April 2010

should I extend my internship?

April 30, 2010

A reader writes:

I am currently doing an unpaid internship that I am receiving college credit for this semester. I really enjoy working with my manager and after reading your previous post on extending the length of an internship, I decided to ask my manager about it. She was fine with it when I asked; however, she is always so busy between meetings, dealing with employees and doing her own work that I am often left just sitting there in her office watching her or I am asked to leave when she has an important meeting with someone. It’s an internship where I am given random stuff to do so I do not have an actual desk/computer or any routine work that I can do when I come in. I tried talking to her about it a bit, but she only admited that her work keeps her busy.

What I like about it is that I can receive credit for a class and also, she really does try to do her best to make time for me when she can, but I feel like I am in her way or bothering her in her work at times. Is this worth extending the internship?

Well, first, I don’t think you should make your decision based on a worry that you’re in your manager’s way. If you are, that’s her issue to deal with — by not saying yes to the extension. You’re better off just having faith that she’ll tell you if she can’t accommodate the internship anymore, since otherwise you risk driving yourself crazy worrying that you’re secretly burdening her.

Now, as for whether or not to extend the internship: It depends on what you want to get out of it. If you feel like you’re learning things and getting useful experience, then sure. But otherwise, I would move on and look at other interning or volunteer opportunities that will benefit you in ways that this one isn’t. I can’t actually tell from your letter whether you feel like you’re getting much out of this one or not; much of what you wrote sounds like it’s not the most fruitful experience for you, but you do say that you’re enjoying it, and I can’t tell if you’re bored or not, so a lot depends on that.

However, if you do want to stay, look for ways to improve the experience. Do you see projects that might be useful for you to take on? Or can you talk to her about whether there’s something that you might work on long-term so that she doesn’t need to spend time coming up with ways to occupy you? The best project in this situation would be something that would (a) benefit the company in some way, (b) not require tons of guidance from her, (c) take a good chunk of your time, and (d) not be high-risk, meaning that if it doesn’t go perfectly, nothing disastrous will happen (so that she won’t feel the only way you could do it is with a lot of guidance or oversight from her).

But you can also always look at other internships out there. You might end up in something you like better, so I’d take a look at what other options you have as well. Good luck!

{ 8 comments }

Posted in internships

in which I am accused of being a bitter old woman

April 30, 2010

Someone does not like me very much and thinks I may be “older” and bitter.

Ha ha.

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Posted in me

how to use someone else’s contact when applying for a job

April 30, 2010

A reader writes:

My question is about using a contact that is a few degrees removed from me personally. She is an executive at an organization where I recently applied for a job with whom my godmother briefly worked several years ago.

My godmother instructed me to remind the executive who she was and ask whatever questions I wanted to ask via e-mail. I am not sure how to ask “do I have a chance at this job?” and “if I don’t, how can I in the future?” in a way that’s not greedy or entitled. My ideas are to ask for an informational interview or attach my resume and cover letter and ask if she has any advice for someone interested in work at the organization in the future, but I want to do so in a way that’s as polite and gracious as possible. I guess I could also give her an out by saying if she’s not available, I’d love to learn more from one of her colleagues at the organization who might have more time.

On the one hand, I don’t want to ask for too much given that my connection to her is not really that strong. On the other, I do want to use the “in” if possible — the org has a mission I’m really committed to and I devour materials like their e-mail alerts. Do you have any ideas for best practices on using these kinds of contacts and what to say when you make the initial contact?

Well, the best way to use the contact is probably to have your godmother herself reach out to her and recommend you. She should forward your application materials and explain that you recently applied for a position there, and then ideally throw in some reasons for why she recommends you (for instance, that you’re smart, passionate about their mission, etc.).

In addition to that, you should also email her yourself and say that ___ recommended that you contact her personally, that you recently applied for a position with them, and that you would love any advice that she might be able to offer you. This may cue her to tell you something useful, like that they’re really looking for people with a background in __ for this position but that they have an unadvertised position for __ that you might be perfect for, or who knows what. Or she may simply recommend to whoever is doing the hiring for this position that they take a look at you.

Definitely mention in your email to her what you wrote here about devouring their email alerts. Nonprofits love hearing that, and she will definitely take time to look at your application if you say that. (It won’t get you the job if you’re not well-matched for it, but it will get you attention, which is the first step, and it will make you more attractive than otherwise equally qualified candidates.)

Regarding informational interviews, I’m not a huge fan, as I think people too often ask for them when what they really mean is “will you interview me for a job?”  But in this case, because you’re sincerely interested in working at this particular organization and are committed to its mission, it might be a useful thing to do. But wait until the hiring for this job is over, because otherwise you’ll come across as if you’re just trying to get an interview under false pretenses. If you don’t get this job, absolutely reach out to her again, tell her how much you’d like to work there in some capacity, and ask if you can buy her coffee to pick her brain. (But make sure you have a plan for what you’re going to ask.)

I don’t think you need to worry about sounding greedy or entitled; you don’t sound that way at all, and because you’re so wary of coming across that way, you almost certainly won’t. Good luck!

{ 3 comments }

Posted in job searching

the problem with job-hopping

April 29, 2010

Nick Corcodilos and Mark Suster take on the myth that “job hopping doesn’t matter,” and they’re right. Read Nick’s take and Mark’s take — both of which are excellent.

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Posted in Uncategorized

update from reader whose boss wouldn’t let her go on vacation

April 29, 2010

There was a lot of interest in the letter from the person whose boss refused to let her go on a pre-planned vacation, so I wanted to point out that she has posted an update in the comments over there. It’s here.

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Posted in updates

are online application processes avoidable?

April 28, 2010

A reader writes:

Is there a way to get around what seems to be some very ridiculous online application processes? Redundant questions (like what grade school you attended, and major declared!) make me want to put a shoe through my computer screen. I’m applying for positions that demand skilled labor and have whipped up some pretty attention-getting letter and resume material (both verbally and visually). Having to turn this effort into plain text pasted into type fields ruins my layout efforts, breaks my heart, and not to mention, decimates all the work I did to try and stand out from the crowd.

But I never say die. I’ve dug around and have usually found the business email address of the company’s HR screener or even the likely person I’d be reporting to — and even from the companies that are working really hard to stay anonymous. I then send my stuff as an attachment in an email. I have a pretty good subject heading, and figured if I got this in my box I’d open it even out of curiosity. My rationale is that I’m hoping the strong content of my letter and resume will grab the person’s attention enough to want to just contact me themselves (or pass it on to HR) since this is who I’d likely be reporting to anyhow.

Is this kind of boldness (and what I like to think of as ambitiousness) in reality ruining any chance of getting contacted? 

In some cases, probably. In other cases, maybe not. Different companies work differently. At some places, if you don’t use the online application system (which they required you to use for a reason, such as that they can’t get you into their applicant tracking system otherwise), you’re not going to get considered. At other places, that may not matter so much.

But does this come across as particularly bold or ambitious? Candidly, not really; aggressive, yes, but that’s different from bold or ambitious. And you risk coming across as an “instructions don’t apply to me” type.

I’m further worried by your mention of “attention-getting” visuals and a curiosity-inducing subject-line. Sometimes these things can work, but when they don’t, they can be really bad. And the owners of the bad ones traditionally are poor judges of whether or not theirs fall in that category.

I get that you’re trying to stand out in a crowded field. But the better way to do that is by being a really strong candidate, and I get the sense that you might be putting more of an emphasis on gimmicks.

(And think about the type of manager who you’re self-selecting for by using this approach — one who responds to gimmicks over merit.)

If you really want to grab attention, find a connection to this job or company and have them personally recommend you to the person doing the hiring. That’s going to serve you a lot better than a notable subject line or a visually stunning resume.

{ 25 comments }

Posted in job searching

just tell me your real name

April 25, 2010

Okay, this one is for college students and recent grads.

Someone along the way, someone gave you the idea that it’s unprofessional to use anything but your full, given name, even if everyone in your life calls you something else. While this is sort of adorable, you should drop this idea.

It’s disconcerting to go through the whole interview process with Katherine and hire her, only to discover on her second day of work that she’s Katie. Or weirder, to discover that the William who I spent several weeks talking with, and who I now know as William, actually goes by his middle name, Peter.

There’s nothing unprofessional about middle names, or about Katie, Jim, Liz, or whatever your nickname is. This isn’t like school where you have to register with your full and complete birth name.  We’re all adults here; just tell me what to call you and don’t confuse me.

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Posted in students

job offers and lengthy pre-planned vacation time

April 23, 2010

A reader writes:

I find myself in a really tight position here. I am going to an interview tomorrow for a job that I would really like. However, in less than a month I’m going on a pre-planned family visit in China for a little over a month (May 21 to Jun 29). It is nerve wracking because I do not expect things to happen so close to each other.

I already have a job where they say they will be happy to keep me. So even if they do not hire me I am not going to be jobless. But I really want to get a job that is more in line with my degree.

I am really irritated right now and I hope you can help me out a little.

Don’t be irritated. The situation is just going to (maybe) require you to make a clear choice between what’s more important to you: the trip or the job.

Now, if the trip were a week or two, it would likely be a non-issue. But given how long it is, you’re right to be prepared for it to give them pause. Of course, it depends on how long they take to make a decision too; the longer it takes, the safer your trip gets. Most employers are willing to wait a month for the right person to start and sometimes a bit longer. 

In any case, here’s what to do:

1. Go on the interview. Don’t mention the trip; you don’t need to give them a reason to discard you at this stage.

2. After the interview, start figuring out whether or not you even want the job (you never want to decide you do before you’ve ever interviewed anyway; that’s like deciding you want to marry someone hot you see on the street and have never spoken to). And if you do want the job, do you want it enough to either cancel your trip or shorten it, should it come to that?

3. If you get a job offer and you want to accept it, explain that you’re in a bind because of this pre-planned trip. And if you’re willing, tell them you’re willing to shorten the trip and negotiate to see how far out you can push the start date.

But ultimately this is going to require you to be really clear in your own head about what you want more. And clarity isn’t such a bad thing.

[By the way, if they haven't made a decision by mid-May, let them know you're going out of the country on May 21 but will be checking email (you'll be checking email, right?) so they can reach you.]

{ 19 comments }

Posted in job offers

was this interviewer out of line?

April 22, 2010

A reader writes: 

At a recent interview, I was asked to explain a project that I completed at my previous employer.

I used the website redesign project as an example since it was an important and valued project for the company. I explained that I did 75% of the project, re-wrote content, and created three possible designs using a web design vendor. Then, per my supervisor’s instruction (my supervisor was #3 in charge of the company, Chief Sales Officer), I gave a detailed presentation to the entire management team of 15. During the meeting, the management team provided 15 different opinions. So, I returned to the drawing board and made some changes. Then, my supervisor and the CEO reviewed everything and provided final approval. As the head of marketing for the company, I had to follow these procedures for many projects.

The interviewer asked why I needed to present my project to a large team and gather so many opinions. He judged me on the management style and operational structure of my previous employer. Since I was not the CEO of my previous employer, I did not establish the operational procedures or review procedures — since I did not have ultimate authority. Don’t you think the interviewer was out of line?

What would you have done?

Well, so much here depends on tone and context. Sure, he might have meant it as criticism of you (which would have been unfounded, I agree). But he also might not have meant it that way at all. I can imagine it being more of a sincere request for more information, or even just a musing on why your company structured it that way. So the question alone, without context or tone, isn’t inherently out of line.

Now, if he was judging you for your employer’s procedures, and seemed immune to your explanation that you didn’t control those, that’s a bit unfair. On the other hand, it’s also possible that he’s specifically seeking someone who has experience doing that type of work with more autonomy, who knows.

Overall, though, this doesn’t sound too horrific to me. I wouldn’t focus too much on it.

{ 1 comment }

Posted in interviewing

can I ask HR to better explain their application instructions?

April 22, 2010

A reader writes:

I’ve been looking for a position for a few months and I’ve found the advice on your site invaluable in my efforts.

I am finding that often requirements for the submission of an application are written very vaguely and I want to make sure that I get them right. However, most of the online applications do not list an email address to which I can address inquiries. 

So my question is this: If I am able to find a contact address through some kind of search engine for corporate contact information (which is unverified).  Is it acceptable to send an email there with inquiries if no method of contact for HR is given on the company website or on the application itself?

I really don’t recommend this, for a couple of reasons:

1. First, depending on the company, your email may not ever reach HR if you just send it to a general corporate email address. I’m not defending that — I think companies should have well-trained employees who can recognize who a query is intended for and pass it along to the correct division promptly — but competence is often lacking in the world, particularly when people don’t feel something is their responsibility. And if it does reach HR, you may not ever get an answer anyway because HR is often swamped and doesn’t have time to answer every question from candidates they don’t even know they’re interested in yet (again, not defending, just stating reality).

2. Far more importantly though, I question the idea of asking for clarification about the application instructions in the first place, because I think you risk looking like a pain in the ass. Look, I know some job ads appear to have been created by someone with zero command of the written language. But they’re rarely impossible to figure out how to reply to, and if you’re finding this “often,” that tells me that you’re over-thinking this. If you write to them asking for help understanding what they want (when they’re getting flooded with applications from people to whom the instructions didn’t give pause), some managers are going to sigh and think you’re going to need hand-holding every time they give you an assignment. You want to show self-sufficiency and confidence here.

Now, maybe I’m wrong and you’re truly running into loads of undecipherable instructions. If so, post an example or two in the comments section and we’ll see if we can help. But I think this is a case where the best advice is to make an educated guess about what they’re asking for and push forward.

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Posted in job searching

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