This is a rant so I apologize in advance if I am going to be offending those who don't have a job right now.
Recently, my sister graduated from college and is looking for a teaching job. Over the summer, she went to a few interviews, but did not hear back from those places. I asked a couple of people that I know who works as teachers about the hiring. I was told that the school will still hire as the school year begins. The school year has now started and she's still without a job. Meanwhile, I hear from others that principals have hired people as soon as they meet them.
I asked sister what she has been doing while she's not working? She mentioned that she's taking classes to be able to teach Montessori, which is great.
However, I looked at the postings on the county sites. There are still spots open, and quite a few. I am beginning to wonder how hard has she been working on getting a job? Did she expect to just send in her resume and wait? Did she call the HR dept. to ask about her status? Did she call the schools directly and ask if they have her resume? The answer is likely no. WTF? If you really want a job, you'll pursue it persistently right? Am I crazy to expect her to be more proactive about it?
I can understand too that the current economy is not great, and lots of places are cutting positions. But if the listing is up there, you bet they are thinking about hiring. I expect no less than calling one school a day and ask if you can send in the resume, can calling back after a couple of days to see what they think. Worst case is that they don't like what you have or you after the interview, but you can still get feedback for you next one.
This is not the first time that I have seen it happen. I had friends who decide they want to go for a career in some field. I am all for supporting them in getting into something they want to do. However, when I ask what they are doing about getting into the field, they usually answer "I gotta get through this and that first." OK fine, but in the meantime, what are you going to prepare? Are you surrounding yourselves with the right people, people who working the field, who has experience and connection? Or are you waiting for the opportunity to come? A year later, these people are still not in the field that they said they want to be in, and still getting through the this and the that. Seriously, WTF? If you really want it, don't wait for it, go get it.
Showing posts with label career. Show all posts
Showing posts with label career. Show all posts
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
college shouldn't be for everyone
This post is not to discourage anyone from going to college or to get education. However, I don't believe that college should be for everyone. I would be the first to tell you that learning and education should be the priority of anyone who is under 18 (age people who usually graduate high school). Continual learning through a lifetimes is and will always be a personal value. What I don't believe in is that kids are expected to go to college and get a degree. I understand that a lot of companies look for grads with some sort of degree. It is tough to compete with someone who has one if you don't. However, I often wonder if these degree are really helpful?
First of all, are the grads working in a field they studied in? Some yes, a lot no. Yes, college is a go place to find out what you do best and what you enjoy, but it also costs a lot of money. Do you need to spend so much to discover yourself? Some kids are pressured to go to school because that's what is expected of them. When they are done, sometimes they work in the same field, and sometimes they choose other fields.
I would prefer that instead of college, there be more trade schools. The current workforce is starting to become academic heavy, so heavy that they can't find a job with their degree. Trade training is in decline. While trade school does not have the same prestige, trade professionals earn as good a living as "degreed" professionals, some times more.
So for all those who are considering going to college, but also dread it at the same time, trade school would be a excellent place.
First of all, are the grads working in a field they studied in? Some yes, a lot no. Yes, college is a go place to find out what you do best and what you enjoy, but it also costs a lot of money. Do you need to spend so much to discover yourself? Some kids are pressured to go to school because that's what is expected of them. When they are done, sometimes they work in the same field, and sometimes they choose other fields.
I would prefer that instead of college, there be more trade schools. The current workforce is starting to become academic heavy, so heavy that they can't find a job with their degree. Trade training is in decline. While trade school does not have the same prestige, trade professionals earn as good a living as "degreed" professionals, some times more.
So for all those who are considering going to college, but also dread it at the same time, trade school would be a excellent place.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
5 important things for all grads
Recently, my sister graduated and is looking for a job. It's been 3 months and she has yet to get an offer. Granted, she's looking for a teachinc job at elementry schools. So the hiring is still going in at the beginning of the school year.
From my personal experience, there are a few things that all grads need to remember:
1) Interviews are great experiences. It's good to get feedback from the interviewer, especially if you don't get the job. The more interviews you go on, the more comfortable you will be speaking about yourself.
2) Keep searching. Don't stop send out your resume if you get an interview or interviews. Don't even stop if you get an offer. Still keep an eye out even if you have been working. It never hurts to know about opportunities. Just be sure not to have your information posted as open and searchable once you start working. Some companies don't like that.
3) Ask questions and do research. It always a benefit to you as the prospect to look up information about the places you want to work at. Call the human resource number on the job listing and ask as much information as they will give. Information such as what do the qualification really mean, what extra skills would they consider. Also, ask to speak to the department that is hiring for the posistion because HR does not always have the answers.
4) Get to Know the right poeple. This the toughest for "shy" people. Going events or joining groups for the profession you want to be in will get you insight and inside tips on what is going on, how things work, and connect with people. This is a good way to getting information.
5) Any opportunity is a good opportunity. This is a point that I many people pass up. It doesn't matter if it's volunteer, pro bono, or short term. Any experience in a field that you want to be in will only add to your resume and your connection. I have seem quite a few people not be able to work in the profession of their choice because they believe that they should always be paid for it. Companies like to see experience before they want to hire someone. So get some experience anyway you can.
In fact, these things should be important for anyone at any stage of their career. I know something pro bono, and volunteer work is hard if you have bills to pay, and I am not saying you have to do that, or for long term.
If you get yourself out there, you never know if that might bring the next big job.
From my personal experience, there are a few things that all grads need to remember:
1) Interviews are great experiences. It's good to get feedback from the interviewer, especially if you don't get the job. The more interviews you go on, the more comfortable you will be speaking about yourself.
2) Keep searching. Don't stop send out your resume if you get an interview or interviews. Don't even stop if you get an offer. Still keep an eye out even if you have been working. It never hurts to know about opportunities. Just be sure not to have your information posted as open and searchable once you start working. Some companies don't like that.
3) Ask questions and do research. It always a benefit to you as the prospect to look up information about the places you want to work at. Call the human resource number on the job listing and ask as much information as they will give. Information such as what do the qualification really mean, what extra skills would they consider. Also, ask to speak to the department that is hiring for the posistion because HR does not always have the answers.
4) Get to Know the right poeple. This the toughest for "shy" people. Going events or joining groups for the profession you want to be in will get you insight and inside tips on what is going on, how things work, and connect with people. This is a good way to getting information.
5) Any opportunity is a good opportunity. This is a point that I many people pass up. It doesn't matter if it's volunteer, pro bono, or short term. Any experience in a field that you want to be in will only add to your resume and your connection. I have seem quite a few people not be able to work in the profession of their choice because they believe that they should always be paid for it. Companies like to see experience before they want to hire someone. So get some experience anyway you can.
In fact, these things should be important for anyone at any stage of their career. I know something pro bono, and volunteer work is hard if you have bills to pay, and I am not saying you have to do that, or for long term.
If you get yourself out there, you never know if that might bring the next big job.
Monday, August 22, 2011
staying current
Punch Debt's post today asked a very poignant question: What if you lost your job today?
I think most people don't want to think about that possibility. That is understandable, considering the topic being depressing and nerve recking. However, regardless of the economy, that possibility is very real. At any given time, some one could loose their job, whether it's due to company trimming cost, or large company taking over and replacing staff.
With good preparation, the possibility of loosing a job is not as scary as it could be. A few simple things can make the idea seem less frightening or sudden.
1) have an updated resume - regardless of how much you like your current job, or how secure your job is, always, always, always update your resume at least every year. It a about 10-30mins to put down what you have accomplished with in the year. If nothing seems good enough to put down (unlikely if you are doing well at your job) update the references and phone numbers. If you never need it great; if you do need it, it will take a lot less work to update and send out (and the soon you can sent it out, the better, right?).
2) be on the look out for opportunities - again, regardless of how much you like your job, keep an eye out for positions available from other companies. If you can have a job search site email you a list of results every 2 weeks or so, you can see who is hiring, possibly what the jobs will pay, what qualifications companies are looking for, etc. Even if you don't apply to any of the listing, you can still call the HR and ask for more info. More information will only help in the event you need it.
3) network - networking is a good way to learn about companies and other professions. Just talking and getting to know people will open up opportunities. Never burn bridge no matter how much you dislike someone. You never know when and if it come back to bite you in the ass.
4) have a back up career - have something you always wanted to try but never thought you could do it? learn about it while you have safety of having a job. When you have to look for a new job, you can better go into that new career.
5) emergency income supplement plan - no, not some kind of insurance, but that would be great. Have a plan of where you could get work easily for a short period of time before you find your professional job. Maybe working at a restaurant for a few hours a day to supplement your emergency fund while you are booking interviews, or stock shelves at night at the grocers. Your income at the jobs are only to help extend your EF, so don't try to take on full time status because your focus should be on looking for that new full-time job.
Like everything else, if you plan for it, a job loss will not come as a shock and it will be easier. Always keep your options open.
I think most people don't want to think about that possibility. That is understandable, considering the topic being depressing and nerve recking. However, regardless of the economy, that possibility is very real. At any given time, some one could loose their job, whether it's due to company trimming cost, or large company taking over and replacing staff.
With good preparation, the possibility of loosing a job is not as scary as it could be. A few simple things can make the idea seem less frightening or sudden.
1) have an updated resume - regardless of how much you like your current job, or how secure your job is, always, always, always update your resume at least every year. It a about 10-30mins to put down what you have accomplished with in the year. If nothing seems good enough to put down (unlikely if you are doing well at your job) update the references and phone numbers. If you never need it great; if you do need it, it will take a lot less work to update and send out (and the soon you can sent it out, the better, right?).
2) be on the look out for opportunities - again, regardless of how much you like your job, keep an eye out for positions available from other companies. If you can have a job search site email you a list of results every 2 weeks or so, you can see who is hiring, possibly what the jobs will pay, what qualifications companies are looking for, etc. Even if you don't apply to any of the listing, you can still call the HR and ask for more info. More information will only help in the event you need it.
3) network - networking is a good way to learn about companies and other professions. Just talking and getting to know people will open up opportunities. Never burn bridge no matter how much you dislike someone. You never know when and if it come back to bite you in the ass.
4) have a back up career - have something you always wanted to try but never thought you could do it? learn about it while you have safety of having a job. When you have to look for a new job, you can better go into that new career.
5) emergency income supplement plan - no, not some kind of insurance, but that would be great. Have a plan of where you could get work easily for a short period of time before you find your professional job. Maybe working at a restaurant for a few hours a day to supplement your emergency fund while you are booking interviews, or stock shelves at night at the grocers. Your income at the jobs are only to help extend your EF, so don't try to take on full time status because your focus should be on looking for that new full-time job.
Like everything else, if you plan for it, a job loss will not come as a shock and it will be easier. Always keep your options open.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
job vs job
I have been looking for a job close to home for a long time. Nothing has ever popped up where it would be close to home, and I mean less than 30mins commute by car. At least not for what I do, which is in the graphics arts area. I have job that I like. The pay is good. The only thing is the commute is longer than I would like, especially for having kiddies. I spend about 1hr each way on the train. Driving is not really an option.
I didn't want to leave my old job, but they were moving to an area that would mean 2hrs commute each way. My current job has a slight shorter commute than my old job, but better promotion potential. I was grateful that I found my current job before my old job was moved. Since I got my current job almost a year ago, I stopped really looking. I still get the email for the search results and read them occasionally.
What did I get in my inbox yesterday? A search result that has a job opening 10mins drive from my house. OMG, I want to on apply. So why am I hesitating?
1. Well, the job is not what I am currently doing exactly. It is what I was doing 7 years ago and I am not sure if want to go back to doing that.
2. Salary wise, I am almost topped out at what they are offering for salary, while I am still go up 10-20% were I am now.
3. I know spending time with family is important, and should be important. BUT, do I want to be doing this job when my kids are in school? in 5 years, 10 years?
4. the time I spend commuting, I get to enjoy a little quite time. I read or watch TV episode on my media player. I feel like if I were close to home, I'd spend all my time with my kids and go crazy not having some self time, which is what happens on the weekends.
5. The pension system is that I get an average of my highest paid few years. I wold have better retirement if I stayed where I am.
6. I don't want to look like an @$$ if I only stayed less than a year at a place where they really like having me around to go to do some job that I am not sure I want to do.
Reasons I should:
1) 2 hrs more with my family - the list should really just end here with me applying to the job.
2) with the money I am saving on transportation it would not seem so bad without the high salary increase, at first.
3) we are already comfortable with our current income without the salary increase, inflation might change that soon
In the end, I feel like I am being selfish if I don't apply, regardless if I can get the job or not.
I didn't want to leave my old job, but they were moving to an area that would mean 2hrs commute each way. My current job has a slight shorter commute than my old job, but better promotion potential. I was grateful that I found my current job before my old job was moved. Since I got my current job almost a year ago, I stopped really looking. I still get the email for the search results and read them occasionally.
What did I get in my inbox yesterday? A search result that has a job opening 10mins drive from my house. OMG, I want to on apply. So why am I hesitating?
1. Well, the job is not what I am currently doing exactly. It is what I was doing 7 years ago and I am not sure if want to go back to doing that.
2. Salary wise, I am almost topped out at what they are offering for salary, while I am still go up 10-20% were I am now.
3. I know spending time with family is important, and should be important. BUT, do I want to be doing this job when my kids are in school? in 5 years, 10 years?
4. the time I spend commuting, I get to enjoy a little quite time. I read or watch TV episode on my media player. I feel like if I were close to home, I'd spend all my time with my kids and go crazy not having some self time, which is what happens on the weekends.
5. The pension system is that I get an average of my highest paid few years. I wold have better retirement if I stayed where I am.
6. I don't want to look like an @$$ if I only stayed less than a year at a place where they really like having me around to go to do some job that I am not sure I want to do.
Reasons I should:
1) 2 hrs more with my family - the list should really just end here with me applying to the job.
2) with the money I am saving on transportation it would not seem so bad without the high salary increase, at first.
3) we are already comfortable with our current income without the salary increase, inflation might change that soon
In the end, I feel like I am being selfish if I don't apply, regardless if I can get the job or not.
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