Everyone wishes they could roll out of bed and spend the day in their pajamas all while making a decent wage. But, is working from home all it’s cracked up to be?
Since graduating college, I’ve worked full-time outside of the home. I personally enjoy the interaction with my co-workers and actually rely on my daily routine during the week. I find that sometimes on the weekend I use my time less effectively because I don’t really have that set routine to follow. However, there was a time where I considered moving outside of my little box and looking for employment that would allow me to work from home … when I had my first child. It was hard for me to think about leaving him to go back to work, but in the end I chose to continue my career as a working Mom with my employer.
I’ve never looked back on that decision with regret and I truly believe my children have benefited from the routine and their attendance in daycare … but it’s not for everyone. So, what do you think? What are some of the pros and cons from working at-home … and vice versa in terms of working outside of the home?
Here are some tips from an article we found on MonsterCOLLEGE about the best way to approach your job search post graduation. For the full article written by Adam Starr, click here.
Be Realistic
Everyone has to start somewhere! Don’t expect to land your dream job as soon as you graduate; try to find a job that will give you room to learn and grow in your field.
You Aren’t Owed Anything
Being voted class president, receiving straight A’s, participating in a fraternity/sorority doesn’t automatically give you an “in” to any job offer. Understand that you are one of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of people in the job market at this particular moment. While a well-rounded resume will give you a fighting chance, don’t automatically assume it will land you the job.
Money Matters, but It Isn’t Everything.
Lower your expectations when it comes to a starting salary. While money sure helps to pay the bills, don’t make it your major focus. Know what you need to make ends meet and go from there. Don’t expect to land the job making $50K a year right off the bat.
Summer Vacation? What’s That?
Yes, Paid Time Off is important but don’t expect 3 weeks of vacation right away. Look for a reasonable sick/vacation time package within a company that perhaps offers more PTO based on years of service. For example, don’t turn down a job because you only get one week vacation after the first year of employment. If the job has great potential and room for growth, make that your focus!
Boss of Your Cube… if you’re Lucky
Be prepared to start at the bottom of the ladder. You may have to wait outside of important meetings, make copies, fetch coffee, run errands, and do tedious paperwork; and you may even have to share an office with someone. Take it as a learning experience and know that it’s only temporary. Keep working hard and let your leadership skills shine and you will one day have that corner office with the window.
What compromises or sacrifices have you had to make to get back into the “employed” category? Can you add any tips/suggestions to the list we found?
When I started my college search, I actually looked in to a lot of different colleges. I was looking at Stanford University, West Point Military Academy, University of Texas El Paso and EL Paso Community College. Well, I was accepted into nearly all of those choices but the hardest part was getting admissions, it was the enrollment. Obviously, I decided to stay close to my home with UTEP and EPCC but having to take entrance exams just to see if remedial courses were needed was hard. After that the fact that I needed assistance with paying tuition was hard. I knew I qualified for the Pell Grant but after three straight semesters of filing for the FASFA early I never got it. The third time I applied I did get the FASFA but there was one problem, the frustrating thing of not getting it until the day after classes started and my courses that I selected were dropped.
I then found Penn Foster Career School, applied and was immediately accepted and enrolled into my first choice of studies; Veterinarian Technician. I loved the studies and the fact that Penn Foster never made me take remedial courses or entrance exams. Ultimately, I chose Penn Foster for the easy study hours that was needed. It is always fun being to study when you can or have time. However after one great semester with the Veterinarian Technician program, I struggled with the second semester of it. You could say that I failed it completely. I didn’t let that stop me from achieving my dream of working with animals. It was clear that I was happy with my choice in Penn Foster and decided to stick with Penn Foster for Pet Groomer studies. All my hardships, all my struggles were only pointing me towards finally succeeding with Penn Foster.
As a pet groomer that studied with Penn Foster versus other schools, I can say that nothing is impossible only an obstacle away. If you can dream it, then you can be it. I am being successful with a career choice I love and though I’m still building up clientele, I can say that it is always fun doing something that you chose simply because you love it. Don’t listen to the other people telling you that you can’t because you can. Keep up that fire to make it through your studies and you will be in the same place I am today, happy and successful. I found my happiness hence finding my success. After all the key to success is happiness and if happiness isn’t there then why the struggle to find success in something not worth chasing?
I recently found an article on Monster.com written by Jeff Hindenach about phrases to avoid during an interview … definitely worth sharing since many Americans are back in the game and searching for work. Below is just a sample from the article – to see the full article, click here.
1. “I’m Really Hard Working.”
No one is going to admit to being lazy. Try giving specific examples of why you’re so hard working. Do you often stay late? Do you take on extra assignments?
2. “I’m a Total Team Player.”
While being able to work with others is key, phrasing it this way makes it sound clichéd. Talk about your ability to communicate with other members of your office and cite specific examples.
3. “I am Loyal to a Fault.”
No one knows how they will fit into a company until they are there. Be honest. Lay out your long-term goals for that particular company. Your drive and honesty will be just as valuable as your loyalty.
4. “How Much Does It Pay?”
You’ll find out how much the job pays when you get the offer. Until then, you should focus on the position and how you can contribute to the company.
5. “I Can Take on Any Challenge.”
Saying this only sets you up for failure. Try, “I’m quick and can pick things up pretty easily.” There’s always a learning curve with new tasks, but the quicker you can learn, the more efficient you will look.
6. “My Current Boss Loves Me.”
An interview is specifically about you and your job skills. Think of why your current boss values you. Take all those reasons and verbalize them during the interview.
7. “You Would Be Crazy Not to Hire Me.”
There is no way you can be sure you are the most qualified person for the job. It’s a good idea to summarize the key points and leave the interviewer thinking about the reasons why they want to hire.
8. “I’ll Do Anything.”
Most employers are looking for confident professionals interested in advancing their careers. Begging looks like you just want any kind of steady income. Make sure they know that you value the position and not just the paycheck.
9. “I Think I’m the Perfect Fit for This Job.”
Rarely are you a “perfect fit”. Instead, give examples of why you think you would thrive in that role and how the company would benefit from your specific experience.
10. “I Wasn’t Appreciated at My Last Job.”
This is a fancy way of saying that you and your previous employer didn’t get along. This makes you appear difficult to work with or demanding. Keep digs about your previous employer to a minimum. If they ask why you left, tell them your career path did not line up with the company’s goals for you.
Do you have any dos or don’ts to add to this list? Maybe you have a personal experience to share from one of your own interviews – we’d love to hear it!
Maybe you survived the massive job cuts and lay-offs that have become the norm across our great country, but that doesn’t mean you can sit back and relax! You should be thinking about what you can do to make yourself a much needed asset to your company.
If you want to be the last person they’d think of letting go, follow these ten tips outlined by Tania Khadder in her article for Monster.com “10 Ways to Make Yourself Unfireable”.
1) Save Your Company Money
Do you have an idea for how your company can cut costs? Pitch it! Even if they don’t adopt your brilliant plan, they’ll respect your eye for savings and appreciate your effort.
2) Be Positive
Be optimistic about your company, and focus on steps you can take to have a positive impact on its future. Share good news. Make jokes where appropriate. Smile!
3) Work Longer Hours
Be prepared to stay until the task at hand is finished – that doesn’t mean grabbing your sleeping bag and camping out for the night but make an attempt to come in 15 minutes early or stay a few extra minutes in the evening to make sure the job gets done.
4) Be a Leader
Being a leader means helping others. It means understanding the bigger picture. It means being vocal about possible improvements and thinking not just about yourself and your position, but about the overall goals of the organization.
5) Steer Clear of Gossip
As tempting as it can be, don’t get sucked into office gossip. As soon as you do, you implicate yourself, make enemies and come off as unprofessional. If someone else insists on telling you something, make sure it stops with you.
6) Enhance Your Skill Set
Why not enhance your skill set to make yourself even more valuable to your team? Or better at your job? Maybe faster? Whatever your industry, there is always room for improvement.
7) Work Well with Others
Effective collaboration is seen as a key driver of success. So put aside differences in age, background and interests, and learn how to communicate effectively with your teammates.
8) Watch Your Back
Think your boss doesn’t notice all those personal calls? Or how much time you spend on Twitter? Think again. Often, they’re paying closer attention than you think. And if ever they suspect you’re wasting their time, they can easily look up phone, email or internet records.
9) Keep Time Off to a Minimum
It’s not that you shouldn’t take time off. It’s just that you should try and be a little more particular about your reasons, especially if your company is experiencing cutbacks. Don’t call in sick for a headache or plan any long, extravagant vacations (at least until the waters settle).
10) Be Visible
If you’re working late, helping others and/or coming up with new, killer ideas, make sure someone knows about it. Give your manager regular updates on your progress. A simple recap of your accomplishments sent by email will do the trick. You’re not bragging you’re just making sure they know what you’ve been working on. Let’s face it: if you don’t toot your own horn, no one else will.