job seekers to test their skills and present themselves to our online community. The contest will also offer entrants the opportunity to get in front of hiring managers and potentially win free coaching. We decided on the elevator pitch idea as it is one of the most critical components of the job search, the first impression you can make on each and every contact you meet.
For the uninitiated, the elevator pitch is the sound bite you deliver when given the chance to explain who you are and what you seek, in about the time it would take to ride an elevator 20 floors up. It was made famous by Melanie Griffith in the 80's film Working Girl, which you can check out on You Tube for inspiration. The best pitches are less than a minute, about 200 words, and give the listener both everything they need to know while leaving them wanting more.
Broken down to the basics, the elevator pitch consists of:
- Your name (if meeting for the first time)
- Current status
- What you seek
- Unique selling points / qualifications / passions
You want to grab someone's attention and inspire them to continue the conversation, help you in your job search. When job hunting, you should be prepared to give your pitch at all times- to the neighbor you bump into collecting the mail, on line at the local cafe waiting for your latte, at a family reunion or church bbq. Every person you meet represents an opportunity: make the most of it.
It takes planning and practice to fine tune a smooth delivery that can be given on the spot to whomever you may meet. Write your pitch out, edit it, then edit again. Practice in the car, in the shower, on your dog, with friends, on the telemarketer who calls to interrupt your dinner, to anyone who will listen.
When you're ready, roll the cameras and send it over to us: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We can't wait to see your best shot!
May 26, 2009
Twitter Tips for New Grads 
There are a great many articles you can access for basic guidelines on how best to use Twitter for your job search. Sarah Evans has a terrific piece on Mashable that you can link to here: http://mashable.com/2009/03/13/twitter-jobs. Ms Evans covers the basics such as having a professional looking photo, your avatar, and using the bio field to advertise the position you seek. Below are TwiTips of a different nature that stem from some egregious errors I've recently seen committed.
Avoid expletives. There are so many other words you can use to convey anger, irritation, annoyance. If you have an unavoidable fondness for "f" words try: fudge, foolish, flipping or frustrating.
Avoid anger entirely. Keep your posts upbeat. If you feel the need to tweet about your job search struggles, convey optimism.
Make your tweets count. The very nature of Twitter is designed to make you think about each character you use, so your every word, every character for that matter, should be purposeful. Use them wisely to spread your message, brand yourself and share relevant information.
Don't feel the need to tweet all day about everything. When Twitter asks "What are you doing?" often it's best to keep that information to yourself. Does the world need to know you're playing Mario Kart in your boxers and having cold pizza for breakfast?
Think "Now and Later" every time you post. Consider those following you now and who might be following you in the future. Even if the only people following you currently are your housemates and a few random "social media marketers," that might not always be so and unless you delete posts, they are there in your profile for future followers to read. And others may view them without opting to follow in which case you may never know they visited.
Never tweet while intoxicated. It happens so often they have a term for it: "dweeting" and the drunken twitter is never a good thing. In my day it was the drink and dial, calling an ex under the influence and saying regrettable things. Today's social media channels provide many new ways in which to embarrass yourself in front of millions of people and not simply those with access to your ex's answering machine. I'm thinking about marketing a breathalyzer you can connect to your computer...
Stop following porn stars. Especially if your Twitter ID is your real name and easily searchable. You might think this tip unnecessary but I recently came across a new grad who was following six such "actresses" and no one else, while tweeting about his struggle to find meaningful employment. Seriously. Think twice about the impression whom you choose to follow might make on hiring managers who can see your list.
Don't post disparaging tweets about people and places you've worked, are working or with whom you are interviewing. If you haven't seen ABC's segment on Twitter mistakes made by job seekers, read here: http://tinyurl.com/ph3yes
Follow career experts and coaches. All day, every day there is great free advice being offered. For entry-level job seekers I highly recommend:
- @heatherhuhman
- @alisondoyle
- @jacobshare
- @lreuttimann
- @dawnbugni
- @seiden
And if you found this list helpful, consider following me @BolzanGCC.
Twitter provides an incredibly useful means of gathering information, cultivating relationships and establishing your personal brand. Use it wisely.
May 18, 2009
Surviving the College Grad's Move Back Home
With over two-thirds of 2009's college graduates returning home to mom and dad this summer, I thought it'd be helpful to share some thoughts on making the experience manageable. Whether you're the boomerang with diploma in hand or the empty-nester about to be knocked from your perch, take heed.
Plan. Establish a strategy for the transition and time together. You both know it isn't going to last forever, but with the average entry-level job search taking six to nine months this year, brace yourselves. Sit down together and establish some ground rules for how you will communicate. Parents will want to know how the job search is going, but an on-going nag will grow tiresome for everyone. Agree to a good system for providing support and updates so expectations are clear, which might be through a set, weekly dinner or even via e-mail. Consider having the returning grad pay rent. Many families find this successful as the child has a sense of accountability and responsibility, which alleviates some parental pressure. (I know many parents who return those funds at the end of the time together, providing a nice deposit and first month's rent on the new place.)
Change. Don't revert back to your old roles of parent and child. Grads: box up the trophies and stuffed animals on your bedroom shelves and set yourself up as an adult about to launch a new career. Don't expect mom to do your laundry and cook you three meals a day. Parents: move on from acting as boss to offering your skills as coach. Offer to help with the job search, consider setting up a LinkedIn account which facilitates the process of sharing contacts, but let your child take the lead.
Respect. This is a difficult time for all and respecting one another is critical. This means parents must demonstrate a sense of trust and give the returning offspring space and independence. It also means graduates need to remember this is still mom and dad's house, pitch in where possible, respect their values and appreciate that they have opened their arms to you. It's a good idea to share in the household responsibilities: mow the law, empty the dishwasher, pick up some groceries, and (my personal favorite) leave the gas tank full. Free-loading is not an option. When trust is established on both ends, you'll set yourselves up for an easier, if not enjoyable, time together.
And do spend some time together. You may surprise yourselves and learn something new about one another as adults sharing a home once again.
May 11, 2009
Service learning opportunities are an excellent option this year and can provide new graduates with skill building positions while giving back in meaningful ways. AmeriCorps offers such an option and this week, the Public Affairs department from AmeriCorps contributed a guest blog to Graduate Career Coaching. Please read below:
With $65 million in stimulus funding this year, consider AmeriCorps...
AmeriCorps is more than just a job. It's an intensive, full-time commitment to giving back to your community and our country. AmeriCorps has programs in every state. There may be an AmeriCorps program in your own backyard. Or if you want to serve farther afield, you can take the opportunity to explore a place you've never experienced.
AmeriCorps members serve with non-profits in numerous capacities. They tutor and mentor children, respond to all kinds of disasters, recruit and manage volunteers, build and maintain trails, protect natural resources, build homes for low-income families- any pressing societal need you can think of, AmeriCorps members are busy addressing it.
AmeriCorps members must be over 17. Some AmeriCorps programs have age limits, but most are open to all ages.
Serving in AmeriCorps helps many members define their career goals. Some have discovered a passion for teaching or a talent for non-profit management. Others have found that the career they had envisioned really isn't suited for them. Whatever happens during their year of service, AmeriCorps members have a passion for helping others and giving back to their communities that continues long after their term of service is finished.
In addition to a modest living stipend, AmeriCorps members who complete a term of service earn the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, which is currently $4,725. On October 1, it is scheduled to increase to $5,350. The award can be used to cover tuition for college or grad school or used to pay back student loans.
To find out more about AmeriCorps, visit: www.nationalservice.gov.
May 6, 2009
A new perspective on work abroad
Today I'm posting a guest blog authored by Jessica Landry, who is currently a grant writer for MIT in Cambridge, MA. I asked Jess to lend her thoughts to the discussion on finding work abroad as she and her (now) husband had an amazing experience working and traveling overseas themselves and their approach to the process was both unconventional and creative. GCC does not necessarily recommend taking the same approach the Landry's took per se, but there is wisdom in their daring and attitude.
Jessica's Journey overseas went something like this:
Saved up enough money for a one-way ticket to join ex-boyfriend in Europe. Obtained a rail pass to Algiciras, Spain and then hung out in Morocco for 6 months, playing dominoes, teaching free English classes at the local community center, and trying to write my own readers' guide to Gravity's Rainbow. When the money ran out, hitchhiked back to Central Europe and floated around to various jobs, hotel front desk clerk at a U.S. military resort in Germany, and cold-caller at a brokerage boiler room in Barcelona. Know this: it will all work out fine, you'll have the time of your life, and you'll learn more about yourself and the world than you ever will in Hoboken.
Jessica's advice:
HOW TO DO IT THE LEGITIMATE WAY:
- Be alert to the overseas opportunities at your current company if employed
- Mention that your are open to working abroad when you interview
- Seek out companies that have overseas offices
- Check out craigslist, overseas jobs boards like www.easyexpat.com
HOW TO DO IT THE "BY THE SEAT OF YOUR PANTS" WAY:
- Pick a place you'd love to live in and do some research-what sort of companies are there? Is there a university (bonus)? Do you see any evidence via the web that there is an active supportive ex-pat scene? (This might be hard to determine until you're on the ground.) It might be a good idea to pick some place that is a little off the beaten path and not too huge (Tallinn, Estonia over Paris for example.) As a back up plan, take a quick certification course to teach English, especially business English.
- Save enough money for a round trip ticket and enough to get by for 3-4 months in your chosen destination. Organize a tourist visa.
- Put together several versions of your resume that emphasis different skill sets.
- Go there, find a reasonably priced place to stay for a few weeks, and then start looking for a job and a more permanent place to stay-short term apartment rental, etc.
- Find out where the ex-pats and/or English-speaking tourists hang out and search their notice boards, chat up bartenders, etc. Even taking a job such as babysitting for a family that's been transferred from the US/UK, could be a way to network and find better employment. Find a way to take classes or otherwise start to learn the language of our host country.
- Remember that the more people you meet, the better chance you have of finding opportunities. If you are somewhere that has more of an "emerging economy" and the language is manageable, remember to think like an entrepreneur-is there a special business opportunity/niche that you can find, maybe one that serves an existing ex-pat community?
WHY:
Take a chance. Test yourself. All of those confusing, frightening moments will temper your character. Explore the unknown. Find out how other people live. Learn how to rely on yourself. Learn how to get on with people from many different backgrounds-no other skill is more valuable in any job, anywhere.
OTHER POINTS TO KEEP IN MIND:
The UK, for example, has a tier 1 highly skilled general work permit that your can get without a formal job offer. Do research on which countries are looking for workers with your particular skills and degree.
In some European countries, several years of continuous residence can entitle you to become a naturalized citizen-for example: the UK requires 6 years continuous residence with limited time out of the country. This could open the doors to general EU naturalized citizenship, which would allow you tremendous opportunity and flexibility in this global economy.
May 4, 2009
Teaching English and Service Learning Jobs Abroad
A good many job seekers are considering opportunities abroad this year and two excellent options include teaching English in a foreign land, as well as volunteering. In addition to building the excellent, resume-building skills as discussed in last week’s entry, both offer the soul-satisfying benefit of giving something back simultaneously.
Teaching English abroad is a very popular option among new college graduates and while most programs require a degree, speaking English is pretty much the only other prerequisite. Programs generally run for one year and offer training in the U.S. followed by onsite training in the destination country. Most will also provide foreign language instruction to help you get by in your new locale. Some programs require TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) Certification and this four-week course if often part of the program itself.
The Travelers’ Notebook has a great list of the top locations for teaching English overseas and links to specific programs: http://tinyurl.com/49plrq. The Czech Republic, Korea and Mexico top the list. Check it out.
Service jobs in foreign countries have tremendous appeal and though volunteering won’t help you pay your student loans back, the skills and meaningful experience will make you a better candidate upon return. Jobs vary tremendously depending on your skill set, where you’d like to be and what you’d like to do. The work may improve many aspects of a community including:
- Childhood development,
- Healthcare,
- Cultural preservation,
- Education,
- Environment.
The Peace Corps is not the only option out there. AFS, the American Field Service Intercultural Program, best known for arranging foreign student exchange, offers one to twelve month options. While they do require a fee, financial assistance and scholarships are available. Visit www.usa.afs.org. Additional sites to review include:
Should all of this seem to daunting or too adventurous for you, consider Canada: closer to home and yet decidedly different. Looking for work outside the States this year increases your pool of opportunities. Upon return you’ll have a broadened perspective, desirable skills and a completely new network of contacts.
April 27, 2009
Widen the breadth of your search and cast your net overseas... |
The U.S. entry-level job market is tough right now, and unemployment is fast becoming a global epidemic. Should you cast your net overseas this year, however, you increase the breadth of your search and very well may land yourself a unique and interesting opportunity.
Your parents may cringe at the thought and question if this is ultimately a tactic for delaying entry to the real world. Assure them this is a choice career move for 2009 College Graduates. Some analysts argue that companies with the biggest footprint abroad will whether the recession best. Internationalizing your resume will make you more marketable to those firms and their competitors. Additionally, some of the key qualifications leading employers seek in job applicants include:
• Leadership,
• Self-management,
• Teamwork,
• Entrepreneurship,
• Ability to embrace diversity.
An experience abroad will challenge and develop these critical skills, among others, and give participants a new global perspective, not to mention the chance to hone foreign language skills or learn a new language entirely.
The task of finding a good position overseas can be challenging, but not much more so than trying to launch a career in this economy stateside. Check first with your college career center, many offer programs in conjunction with study abroad. If you’ve already spent time abroad, review the network you developed there and reach out to those contacts.
Some excellent websites and organizations to check out include:
• www.icemenlo.com: the International Cooperative Education program which and been helping American students land paid internships in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and South America since the ‘70s
• www.aiesec.org: founded in 1948, AIESEC focuses on developing the individual’s international network through internships with companies who offer market-based solutions to social and environmental problems
• www.bunac.com/usa: the British Universities North American Club secures work / travel experiences complete with excellent support services for its participants
Be certain to have a sound plan before heading to foreign shores in search of employment. You will want to have proper work authorization or face being deported and/or fined. Working through a reputable organization experienced with these details will make the process easier.
So, if moving home unemployed is sounding more and more undesirable, consider work in distant lands. Even babysitting and gardening sound better on the resume when done in another country- it tells future employers you are adventurous, adaptable, independent and open to change.
Next week I'll will cover international service opportunities and teaching English abroad.
April 20, 2009
Top Ten To Dos (for your career) before you Graduate
As the countdown to graduation day begins, we recommend you take the following steps before leaving campus:
1. Get friendly with the folks at the Career Center. If you haven’t already done so, make an appointment with a counselor in Career Services, have your resume reviewed and conduct a baseline interview. Most Career Centers will continue to support alumni beyond graduation, but you’re sure to get a warmer response if they can place a name with a face when you call. And heck, it’s free!
2. Obtain an official copy of your transcript. Many employers will ask for a copy, which can take time. Securing one while you’re still walking distance to the Registrar will avoid delays when it’s needed.
3. Host a networking event with your friends. Invite your nearest and dearest over for brainstorming, resume sharing and informal networking. It will be harder to gather a group of such close contacts face-to-face when you all disperse, so take advantage of the proximity and start networking now. Post-graduation you can maintain these relationships virtually through available social media channels.
4. Mock interview with one another. You cannot practice your interviewing skills enough, so test them out on your housemates. It may feel awkward and contrived, but don’t many actual interviews feel that way?
5. Secure your references. Meet with professors, employers and others on-campus that you hope to use as a reference. Be certain they are enthusiastic about doing so and understand what opportunities you seek and qualifications you possess. Ask if they’d be willing to give you an electronic copy of a letter of recommendation in the event you need to produce one on short notice.
6. Register for access to the alumni database. Become familiar with the uses of your school’s online alumni database. It is an amazing source of information and willing contacts. You may identify alumni who remain in your college town and hold jobs of potential interest to you. Give them a ring and set up some informational interviews.
7. Find roommates. Moving to a new city without a job? Chances are you will need to share a place. Post a roommate finder in the student center and spread the word about where you’re headed.
8. Attend any and all remaining recruiting events. Companies coming to campus to find summer interns are still good contacts for you to make. Consider applying for a summer internship: it’s a good option in this economy, will further develop your skills and resume, and could turn into a full-time gig come fall.
9. Spend some quality time with your advisor. In addition to serving as a potential reference, your advisor most likely knows you best and can be a great resource for career guidance. It is also likely your advisor has worked with others who have similar career interests and can steer you in the direction of good alumni contacts.
10. Stick around after commencement and volunteer for reunion weekend. With thousands of alumni descending upon campus for reunion, it is wise to stay in town a few days longer after getting your diploma. Volunteering at cocktail receptions, picnics and workshops may offer opportunities to practice networking skills, perfect your elevator pitch and make solid connections to individuals with whom you already share a common bond. And who doesn’t want the party to last just a few more days?
