Category: SP2

On-the-Job Development

by Sharon Fleshman

Many of you will be starting new jobs in the next few months and you’ve probably already heard the term “on-the-job training” mentioned in one place or another.  I’m going to tweak the language a little bit and use the term “development” as some organizations are currently doing. There is a finite quality implied in “training” which typically has a beginning and end. On the other hand, I think that “development” points to more of a dynamic and continuous process.  The bottom line is that wherever you find yourself, you need to be proactive and responsible for your own development.   To that end, here are some steps that you can take:

Embrace the present. It’s good to plan ahead and envision the future, but you also need to make sure that you focus on the job that you have been hired for.  Take advantage of all of the resources at your disposal so that you get off to a strong start. Attend relevant training sessions offered or sponsored by your employer. Ask good questions and be on the lookout for potential mentors.  Be clear on the expectations regarding your role.

Assess.  Most employers have at least an annual review process for their employees, but you should not wait for your formal evaluation to assess your performance on the job. Ask yourself a few key questions periodically. How am I using my strengths and skills in a way that produces results and maximizes impact?  What are some areas for improvement for me to work on?  How should I elicit constructive feedback from my supervisor and peers? How can I best align my work responsibilities with my own work values and goals in this environment?

Network. I realize that we’ve already inundated you with encouragement to network, network, network, but the benefits of networking are not limited to searching for that first job. Building bridges to others on the job, through professional associations and by way of alumni networks can pave the way to progress at your current employer as well as future career opportunities.  While you’re at it, don’t forget that networking should be reciprocal, so look for ways to give good information, advice and leads to those who have helped you as well as current students who will follow in your footsteps.

Broaden your horizons. Once you have established a solid track record in performing your current job responsibilities, it’s time to develop in other areas that can expose you to new people and possibilities. Think about skill sets that you need to move forward in your career.  Is training available in those areas?  Perhaps you can participate in special projects or committees that involve staff from different functions or departments.  Remember that similar opportunities also exist outside of your job; professional associations and volunteer work are two potential contexts for your career development.

As you transition from your time at Penn, I hope that you’ll see your first (or next) job as an opportunity to continue your journey of lifelong learning.

Three R’s for the job search and beyond

by Sharon Fleshman

I work with many students who seek to either enter or support the helping professions.  Often the same skills that they seek to empower others with need to be applied to their own career planning and development. As you develop these three R’s during your job search, remember that they’ll also come in handy to help you excel once you land the job.

Reflection. Many of us live in a fast-paced, media-saturated culture, in which information, ideas, and images are coming at us from all directions.  This isn’t necessarily bad in of itself, but can distract us from the thoughtful, intentional reflection necessary to confirm our interests, affirm our strengths and address our weaknesses. Fortunately, reflection can be integrated into a field placement, internship or just about any extracurricular experience.  Student teachers can reflect on why a particular lesson was or was not successful. Student nurses can make observations about how their supervisors attend to patients. Interns can think about what attracted them to one internship site more than another. Taking the time to reflect can be quite beneficial to the job search, particularly for interviewing, since you often need to offer concrete examples that demonstrate that you are interested in and qualified for the job.

Resourcefulness. As you seek to move toward your career goals, there are resources available to help. The key is to foster awareness of these resources and to utilize them effectively.  Those of you in the helping professions seek to cultivate resourcefulness toward wellness and development in your students, patients, and clients; don’t forget to do the same for yourself.  The Career Services website is a great place to start identifying resources that will be most useful to you.  Our website is full of information and may seem a bit overwhelming at first glance, so set aside some time to learn to navigate it.  Your network is also an important resource, so make sure that you build it by way of informational interviewing, joining professional associations, and being a resource for others.

Resilience.  Ask any student making a comeback from a failing grade or a patient recovering from illness. Resilience makes the difference.  The ability to bounce back in the face of roadblocks is always necessary, especially during a challenging economy.  If you are frustrated at the lack of job offers or caught off guard by a layoff, it is critical not to internalize your disappointment or a paralysis of sorts may set in. Instead, look to your support system for encouragement and advice as you regroup. Adjust your goals and tweak your plans as necessary, but don’t overwhelm yourself by focusing on worst case scenarios. Take it one step at a time. Start each day with a fresh resolve to persist. Submit another application. Schedule another informational interview. Use the tools of reflection and resourcefulness to move forward.

Your “Best Places to Work” List

by Sharon Fleshman

Do a google search on “best places to work” and you’ll get an abundance of  responses.  While this can be a good starting place for job seekers who are sizing up employers, a “best places” list (strictly speaking) will differ from one person to the next.  How will you develop your own personal list?

Conduct a self-assessment. Reflect on your past work, whether paid employment, class projects, or extracurricular/volunteer activities, and ask yourself some questions. What energized you? What drained you?  What did you value most about your assigned tasks and work environment?  The Career Services website has a brief inventory on work values that can serve as a point of reference.

Research potential employers. Once you have pondered what you value in the workplace, it’s time to get a sense of what a given employer may value.   If you go to the employer website, look for a mission statement or set of core values that communicates what is valued.  Most organizations have a news section on their websites; are there any new initiatives or projects listed that intrigue you?  You may want to dig a little deeper and search newspapers or trade magazines to find articles on recent developments involving employers of interest. In many cases, reviewing relevant periodicals may also unearth some employers that you had not even considered.

Ask thoughtful questions. Whether during informational interviews with those who work (or have worked) at the employer under consideration, or at a job interview, you should prepare questions that will lead to clues about whether you would enjoy working there.  Some possible questions are: What attracted you to this company?  What qualities and skills are most valued at this firm?  What characteristics must one have to thrive at this organization?

Check out the workplace. There’s no substitute for observing and interacting with others in the workplace.  In some cases, you may be able to intern or volunteer with an organization to get a feel for what it would be like to work there.  At the very least, try to arrange for a site visit or shadowing experience where you can chat with current employees.

Of course, compiling your “best places” list will always be a work in progress as you grow and evolve, but now is as good a time as any to get started!

What’s In a Name?

By: David Ross

While considering employment options, it can be very easy to focus only on opportunities at “brand-name” organizations. When you think about it, the reasons for joining a well-known, established company are quite clear. Working at such a firm carries a certain cachet which can be a source of great pride. Well-known companies may provide excellent training programs to prepare you for future opportunities. Or perhaps employment with a highly-recognized firm provides that “stamp of approval” that resonates in the eyes of future prospective employers.

While these are all benefits to working for a widely-known organization, keep in mind that today’s “brand-name” may not be tomorrow’s. We live in a world today with a multitude of company mergers, acquisitions and bankruptcies. There are countless stories of well-known firms from years past that are no longer in existence due to financial troubles or corporate malfeasance. (Remember all of those stores you used to shop at when you were younger that are just a distant memory?) As much as these now defunct brands developed their reputations over a number of years, their memories could very well fade over time.

Thus, joining an organization primarily for name recognition can be a risky proposition. If working for a well-known company appeals to you that’s great. There are many amazing jobs and internships at world-renowned organizations. But carefully consider all of the other elements of the work environment and experience that are important to you – for some people that may be autonomy over their work product, a collegial atmosphere or perhaps a having a variety of duties. While everyone has different preferences and interests, focusing beyond the “name” increases the likelihood your experience will be beneficial both today and for your future.

Getting in the Loop: Crafting a Letter of Interest

By Sharon Fleshman

This semester, I’ve talked to a few students who are interested in particular jobs that they’ve seen posted, but wonder whether it’s too soon to apply since they’re not graduating until May. Maybe that’s your dilemma. Or perhaps you know that you have your heart set on working at a particular organization, but at the moment, there is no position posted that matches your skills and interests. What to do? You may assume that correspondence with a potential employer has to be in response to a given opportunity. Not so! In both cases, you can send a “letter of interest,” a type of cover letter that will allow you to express your enthusiasm about a given organization or position.

Let’s start with the first scenario I mentioned. You see the posting for an ideal job, but suspect that the position would need to be filled sooner than your graduation date. Of course, your letter would highlight your interest and qualifications, but it can also include something like “I was excited to see that you had an opening for Position X. I will be graduating in May 2011 and I hope that you will consider my application for this position. However, I realize that you may need to hire someone sooner. If that is the case, please consider me for any future similar opportunities that arise.”

In the second scenario, let’s say that you simply want to pursue an opportunity with a given organization but there are no current job openings relevant to your background or career interests. You should include much in your letter that focuses on what attracts you to the organization itself. After you bring attention to how you resonate with the organization’s mission and core values, be sure to identify your skills and qualifications as it relates to particular areas and functions of the organization which interest you. As I already noted, you can request that the recruiter consider you for any future opportunities. In addition, you may want to inquire about the possibility of an informational interview.

To get started, check out the resources on the Career Services website on how to write cover letters. Once you develop a draft, feel free to make an appointment with a Career Services advisor who can help you tweak your letter and networking strategy.