Robyn Flipse
Mike Brown the REMIX
Katie Reynolds
Brad Karsh
Maria Pascucci
Interviewing for Success: A College Woman’s Guide to Interview Preparation
Interviews can make or break your chances at that dream job. The trick is in being prepared for what will be asked, and how to positively market yourself as the best fit for the position. Want to ace that interview? UChic is here to equip you with the professional tools you need.
Job Profile: Physician's Assistant
Trying to decide on a career after college? UChic Career Expert Erica Salkin runs down one of the fastest-growing professions in the medical field.
www.campuscareercenter.com
Internship site.
collegecentral.com
Job help for students and recent grads. Includes resume and interview aids.
rileyguide.com/assess.html
Career and interest assessment site.
www.jobweb.com
A job search site for college and grad students and recent graduates.
What Happens When Your College Degree Differs From Your Career Goals?
Close to graduation but having cold feet about your chosen degree? Erica Salkin advises on how to find a satisfying career in a field different from the one you majored in.
Ali Lapinsky, the undisputed queen of internships (five so far in her undergraduate career, wow!) offers up five fantastic tips to making a great impression at your internship.
Will Your Facebook Profile Prevent You From Getting Hired?
Addicts to myspace and facebook alike, beware! Read on as Erica Salkin addresses this issue of internet privacy, blogging, and controlling your online / offline persona.
What Your Cover Letter Says About You
Read our Career expert's new advice about cover letter missteps and how to avoid them. Start Reading.
Tech Support for your Résumé
From printing to PDFs, here is what you should know about how to win over human resources with user-friendly resumes.
Quintcareers.com
Instead of taking online tests, you can also purchase Career Assessment Books
Uwaterloo.ca
For a non-interactive self analysis of your skills, visit the University of Waterloo's Career Development eManual
http://www.allthetests.com/
Visit All the Tests for a variety of reviewed career and personality tests.
Quintcareers.com
Quintessential Career's Online Career Assessment Tools Review provides the listing, location, and review of 37 free and inexpensive online assessment tests.
Kathryn Hansen's Career Assessment Do's and Don'ts
With more accuracy than your Magic Eight Ball, these career assessment tests provide insights into strengths, weaknesses, values, and personal styles that will help determine a potential career. See Kathryn Hansen's Career Assessment Do's and Don'ts to make sure you get the most out of these tests. Or take them just for fun!.
Umanitoba.ca
Exploring Occupations, a site run by the University of Manitoba
Jobstar.org
JobStar's Guide for Specific Careers
BLS.gov
The Occupational Outlook Handbook provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Vault.com
Offers a variety of industry and career profiles
Book Resources
For another resource, you can purchase "The College Majors Handbook with Real Career Paths and Payoffs: The Actual Jobs, Earnings, and Trends for Graduates of 60 Majors"
What Can I Do with a Major In...?
Visit your college's own career homepage or browse this site created by Ashland University.
How to Chart your Ideal Path
A guide written by Randall Hansen of Quintessential Careers.
It's September: Where's Your Job?
You're at a family dinner, and your uncle says, "Senior year already? Do you have a job yet?"
Suddenly, those mashed potatoes go dry. A job? You're thinking about football tickets for your final home game! Planning freshman rush! Finally being able to register for a class schedule that starts at 11 a.m.! But a job surely, not yet?
Before Your Job Hunt: Look In Before You Look Out
It's August: Where's your job?
You're at a family dinner, and your uncle says, _"Senior year already? Do you have a job yet?"_ Suddenly, those mashed potatoes go dry. A job? You're thinking about football tickets! Freshman rush! A class schedule that starts at 11 a.m.! But a job surely, not yet? I have good news and bad news. The bad news is that yes, it is time to start thinking about jobs. The good news is that these first steps are all about you. It's time for a walk down Introspection Lane with something I like to call *Look in before you look out!* *Part 1: Environment isn't just for bio credit* Think back to the work, internship or volunteer experiences you've had. What did you enjoy most about these different work environments? Did you prefer: - a large or small organization? - interacting with many people or working alone? - receiving daily guidance, or being autonomous? - having one set of duties, or being a jack/jill of all trades? These elements can be found in all work environments, regardless of field. Figure out what works for you, for you to work! *Part 2: Pull out a map* Location, location, location geography does play a role in your future plans. This doesn't necessarily mean pick a city or state to get your start, although it can. It may mean proximity to centers of support: parents, grandparents, friends or a significant other. Some people want to get as far away from home as possible. Some want to be close enough to do laundry if out of quarters. As a side note, this is a time when a lot of women start wondering if their future plans will involve their current loves. While that's a column in itself, for now I'll be brief: don't plan your job hunt around your boyfriend/girlfriend without bringing the idea up to him/her first. It's may feel awkward, but acting without it can lead to much, much worse. *Part 3: Dream big to figure out a small step* Where do you want to be in ten years? What dream job lurks in the back of your mind? Take a moment to think big. Then find out what experience you need to have to get to that job and work backwards. For example, if your dream job is to be an editor at Vogue, learn everything you can about what they look for in potential editors. Is it magazine experience? Then your first step should focus on publications. Is it experience in the fashion industry? Then look at one of the bigger design houses. You get the idea. Finally, . Learn everything you can about your university's career resources. Do they hold job fairs? Sponsor recruiters? Maintain an online resume service? Conduct interview seminars or alumni networking events? Many schools will start these events within a few weeks of the start of the fall semester don't be caught unprepared! *Next month, it's Resumes for the Digital Age How to appeal to new media and old school at the same time.*The Internals: My Internship at Polo Ralph Lauren
Summer is the time to take a break. Summer is for relaxing, lounging by the pool, savoring a mint chocolate chip sundae on a quiet afternoon. The luckiest people whisk themselves away on vacation- out to a beach hideaway or abroad to the sunny cities of Europe.
Tamara's Top Tips for Job Search Success (works for internships too!)
*Often students ask me for the _most important_ things to keep in mind when conducting a job search.* Although there are many _most important_ things, here's my short list: - *Send out quality materials.* Take the time to do several drafts of your resume and cover letters, and have them proofread by multiple people. Tailor your materials to each position so that employers don't get the feeling you're inserting the company name and leaving the rest of the text the same. - *Network.* A job search without networking severely limits your opportunity for success. Remember that 75-80% of people get their jobs and internships through networking. So get out there and meet people! - *Follow up.* Always send thank you notes. Check in with your contacts, and follow up with employers to ask about the status of your application. If you want something you need to go after it and earn it. - *Do your research.* It's super important to prepare for informational interviews and formal interviews by researching the company, industry and people involved. Research will also help inform your cover letter and resume. - *Practice interviewing.* A strong resume and cover letter might get you the interview, but the interview will get you the job. Interviewing is a skill that takes practice, so do yourself a big favor and schedule one (or more) mock interviews through your Career Planning Center. - *Stay positive.* Securing a job or internship takes time, so try not to get discouraged, and just keep plugging away. A positive attitude will make the process seem more like an adventure, and a good attitude always comes through in an interview. Employers love positive people. *Good luck!* *Tamara*
Interview with Carolyn West of Carolyn's Kitchen
Carolyn West's vintage-inspired aprons and dish gloves walk the line between the lands of whimsical dress-up and naughty pin-ups. This range of appeal makesb Carolyn's designs perfect gifts for all generations and occasions.
How to Market Yourself: Identifying Skills
*Dear Tamara,*
*I've heard that it's important to identify my skills if I want to get the career of my dreams. But I don't think I have any. What do I do? Why do I need to identify my skills anyway?*
Many people have difficulty in this area, so you are not alone. A skill is often something that comes so easily and naturally to you that it's hard to identify it as special or even to pick it out at all. However, it is important to be able to list your strengths for several reasons.
*Why Skill Identification is Important*
Listing your strengths can be a great jumping-off point for career exploration. When you know what you have and what you don't, it's easier to find an occupation or career that takes advantage of what you have to offer. Also, you will need to be able to identify your strengths to prospective employers or internship supervisors. They will be looking for your strengths in cover letters and in your answers to interview questions. It is up to you to articulate your strengths and 'sell yourself' in order to secure the job or internship you desire.
There are several types of skills, but to start, concentrate on your Functional (or transferable) Skills. These are your natural knacks that you can apply to any situation; they are part of your self-expression and you take them with you wherever you go. For example, if you are a good listener (a skill), you will be a good listener whether you are a rock star or an architect.
*Learning to Identify Skills*
One way to identify your functional skills is to describe and analyze some of your accomplishments. In this case, an accomplishment is anything that you feel you've done well and enjoyed doing. It doesn't need to be impressive to the world at large, just to you. Make sure that your accomplishment is something that you did, not something that happened to you (like winning the lottery).
Start by thinking of three accomplishments. If you can't think of three, ask yourself if you are being too modest or down on yourself, and then ask your friends or family to help you think of some. Describe each step of the accomplishment in detail by asking the usual 'who, what, where, when, how why' questions. Jot down every skill that you remember using. Again, if you have trouble with this, it's helpful to have a friend take notes while you describe your accomplishment.
When you have identified a list of skills, mark the skills that you enjoyed most with a star. The skills that you identify should be a list of verbs. If you are stuck, and describing an accomplishment doesn't work, try using simple sentences like, 'I like X-ing,' and 'I am good at X.'
These are some examples of functional skills: budgeting, selling, researching, demonstrating, compiling, communicating, training, cooking, writing, organizing, designing, explaining, adapting, translating, marketing, computing, and proving. Get the idea?
When assessing your skills, it's a good idea to make note of what you do well AND what you enjoy doing. No doubt you have developed many skills out of necessity, but that doesn't mean that you like using them. If you find yourself in a job you can do well but don't enjoy doing, then you'll find that you are an unhappy worker.
As a side note, it's also a good idea to keep an accomplishment file that holds information about your accomplishments and activities. This will be helpful when you put together a resume or prepare for a job interview.
The skills that you marked with a star in the exercise above are just some of your many strengths, but they should give you a place to start. As always, I recommend that you visit the career services center at your college and meet with a career advisor. They will be able to assist you with strength identification. There are also several software programs available through career centers that can help with this too.
*Good luck!*
*Tamara*
On-Site Interviews: How to Prepare
Dear Tamara,
I had a phone interview with an employer. I guess I did okay because they want me to come to their office for a final round of interviews. What can I expect? Any tips?
Congratulations on your stellar phone interview! How exciting!Here are some tips to make your visit a success:
When you are offered an on-site interview, follow up with an email to acknowledge your acceptance and to thank your contact person again for the opportunity. Also confirm logistical details in writing.
Before you travel, make sure that you are clear on the following:
- Date and start time of your interview
- The itinerary for the day
- Travel arrangements and local transportation
- Location of and directions to the site
- Your contact person's information
- Lodging
A Networking Guide for the Shy
Dear Tamara,
I know that networking is important, but I really find it difficult to speak with strangers. Do you have any networking tips for shy people?
I'm shy too, so I can empathize with your distress. There are a couple of tricks that I've learned to make the experience more comfortable for myself. Hopefully they'll help you too.
- Choose your first contacts wisely. Start your networking process with people you already know well or people you don't know as well, but would sincerely like to know better. When networking, many people forget to include their family, friends and acquaintances and instead jump right into cold calling. Friends, family members, and acquaintances will be more receptive to your contact, and more willing to help you right away. After you've conducted some informational interviews with those folks, start branching out to the people they know well (people who are guaranteed to be friendly). Ask your Aunt Margaret to introduce you to her friends at a party, make a few calls on your behalf, or even attend a lunch with you and the person she knows. Aunt Margaret can act as a bridge in your networking experience.
- Ease into the event. Your first contact can be via email so you have time to think and revise what you'd like to say. After an email exchange, you'll want to set up a phone call or in-person meeting for the informational interview. Schedule that call or meeting ahead of time so you can prepare. If you plan to meet in person, you might suggest meeting for coffee or lunch so you don't need to sit in their office facing them across your desk. A more informal setting might be more comfortable. As a side note, think about what you will eat or drink before your order it. No French onion soup, crumbly bread, gigantic sandwiches, alcohol, spaghetti, or anything else that could be a distraction and possibly embarrass you.
- Practice makes perfect. Before the meeting or phone call, practice what you plan to say about yourself and prepare a list of questions for the other person. If you are extremely nervous or if you don't have experience speaking with people on the phone, I suggest that you practice what you plan to say out loud. Find a friend who'll act as your networking contact and tell him/her your little spiel and some of the questions that you plan to ask. I've even practiced saying things out loud to myself in the mirror. Getting the words in your mouth and hearing yourself say them will help you to with recall when you are 'in the moment.'
- Be prepared. The boy scouts are right on this one: research the company and the career field so that you come to the meeting with some solid information. Preparation tends to make people more comfortable and confident. When you are speaking with your networking contact over the phone, you can have a list of questions, your resume, and anything else that will help you in your conversation right in front of you. If you meet in person and you can't remember what you want to talk about, it's absolutely ok to pull out a small and neat list of the questions you have. The other person will be impressed at your preparation and you will make sure that you do not forget your most important questions.
- Keep in touch and nurture the relationship. If you continue to keep in touch with your networking contacts, there will come a point when you know them well enough that you won't be nervous.
- Remember that networking is an enjoyable experience for the other person. I think that job searchers get stuck on the idea that they are bugging people or using them in some way. For informational interviews and informal networking events, you are only asking for someone else's time (and usually a small amount of it). Most people are willing and happy to take twenty minutes out of their lives to speak to you. If they are too busy, they will let you know. Also, most people are willing and happy to talk about themselves and to give advice it makes them feel good that someone else (you) thinks they have an interesting job at a cool company and that they are helping someone else (you) succeed. Keeping that in mind might help you relax a little.
Summer Internships - Already??
Dear Tamara,
Is it too early to start thinking about summer internships? The summer seems so far away.
The summer does seem far away especially as it's getting colder outside!
Deadlines for internships vary tremendously. The larger, more formal, structured, and competitive internships usually have earlier deadlines because the Human Resources department can anticipate the number of interns they will hire for the summer, and they need more time to process the numerous applications. Deadlines for these internships can start as early as November.
The bulk of the internship deadlines come about in the early spring, but again, there's quite a range. Some interns aren't hired until close to (or even after) the spring semester ends.
So to answer your original question...
Yes, now is the time to start thinking about summer internships, even though you might not apply yet. It's time to make your game plan, and the sooner you start, the better your plan will be.
Some ways to get started:
- Think about how you want to spend your summer and what you would like to achieve. What types of skills would you like to build? What are your interests and passions? Is there a particular career path that you are working toward? How will an internship add to your career development?
- Take a realistic look at your situation. Do you need to make money? If so, how much? Is there a commitment or event like a long family vacation that will restrict the time you can devote to an internship? Is getting an internship important to you?
- Think about your options. If you would like to intern outside of your hometown, perhaps you have family members or friends you can stay with in another city. What are your transportation options? If you need to make money during the summer, but can only find unpaid internships, could you work a side job in the evenings or the weekend?
- Research opportunities. Speak with your career advisor and discover what internships will be available. Map out the deadlines and prepare your cover letter and resume so you'll be ready to apply.
- Network and conduct informational interviews so you can learn more about a particular field or employer (and you'll be making good contacts in the meantime).
Mentor Moments: Successful Lawyering Even With a Full Plate!
Mentorship. It has long been the buzzword for ways in which to advance or enhance one's career. Although the concept makes perfect sense, busy work schedules and family and social commitments often prevent it from happening in reality.
Before giving up on the hopes of ever establishing a mentoring relationship with someone, read on! Mentorship Moments will give you the experience of mentorship without the stress of having to track down one of those extremely successful but harried mentors. If you have any suggestions for people or careers to feature, don't be shy! Send me an email at christie.garton@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you!
Determination. If one word could ever sum up the life of one person, this would have to be it for Lynda Zengerle, an immigration lawyer and partner at Steptoe & Johnson, LLC in Washington, DC. When she was thirteen years old, Lynda was appalled by the mistreatment and the brutal beatings of African-Americans struggling for their civil rights that she saw on the television news programs in the 1960s. "Who can stop this?" asked young Lynda. "The only people that can stop this are lawyers," responded her father. She became determined to become the best lawyer she could, and knew that she had to do well in school in order to achieve her goal. As a student at Smith College, she decided that she would not marry because she could not be held back by anything if she was to achieve her career goal of becoming a good lawyer. "I was never going to marry!" laughed Zengerle. "I dated, but didn't want to be slowed down." This was until she met and married Joseph Zengerle, Former Clerk to Chief Justice Warren Burger and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Air Force under President Jimmy Carter. "What can I say? I fell in love." But marriage didn't deter her a bit. Her determination helped her achieve her goal of becoming a lawyer even with a husband and two sons in tow. After graduating cum laude from the University of Michigan Law School and beginning her career as a staff attorney at the Administrative Conference under current U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, Zengerle never looked back. Today, Zengerle is a partner at one of Washington's most respected law firms no easy feat for someone juggling career and family commitments. How did she do it? What were the challenges? What advice does she have for young aspiring lawyers or anyone interested in a professional career? Read on. Lynda Zengerle is your mentor for the moment. Challenges Facing Women Law School Graduates in the 1970s Women practicing law today have many more options and career opportunities than they had in the 1970s. Just how far have women come? A popular option for law graduates today is to apply for clerkships, which is an opportunity to work with a judge for a year or two. Popular with men and women law graduates, clerkships give future litigators a chance to get a behind-the-scenes look at the workings of a court. Zengerle would have jumped at the chance to work as a clerk at the time had it been a viable option: "I think clerkships are a wonderful option. But women were rarely recommended or considered for a clerkship at the time, so I was unable to have this experience." An interesting twist to the story, her husband, who also went to law school at Michigan at the same time, as a result of Lynda's encouragement, obtained the most coveted clerkship of all a Supreme Court clerkship with Chief Justice Warren Burger. With clerkships not being an option, Lynda focused her sights on a simple goal when graduating law school. "I wanted to get a job somewhere that I could do work on important issues." Simple enough. Harder in reality at the time. "It was common for female law grads to become legal secretaries, but I avoided the problem by never learning to type." Even if hired to work at a firm, women often faced the pressure of having to go into certain practice areas like Trust & Estates and Family law. The belief was that since these practice areas involve more client interaction, women were better suited for them because of their innate ability to connect with people. Did you feel disadvantaged? Early in my career, it never occurred to me that there was any difference in the way male and female lawyers were treated. I was saddened to reach the point when I concluded otherwise. I had fought so long to not have that impression." Things are a little different today. Clerkships are popular among both men and women, and women choose to go into certain practice areas because of personal choice. For instance, female lawyers with children often avoid litigation because it is known for its intense hours and hard to predict schedules. Despite these advances, not all is perfect. Even though women make up more than 50 percent of law school classes today, only 17 percent are partners in major law firms. If You Don't Schmooze, You May Loose For major law firms today, it's all about the billables hours billed to clients that is. Generally, most firms expect associates to bill 1900 or more hours a year. In New York, the minimum billable hour requirement is 2000 or more. What does this mean for the average work week? Most associates expect to work about 50 hours a week, and this does not include the after-hour business development activities. The increased pressure on associates and partners to meet these billable hour requirements has affected job satisfaction rates. The increased pressure on associates and partners to meet these billable hour requirements has affected job satisfaction rates. When asked if she loves what she does today, Zengerle's response was mixed. "If you had asked me that question 20 years ago, I would have said absolutely. But the [law] profession has changed. Today, it's more about client development and business, and is too focused on billable hours. I still like the challenges and being able to help people. But I spend a lot of time on client-development and schmoozing. I want to spend my time working on legal issues, but I have to do both." What about being a sole practitioner as a way of avoiding heavy client development requirements? "My friends ask why I don't start my own firm" says Lynda. "There are drawbacks to this as well. At a large firm, there are no administrative headaches. I guess [the requirement of meeting billable hours expectations] is one of the prices I pay for being part of a significant firm. It's worth it for me in the end." Immigration Law as a Practice Area "[Immigration Law] was initially looked down upon in the legal profession," says Lynda. "It's an area of the law not very well understood by the older generation of lawyers. I think the negative perception came from client differences. Early on, my colleagues had this unstated - 'I don't want your poor clients sitting next to my wealthy clients in the lobby' attitude. They thought it would be bad for appearances." With more U.S. corporations recruiting talent from abroad and having to face complicated immigration regulations promulgated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, lawyers with an expertise in immigration law are increasingly in demand. "I think the perception has changed, and it's becoming a hot practice area. More law schools are teaching immigration law today." What Does it Take to Have a Successful Legal Career? "Hard work," Zengerle unequivocally states. "Also, I had to be aggressive on my own behalf. If you think you deserve something, go for it. Yes, you may be disappointed, but you'll possibly be more disappointed later when you realize that you should have at least tried." How to Juggle Obligations to Family and Career Can It Be Done? The media has been asking the question of whether women can have it all whether they can have both a successful career and family. I had to ask Lynda what her take was on the question. You first have to figure out your priorities. "I worked part-time and for me that was not negotiable," says Lynda. "I wanted time with my children, but I couldn't be home all the time. Also, we had family dinner every night. I never went to client development activities. That was my choice." Was Zengerle's husband involved? "My husband was ahead of his time. There was no such thing as a house husband at the time, but he did everything he could to be there for me and our boys. He worked full time, but managed to spend time with the boys before school and went to every one of their soccer, football, and lacrosse games, [sacrificing] golf games with the guys. He was the first non-student at Swarthmore College to receive a plaque for most dedicated fan!" Zengerle's choice to have a nanny also helped she says. What do you think about the concept of juggling work and family or balancing work and family? From your experience in working and raising children, was it something else? "It was more like walking a tight rope. I was pulled between family and home." She admits having to be okay with something less than perfection. What about those moments when things get too busy and you just want to quit? Zengerle admits she had a moment like this. "I was in the car driving my one of my sons somewhere. I told him that I quit my law firm. 'You can't do that!' he said. 'I'm the only one at school whose Mother is working and that makes me special.'" That was enough to stop Zengerle. "I was feeling guilty because I was not at home enough. But my child recognized the importance of what I was doing. He didn't feel short-changed by me working." She forged ahead, making partner even on a part-time schedule. Retirement: A Time For One's Passion A great question to find out about one's true passion is to ask what they would be doing if not working. "I love to teach, and plan to teach in the inner city when I retire," confides Zengerle. "Some think that there is not a life without an office, but I don't agree. My father never really retired, and I can't envision it not working at something - teaching, cooking, gardening, a number of possibilities." Zengerle's Definition of Power... "Being able to do what you want when you want to. You have to know what you want and then go after it. Also, it's about accomplishing something. Acting as a force of good." What about titles or money America's typical definition of what makes one powerful? "[In law], title and position are very important. Being a 'partner' establishes your credentials. It leads to acceptance by one's peers and that's important in law." And Happiness? Without hesitation, "Finding something that fulfills you and doing it. Last week, I took one day off, without planning ahead, something I never do. I had the best time. I read and cooked dinner for my husband. Moments like that refresh you and allow you to perform better at work." Tips On Finding a Mentor Zengerle admits that she never had a woman as a mentor. "Nino [Justice Scalia] was a mentor," states Zengerle with a twinkle in her eye. "He offered me a part-time job at a time when part-time jobs didn't exist. He taught me it could be done." How to find a mentor? "Be charming, interested, persistent," advises Lynda. "Realize that a mentor has time limits and show that you value what you are asking for." My thoughts on what makes a great mentor? Someone willing to take the time to be open and honest about their life. Thanks, Lynda.
Accepting and Declining Job Offers
Dear Tamara,
I'm in the midst of my job search, and I've had some really great interviews. If I do get a job offer, or maybe even multiple offers, how do I handle it?
I'm excited to hear that you've had some good interviews! My guess is that you worked hard to prepare yourself, and it's always good to hear that hard work pays off.
So, when the good news comes, what do you do? When you get a job offer, it is important to respond enthusiastically or at least positively. There's a great deal of time, energy, debating, and maneuvering that goes into hiring an employee; when you get that phone call, it is because they've chosen you out of all of the other applicants. So show some appreciation with a big 'Thanks for calling. That's great news!'
It's okay to ask for some time to think about the offer even if you are pretty sure that you will accept it. It's easy to get caught up in the moment and accept on the spot without thinking it through. When you get the offer, you'll also probably receive salary information, a potential start date, and other odds and ends that will fill out your picture of the position. While it is okay to say that you are super excited about the offer and the possibility of working at the company, it is an important decision and you'd like a little time to sit with it. Before you hang up, make sure you tell him/her when you will get back in touch with your decision, and then meet that deadline.
In the next day or two, look again at the job responsibilities, research the salary range for that position (if you haven't already done so) to make sure that the offer is appropriate and will meet your budget, and make sure that the job fits your values, interests, and aspirations. Also make note of any questions or reservations that still you have. Those are issues that you want to bring up before accepting the job rather than discovering them or trying to negotiate after the fact. Side note: Salary negotiation, leveraging job offers, and stalling for more time are more complicated facets of accepting or declining a job. They are certainly worth discussing, so I will go into greater detail about those specific issues in the future.
Most job offers are verbal contracts followed up by a written contract. You'll want to do the same when you accept. Call and tell your future employer that you are delighted to accept the position, and then follow up with a short acceptance letter. That would also be a good time to email or send a short note to the people you met with during your interview to share your excitement about the job and tell them that you look forward to working together.
Once you have accepted a job, your job search is over. Contact the employers you've interviewed with and those with outstanding applications to let them know that you are withdrawing from their search. Thank them for their time, for meeting with you, and for considering your application. It's a small world out there and you may be interviewing with those companies or those people in the future, so, it's important that you leave a positive impression (or at least a professional one) when withdrawing or declining a position. The type of contact that you have with those employers depends on how far you have progressed into their interview process. If you have really been building a relationship with a recruiter, then a phone call is necessary to decline or withdraw. Make the conversation short and don't dwell on why you've taken the other position. You may be asked why you took another job instead of the one they offered, so be prepared to answer that question as honestly, yet as delicately as you can.
I know this is a constant refrain in this column, but it's always a good idea to speak with someone in your Career Services Office. Everyone's situation is different, so you want to make sure to talk through yours and get the advice and information that would help you most.
And finally, get excited and feel proud of yourself! Even though rejection is a normal part of the job search process, it can still leave even the most self-confident person feeling a little roughed up. So savor the moment and congratulate yourself on a job well done.
Good luck and congratulations!
Tamara
Tips for the Law Firm Interview that Apply to All Job Interviews
If you're a law student, you're probably already in the middle of the interviewing season. Nothing makes me happier than knowing that I don't have to go through the whole interview process again this fall. The truth is, I am terrible at interviews. There are a few things I wish I would have known when I was interviewing.
Wear the uniform. There is an unspoken uniform required in law firm interviews. The worst part is that no one will ever tell you that you've got the uniform wrong. You're expected to wear a dark suit, pumps, minimal jewelry, subtle makeup and neat hair. I went to countless interviews with messy hair. Frustrated that my hair was frizzy and uncool, I would put European styling putty in my shoulder length locks. As a result, I looked more like a surfer girl than an aspiring professional. I wish someone would have just given me a barrette and put me out of my misery.
The correct answer is "Yes, I want to work for your firm!" No one goes into law firm interviews without some ambivalence about whether they want to work at a large law firm for the rest of their lives. But now is not the time to share your ambivalence. If a prospective employer asks you if you want to work for their firm, the correct answer is "yes!" and not the answer I actually gave on too many occasions that you're willing to give it a try. Is it less than honest? Possibly. But odds are, your interviewers are similarly misrepresenting how fascinating they find their work and how they have a great work-life balance.
Come across as a capable subordinate. Behind all the wining, dining, and wooing of recruiting, your interviewers know that what they're really doing is hiring first year associates. A good first year associate is someone who is willing to 1) learn, 2) work hard, and 3) enthusiastically accept the assignments that none of the other attorneys want. As a secondary matter, they're looking for people who could eventually transform into a good senior attorney capable of managing clients. If you come across as bored, arrogant, lethargic, or just plain not up to the challenge, it will remind your interviewers of every disastrous first year associate they've supervised.
Have a good reason for talking to each firm. Even though most students choose the firms they interview with more or less randomly, you need to have a plausible reason for interviewing with any given firm. This usually means a compelling justification for living in the city where the firm is located. It also means doing research on each firm so that you can answer the inevitable question all interviewers ask: "Why do you want to work for our firm above all others?"
Interviewing for a firm's head office is preferable to a satellite office. I made the mistake of interviewing with countless satellite offices, not realizing that satellite offices only hire a small fraction of the associates that a head office would hire. Even if you plan on working for a firm's satellite office down the road, spending your summer at the head office is often a better strategy from a training and networking perspective.
Why the Drama?
**Dear Tamara,**
**Last week, I read the article "Has This Ever Happened to You?":http://www.universitychic.com/node/106 posted on University Chic. This awkward situation _did_ happen to me during my summer internship. As an intern, how should I handle the drama of a full-time employee misunderstanding my desire to help?**
This is a situation that an intern needs to shake off. I know that is easier said than done, but stewing about it will not help maintain good relationships in the workplace. If you know that your motives were pure - to help her, support the team, and challenge yourself - and if other people in the office usually respond positively to your help, you can be pretty sure that the interaction you had with your co-worker was not about you.
The Road Less Traveled - Deviating from Traditional Career Paths after College
If the thought of more school or twelve-hour stretches as a cubicle jockey makes you break out in a cold sweat, take a deep breath. There is another way. There are places where the day is not squeezed in between the hours of 9 and 5, and the view extends farther than your computer screen. It takes equal measures of independence, drive, and reckless abandon, but the unbeaten path can lead to great adventures after your undergraduate experience. So whether you are taking time to find yourself or are simply finding a detour from the status quo, teaching abroad could be the best first job for you.
What is Networking, Anyway?
*Dear Tamara,*
*I've heard it's important to network with people, but I don't know what that means. __Could you explain it?__*
Life is all about networking these days, and that is especially true if you are searching for job or internship. Most people get their jobs and internships through networking; so if you are going to spend your time and energy on something related to your search, then I recommend you focus on building and maintaining your network. Networking does have some subtle nuances, and you might need to alter your approach based on your particular situation. Talk to a career advisor in your Career Planning Center before you launch your networking campaign.
Balancing Act on the Horizon for College Women
In the years directly following World War I, the media slowly became intrigued with a debate later called the Mommy Wars: Should women stay at home or should they work? Many have found that there is no clear answer.
While this debate still exists today, the dichotomy has been blurred slightly. Many women are not choosing between the two positions, but instead are taking on both roles. In general, people have recognized that mothers are working now and that balancing family and work is a concern for them. When coming out of college or graduate school, this issue may or may not be in the forefront of the mind of most young women. Regardless, some brief preparation now may help you juggle family and work in the future.
Identify your desires. While it may be difficult to make such a decision early, it is important to identify your future goals. Analyze what you want in your future by asking questions such as: Do you want a family? Do you want children? Do you want to have a career? If so, in what area do you want to work? Think about the lifestyles associated with each of these questions and think about your objectives in life. But, think about each of these questions independently. Do not let your wish to have children influence your wish to have a career. Above all, remember that your answers to these questions do not have to be permanent; you could change them tomorrow if you wanted.
If you do want a family, children, and a career, it is possible. Success stories of women balancing work and family are everywhere. India Keith is a prime example. With five children ranging from the ages of six to newborn in 1991, India decided to quit her job at a small private law firm in order to begin practicing law from her home. She invested $5,000 in a computer, a fax machine, and a printer and then set up a business in her home. She worked while her children were in school and after they went to sleep at night.
"You have to decide what you want," said India. "I work because I wanted to be with different people at different points during the day. It keeps my mind sharp."
Analyze your options. Armed with personal wish lists, women who want to have a career and a family can begin to coordinate these various pieces into one feasible plan. First, you should determine the time requirements and flexibility associated with the job you would like to pursue. Paying particular attention to the "Working Conditions" section, read the job profile of your desired career in the Occupational Outlook Handbook provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. If this does not provide enough information, ask your Career Counselor about the particular career or interview a professional in the field. Certain positions offer more flexibility than others. It is also important to consider timing. Some careers require longer hours in the first few years while others require continuous effort. As a result, some careers are easier to manage with a family.
If your career is not inherently suited to raising a family, there are additional options. For example, many women like India Keith are starting their own businesses in order to maintain a flexible schedule. Other women are working part-time or taking additional classes relevant to their field. Still others are working full-time while utilizing the child care offered by the company for which they work. Some even quit work for an extended period of time and then return to the workplace later in life. Whatever the career, the number of options available to working mothers is growing and will continue to grow in the future.
If you do plan to work and have a family, recognize that it can be done, with help. Despite these various options, no one woman can do everything by herself. As India Keith accurately states: "There are sacrifices that have to be made. Typically you are the one that is going to be making those sacrifices because you do not want to sacrifice your kids, your husband, or your work; you are the one that gets the brunt of it." A woman balancing family and work should recognize that these sacrifices are inevitable. As a result, she should also recognize the need for help. Often educated women with the drive to maintain a family and a career can become bogged down with routine, daily tasks. However, it is important to remain focused on your priorities and on your desires. Then, with a little bit of help and with a little bit of focus, you can do anything.
Want to Work at a Consulting Firm? One Recent Grad's Experience
**Renee Paradise hails from Chapel Hill, NC and graduated from Harvard College in 2004 with a BA in Biochemical Sciences. While at Harvard, she captained the women's swimming and diving team and was the Ivy League Diving Champion on the 3m springboard in 2003. After college, Renee took a job with a top-tier consulting firm in New York and is about to complete her first year of a two-year commitment.**
Thinking Small: Large firms aren't the only option for women seeking a career and a life
Women lawyers increasingly are turning from large firms and looking to solo and small firm law practices and other entrepreneurial endeavors as another career option. According to the most recent figures of the U.S. Census Bureau, about 20 percent of law firms were women-owned in 1997. These firms provide the kind of flexibility to balance career and family obligations in ways not often possible at large firms, some women say.