Career Development Q+A

Q: What part of the job search do you notice youth in transition find most difficult?

A: Emancipated youth are often at a disadvantage transitioning out of care with little to no work experience. Some of you have never been introduced to the world of work until you enter adulthood and are expected to earn a living for yourselves. It can be extremely overwhelming and frightening when you’ve always depended on the system to take care of you. Once you understand that you can be empowered to do things for yourself, your confidence increases and you begin to have higher expectations for yourself.

Q: A lot of us think we cannot have a resume if we don’t have a lot of work experience. What advice do you have for us?

A: Believe it or not, just about everyone can create a resume. Of course, it will take a pretty creative person to help you come up with something worthwhile, but it CAN be done. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never worked in a paid position. You must think about what you have to offer an employer. For example, instead of an objective statement, you might have a section entitled “Professional Skills and Personal Qualities.” This section would highlight your computer skills and personal characteristics an employer will find appealing. You would also include your education as well as a volunteer section and a place to highlight the roles you’ve played in clubs and organizations. Every leadership role you’ve had should be highlighted in your resume. Potential employers will be impressed that you took time to create a resume. It shows that you want to stand out among other job seekers.

Q: What is one of your pet peeves when contacting job applicants after reviewing their resume/application?

A: One of my pet peeves is the voicemail. When you are looking for a job, you have to be in “professional mode” at all times. That includes the outgoing message on your answering service. In addition to your resume/application, your greeting says a lot about your level of professionalism. I like T-Pain, Justin Timberlake, 50, Fergie and a lot of other artists, but if I hear any of these songs in their entirety on your machine, your resume will be at the top of the “NO” pile in a matter of seconds. There is a time and place for everything. A potential employer does not need to be introduced to your favorite song of the month.  All they need to hear is your name (pleasantly stated) and an invitation to leave a brief message and a contact number.

Q: What is something important that people often do not consider when planning their interview attire?

A: It’s all about the shoes. A lot of people don’t realize that it’s not only important that your shoes coordinate with your outfit, it matters what condition they are in. If your shoes look like you’ve been in a rock kicking contest, the potential employer may be inclined to think that your shoes have something to do with your character or your level of professionalism. They don’t have to be name brand shoes, they just need to be polished and in decent condition. You should look professional from head to toe. This includes your hair, make-up and finger nails. Always minimize your accessories. Ladies, if you choose to wear a headband, leave the scrunchie on the table - they can’t go out at the same time. You want the interviewer to pay attention to what you have to say during the interview, NOT what you have on.

Q: If you could offer a piece of career advice to young people what would you say?

A: Never burn bridges. You never know when you may need that person in the future. You might need to put them down as a reference, ask them for a letter of recommendation, or even a small favor like borrowing a solid necktie, socks free of holes, or a crisp white shirt without the yellow sweat rings. You always need people in your corner; even when you feel that you can do it all alone. I could present myself as the best person for the job in any interview but if there is no one the interviewer can call to validate the information I’ve provided, none of what I’ve said will mater. Believe it or not, even something as simple as not giving a two weeks notice before leaving a job can ruin a decent relationship between you and your co-workers or you and your supervisor. If they feel you left them hanging, they will certainly return the favor when they get the call from a potential employer asking about you. The thing they will remember most about you is how you left the company or organization.