Sharon – Page 3 – Penn & Beyond

Organizing Your Job Search

by Sharon Fleshman

So you’re looking at a pile of business cards on your desk from the most recent career fair and a screen full of emailed job postings. Now what? Here are some tips to stay organized with your job search.

Carve out dedicated time. Make sure that you are tending to your job search on a regular basis. Whether it’s two hours every Saturday morning or 30 minutes before dinner five times a week, consider what works best for you.

Have a place to store key information (e.g. applications sent, contacts made, etc.) and document your progress. You may choose to work with a spreadsheet or with a more sophisticated tool such as Jobtreks, which can be accessed on our Job Search page.

Establish a support system. A colleague of mine has found that when he facilitates job search groups, the members begin to support one another in the process. Be intentional about having a space where you can give and receive encouragement as you conduct your job search. Such a “space” may be a job search group, a mentor’s office, or an informational interview with an alum. Career Services advisors are also available to help you strategize and stay on track.

Being Mindful at Work

by Sharon Fleshman, Senior Associate Director

Earlier this year, I posted an article called Pressing the Pause Button which offered some guidance on how to regroup and refocus during times of overwhelm. Given the abundance of emails in my inbox and the constant allure of technology, I am challenged to follow my own advice. As I realize how overrated multitasking is, I have been drawn to the practice of mindfulness, which has emerged as a practical way to experience more fulfillment and productivity in the workplace. In their Harvard Business Review article, How to Practice Mindfulness Throughout Your Work Day, Rasmus Hougaard and Jacqueline Carter note that:

“Two skills define a mindful mind: focus and awareness. More explicitly, focus is the ability to concentrate on what you’re doing in the moment, while awareness is the ability to recognize and release unnecessary distractions as they arise. Understand that mindfulness is not just a sedentary practice; mindfulness is about developing a sharp, clear mind.”

I see mindfulness as an intentional way to pause, pay attention, and be present in the moment, which are vital to producing high quality work, connecting well with colleagues and clients, and maintaining a healthy rhythm of work, recreation and rest.

Below you will find several articles that speak to the importance and impact of integrating mindfulness in the context of work. As you read them, consider how you can put one or two concrete practices into your everyday life this summer.

10 Ways to be More Mindful at Work

Putting Mindfulness to Work

The Essential Resource We’re All Wasting

Live & Learn: Cultivating Self-Awareness for Career Planning

by Sharon Fleshman

As we move toward the end of the semester, many of you will write papers, prepare oral presentations, or take final exams based on what you have learned over the last few months. I hope that you will look beyond the classroom to extend your learning by reflecting on activities such as group projects, extracurricular involvement, internships and field placements. Here are some questions to get you thinking about some of these activities:

What did you learn about yourself?
What energized you the most and why? What drained you the most and why?
What strengths and weaknesses became apparent to you and how did you act on this self-knowledge?
Where and how did you make the most impact?
What experiences made the most impact on you and how so?
What motivated you the most and why? How did you motivate others?
How have you grown through these experiences?

As you review your reflections, look for themes that highlight your skills, interests and work values as this can help you assess various career options. You will gain self-awareness that will be pivotal not only to your professional development, but also to your job search, especially as you go on interviews and make career decisions.

Let the learning continue!

Pressing the Pause Button

by Sharon Fleshman

A little over a week ago, I participated in a resource fair for an orientation on campus and sat next to a representative from the Office of the Chaplain. Her giveaway for those in attendance was a button with a pause sign. In our fast-paced world, there is still a place for pressing the pause button. How might this work in your career planning or job search?

You may listen to classmates’ career plans and make comparisons, perhaps losing sight of your own goals. Press the pause button and reaffirm your own career interests and values. Reflect on experiences that remind you of why you are pursuing your own path.

You may be overwhelmed with all that you have to do with juggling classes, a part-time job, activities, the job search and so on. Press the pause button and take a walk or nap. Take a moment to just breathe, meditate or pray. Then think about how to organize your time going forward. Establish a healthy rhythm of work and replenishment.

You may feel discouraged, trying to figure out why things are not working out in your job search. Press the pause button and connect with family, friends and others in your support system. Talk to a mentor or career advisor who can help you regroup and strategize with a positive mindset.

You may be stumped by a question during an interview. Rather than jump right into an answer just to fill the silence, press the pause button. Acknowledge the question and get any necessary clarity on it, and if necessary, ask for a few seconds to think about it before responding.

Pressing the pause button is an act of self-care than typically lasts only minutes or hours, but can make all the difference in your outlook and productivity.

Standing Out in a Crowded Job Search

By Sharon Fleshman

The city of Philadelphia made much preparation for Pope Francis’ recent visit, anticipating big crowds along Ben Franklin Parkway. Crowded spaces can be energetic yet overwhelming at the same time. Likewise, the job search can feel the same way. Whether you attend a conference in your field, a career fair or an employer information session, there are ways to leave a positive and memorable impression that can potentially open the door to career opportunities.

Do your homework. Be sure to research employers of interest that will attend career fairs or host information sessions. Look at the list of speakers or panelists who will attend conferences and read up on their careers. Consider how your interests and skills align with the mission, values and work of the employers or professionals who appeal to you the most. This will pave the way for more engaging dialogue with those who can offer insight for the job search.

Ask thoughtful questions and take good notes. Good preparation will allow you to pose questions that make it clear that you have a genuine interest in a given company or profession. Jot down key takeaways from presentations at information sessions or conferences. If you have chats with recruiters or presenters that are particularly engaging, write highlights from the conversation on the back of their business cards.

Follow up with key contacts. Timely follow-up is a crucial next step after attending career-related events and your notes from your conversations will help you craft tailored correspondence. Start your follow-up emails by thanking the contact for taking the time to speak with you at the event. Mention highlights from what you discussed and indicate that your interest in the employer or profession was affirmed by the conversation. For recruiting events such as career fairs and information sessions, you can also note specific positions to which you have applied (or will apply). For professional development events such as conferences, you can ask additional questions that came to mind after the event or request an informational interview with the contact.

If you would like further assistance with preparation and follow-up for career events, feel free to connect with one of your career advisors at Career Services.