The Best Places to Work

This past week, Glassdoor came out with their annual list of the best employers to work for in the U.S. and the U.K . Google was rated #1 not surprisingly, especially if you saw the movie, The Internship with Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson. Google looks like a dreamland: free food, a slide, bikes, being surrounded by brilliant and creative people, Quidditch matches, nap pods and more!  However, if you read the employee reviews of Google, even the most magical place on earth has reported cons, such as the hiring process and the immense size of the company.

What strikes me about the Glassdoor List is that employees report working hard, and in many cases working very long hours. Yet, in most cases it is employees’ values that impact their happiness at work. For instance, being able to go home for a kid’s soccer game, appreciation of their work, being assigned interesting and creative work, being able to learn from senior staff, and even bringing pets to work directly contributed to higher ratings.

Have you ever given time to thinking about what is important to you in work?  Sometimes, when looking for a job or internship we get caught up in the name and prestige of an organization, and the salary.  We tend to forget about the work we will be doing, the culture of the organization, and the other aspects of work that we value. For instance, it is very important to me that my place of employment appreciates and acknowledges my abilities and knowledge, and the work I produce.  I would not be happy nor would I rate an organization highly if this was not the case.  For others, it may be work that allows them to travel, or an organization that offers extensive time off, or work that directly helps others.  What is important to you?

So, begin researching organizations early and often, network with employees both in-person and online through sites like LinkedIn, and when you land that all important interview, ask them questions that will allow you to see if they can support your values.

Suzanne Dagger, Director of
Career Development and Assessment

A Thanksgiving Day Plan

It has been a long semester. We all need this four-day weekend to relax and spend time with family and friends eating and shopping!  However, I have a few specific ideas for Thanksgiving Day.

1. Get up before 9am, have a nice breakfast and watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Make sure to relax and lay on that couch!

2. Help your family prepare some food for your Thanksgiving meal.

3. Think about who will be attending your Thanksgiving Dinner.  Who do they work for? What jobs do they hold or held in the past?  Even if these jobs and career paths are not related to what you want, these people may have some professional insight to share with you, or may know other people who can help you.

4. Create a mental list of questions you may want to ask these people about their jobs and career paths. Remember, these are probably family members or friends. They want to help you. 

-What do you like about your job?

-What are challenges?

-How did you get your job?

-What skills are important for this work?

-What would you recommend I do while I am in college to prepare for my career?

-Can you recommend anyone I could speak to about my career field of interest?

5. Sit down for your dinner; enjoy the food, the conversation, and start asking questions! It is important to ask others for insight and help because 85% of jobs are found through the people we know!

And do not forget to follow up on any insight you learn, contacts or assistance that might be offered, and resources that might be provided! 

Suzanne Dagger, Director of
Career Development and Assessment

Networking Connections

Last night, I met with students in the GOLD program through the Office of Student Leadership & Activities.  We discussed the topic of networking skills and mingling etiquette.  Two of the questions I posed to them were, “who is in your network?” and “who are the people, clubs and organizations that might help you achieve these goals?” All twelve students were able to come up with healthy sized lists.  However, they forgot the most obvious – each other! 

Some of our best networks are the people around us, those who see us almost everyday, whether that is family, friends, other students, faculty or administrators.  These people can help you in a variety of ways.  For instance, these people (a.k.a “Connections”) all know other people.  Last night, one student mentioned that he had a family member in the film industry in California.  Another student talked about how his cousins were successful attorneys.  Certainly, this information or these connections could help others in the group.  That brings me to the word “help.”  Those who know you, those who interact with you on a daily basis tend to want to see you succeed.  They want to help you on this journey and help you make connections.  Don’t be afraid to ask.  We are all here to help.

Here is a simple blog post from the site InternMatch.com that I think is really useful as you embark on this journey of making connections and asking for help. 

Suzanne Dagger, Director of
Career Development and Assessment

Procrastination

I know it is scary. I know you are dreading the reality of a job or internship search. I know you are afraid of rejection. I know you are worried that you will somehow make a mistake. I know it is MUCH easier to put this whole search off, semester after semester.  But then, BAM! You find out that the employer you have always dreamed of working for is looking to hire Hofstra students!  But oh no, you also just found out that the deadline is in two days, and you are crammed with school work, and all the other things that you do. 

So what do you do?

A) Throw together a resume using your roommate’s as a template. Hey, it landed them an internship.

B) Use the resume you had since high school and hope they don’t notice that you haven’t really updated it and also that you didn’t submit a cover letter.

C) Knock on The Career Center doors and windows at 10 p.m., hoping a career counselor is still there working.

D) Skip your mid-term to come to The Career Center for resume or cover letter assistance.

E) Easily apply, because you have been keeping your resume up to date, have gotten it critiqued at The Career Center and have worked with a career counselor on cover letter writing.

I think we all know what the answer should be – E. Procrastination is so easy, while preparation makes you work hard and face your fears.  I don’t know about you all, but I certainly would like to be able to easily apply for my dream job.  Oh, that’s right, I already did: #hofstracareercounselor .

Suzanne Dagger,
Director of Career Development
and Assessment