What I Would Tell My 20-Year-Old Self...

I often think back to my college days and whether my choices may, or may not, have directed me to where I am today.  And the answer is a resounding YES.

The beginning of my college career was interesting.  I started off as pre-med / pre-pharmacy, and I KNEW I didn't want to pursue a career in healthcare.  Why I did it, you ask?  Because my parents wanted me to.  Not that they wouldn't have been happy with me having a career in business, but because in their generation, a career in healthcare meant stability and job security.  I struggled for nearly two years to tell them I didn't want to pursue their dream.  All the while, I was still taking courses I had absolutely no interest in.

Once I broke the news to my parents, I realized I was on my own now.  They knew nothing about any industry outside of healthcare.  I was left to navigate the rest of my adult life... by myself.  Scary!  

Over the second half of my college years, I found a major that was broad and useful in many aspects of "business".  I had two minors where I explored interests I had - like real estate, property management, and language skills.  In that time, I took internships in the hours I wasn't working or in school.  Some of those internships were absolute disasters; I'd go home hating my life and dreading the next 2 hour day I had to work.  Some of those internships really piqued my interest, and I continued searching for positions in the same category.

In the end, my decisions absolutely led me to where I am today.  What I didn't realize when I was 20, I realize now.  They say "hindsight is 20/20", and that couldn't be closer to the truth.

• Things are going to be hard.  Sometimes, very very hard... and both physically and emotionally draining.  And when you think you're going to give up.  Don't.  You have the capability to push through any tough phase because that's all it is - a phase.

• Don't study/pursue something just because someone else "wants" you to, or tells you to.  Your interests are your own.  You are a unique individual, and no one can tell you what you'd be good at.  Figure that out on your own.

• Take a personal finance course.  Once you realize you don't have the financial support of anyone else but yourself, you have to know how to best utilize your assets.

• Take a social etiquette course, where ever you can find one.  You may think it's ridiculous to learn how to fold your napkin when you walk away from a table, but you will likely have many business dinners in your future where this will come in handy.  

• Take a course in interviewing / resume writing.  Believe it or not, interviewing is a skill that can be taught.  And just as you learned how to write essays in middle-school, it's time you learn how to draw up a great resume.

• Start networking.  And never stop networking.  You never know when the person you are talking to in your 20s, will be the next-big-thing's CEO.  

• If there is only one thing you take away, make it this.  This is a marathon, and not a sprint.  You are not going to accomplish what you want without a few bumps along the way.  But each speed bump is just a reminder to keep yourself motivated, and to keep pushing forward.

Does this make me look fat?

Congratulations!

You have been invited for an onsite interview at the company you've had your sights on for months.  Aside from being prepared for the interview (e.g.: reading up on the company, knowing about the person/people you will be interviewing with, having a list of questions you want to ask them about the company and the position), deciding what to wear is just as important.

I tend to go by the rule, "You can never be overdressed."  This is true in almost any scenario.  This is especially true in interviews.  Whether you're interviewing at a chic start-up company in Silicon Valley (y'know, the ones that wear flip flops and baseball hats to work), or a prestigious Fortune 500 company, I suggest the following guidelines.


Men

• Dark suit.  This means black, brown, navy.  Solid color or pinstripes.  Please, no obnoxious plaid or polka dots.
• White shirt.  Go with the crisp, white, button down shirt.  Leave the print and colored shirts for the holiday parties.
• Tie.  I feel this is optional.  But, should you choose to wear a tie, go with a power color - blue or red.  Make it your "statement" piece.
• Dress socks.  You laugh, but I'm serious.  Please wear tall dress socks.  I have had candidates come in wearing white tube socks.  
• Nice shoes.  Polish them.  Make sure the laces are not tattered.  Shoes say a lot about a man. 

Women

• Dark suit.  Again, this means black, brown, navy.  Solid or pinstripe.  Skirts are ok, but keep them conservative - no more than a couple inches above the knees.  Although, I do feel like women have a little more flexibility in this option.  I don't feel a jacket is always necessary, as a sweater (in a neutral, solid color) should do just fine.
• Simple jewelry.  Don't wear anything that will distract you, distract the interviewer from you, or that will make a lot of noise when you move (think: bangles).
• Pull your hair off your face.  Yes, bangs are pretty.  But no one wants to see you fumble with that piece that gets in your eye one too many times.
• Same rule applies.  Wear nice shoes.  Flats or a shoe with a 1-2" heel should work just fine.

As shallow as it may sound, first impressions are everything.  You will be judged by what you are wearing, how you present yourself, your handshake, your eye contact, and your confidence levels.

Someone I know once told me, "Look good, feel good, play good" [SIC].  Couldn't be further from the truth.

If in doubt, keep this in mind:

GOOD LUCK!

Generation: Technology

When I started recruiting, LinkedIn had just started "taking off", LinkedIn Recruiter had not yet gained its momentum, Facebook Pages didn't exist, and neither did #hashtags.  Over the course of my career, I've had to adapt to new technology, new applications, new ways of thinking.  What would happen if I didn't?  I'd fall behind and become irrelevant to my career.

I oftentimes get questions about why people are getting overlooked.  One quick glance at their resume usually provides me with the answer: they haven't kept up with technology.  By example, if you're in accounting and still keep the books by pencil and graph paper, your "kind" is becoming extinct. 

Companies want to hire the candidates who are up-to-date on systems and technologies they are currently using. In this day in age, it is an expectation (not a qualification) to: operate a Windows operating system with ease, know how to use MS Office (at very minimum Word and Outlook), know how to operate an office phone system, know how to use a smartphone.  

Technology is always changing.  Industries are ever evolving.  If you don't keep up, you will be left behind.

Find Me A Job...

As a Corporate Recruiter, I cannot begin to tell you how many times someone (acquaintances and strangers are equally guilty) will email me their resume and say "I'm interested in working for your company".

GREAT!

But, do us a favor.  Please go to our Job Board and find a position that interests you.  Tell us why you are interested and what makes you a good fit.  If we aren't the recruiter for that position, rest assured that we will forward your resume to the correct recruiter.  While we'd love to help find you a great job, it is not a good use of anyone's time to go back and forth, "Do you like this position? What about this one? Or this one?"  We don't want to make assumptions on what you are interested in and/or what you would be good at.

If you are interested in working for our company...