On this episode, Grace Saathoff (CFA’22, COM’22) and Emily Worden, a CFA Arts Management and Innovation lecturer and profession coach, sort out a few of new graduates’ largest issues about getting into the job marketplace for the primary time. Tune in for some sensible recommendation and useful job looking suggestions for latest graduates.
You can too discover this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and different podcast platforms.
Takeaways
Emily Worden suggests seniors take three actions earlier than the top of Could:
1. Determine what job or business you’d prefer to be in, after which inform the world about your profession objectives
2. Construct your community. Be sure your LinkedIn profile is totally arrange and ask to go on informational interviews
3. Clear up your digital footprint. Potential employers will probably be looking for you on-line
Transcript
Dana Ferrante: That is Query of the Week, from BU Right this moment. With Graduation simply weeks away, we thought we’d sort out a query on the minds of many graduating Terriers: how do I get a job after school? To assist us reply this considerably daunting query, we’ve introduced on…
Grace Saathoff: Grace Saathoff. I’m a senior at BU, and I’m set to graduate with a BFA in costume manufacturing and a BS in movie and tv.
Ferrante: And profession coach extraordinaire…
Emily Worden: Emily Worden. I’m a professor at BU within the School of High quality Arts. I train profession growth within the arts. And I’m additionally a profession coach.
Ferrante: In our closing episode for this season, Grace and Emily speak via a few of seniors’ largest issues in terms of getting into the job marketplace for the primary time.
So whether or not you’ve had a job lined up since final September, otherwise you’re simply beginning to casually peruse the job boards, keep tuned for some useful, sensible recommendation on beginning your skilled profession on the correct foot.
Saathoff: Nicely, hello, Emily, it’s good to see you right here. We now have some questions from seniors right here at BU who’re going to graduate and are a bit of bit nervous about going into the skilled world.
Our first query we simply wished to ask you is: how do I get a job after school? What are the three issues that college students can do earlier than the top of Could to be able to guarantee a degree of profession success?
Worden: I’d go over three, if that’s okay, Grace, as a result of I really like this query.
Saathoff: We do have some particular follow-ups, however sure, what are your high “wikiHow-with-pictures” to acquire profession success with a collegiate background?
Worden: Okay. Nicely, to begin with, congratulations to the graduating seniors, you’ve labored actually exhausting to get right here. The true world shouldn’t be as scary as typically it’s made out to be, however I do have some motion suggestions that you would be taking proper now, for those who’re about to graduate.
To start with, simply determine what’s it that you really want. What job do you need to do? The place would you prefer to work? What sort of business do you need to be in? And I do know that sounds foolish, since you’ve been finding out this for years. Nevertheless, when you’re very clear on particularly the form of job you need and the place you’d prefer to work, then it’s important to inform the world about it.
Speak about it on social media, share it on LinkedIn, and it’s important to be your individual mother. And what I imply by that’s if you realize mothers, they prefer to exit and inform [people], “My Grace is in class and he or she’s finding out this and that…” I would like you to try this for your self, and don’t have any disgrace in telling folks what it’s you’re in search of.
The explanation why is as a result of when you begin placing it on the market to the world precisely what it’s you need, the alternatives begin coming your method. So I’ve an ideal instance. I had a scholar years in the past who their mother was on the dentist, and the dentist mentioned, “How’s your child doing?” They usually mentioned, “My child needs to interrupt into the movie business.” And the dentist mentioned, “I do know somebody, I may also help you.” And inside just some weeks, the child was engaged on a movie set.
These are the form of alternatives that you’ve for those who simply inform folks what you’re in search of, and it’s important to be particular about it. In order that’s my first piece of recommendation. The second piece of recommendation could be very a lot linked to that, which is, you’ve obtained to construct your community.
You may have probably the most excellent résumé and excellent cowl letter, and the job can nonetheless go to another person simply because they know somebody. And so once you’re increase your community, to begin with what you need to do is make sure that your LinkedIn profile is totally arrange, and there’s a great deal of on-line assets that will help you with that.
To be connecting with folks on LinkedIn, asking to go on informational interviews, which aren’t job interviews, however the place you speak with people who find themselves doing jobs you’re keen on, and learn how they obtained there. You may be part of business teams on LinkedIn, skilled associations. You may attend occasions in your business and volunteer at these occasions.
Undoubtedly get in contact with the BU Alumni Community. One of many belongings you’re paying for by going to BU is entry to this alumni community. As you’re reaching out to your community and also you’re constructing your community, I really like to inform folks to have a 30-second business.
Only a actually fast method which you can clarify your background and what it’s you’re trying to take action that individuals very clearly perceive who you might be, what you need to do, and the way they may also help. So primary could be to determine what you need and inform the world.
Quantity two could be to construct up your community. And I’ll persist with three, what I’d say for 3 is to wash up your digital footprint. What I imply by that’s
Saathoff: Delete all of these thirst tweets that you’ve.
Worden: Sure, precisely, as a result of what occurs is once you exit and apply for jobs, persons are going to be looking for you on-line.
So it’s important to ensure that’s cleaned up. As I’ve talked about, you need your LinkedIn, but additionally when you have a web site, ensuring that’s up to date, and polished, and your portfolio is on it, that your social media is cleaned up, that it’s one thing an employer might see. After which there’s two different issues that I prefer to say about your digital footprint.
Primary is your signature block. You realize that little block, on the backside of your e mail, oftentimes that’s actually underutilized. In your signature block have your title, discuss what you do or what you’re seeking to do. You may say, “Current graduate in search of graphic design jobs in New York Metropolis.” You may even put that in your signature block.
You’d checklist your social media, your LinkedIn, your web site. In case you have a short tagline that describes what you do, an image of your work, a name to motion—these are all fantastic components to have in your signature block. The final piece of recommendation I’d give about your digital footprint is to get an expert e mail tackle now.
As you’re reaching out and also you’re making community connections, you’re going to cease utilizing your BU e mail tackle inside just a few years. And so, as you’re making these connections now, it’s simply higher for them to get to know you with a daily e mail tackle that’s ideally simply your title.
Saathoff: You spoke about cleansing up your social media, you spoke about web sites. Wouldn’t it be useful to attach that skilled e mail, the social media, and your web site, with one title, one model, in order that persons are capable of acknowledge you, and I assume that reinforces your searchability on Google?
Worden: Completely! Your intuition. Because of this you’re fantastic. We speak rather a lot in school about creating your private model and making that constant throughout your entire platforms, and in order that’s an ideal instance of it, completely.
Saathoff: College students have this plethora of on-line connection instruments at their palms. We now have LinkedIn, as you talked about, BU I do know makes use of Handshake. However do you could have any recommendations on easy methods to efficiently shoot your shot on-line via Twitter or Instagram, the place type of the bar of connectivity is rather a lot decrease? And also you’re capable of personally message folks inside your area to get these informational questions, reminiscent of, “Hello, I’m simply reaching out to type of learn how you bought the place you might be as a result of I need to be there in x variety of years.”
Worden: What you’re speaking about, that final half, is similar to informational interviews, which I simply adore. For those who haven’t completed informational interviews, it’s [that] you discover somebody whose profession you admire and also you simply interview them for like a half hour. How did you get there? And there are a great deal of suggestions on-line about easy methods to strategy that.
However to reply your query, to take a step again, regardless if it’s LinkedIn or Handshake or Twitter or Instagram—I imply there’s so some ways to attach now—there’s a pair issues that you just need to do. To start with, you undoubtedly need to have your skilled profile arrange. Simply saying off the bat what it’s it’s important to provide in your skilled profile on any of those websites is at all times an attractive factor to do.
After which having some photos on the websites as properly, perhaps of you doing all your work or sharing some business information, that goes a great distance. After which what I love to do is as soon as your skilled profile is about up on any of those websites, then make an inventory of firms the place you want to work and begin following them.
Discover the corporate’s social media accounts, observe them, work together with them, however then additionally take it one other step additional. And on LinkedIn…are you able to inform I’m actually emphatic about LinkedIn?
Saathoff: That must be in your bio, “Quantity-one LinkedIn supporter.”
Worden: [Laughs]
Saathoff: They need to begin paying you some royalties for being the primary LinkedIn influencer.
Worden: Speak about jobs that haven’t been invented but, that’s one. That is the way you all are going to search out your jobs—it’s via LinkedIn. So even for those who simply suppose, I’m happening there, I’m going to arrange a profile after which I do nothing with it—that’s the incorrect option to deal with it.
LinkedIn is a social media community. You ought to be on it each day, liking, commenting, sharing one thing for a number of causes. To start with, LinkedIn likes to advertise profiles which can be actively getting used. But in addition potential employers are looking for you on there. And so the extra energetic you might be on LinkedIn and the extra you’re sharing your business information, the higher you look as a candidate.
Saathoff: I used to be questioning for those who might communicate to the variations within the social sphere of LinkedIn versus Twitter or Instagram, which school college students are most likely extra used to. Are there sure issues we must be doing on LinkedIn, as you mentioned, following, commenting, posting, that may increase our engagement and make us look extra skilled?
Worden: I’m so glad you requested this. Even for those who simply go on 10 minutes a day and also you congratulate somebody on a piece anniversary, you share an article that you just thought was fascinating, you want a few folks’s posts, that may very well be it. That may very well be what you do for the day.
When it comes to objects that you’d put up your self, this sort of goes again to the non-public model, and positioning your self as somebody who’s educated about your business. For those who can go on LinkedIn and say, “Hey, I simply learn this nice article. I believed you all would take pleasure in it too.” Or offering some type of feedback or suggestions to what different persons are saying about it, these are all stunning methods of form of boosting your profile and exhibiting that you just truly know what you’re speaking about.
And the opposite factor that’s nice to do on LinkedIn is to affix teams. There are tons of teams on there that headhunters truly search. So you may be part of teams in your business or any type of teams that curiosity you. And also you provide assist, you ask questions, and change into a part of the neighborhood that method as properly.
LinkedIn, undoubtedly I like to recommend that’s not a spot the place you need to be selective on who you join with, you undoubtedly need to forged a large internet. And once you’re seeking to join with somebody on LinkedIn, there’s a normal message that claims, I feel, “I’d like to affix your community on LinkedIn.” For those who’re seeking to join with somebody, you [need to] erase that normal message and put in a private message.
Saathoff: Type of persevering with with this theme of professionalism on-line, I’ve observed that a number of firms on this—I’m going to place in quotes—”post-pandemic” time are nonetheless conducting interviews on-line, or asking candidates to ship in a video with their utility. Do you could have any recommendation for these form of interviews and even baseline interview recommendation for graduates, on easy methods to nail these first impression interviews that we all know are so essential?
Worden: So there’s two elements to that query. Video résumés are a bit controversial, as a result of on the one hand, it might actually aid you stand out. However then again, it might probably additionally unlock a number of hidden biases. It might additionally make the appliance course of a bit unequal.
As a result of it’s solely accessible to individuals who have video and modifying expertise they usually’re snug in entrance of the digicam. However it might probably additionally aid you stand out, so I prefer to say it will depend on your business and the kind of firm you’re making use of to. I work with CFA college students, proper? So, a lot of you all are already anticipated to have these form of expertise, being snug in entrance of the digicam and modifying, and talking in entrance of a gaggle, so I simply say, go for it for those who’re in that business.
Some [other] firms say, “Nicely, are you able to simply submit an elevator pitch?” So for those who do determine to do a video résumé, I’ve some suggestions: you’d need to maintain it underneath a minute, if doable, undoubtedly underneath 90 seconds. And for those who’re doing all your video résumé, you’re not simply reiterating your résumé. You’re telling one thing new. You may spotlight one thing out of your talent part, you would inform a narrative about your background. For those who suppose there’s potential objections to why they wouldn’t need to rent you, you would tackle that within the video.
And imagine me, they’re already excited about it, so that you would possibly as properly tackle it. So it doesn’t change your common résumé, it simply form of enhances it. When it comes to digital interviews and conducting interviews on-line, you need to check your {hardware} forward of time. Your software program, test your setup, make sure that your background is clear and there’s nothing distracting.
Saathoff: Mute the discord notifications.
Worden: Flip off your notifications, set your pc and telephone to do-not-disturb. After which I inform folks, costume professionally from head to toe, as a result of it places you in the correct mindset even when they solely see your shoulders. After which one of many different issues that I prefer to say, and that is form of an insider tip, is for those who’re doing a digital interview, take a look at the digicam of the pc, not on the display screen.
For those who take a look at the digicam, it feels completely awkward, nevertheless it mimics eye contact. For those who’re simply trying on the display screen there’s not likely that connection there, however for those who’re trying on the digicam, they really feel such as you’re trying proper at them. Put some put up it notes, or some sticky notes, subsequent to your digicam in your pc with notes that you just need to reiterate throughout the interview.
And that can form of maintain your eyes glued to the digicam. In order that’s a bit of facet tip, however I like that one rather a lot.
Saathoff: I feel you would additionally most likely put some googly eyes up there.
Worden: Sure, I had a scholar just a few years in the past recommend that and I believed that was so cute.
I don’t know if that may distract me an excessive amount of however I feel it’s cute. Just a few common interview recommendation. Discover out who’s interviewing you forward of time and see for those who can seek for them on-line. Perhaps guess what sort of questions they may ask. It simply form of helps to additionally notice they’re an precise actual particular person as properly.
Saathoff: As graduating seniors who’ve by no means labored within the skilled area, one of many issues that we’re nervous about is negotiating wage. How will we ensure that we’re being pretty compensated for our work? What suggestions do you could have for being a reliable negotiator?
Worden: Sure, okay, I’m going to leap proper to wage as a result of I’m very obsessed with this.
I’m very obsessed with folks getting paid what they’re price. To start with, for those who’re in an interview, in the event that they ever ask, “What’s your required wage? What are your wage expectations?” you don’t reply that. The explanation why is as a result of it places you in a weaker place for negotiation.
So for those who say a quantity and it’s method decrease than they had been anticipating to pay you, they may gladly settle for that quantity. It simply places you in a weaker place, so if somebody says to you in an interview, “What are your wage expectations? What are you in search of?” Flip it proper again on them and say, “Nicely, what’s the wage vary for this place?” Or you may say, “I’m nonetheless studying in regards to the position, I haven’t set wage expectations but.” If they are saying to you, “Nicely, what did you receives a commission at previous jobs, or, what’s your wage historical past?” To start with, that’s an unlawful query—they’ll’t ask that.
But when they do, you may simply say, “This place shouldn’t be the identical as my final job, I need to focus on what my obligations could be right here.” Even whether it is the very same job, similar job title, similar all the things, it may very well be a unique business, a unique firm, totally different goal clients…
So it’s by no means the identical job. If it’s important to do this wage query, punt it off and put it again on them till they really make you a proposal. After which you may get into negotiation, however till then simply maintain pushing it off and make them say the quantity first.
Saathoff: And that type of ties into one other query we had about COVID and the large influence that it’s had on the job market these previous two years. I do know that COVID has modified the job panorama, and I used to be questioning for those who might communicate to the way it has modified, and what kind of issues we might be looking out for, each in new avenues that may perhaps speed up us in our profession, but additionally pink flags that we would see in new job postings and what to keep away from.
Worden: When it comes to the COVID query: that is such an thrilling time for labor proper now. I’m genuinely excited for the labor market. What’s occurring is the facility is within the folks proper now, the facility is within the workers. This can be a nice time to graduate, actually greater than your colleagues from a yr or two in the past.
What occurred is, throughout COVID, folks left their jobs in droves, for a lot of, many causes, well being causes, they wanted to be a caretaker at house, some folks took early retirement. However lots of people had been simply form of reexamining what’s essential, and saying, “Why am I on this horrible low-paying job that doesn’t deal with me properly?”
“And so perhaps I’ll return to highschool or go to a brand new business or strive a completely new profession.” So what’s occurring is the world’s opening up once more a bit of bit, and there’s this huge, pent-up demand for items and for providers, and that’s driving up labor demand. So on the one hand, you could have employers determined for staff, and then again, firms are additionally getting much more selective of their hiring course of.
So what I’m listening to is persons are happening a 3rd interview, a fourth interview, a fifth interview even. As a result of it takes some huge cash to rent folks, it takes a number of time to take a position and practice folks. Although there’s such a requirement for labor—notably within the leisure sector, within the hospitality sector, in another sectors—they’re form of saying, “Nicely, we wish extra expertise and extra expertise than earlier than. And we need to interview you three extra instances earlier than we determine to rent you.”
What I’d recommend to folks in these industries: don’t rely simply in your school diploma. Preserve upskilling, maintain determining what’s occurring with the developments in your business, maintain networking. Additionally, a willingness to return to the workplace is large, as a result of firms and CEOs need everybody to return to the workplace, and older workers are saying, “Nah, not for me.” I recommend graduates go into the workplace anyway, it’s an exquisite option to study in regards to the firm tradition and interpersonal communication and hands-on expertise, and hopefully get a mentor.
However for those who present that willingness to enter an workplace as properly, that form of provides you a leg up. When it comes to pink flags and issues to look out for, once you’re studying job purposes, there’s a few phrases which you can form of take note of that may doubtlessly be pink flags.
For those who hear issues like, you could work exhausting underneath strain or deal with stress properly [sighs], yeah…that’s a pink flag. That often signifies that they don’t have an ideal work-life steadiness. Or for those who hear somebody has to put on many hats, or be versatile, or have excessive vitality—what that often is a sign of is that firm shouldn’t be very properly organized, and issues is likely to be poorly deliberate, and it’s important to make up for it.
Each time I hear, “We’re a household right here, we’re only a large household” [sighs]—households are powerful, proper? So for those who’re working at an organization that claims they’re a household as properly, what that seems like is that they have an absence of boundaries, they are often fairly demanding, they need you to pitch in and never pay you.
However there’s additionally other forms of pink flags when it comes to scams. If a job utility asks you for private data, like your bank card or Social Safety quantity, that’s undoubtedly a rip-off. A giant pink flag to search for is that if they are saying, “Let’s conduct the interview over textual content or Slack or WhatsApp.” That’s additionally an enormous pink flag, as a result of actual jobs at actual firms would need to meet you in particular person or over the pc.
There’s pink flags to search for in reliable jobs when it comes to the language they use, however then additionally simply to bear in mind that the job isn’t a rip-off.
Saathoff: Don’t ship anybody your mom’s maiden title or your childhood pet.
Worden: [Laughs]
Saathoff: We now have one final query right here for you, Emily, and it talks a few level that you just’ve touched on actually briefly.
Your expectations going into the job market after school and what kind of jobs to search for, and persevering with your training—reasonably than “I’m now the Wolf of Wall Avenue, let’s make hundreds of thousands, be a Minecraft YouTuber” or one thing like that. Do you could have any recommendation on easy methods to negotiate your self from an entry job that you just actually take pleasure in into one with extra advantages? Or work your method from a job that’s perhaps not aligned with the profession path you need, into one that’s? And the way you realize when it’s time to maneuver on out of your newbie job?
Worden: The very first thing about transferring on out of your first job: you actually need to remain on the job a yr at minimal.
Simply when it comes to future jobs, when you have lower than a yr in your résumé, assuming it’s not a seasonal job, that’s type of a pink flag to employers. Notably in the event that they’ve seen you’re employed someplace six months after which elsewhere six months, as a result of, once more, it takes some huge cash and time for them to spend money on you.
So stick it out for a minimum of a yr. Normally now, on common, persons are staying at jobs for 2 years or so. So when you’re there for that first yr, even for those who completely hate it, there’s some first issues you are able to do proper off the bat to form of guarantee your success.
My college students will know, you’ll know this, Grace, I speak to folks about their brag guide. So what you ought to be doing from day one on this job is writing down your accomplishments. If somebody mentioned one thing good about you, they wrote a pleasant e mail, copy and paste that, put it in your brag guide.
For those who solved an issue or achieved a selected activity, write that each one down in your brag guide, since you’re going to neglect once you’re job looking later. Or if you find yourself asking for a promotion, it’s also possible to use your brag guide. In order that’s actually essential—maintain monitor of your accomplishments from day one.
When you’re on the job, what I say is don’t get snug within the job. Proceed to upskill, keep updated on developments, what’s occurring in your business, posting on LinkedIn, all that great things. Preserve networking, maintain going for informational interviews. As a result of what I prefer to say is, you construct your community once you don’t want it in order that it’s prepared for you once you do want it.
So simply since you’re employed doesn’t imply you’re not hustling anymore. Problem your self, join new initiatives at work, take the initiative, in order that when the yr is finished and for those who’re prepared to maneuver on, you’ve a minimum of gotten all the things you may out of that have. Once you change jobs, it’s often on common a few 10 p.c pay enhance.
That’s what you ought to be taking pictures for each time you’re going for a brand new job. Analysis what the common pay is for that form of job in your space. Get that information about what’s on the market already, so that you get a good suggestion of what you ought to be getting paid.
After which what you do is, once you’re able to go in your subsequent job, you’re full of that information—however once more, you don’t say your quantity first, you wait till they provide it to you. However for those who’re able to ask for a increase or a promotion, you’d sometimes do this about six months into the job, perhaps a yr into the job.
Perhaps for those who’re coming off a giant win at work, you simply completed a giant venture, that may very well be time to ask. And no matter for those who’re asking for a promotion otherwise you’re a brand new job, the factor to recollect is what’s known as “whole comp,” which suggests whole compensation.
It’s not nearly cash. For those who’re fortunate sufficient to work in an organization that additionally provides you advantages, there’s trip days, there’s medical health insurance, there’s flex time, there’s instructional reimbursement. There are all kinds of issues in your whole comp that you should use as negotiation. So you may ask for the cash that you just’re in search of, and also you would possibly ask for just a few additional issues as properly.
And I at all times advocate over-asking, like one other 10 or 20 p.c greater than what you need, as a result of that provides you room to barter. If they are saying, “Gosh, Grace, you’ve been doing such nice work right here, I’d love to provide you that increase, however we don’t have it in our finances proper now.” You say, “Okay, properly, how about I get additional trip time otherwise you pay for an additional course of mine?” or one thing like that, so you could have some room to barter a bit of bit.
One factor that I prefer to say to college students as properly is, it’s important to alter your expectations. Oftentimes after we graduate, we expect, “I’m going to exit, I’m going to get my job, and I’m beginning the actual world.” What occurs although is profession paths, they twist they usually flip, they usually’re now not only a straight path.
You graduate, you get the job, you’re employed there 40 years, you retire—that’s not as we speak’s job market. And so I truly prefer to say that the primary job you get out of faculty is sort of like a continuation of your training, in that you just’re experimenting, you’re studying, you’re seeing what works for you.
You may take these dangers proper now, since you’re most likely going to be in your mother and father’ medical health insurance, you don’t have a mortgage to fret about. It’s not the end-all and be-all, that first job you get out of school, it might probably simply be an extension of your training.
In order that’s what I imply by adjusting your expectations. Don’t put a lot strain on that first job, as a result of it’s only a stepping-stone to one thing else.
Saathoff: All proper, thanks for speaking to us as we speak, Emily, you gave a number of nice data. I’m positive that so many college students will use this to achieve success as they graduate from BU and exit into the world to make the most effective of their careers.
Worden: Thanks, Grace, for making the time. And I simply need to say congratulations once more to all of you graduating seniors. You’re going to exit and make your goals come true. You’ve obtained your entire life forward of you and I’m simply actually excited for what you’re going to get completed.
So thanks for listening.
Ferrante: Because of Grace Saathoff and Emily Worden for becoming a member of us on the ultimate episode of this primary season of Query of the Week. We’ll be taking the summer season to work on season two, and promise we’ll be again in your feed in September.
This episode was engineered by Andy Hallock, edited by BU Right this moment govt editor Doug Most, and produced by me, Dana Ferrante.
Congratulations once more to all of the graduating Terriers, and have an ideal summer season!
Saathoff: I Googled this microphone; this microphone is $400.
Worden: Take it with you, Grace.
Saathoff: That is the nonmonetary negotiation.
Worden: [Laughs]
