Gone are the days that a worker stayed with a single company throughout their entire career. Times have changed so much that today, it’s rare to even find workers remaining in a single industry. While just saying this has given many people solace in the unpredictability of their job progression, it’s important to point out the more tangible reasons for this change; some have almost nothing to do with the individual worker.
Tag Archives: career
Career Tips
You’ve landed a job. Now, how are you going to rock it? Here’s some really great advice coming from thedailymuse.com 45 Pieces of Career Advice That Will Get You To The Top. A few highlights:
“2. Don’t take yourself (or your career) too seriously. Plenty of brilliant people started out in jobs they hated, or took paths that weren’t right at the beginning of their careers. Professional development is no longer linear, and trust that with hard work and a dedication to figuring out what you want to do with your life, you, too, will be OK! Kathryn Minshew, CEO of The Muse”
I’m not sure the opening wording is the best, but what comes after is…”Professional development is no longer linear” It’s rare that people end up in the exact career they planned for when they graduated. One bad job won’t define your future in a specific industry, and on the flip-side, one job in a completely different industry might change your future career path. With this in mind, work hard wherever you are. Find out what moves you and see where it, and you, can go.
Getting Past Applicant Tracking Systems
Recruiters across industries claim that upwards of 500 people will submit resumes for a single entry-level position*. So, how do HR professionals whittle these resumes down to a few good candidates? Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Put simply, ATSs are software programs that enable computerized handling of resumes. They store, organize and sort resumes based on requirements of postings by companies. ATSs are not used across the board, but for some of the most sought-after positions, these systems are becoming an industry standard. While this technology is helpful for recruiters/businesses, it can be a major obstacle for applicants. Recently, recruitment-insiders have been sharing tips to help you break through these system shortfalls:
Restaurant Machine
img via TripAdvisor
To get a glimpse at an extreme example of efficient restaurant management, take a look at Willy Staley’s recent article in NY Times Magazine, “22 Hours in Balthazar.” Balthazar, one of Soho’s hottest spots for fine dining and ultimate star-gazing, churns out high quality meals for 1,500 diners a day, spending close to $90,000 a week on food. To keep patrons fed, the restaurant has become a factory—“raw materials enter through one side early each morning, moving through various stations, where 150 to 200 employees, each playing a narrowly defined role, produce finished, value-added and marked-up goods and serve them directly to end users.” Because of this extreme efficiency, the machine shines. Every role is just as important as the next, from the stewards who bring in and catalog deliveries at 6:00 each morning to head chef Shane McBride who makes important decisions about suppliers, recipes and menus. This New York location has such a well-run system, it recently flew a team of busboys to train staff at their new London location.
Does this spark your interest? If you’re curious to learn more about the New York restaurant industry, the Food and Beverage or Culinary Arts paths in CUNY CareerPATH at Kingsborough might be your first step towards a career in this fast-paced field. Eligibility restrictions apply, so we encourage you to speak with a representative about your options. We have information sessions scheduled through December, so get in touch with us today!
Women’s Initiative at Kingsborough Community College
Early this summer, Kingsborough Community College was host to California-based Women’s Initiative for one of their first New York classes. Women’s Initiative provides low-income women with the training and resources they need to start their own businesses. Over the years, they have helped hundreds of women turn their personal dreams into a reality while also supporting local economies with jobs and increased incomes, all while creating a deep sense of community.
In October I had the chance to speak with three recent graduates who participated in the Kingsborough group. These women came from very different backgrounds, but all came to Women’s Initiative with a desire to take charge of their futures.
Job Fair at Kingsborough
In July, we talked about standing out during a career fair. It’s time to put those skills to work!
Proof
We’ve talked briefly about how to stand out at job fairs, the importance of claiming your online persona and given you tips about preparing for interviews, but it seems we might have left out one of the most important things: putting together a well written application packet.
A while back, behiring.com put together an infographic about what recruiters are thinking as they review applicants. The numbers might have changed, but the basic ideas still remain.
Understanding Your Digital Footprint
Where are you on the internet? Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn? It’s important to know that most employer prospects are checking you out online before you’re even called for an interview. Your digital footprint has become your first impression. With this in mind, keep your online persona presentable by claiming your space(s), being wary of the content you post, and keeping your profiles updated and relevant.
Still don’t believe us? A study (a little old, but still applicable) of hiring professionals shows us how likely your digital footprint affects your hireability:
Have you experienced a reaction (positive or negative) from hiring professionals or current employers based on your social media profiles?
Deciding on a Career
There’s so much to think about when deciding on your future career: passion, education, job availability, quality of life, potential for growth, etc. These issues, on their own, will not define your path, but will work together to help narrow your options. Kacey Crawford, in Drowning in Career Options at thedailymuse.com outlined 5 important things to consider when choosing which path to follow:
Researching the job market—what’s currently available, expected trends for that industry
Considering your future lifestyle hopes—regional availability, estimated compensation, flexibility
Volunteering/Interning—take a test-run before you decide
Hobbies as a separate passion—hobbies to take you away from work
Realizing you don’t have to narrow it down to just one
Some more things to consider:
What’s helped guide your career decision-making?
Homework for your next interview
Homework doesn’t stop when you finish school. If this is your first interview, or your tenth, here are some great tips for getting ready to meet your future boss:
Stay up-to-date with your industry.
Research the company you’re applying to.
Prepare and rehearse answers to basic interview questions and research potential industry-specific questions.
Be confident.
Be polite.
To read more, check out Before the Interview, Do Your Homework from Eileen Zimmerman at the New York Times.