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College to Career: Your Guide to Starting Out

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Lots of people are buzzing about the recent New York Times Magazine cover story, “What is it About 20-Somethings?” The article focuses on the fact that today’s 20-somethings are “delaying adulthood” by moving back in with their parents, marrying later and hopping from career to career.

 

The article speculates about whether these shifts are happening because of the current economy, a fundamental change in the definition of adulthood or -- as many of the article’s more negative commenters believe -- the “entitled” nature of the Millennial generation.

 

Personally, I believe that 20-somethings are simply reflecting the reality of our current times. But I have seen evidence that many Millennials aren’t aware of the way they are perceived, particularly in the workplace. I frequently hear recruiters and employers complain that today’s young people have a sense of entitlement -- a belief that they deserve jobs, high salaries and advanced responsibilities even when they don’t have much experience.

 

Whether you personally feel this way or not, it’s important to understand that this perception of 20-somethings is out there. In many companies, the older generations are still in charge, so when you're looking for a job or wanting to advance in your career, you’ll have a better chance of success if you avoid the “entitled” label. Here are some tips for overcoming the “e” word:

 

1. Show appreciation for responsibility and opportunity.

One of the biggest grievances I hear from managers is that Gen Y employees expect to be given high-level, exciting work on day one of a job. Never forget that you are being paid to work! And your bosses probably “paid their dues” for a long time to get where they are. Many of them expect you to pay your dues too, even though technology and business move much faster these days.

 

The best way to receive the kind of work you want is to do a great job with every assignment you’re given. Then, when you do receive increased responsibility or a cool project, be sure to say thank you to the person who assigned it. Gratitude is remembered and rewarded.

 

2. Follow protocol.

While you may want to share your suggestions directly with the CEO of your company, it’s probably more appropriate for you to share those thoughts with your direct boss first. This type of hierarchical reporting structure may change someday when Gen Ys are in the corner office, but for now, it’s reality. If you’re not sure whether it’s okay to reach out to someone at a higher level, ask your boss or colleagues first.

 

3. Focus on what you can do for your employer, not the other way around.

In cover letters, email messages, conversations with recruiters, salary negotiations, etc., make sure you frame your value in terms of what you can offer, not what you need. Recruiters roll their eyes at cover letters that begin with, “I would like to find a position in which I can learn.” Likewise, negotiations fail when you ask for more money because, “I need it.” You’ll have a better chance of getting what you want when you focus your argument on how it will benefit the company in terms of increased sales, more productivity or lower costs. Always ask yourself, “What’s in it for them?”

 

As I read through the above list, it strikes me that avoiding the entitlement label is really about using your common sense and best manners. What do you think? Please share in the comments!



0 Comments Permalink Tags: career, job_search, work, effectiveness, employment, generation_y, workplace, skills, advice, jobs, personal_brand, performance

As someone who spends my days interacting with college students and thinking about their career prospects, I often think back to my own days on campus. I’ll admit that I experience a mix of nostalgia, relief and regret. I enjoyed college, but I also struggled to find direction during those four years.

 

While I know I can’t change the past -- and my struggles transitioning from college to career led me to the work that I do now -- there are definitely some things I would have done differently. For what it’s worth, here are three things I wish I’d known in college that I know now, in my 30s:

 

1. Great teachers and mentors are rarer than you think. I wish I’d taken classes in college based solely on the amazingness of the professors, regardless of the subject of the classes they taught. If there is a “star” teacher at your school, take his or her class, even if you just audit it from the back row. No matter what that person teaches, his or her passion will inspire you and may open your eyes to something you never previously considered.

 

2. It’s okay to fail (or get a D). Those who’ve read my book, Getting from College to Career, know my deep, dark, terrible secret: I got a D on my first test in college. It was a calculus test -- a subject I’d hesitated to sign up for in the first place -- and I thought my academic life was O-V-E-R.

 

Sure, I moved on, but I made many future course decisions based on which classes I thought I would do well in. What a stupid thing to do! Imagine all of the interesting classes I never considered because I thought I might not get a good grade. Never let fear hold you back from trying something new or different. College is a time to explore.

 

3. College is the beginning of your career. A few years after graduating from college I met with a career coach, because I couldn’t figure out what I wanted to do with my life. She asked me to describe some of my “peak” experiences, and one of the experiences I shared was my role as a Freshman Counselor (my university’s equivalent of a Resident Advisor). I absolutely loved the position -- advising students, mentoring them and learning about their perspectives.

 

“Why don’t you make a career of that?” she asked.

 

I can honestly say that the thought had never occurred to me. For some reason, I thought that job was just “college stuff” and not relevant to the Real World. Of course now I know that being a Freshman Counselor was my first step to starting the business I have today.

 

As you think about your career, don’t discount all of the things you are doing as a student -- your coursework, volunteering, extra curriculars, sports, social activities and more -- and think about how these might be the seeds that will grow into a future career. Your future is wide open; don't close any doors at this stage of the game.



0 Comments Permalink Tags: advice, generation_y, career, college

Yep, it’s that time of year again. Back-to-school shopping season brings back memories of crisp notebooks, freshly sharpened pencils, shiny new shoes and the excitement of the new year ahead. Even though I’ve been out of school for a long time, I still feel that sense of excitement and possibility when the end of August rolls around.

 

Whether you’re headed back to campus this fall or already out on the job market, here are some supplies I recommend for the job hunting season ahead:

 

1. Simple dark suit.  The failsafe choice in any professional situation is a black (or very dark navy, gray or brown) suit. Black is my top recommendation because it’s always appropriate (even in hot climates), it matches with anything and you’re more likely to blend in with the crowd if for some reason you’re a bit overdressed or underdressed. Every young professional should own at least one simple, tailored black suit.  If you’re on a limited budget, the extra bonus of a black suit is that less expensive fabrics look better in black than in lighter colors. 

 

2. Business cards. Many career-minded students are carrying business cards these days. It’s an instant way to show your professionalism when you meet someone new. Rest assured that you don’t need a title, a company, a fax number or even a street address to have a business card.  All you need is your name, a phone number (which can be a cell phone) and an email address.  If you’re a student, it’s nice to include your university and year of graduation, but it’s not required.  And that’s it.  But, no matter what, you need a way to give people your contact information when you meet them.

 

3. Folder to hold your resume. Whether you choose a formal leather portfolio or a simple two-pocket folder from the drugstore, you need a place to store your resume when you attend job fairs or interviews. Recruiters are not impressed when you pull a folded-up or crumpled copy of your resume from your jacket pocket or handbag. Show your resume the respect it deserves and give it a proper carrying case. A resume folder is a small thing, but an important one that shows your attention to detail.

 

4. Thank you notes. While it’s acceptable to send thank you notes by email these days (especially after a formal job interview when time is of the essence), sending a personal snail mail note is a guaranteed way to stand out from the pack during your job search. Buy the nicest cards you can find (I love the stationery section at Target) and use them whenever someone helps you with advice, an informational interview, a resume critique, an invitation to a networking event or any other kind gesture.

 

5. Coffee gift card. Whatever your favorite coffee shop, buy yourself a gift card worth about 10 cups of coffee. Then, challenge yourself to take at least five people out for coffee over the next month. Use these coffee meetings to ask people to review your resume, share advice from their own job search experience, introduce you to people they know who might be hiring or anything else that might help you find an opportunity. My hope is that a pre-paid coffee card will be a little push to get you to conduct more face-to-face networking this fall.

 

What other back-to-school supplies do you recommend for job seekers? Please share in the comments!



0 Comments Permalink Tags: advice, work, generation_y, career, job_search

Earlier this week I had the privilege of speaking at the Mediabistro Career Circus in New York City. As I was preparing for my presentation on social media for job seekers, I kept thinking about something my grandfather used to say:

 

Lindsey, there’s a reason you have two ears and one mouth. Listen twice as much as you talk.

 

Needless to say, my grandpa was a man of few words (and I am definitely not!), so his advice had a real impact on me. And in the age of social media -- a time when everyone has a personal mouthpiece -- I believe that listening has become more important than ever. 

 

Here are some examples, from social media and beyond, of how to benefit from talking less and listening more:

 

Twitter. For me, Twitter is all about listening. It provides you with the opportunity to be a fly on the wall and “eavesdrop” on recruiters from companies where you’d like to work, brands you admire, breaking news in your industry and anyone else whose thoughts, ideas and movements you want to know about. When it comes to actually tweeting, I try to stick to my grandfather’s ratio. About 2/3 of my tweets are sharing other people’s information -- retweets, congratulations notes, articles I think other people would enjoy -- and 1/3 are promoting my own blog, opinions or news.

 

LinkedIn. Before reaching out to request a connection with people on LinkedIn, “listen” to them first by carefully reviewing their profiles, recommendations, discussion comments and status updates. Then, when you write your connection request you can mention something you have in common or something you know is important to that person. When people see that you’ve taken the time to learn something about them, they are likely to respond more positively to your networking outreach.

 

Job interviews. One of the reasons that recruiters say it’s so important to prepare questions to ask your interviewer is because they want to observe your listening skills. In fact, I’ve heard that the more the interviewer talks during a job interview, the more likely the interviewee is to get the job! Why? The more you listen to what a prospective employer wants, the more you can cater your answers to fit those needs.

 

Salary negotiation. I used to be a terrible negotiator, so I’ve taken lots of courses and read a lot on this topic. It turns out the biggest mistake I was making in my negotiations was talking too much. In any negotiation, salary or otherwise, the advantage goes to the person who is able to gather the most information -- a.k.a. the better listener. The more you ask probing, open-ended questions and listen to the other person’s answers, the more likely you are to come to a mutually beneficial solution. Bite your tongue if necessary!

 

Do you agree with my grandfather’s advice to listen twice as much as you talk? What tips do you have about listening? Please share in the Comments!

0 Comments Permalink Tags: social_media, advice, job_search, social_networking, etiquette, twitter, career, generation_y, linkedin

This week I'm sharing five more tips for winning at social media while still having time for a life...

 

6. COPE - Create Once, Publish Everywhere. Another best practice in sharing content is to get the most out of everything you create. If you write a blog post, get interviewed on a podcast or create any other content, share it on appropriate social media sites. Similarly, if you work for an organization that produces content (such as white papers, cool ads or events), share that information with your networks to support the brand of your company. Learn more about the COPE concept here.

 

7. Pay attention to privacy. Be aware that on most social media sites, the default setting is for all of your information to be public. If you want to keep anything private (meaning only visible to the people you are directly connected to) -- such as your list of connections on LinkedIn, your photos on Facebook, your tweets on Twitter -- you have to go into the account settings on each social media profile and manually change them. It’s worth the time to read through each setting carefully and make decisions that feel comfortable to you. My rule of thumb about privacy is: when in doubt, keep it private.

 

8. Create serendipity. Location-based social media sites like FourSquare, where you “check in” at restaurants, airports, movie theaters, etc. are becoming very popular. FourSquare isn’t comfortable for everyone, but it can be valuable to update your status on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter to show people where you are traveling, what events you are attending and, when appropriate, whom you are meeting. This shows that you are active and it creates opportunities for meetings, discussions and perhaps job leads you may not have found otherwise.

 

9. Ask for help. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in working with various corporations on their social media strategies is the importance of getting feedback. If you’re not sure whether your LinkedIn profile is well-written or your tweets are on-point, ask some people you trust to give you their opinions. Just as you would have an expert look at your resume, ask for help with your social media profiles, too.

 

10. Put social media on your schedule. Consistency is crucial when it comes to social media -- don’t leave it for “when you have a spare minute.” Schedule social media time in your calendar -- maybe start with 15 minutes a day while you’re having your morning coffee -- to read through your Twitter feed, update your LinkedIn status and review what your friends are doing on Facebook. Keep up with your network just as you keep up with the news.

 

Good luck and see you online!



0 Comments Permalink Tags: linkedin, social_networking, career, facebook, twitter, advice, social_media

Every day it seems that social media is growing and changing -- there are new sites to join, new privacy settings to deal with, new features to add and customize. It can all be pretty overwhelming. If you want to be active on social media but still have a life, here are some simple tips to follow. I’ll be sharing five tips this week and five tips next week.

 

1. Own your online brand. One of the main reasons social media is important is because people are Googling you. By having a few great social media profiles, you’ll have some control over your online image and what people can discover about you. Google yourself regularly to check on your progress.

 

2. Make sure people find you. Most people will look you up on Google because they’ve had some contact with you, so make sure to drive them to the best online information about you. Link to your professional LinkedIn profile in places like your email signature line, your business card and any place else you provide your contact information. 

 

3. Choose your platforms wisely. If you don’t live and breathe social media, you probably don’t want to follow every new trend and join every new site that pops up. My recommendation for professionals is to focus your social media efforts on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. LinkedIn is the essential professional directory -- it’s like a business needing to be in the yellow pages. Facebook is the essential personal directory -- the place to keep in touch with friends and family who can support your career efforts. And Twitter is essential for research.

 

4. Use Twitter for research. On Twitter, you can create your own personal news stream of what it’s important for you to know about on a daily basis. I recommend that you follow the companies where you’d like to work, other professionals in your field, career advice experts, professional associations and anyone else whose thoughts, ideas, event announcements, opinions and insights you’d like to know about.

 

5. Develop a “Share mentality.” Whenever you see an interesting article, register to attend an event, read a great book, travel to a new place, come across a meaningful quote, learn something cool, you should develop the instinct to share it with your social networks. In turn, your network will share information, ideas and opportunities with you.

 

Tune in next week for five more tips!



0 Comments Permalink Tags: social_networking, facebook, advice, twitter, google, career, social_media, linkedin

Love her or hate her, you can’t deny that Joan Rivers has shown amazing staying power in the fickle world of show business. I was never a fan or Rivers or her comedy, but the new documentary Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work got such good reviews that I thought I’d check it out.

 

I’m glad I did. The film was fascinating, funny and offered major insight into what it takes to survive for 50-plus years in Hollywood -- one of the toughest career paths there is. Here are some of my takeaways:

 

Persevere, persevere, persevere. From tremendous career highs (substituting regularly for Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show) to devastating lows (being blackballed by Carson when she left to host her own show, which ultimately failed), Rivers never, ever, ever, ever, ever gives up. I’m not sure many of us could handle the many rejections, public humiliations and personal and professional traumas Rivers has endured, but every time she faces a challenge she dusts herself off and gets right back to work.

 

Do what you love. Perhaps perseverance is easier when you love what you do for a living. According to Rivers, she knew her entire life that she wanted to be in show business, even describing it as a “calling.” While Rivers’ passion borders on compulsion, I was still inspired by her absolute love of performing, the deep effort she puts into it day after day and the sheer joy she feels on stage.

 

Be flexible. When Rivers couldn’t get a comedy gig to save her life, she turned to her passion for collecting jewelry and started selling on QVC. When she stopped getting big gigs in Las Vegas and New York City, she hopped on planes to Alaska and the Midwest to perform anywhere she could. While I’m not sure Rivers’ proclamation “I’ll do anything! I’ll wear a diaper!” is the best career plan, it’s a good reminder not to be too picky when you really need work.

 

Let go. I took this lesson from the film because Rivers never seems to learn it. Although Joan Rivers is a model of hard work and perseverance and passion, she also holds onto a lot of bitterness from past hurts and slights. It’s painful to watch her resentment at times, and serves as a reminder that anger at other people is ultimately far more damaging to you than to the people you’re angry at.

 

Did you see Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work? If so, what did you think? Please share in the comments!



0 Comments Permalink Tags: career, joan_rivers, work_life, personal_brand, advice

As you can probably tell from reading my blog, I love lists. Top 10 These. Absolute 5 Thats. Well, I recently came across a fantastic list of 10 Everyday Super Foods, described by WebMD as “multitaskers,” such as nuts, blueberries and salmon, that are packed with multiple nutrients to help you stay healthy, promote wellness and weight control and taste good, too.

This got me thinking: What are the “Everyday Super Foods” for career success? What people, practices, tools and habits give you the biggest bang for your buck? Here is my list, and I hope you’ll share more “Career Super Foods” in the Comments.

 

1. Daily Goals. We often talk about annual goals or life goals, but successful people set -- and achieve -- small goals all the time (we sometimes call them priorities or to-do lists). Especially when you have a big goal -- such as getting a new job, writing a book or launching a business -- set small, daily goals that will keep you moving forward. Big goals are important, but small goals get the job done.

 

2. News. One of the most popular tips in my book, Getting from College to Career, is to read a newspaper every single day. Whether you read the headlines on your laptop, your phone, in an e-newsletter or a printed copy of the paper, it’s crucial that you keep up with world news, national news and the news of the particular industry you want to join. We live in the Information Age, so the most informed people are the ones who are most likely to succeed.

 

3. Coffee. While the actual caffeinated stuff helps a lot of people achieve their career goals, what I mean here is getting together with people for coffee -- also known as networking. When it comes to moving your career forward, the more people you have genuine relationships with (hence the importance of meeting in person), the more opportunities you’ll be exposed to.

 

4. Mentors. Mentors are people you can turn to with questions large and small about your career. They are people who have “been there, done that” and are willing to share their wisdom to help your career grow. To receive the maximum benefit from a mentor, be sure to set up regular meetings (once a month is a good start) in person, by phone or on Skype, and bring specific topics or challenges you’d like to discuss for each session.

 

5. Responsiveness. With the amount of e-mails, LinkedIn requests, Twitter direct messages, voice mails, text messages and IMs we all receive, it can be hard to get back to people in a timely way. But those who are responsive -- especially to important requests and time-sensitive opportunities -- really stand out from the crowd. If you are actively job hunting, responsiveness is even more important. More than a few jobs have gone to the first person to apply.

 

What other Career Super Foods do you recommend? Please share in the Comments!

 



0 Comments Permalink Tags: job_search_strategy, advice, productivity, networking, career, effectiveness, workplace, job_search

For many people, the July 4th weekend marks the beginning of Slacker Season at work: the time to enjoy long lunches outside and cut out early on Fridays. I love the mellowness of summer and encourage you to enjoy the season to its fullest. I also know that you need to keep your job search or career development on track, even when it's 100 degrees in the shade. Here are some suggestions:

 

Revisit Your New Year’s Resolutions.

Remember that sense of optimism and new beginnings you felt as you turned your calendar to January? Pretend you’re a company with a July 1st start to your fiscal year and reboot your resolutions right now. If you never set any goals for this year, lie on a beach towel staring at the sky and daydream about what you want to accomplish by the end of 2010. Then, commit to taking some small steps this summer (such as registering for an online course to improve your negotiation skills, going outlet shopping to perk up your professional wardrobe, revising your job description with your boss to prepare for a promotion) to move yourself forward.

 

Redefine “Beach Reading.”

Instead of reading the latest romance novel, gossip magazine or legal thriller by the pool, pack your tote bag with a book that will advance your career knowledge. Check out the biography of a successful business owner, a productivity guide or a job hunting manual. If you’d rather keep your eyes shut and avoid weird sunglasses tan lines, load some books onto your iPod and listen instead. Consider these 10 great career books for young professionals.

 

Warm Up Your Relationships.

People often have less on their plates in the summer months and are therefore more willing to take time for a networking. (And, frankly, people are just in a better mood when it’s nice outside!) If you’ve recently started a job after graduating, summer is an especially good time to build relationships with your new manager and colleagues. Be the initiator and invite people to grab an iced coffee or a mid-afternoon frozen yogurt.

 

The same advice goes for job seekers: set up lots of meetings and informational interviews this summer. You may find that contacts who were too busy a few months ago now have some availability for an informational interview or casual chat.

 

Tweet from the Beach.

Social media doesn’t go on summer hiatus. If you haven’t already, set up a Twitter profile and start following people you admire -- leaders in your industry, career experts, news sites and recruiters from the companies you want to work for (Check out  these additional suggestions for people to follow). Think of Twitter as your personal, 24/7 newsfeed of information, ideas, opinions, event listings, job announcements and other fuel for your career advancement. The Twitter universe doesn’t care if you are tweeting from a cubicle or a cabana; all that matters is that you are part of the conversation.

 

Summer tends to fly by too fast, so don’t wait another minute to take full advantage of all the fun—and professional opportunities—of the hottest time of year. Please share your additional suggestions in the Comments!

0 Comments Permalink Tags: generation_y, career, networking, job_search, social_networking, advice, job_search

While it’s incredibly important to do the right things in a job search, you also need to make sure you avoid doing the wrong things.


One of my favorite questions to ask recruiters is, “What are your biggest pet peeves about entry-level job candidates?” Below are some of the answers I’ve received. Hopefully this list will save you from committing any major faux pas!

 

1. “Creative” resumes. I know you want to stand out from the crowd, but a perfumed, purple or paper airplane-shaped resume is not the way to do it.

 

2. Not doing your homework. We live in the Information Age, so there is no excuse for not learning as much information about a company as possible before meeting a representative of that company at a job fair, information session or other recruiting event. You should already know the organization’s lines of business, competitors, current news and other facts you can easily discover from a website or a quick Google search. Asking a recruiter to tell you about his organization or asking what the company does is a quick way to strike out.

 

3. Texting. Even if a recruiter’s mobile phone number appears on her business card or email signature, do not use it to text. Although texting is super-efficient, it’s way too personal for the recruiter-candidate relationship. By the way, the same goes for friending on Facebook.

 

4. “Just following up.” There is a fine line between appropriate persistence and pointless pestering. It is absolutely fine to call or email a recruiter to say thank you for a company information session, to ask a few questions or to mention that you’ll be attending another event they are hosting. But “Just calling to follow up!” doesn’t add much to your candidacy. If you find yourself calling multiple times with no response, you may have to accept the fact that, as the famous dating book title says, this particular employer is just not that into you.

 

5. Asking for too much too soon. I’m always shocked when recruiters tell me about college students and recent grads who ask multiple questions about bonuses, vacation time, perks and flexible hours before they’ve worked a day. I’m all for smart negotiation, but don’t let your ambition tip over into entitlement.

 

What other mistakes have you seen young professionals make? Share in the comments and save your fellow readers from major mistakes!

4 Comments Permalink Tags: generation_y, advice, work, etiquette, career, job_search, jobs

A few days ago I received an email from a colleague who serves with me on a nonprofit board.

 

“Does anyone know where I can get Mets/Yankees tickets?”

 

I knew (Stubhub.com!), so I responded right away.

 

Later that day I was desperately trying to remember the name of a website I’d recently heard about where you can find out which social media sites have your username available. After racking my brain, I decided to tweet the question. Within three minutes, I had the answer (www.namechk.com).


On another occasion recently, I was trying to make a decision about hiring a branding expert. After researching all over the web and feeling more confused and frustrated than ever, I decided to reach out to three business owners I trusted and ask for their opinions and referrals. Their advice was invaluable and I was finally able to make my decision.

 

All of these situations reminded me of the most important career growth tip you can learn:

 

Ask for help when you need it.

 

There are vast resources available that can help you with any issue you face. The only catch is that you have to reach out for help -- no person or search engine or social network will know you need help until you request it.

 

If you’re having trouble figuring out your career passion, reach out to your university’s career center for an alumni appointment by phone or in person. (Hint: They are often free!)

 

If you’re unsure whether your resume or LinkedIn profile accurately represents your skills, ask a few trusted friends or colleagues to review them.

 

If you’re scared to attend a networking event alone, ask a friend to join you.

 

If you can’t figure out how to ask for a raise, go out and buy a negotiation book or hire a career coach to role play the salary negotiation until you’re comfortable.

 

If you can’t decide what printer to buy, ask your Facebook friends for recommendations.

 

Websites, books, blogs, Twitter feeds, LinkedIn Answers, career centers, coaches, friends and family members all have a wealth of knowledge and advice to share with you. Next time you face any career question, large or small, ask for help sooner rather than later. You'll be amazed at how much more quickly your career progresses.

 



1 Comments Permalink Tags: job, career, productivity, job_search, advice, networking

Last week I attended the annual conference of the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), the largest organization for university career services professionals and entry-level recruiters. As someone who frequently talks about the powers of social media for connecting, this conference was a reminder that LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook are only half the networking story.

 

At the NACE conference, I had the pleasure of meeting people in person whom I had previously only communicated with online or by phone. While I had good relationships with many of the people I knew virtually, something changes when you connect in person, waiting in an interminable Starbucks line together or sitting side-by-side on a bus to an offsite conference event. More trust is shared, relationships become a little deeper and stronger bonds are forged.

 

The secret to successful networking in the 21st Century is what my friend Diane Danielson, with whom I co-wrote The Savvy Gal’s Guide to Online Networking, calls a “clicks and mix” approach: equal parts online and in-person networking.

 

This is not necessarily easy, as online networking and in-person networking require some different skill sets. Tech-averse people love chatting face-to-face, but find it awkward to communicate online. Tech savvy people and shy people often wish they never had to emerge from behind their computer screens to shake hands and make eye contact with real live humans.

 

If you face any of these discomforts, you must work to overcome them, because the most successful networkers are competent in both realms:

 

They belong to professional association groups online and attend the networking events of those organizations as well. This exposes them to all members of an organization and all benefits of membership.

 

They send emails or LinkedIn connection requests to stay in touch with people they meet at conferences (hint: I do this on the plane ride home following an event).

 

They determine how to communicate with a networking contact based on the other person’s “clicks and mix” preferences. Upon meeting someone, they will ask, “I’d really like to keep in touch with you. What is the best way to reach out -- do you generally prefer email, phone or another method?”

 

And, most importantly, they behave the same way -- professionally, politely and generously -- in person and online. It’s terribly disappointing to find out that someone you liked in person is rude or inappropriate online. And -- as I learned at the NACE conference -- nothing is better than discovering that a person you liked over email or twitter is just as fabulous when chatting over a frothy Frappuccino.

0 Comments Permalink Tags: social_networking, career, work, networking, advice, future_of_work

Join me for a conversation with Laura Vanderkam, author of the brand new book, "168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think."

 

That number -- 168 hours -- is the amount of time you have each and every week. According to Laura, that's plenty of time to work, play, sleep 8 hours a night (seriously!) and accomplish a lot more than you are now. Laura wants to help you spend your 168 hours doing things you love.

 

Some of my favorite recommendations in the book include:

 

Track your time. Just like counting calories helps you lose weight, writing down the way you spend your time helps you identify "empty hours" when you're not doing things that fulfill you. You can download a free time-tracking sheet from Laura's website.

 

Focus on what you're good at. Many of us waste hours of our lives doing things we think we "should" do, rather than focusing on what we're skilled at or what we really enjoy. If you can eliminate an activity from your schedule, do it.

 

Create a "List of 100 (or 1,000!) Dreams." The point of using your hours wisely is not just to be more productive, but to have time to do the things you want to do in life. By creating this list, you'll see what activities, people and events really matter to you. And you'll start checking them off.


Learn more from Laura Vanderkam in our 15-minute podcast interview. And I hope you'll check out her book as well. I found it to be very well-written, engaging and valuable. I highly recommend it as a graduation gift.

 

So, how do you use your 168 hours? Please share in the comments!

0 Comments Permalink Tags: balance, time, advice, health, 168_hours, work_life, management, laura_vanderkam, career

While we tend to categorize all teens and 20-something as Generation Y or Millennials, there are actually big differences between older and younger members of this age group.

 

On this podcast I talk with Crystal Olig, creator of the Why Gen Y blog, about the different attitudes, experiences and career needs of older and younger Gen Ys. Crystal is incredibly bright and thoughtful in discussing her Gen Y peers on both sides of the gaplet.

 

Listen to the podcast here, and please share your comments below!

0 Comments Permalink Tags: personal_finance, generation_y, work, career

On Tuesday night I attended a dinner hosted by the Atlantic Media Company in Washington, DC, to discuss the results of the brand new Allstate-National JournalHeartland Monitor Poll, which offers a look at the economic experience of the Millennial generation.

 

There were about 20 of us at the table, including representatives from government, think tanks, media outlets and labor unions.  The discussion was moderated by Ron Brownstein, who is not only a well-respected journalist and father of a Millennial, but, I learned, is also a fellow fan of Lost. (Yes, he was careful to end the dinner before Tuesday night’s episode.)

 

Here are some of my main takeaways from the discussion and the poll:

 

Job security is trendy. One of the more surprising findings of the poll is that 55% of Millennials say their goal is long-term employment with a single employer. And, when asked to rank their most important workplace priorities, job security was number one (with money a close number two). Personally, I believe this will change as the economy improves. I just don’t see Gen Y-ers sticking with traditional career paths with all of the options and portable benefits available in the new economy. In fact, many of the dinner attendees joked that they don’t even want to work for their current employers for the rest of their careers.

 

The current recession will have lasting effects. This is seriously concerning (and was also the topic of BusinessWeek’s cover story, “The Lost Generation”). Recent research has shown that young people who graduate in recession years are at a disadvantage for a very long time. According to the National Journal, Yale economist Lisa Kahn has found that even at midcareer, people who graduated in tough economic times are more likely to work in low-pay, low-status positions. However, at the dinner we discussed a possible upside — that recession-era graduates might become more entrepreneurial given that they have little to lose by starting their own businesses.

 

Millennials believe in themselves. Despite the recession, the Allstate-National Journal Heartland Monitor Poll found that 62% of Millennials believe that their own actions (more than events outside their control) are responsible for the their economic well-being. This reminds me of other research findings I hear often: that American students trail many other countries in academic achievement, but lead in one area: confidence. The question is: does reality match Millennials’ confidence? Hmm.

 

Parents’ basements are crowded. According to the poll, 52% of post-high school Millennials receive financial support from their parents to meet their daily needs, and one-third of 20-something Millennials live at home. This is not surprising, considering the average Gen Y-er carrying debt owes over $37,000, mostly in school loans.  What are the consequences of this debt? Here's one: I spoke with a man from the National Association of Homebuilders who told me that in the future we’ll likely see more multigenerational households, which means more new houses will feature multiple master bedroom suites for the different generations.

 

Higher education is in trouble. As with most discussions about Millennials in the workplace, our conversation ended up on questions about education: Should everyone go to college? Does college adequately prepare young people for the real world? Is college loan debt worth it? One of the more disappointing findings of the poll is that 51% of Millennials believe they could perform their job responsibilities just as well without a college education. This may not be all that surprising given the fact that economists say the break-even point for a college education occurs around age 33. Of course, as one dinner guest pointed out, college is about more than job preparation. But should we be concerned that college doesn’t feel all that relevant to many young people? For more on this topic, I highly recommend the new book DIY U by Anya Kamenetz.

 

As with many good discussions, I left the dinner with more questions than answers. But it’s gratifying to know that many smart, thoughtful people are working on these big issues.

 

I’d love to hear your thoughts on all of these topics. Check out the Allstate-National Journal Heartland Monitor Poll and the National Journal’s special report, and share your thoughts in the Comments section!

2 Comments Permalink Tags: jobs, college, career, future_of_work, generation_y
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