The Job Search Starts Freshman Year

This weekend I came across an interesting news piece on Business Week TV titled the Young and the Anxious. This story highlighted the fact that college students aren’t waiting until senior year to start their job search. They’re starting to plan their career success as early as freshman year.

Forward thinking students of today are reaching out to the HR departments of the companies they want to work for to discuss what it takes to get in the door. Some are going as far as calling on company advisors before accepting the college offer to question which school would provide the best opportunity for landing the job. This is a good thing and definitely shows ingenuity on the part of the student however the decision on which college to attend should not be based solely on the likelihood of landing that perfect job.

Many business groups have cropped up on college campuses around the US. These organizations provide college students, who are members, another opportunity to stand out and get noticed when it comes to preparing for that coveted position. These groups allow students to network and rub shoulders with leadership from companies who are often invited to speak and mentor students on campus. Additionally these groups provide an opportunity for students to gain leadership skills by becoming elected board members, a trait that many employers consider important in the hiring process.

A Goldman Sachs representative interviewed in the story pointed out that an internship is also a good way of getting ones foot in the door. This allows the employer to get to know the student and their work ethic during this 10 week period. She mentioned that her company aims to convert interns into full-time employees after graduation.

If you know any college students out there looking to increase their chances of getting in the door to some of the more desirable and competitive companies in their field you may want to share this information with them. View Business Week's “Young and Anxious” TV broadcast

Get the Salary you Deserve

Believe it or not there is a way to get that raise and not leave the company you're currently with. If you have been coming in early, staying late and have picked up extra responsibilities it may be time to have that dreaded conversation with management regarding MONEY. Trust me it really doesn't have to be that bad. Here are a few things to remember when preparing for the salary conversation.

Be confident. Don't be concerned that your boss may view your request as aggressive. This is a matter of self-worth. If you feel that you've truly earned a raise and can back-up your request with facts then you have every right to make the request.

This brings me to my next point the proof is in the pudding. You must provide the documentation to support your salary increase. You want to start to access yourself. Ask yourself "Am I happy", "Am I working above my title or pay grade?", "Have I taken on more responsibility?", "Have I increased my skills set by obtaining a certification or degree?" Create a comparison model between the duties of the job you were hired to do and your current responsibilities. Track and document the progress, time spent and outcomes of your projects. By doing this you might be able to make a good case for a promotion which will come with a raise. Know what you are worth by using resources such as salary.com which will create a report based on your location, industry and title.

Once you have scheduled the meeting with HR or your manager use the right words to toot your own horn. Directly point out how your ideas and recent accomplishments have saved the company money or streamlined a process. You can then validate your salary request based on what the company has received as a result of your accomplishments. Remember, reasons such as a slowing economy, high gas prices or the newest edition to your family are not reasons that warrant a raise.

While you may present the best case for the raise you undoubtedly deserve it won't guarantee that your wish will be granted. If your boss just won't budge or make some effort to compensate you you'll have to consider your options. Continued excuses about the lack of funds or bad timing might be a sign that it's time to move on. Any employer that values your hard work, commitment and work ethic will try to work something out. If they don't value you enough to pay you what you're worth another company will. Good luck!!

3 keys to achieving career excellence

Many people start out on their career journey at the age of 22 right out of college. And with the average retirement age at 65 what a long journey it will be. Most of us start out to just find a job that will allow us to become independent. At some point down the line something clicks and we come to the realization that what we really desire is a meaningful and promising career with all the rewards to match. Unfortunately obtaining this promising career takes more than just desire. We actually have to navigate this road often asking the question of which way to turn next. While the road along this journey may be rocky and a bit scary, making the conscious decision to strive for excellence is a good place to start. With that being said there are a few keys to achieving career excellence.

Have a vision:

Don't make it hard on yourself have a vision of where you want to go and find out the steps it takes to get there. If you want to run your department one day, you'll want to know what roles or special projects you need under your belt that will qualify you for the position. A good resource for this is to build relationships with your peers who can help define those necessary steps. Your company's training and development director can also be a great resource. On the road to excellence you have to take the pivotal jobs and not be intimidated by the time it takes to go through the each role and make your mark.

Go the Extra Mile:

Start by striving for excellence and then go the extra mile. Do what others won't do and set goals that others might consider hard to reach. Show your initiative by sizing up the situation, anticipating what needs to be done and then move forward to do it without being asked. This is a sure way to get noticed. You'll see those coveted projects and tasks start to come your way making your career path easier to navigate.

Find a Mentor:

Be open to finding a mentor within your organization that can share a different perspective on navigating the corporate culture. It's always good to have a coach on the inside that can groom you for the next level. This individual should be someone in a leadership position preferably within your department however someone in another department or even a different company can be just as valuable. If you can't find someone to agree to a mentor/mentee relationship find individuals in leadership that might be open to an informational interview which could lead to a formal or informal mentoring relationship. Most leaders love the idea of having a protégé.

Navigating the road to career excellence doesn't have to be a rocky one if you start out with a clear vision of where the road should lead. With a well defined plan, proper guidance and mindset to strive for excellence, each role, project or task along the path will bear fruit. Happy travels along the road to career excellence.