Many people, no matter whether it is their first job or their tenth, feel as though they need to be perfect when they start their new job. They believe they have to prove to their managers and hiring team that they were worth being selected, and with that, they also believe that they cannot make mistakes. They worry that if they mess up, the manager will regret hiring them or start looking for ways to get them dismissed. The good news is that, unless you are living in a scenario like Nick from the movie Horrible Bosses, your manager will be gracious and give you growing room.
As Rachael Moore points out in her article for Education Week, it is a fact of life to make mistakes. Accept that you are not perfect, and no one else is, either. It is important to accept the mistake, reflect on it, and learn how to do better the next time. She shares an anecdote from her own experience where she was told “People remember the last thing you did. Make the next project you work on really good and everyone will have moved on.” No one dwells on your mistake as much as you do, so it’s important to take the opportunity to grow and move on to do something better, rather than wallow in fear. Equally as important, be gracious to others, and help them learn from their mistakes. As you get more experience, don’t look down on the “newbies” and point out their inferiorities, but work with them to become the best workers they can be.
To read more of Moores’ article, click here: http://blogs.edweek.org/topschooljobs/careers/2016/01/the_gift_of_graciousness.html?utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=FeedBlitzRss&utm_campaign=careercorner
In the coming weeks, our office will be involved in multiple job and internship fairs. These are excellent opportunities for students to connect with many employers in a short amount of time, but as we have discussed in previous posts, they can seem overwhelming to attend. One particular source of anxiety for attendees is not knowing what employers are looking for. As someone asked in a Jobipedia question: How do recruiters determine which students are worth pursuing from a 3-minute conversation at a career fair? It’s true- what can a recruiter possibly see in a 3-minute chat about whether a candidate will be a good fit, or fill a need, in their company? Thankfully, a few employers responded, giving insight into what they look for at recruiting events such as job fairs.
A representative from The Hershey Company had a few suggestions. First, to be prepared and don’t hesitate to initiate the conversation. Second, to have an elevator speech that is concise, but gives insight into who you are. Third, make sure what you are looking for in a job is actually available at the company at that given time. The representative recommended researching the careers section of the company website before the fair, but we also recommend using LinkedIn, or reading the website of the organization hosting the fair, as they will sometimes give details about what positions companies are looking to fill while in attendance. A Hiring Expert from Pitney Bowes indicated that, at fairs, they are looking for candidates with not only the technical skills to do the job successfully but also cultural fit- does the candidate present a personality that would mesh well with current employees. Finally, a representative from AT&T encouraged candidates to focus on their first impression- not only echoing the importance of the elevator speech, but also to be cognizant of clothing choice. Another key take-away from their feedback was to be confident!
To read the full answers to this question and many others, click here: http://www.jobipedia.org/Questions/Conversation/How-do-recruiters-determine-which-students-are-worth-pursuing-from-a-3-minute-conversation-at-a-career-fair
One of the biggest stressors when going through a job search is determining if you will be a good fit within a company- will you get along well with your coworkers and supervisor, will the environment be one where you can succeed, and is your personality one that will help you get the job done. Although many interview preparation tips suggest asking questions when given the opportunity during the interview, it can be very hard to frame a question that will help you gauge whether you and the company will mesh well. Adrian Granzella Larssen of The Muse wrote an insightful article to help job seekers determine what to ask. In the article, Larssen suggests doing some research not only on the company but also on yourself- what is your personality and what skills do you want to really highlight during your work experience? Write these qualities down to stay focused. Then, during the interview, ask two key questions:
- What are the traits of people who succeed and advance in this organization/company or in this role?
- What are the traits of people who don’t?
Then, using their feedback, review the list you made and see how well you match what they are- and are not- looking for. Remember it’s better to know up front that you will not mesh well and continue your job search than to accept a job, feel miserable, and start your search all over again.
For more about this idea, check out Larssens’ article here: https://www.themuse.com/advice/the-2-questions-you-need-to-ask-to-figure-out-if-a-companys-right-for-your-career
ALBRIGHT ELCDC 