Posts Tagged ‘Rachel David’

“How to Get Any Job: Life Launch and Relaunch for Everyone Under 30,” by Donald Asher (Ten Speed Press, 2002 & 2009) aims to advise college-aged people on their future careers. He structures workshops for the readers to figure out what they’re all about, throws in some anecdotes to support his workshops, and ties it all together with economic advice.

Asher recommends that we take our time now to figure out what we want, because we have yet to be indoctrinated in the “adult working world.” He says to hold out for an ideal opportunity, instead of taking what you can, and chastises us losers who live in our parent’s basements.

He has some good advice, but he didn’t realize how expensive housing would become (as compared to the book’s first printing in 2002), the growing unemployment rate, and the fact that most of today’s college kids have been in the “adult working world” since they were 14. The economy is changing, and here’s how to confront it:

1. Living as a team is the new recipe for success: Living in your parent’s basement isn’t the travesty it used to be. To save on funds, many grads are opting to live with their parents. You are no longer weird for wanting to save money!

2. Take what you can get: We typically want to start an actual career right out of college. But what do you do when people who have worked in your field for twenty years are suffering massive layoffs? There are also lapses in insurance to think about. You may want to think about having a “day” job with benefits, while you pursue your passion in your off time.

3. Get creative: Perhaps Asher was able to wait around for his career opportunities, but we can’t. If you want a job, sometimes you just have to invent one for yourself.

If you want a career, sometimes you have to invent your own path. Try taking more responsibilities on at your current job. For example, if you’re a future editor working at a minimum wage job, offer to edit the training manual. I know a fellow who works in data entry that just got a raise for using his IT knowledge. Otherwise, you can always contract your skills privately or start your own business

I read your column about the value of creativity at work with great interest. I have read Daniel Pink’s A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future, and you are right on. What are the innovative, creative, out-of-the box type of companies that are looking for right brainers?

Dear Readers,
If you’re a job hunter leading with your right brain, obvious choices for potential employers are companies that are keen on capitalizing on new technology and introducing new products. Apple and Nike spring to mind. Another clue is whether a company is using new communication tools to connect to customers. Gilead Sciences, Hulu, Nokia, Intel, General Electric, and Toyota are among the magazine Fast Company’s latest list of 50 leading corporate innovators, which can be found online. Business Week also publishes a list from time to time.

These sorts of operations “take advantage of creative souls,” says Lynn Hazan, a Chicago-based executive recruiter who specializes in marketing and communications. Also promising are mature companies that have a growth segment. “They will have pockets that are still open to new ways of doing things,” says Hazan.

In addition to looking for innovative companies, you might identify ways you can deliver your special skills to a more staid business. One way to get noticed is to create your own web presence by developing a website, blog, or both. LiveJournal and Wordpress both make it easy to get started, although updating your site regularly does take some time and effort. “It’s a way to form a unique position statement on your own behalf,” says Hazan. “It’s never been easier to create a voice.”

For more ideas, consult The Career Guide for Creative and Unconventional People (Ten Speed Press, 2007) by Carol Eikleberry. Its list of careers may give you a host of new options – from acrobat to young-adult librarian – to consider.

Friend or Phone?

I text. I email. But I hate talking on the phone. Now I am applying for jobs that will require me to use the phone to contact suppliers and field customer questions. I’m terrified. What can I do?

Dear Readers,

Talking directly with someone on the phone may seem like an antiquated form of communication but it’s not dead yet. And it probably never will be. Many conversations benefit from the participants hearing each other’s tone of voice, or recognizing that the other person is either hesitant or in a rush. The ability to detect or insert meaningful pauses mid-sentence or paragraph can also be quite useful. Example: (long pause, then in a voice that’s barely audible)…I love you, too.

Telephone conversations often play a key role in the hiring process. While your resume may be selected by a computer programmed to scan for key words, getting hired almost always requires follow up screening by a key individual, via telephone, in person, or both.

As a reporter for Time Magazine for 20 years, I got comfortable calling people out of the blue and firing questions. It’s a handy skill. You need to proceed with equal parts friendliness and self-confidence, explaining succinctly at the outset what you need and why.

Those who don’t have much practice making “cold calls,” can help themselves by writing out what they want to say and rehearsing ahead of time. While that may seem like overkill, it can be a huge confidence booster. Rachel David, an intern for this column, dislikes using the phone a great deal. Pressed by me to do some reporting, she wrote out her introduction ahead of time. “At least I know if my brain falls out, I can keep talking,” she says.

If taking calls is more anxiety-producing than making them, try to figure out what is worrying you. For many people, it is the fear of getting roped into doing something they don’t want to do by the person on the other end of the line, be it their supervisor or mother-in-law. If that’s the case, politely tell any caller who is pressing you to do something unreasonable that you need time to consider the request and will reply shortly. Then take the time you need to formulate your answer, call back, and politely decline. Both of these little speeches can also be written on notecards, kept by the phone, and rehearsed in advance.

I need a full time job, but the American job markets seem closed. I hear that working internationally is the way to go, but the change is so huge that I don’t know what to think of first. Pointers?

Dear Readers,

Many of us have spent years carving out niches or boosting our resumes. However, we’ve managed to overlook the fact that we already have one basic skill that’s in demand on an international level: command of the English language. But before you sell your house to move to Cabo, Mexico, consider the following:

Language: While knowledge of the local language could be an asset, it should not be your focus when targeting a new workplace. Many foreign employers offer local language courses while allowing you to use your English in the office. Employers prefer people with a desire to learn over more arrogant, semi-proficient speakers.

Location: Picking the correct location could be the difference between being gainfully employed and living in a box. When picking a country, be sure that you can bring a rare skill to the table. For example, knowing business English is handy in China, but Australia needs more than just communication skills.

Type of work: Not all jobs are available internationally. For example, a Macy’s store manager in the U.S. might not necessarily be able to manage a Műller department store in Germany. However, teaching seems to translate internationally, especially if you’re willing to teach English as a foreign language.

Finances: Finance management is one of those daily luxuries we take for granted in our native land. Set up direct deposit and you’re set anywhere, right? Au contraire. If you direct deposit with a local bank in your adopted country, you might get hosed when you try to bring your savings home. If you decide to cash your checks rather than deposit them, the exchange rate could take a hefty chunk out of your pocket, depending on when you exchange currency. The best way around these issues is to find a U.S. bank with branches in your country of choice. That makes it easy to bank whether you are in your new home or back in the States.

Banking is not your only financial worry. Be warned that American citizens who work full time abroad still need to file taxes in the U.S., even if they pay taxes in the host country.

Cultural Concerns: Even if a country is geographically close, you may feel, culturally at least, miles apart.  Even if you share a common language, that does not mean you are culturally fluent. For example, a smile does not necessarily indicate happiness or humor in every locale. If you make an off-color joke and a Japanese listener is smiling, it could mean that he is uncomfortable. In Europe, constant smiling isn’t as welcome as in the U.S.  Some Europeans take it as a sign that the grinner is cognitively disabled.

Fortunately, cultural research is easy to do. Start with the country’s government home page for the basics. If you are thinking of settling in Costa Rica, for example, doing an Internet search for Costa Rican culture brings up several informative sites that cover areas like race, class, religion, and traditions.

Sounds straightforward enough. How do I get in on these sweet gigs?

The Internet is one stop job shopping, and there are many reliable websites that post jobs on a daily basis. Dave’s ESL is excellent for English teachers, and just about any Google search will bring up a slew of jobs. Just be sure to use your Internet common sense. If the “employer” asks for money, a bank account number, or your social security number, do not give the information out! These requests are sure signs of a scam.

If you’re fearful of third party websites, you can begin your search through the American and foreign governments. The Japanese Embassy sponsors an international teaching program called the JET Programme to advance cultural and linguistic exchange.

It’s still a big world full of opportunity out there, enhanced by the fact that technology has brought us closer together. If you have had a long job search, don’t lose heart; by considering relocation, you’re expanding your odds of finding a home for your unique talent set.

(Researched by Rachel David)