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Quick, What's the Answer? October 171997 Do you drift from job to job? Or are you in the midst of a career "transition"? A couple of academics, Mildred Cahill and Sandra Martland spent 3 years studying career "drifters". (Perhaps they stuck to the "drifting" terminology because they were too busy studying to recognize that the term is now "transitioning"?) Their results have implications for those of us who are excited by the prospect of change, who want to be part of new ventures, or who simply want a change of pace. But, to be fair, before we chastise them too soundly for their limited viewpoint, let's look briefly at a part of the study. They defined drifters as people who had finished high school at least 4 years ago who had made at least 3 changes in employment or courses within 10 years of graduation. But, when you look at that number, it's not bad, really. It means that people spent an average of 3+ years at each place. The recent standard seems to be about 8 years. And, in 1996, 17% of the people who left their jobs, did so to enter another field. according to the Center for Workplace Issues and Technology. Apparently, though, these figures and the rationale that created them weren't taken into consideration. To help make a point about their study, they reviewed the literature about "drifters" and found there were 5 basic types:
Oh my. Does this mean that the next time our resumes are reviewed, does this mean someone will try to put us into one of the above categories? Well, if the person reading the resume has read the study, the answer could be yes. Swell. That means we've got the choice of being catetgorized as psychologically inept, a master of making poor choices, or merely too idealistic to have a clue. Guess what? There are other reason that people choose to change employment. Transitioning is not bad. But the moral of the story is, be sure you have a good answer to the question: "So JoBeth (or Jim-Bob), tell me. Why did you leave X company (and Y company and Z company)?" Repeat After Me October 16,1997 There are plenty of jobs. All I have to do is choose one. Last June, Newsweek reported that there were "121.8 million jobs in America--more than ever before." This is good news. You are wanted. Even better, you are desperately wanted which makes the employment market a job hunter's paradise. This is true for just about everyone. Techies, skilled trade workers, business folks, even hamburg flipping gurus. So, take advantage. If you're already employed and are happy where you are, by all means stay. If you're in a valuable position, and honestly believe you're worth more than you're getting, ask. Some businesses are in the unenviable position of needing to accommodate some of their employees who request raises or perks, just to keep them on. If you're hunting, remember that you're wanted. If not at this particular job, then certainly at another. When the offer(s) come, consider negotiating your compensation package. The company offers you the job for a reason--they want what you can do. If you further highlight this reason, and can specifically indicate how your unique skills are a splendid match to the job you're being offered, you may remind the employer that you're worth perhaps more than they originally thought. Hold your own. Salary negotiations are rather tough and make many of us feel a bit egotistical or awkward. But try not to succumb to being the first to name a salary figure. One of our very favorite negotiating lines comes from Noel Smith-Wenkle, who suggests you say: "I am much more interested in doing (type of work) here at (name of company) than I am in the size of the initial offer." Sure, if you're interested in the position, let the employer know. Everyone wants someone who's enthusiastic. At the same time, leave room to negotiate, to find out more about them and what you're worth.
Part Time Creativity October 15, 1997 Are you a creative soul who wants nothing more than to do your thing? Are you having trouble trying to do it? Well, think about this. As downsizing and outsourcing become more and more the way of corporate life, the demand for contract and freelance work rockets. Just look at the number of sites dedicated to showcasing the talents of the creatives. Forget about the 9 - 5 routine. Forget about the wardrobe you've amassed for casual Fridays and power meetings. Check out the freelance sites. Splash your name around. Creative Freelancers offers free listings for freelance designers, illustrators, writers, editors, and photographers. And, although it takes quite a while to load, their gallery is a place to put your portfolio on line. Contract Employment Weekly lets non-subscribers browse through about a quarter of their constantly updated 3,000+ contract job listings. There are technical and non-technical opportunities. There's also a terrific marketing ploy. CEW brings up the number of jobs you can access that match your keyword search and tells you how many other jobs you cold have seen if you were a subscriber to their service. Computer Industry Contract Professionals doesn't let you post your resume yet, but it does offer information and a forum of exchange for individuals interested in contract technical work. If you're in the Boston area, try Camridge Publications who usually need freelance designers, writers, and HTML experts. And, of course, there's Net-Temps, which offers a wide selection of contract and permanent positions.
Break Time October 14, 1997 Hunting for the perfect employment opportunity is a time consuming and serious task. When you need a change of pace, take a look at Career Magazine. The magazine interviewed 100 personnel directors and corporate veeps about interesting interviews they'd conducted. It's a great list of what not to do, say, or ask during the interview process. A few of our favorites include: --the interviewee who fell and broke an arm during the interview If you're into lists, here's a rather odd one. It suggests that there are 22 questions not to ask during an interview. While it's not on the same scale as Career Magazine, it does cover some of the statements and questions we've always wanted (but never dared) to ask, like: "Damn! Your nose hairs are long enough to braid!" And finally, if you like body part jokes, there's one about an interviewer with no ears. While reading about what not to say won't really help you in your hunt, it might bring you a grin. And a sense of humor can really help during stress and strain of the job hunt. At times, you've just got to laugh.
Go East, Young Man October 13, 1997 Or woman. Tired of the same of faces and same old places? Looking for a new start or a sense of adventure or history? Want to be cold in the winter and hot in the summer? Want to exist in interesting economic times? Think about central Europe. Scala ECE offers a job listing and posting site dedicated to central and eastern Europe. It's not a big site. But it is easily navigable, allows region or career keyword searches, and helps to demonstrate that the world is a booming place. There are jobs in Hungary, the Czech Republic, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, and Turkmenistan. Not all the jobs are high-tech, either. Consultants and bookkeepers are also in demand. You can also post your resume here. Right now there are more than 250 resumes posted, an international assortment, primarily from men looking for work in the fields of computers and information technology or sales and marketing. A more complete site for hunters interested in this region of the world is found at Escape Artist. There are links to classified ads in regional newspapers, articles about living and working in the area, and generous links to information about the various governments. And, if you read the Czech language, there are several sites containing, we imagine (being the relative illiterates we are), a more in-depth view of the areas. So, if you're looking for something different, try going East.
-Jennifer Hicks More Resources
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