Boston Career Counselor Blog

I went out to buy lunch today and as I wished the cashier a wonderful day for at least the second time with an extreme cheerfulness, I wondered to myself what was going on.  I mean, I am certainly a very optimistic, outgoing, happy, friendly person, but it still seemed like my behavior might have been a little over the top.

Then I remembered that I had gone to a new coffee place which only had one size mocha latte (whereas I usually order a small or solo latte) and there had to be at least two, if not more, shots in it.  I was experiencing an overabundance of caffeination and sugar!

And then I thought to myself, since I’m a career counselor after all, if I were going on a job interview would it be wise for me to have an unusually high dose of coffee?  I did rationally come to the conclusion that no, that would not be spectacular advice.  While I was extremely friendly, it might have been a bit much.  I think it’d be better to stick to my very own non-caffeine induced friendly personality (not to mention the other unfortunate side effect that too much coffee just before a job interview could have…).  So here’s today’s job interviewing tip: Go easy on the coffee the day of the interview!  And that’s my professional opinion!

This may sound like a strange question, but it’s one that friends of mine, as well as I myself, have had to answer.  When you’re just out of college or recently laid off from a job you never really liked anyway, for instance, and the great light of career path inspiration has not yet hit you but you still need *A* job, what should you do?

Well, first of all, the ideal answer (from the perspective of a career counselor, mind you!) is that you should take the time to do some introspection.  What do you enjoy?  What interests you?  In what environment do you like to spend your days?  I would even suggest enlisting the aid of a fabulously talented career counselor (shameless self-promotion?).

But if you really need to start looking for a job TODAY, here are some things to keep in mind:

1. To give yourself a better shot at success in a potential job, at least look for jobs with at least one thing that intrigues you.  Perhaps you’ve heard the company has a very casual, fun environment.  Perhaps, like me, you start out with a job mainly because it will let you use your French language skills.  Or perhaps the job is located next to your favorite lunch spot.  Find one thing you are actually excited about and you’re likely to be happier while you take the time to figure out what you really want to do (and who knows? maybe this will be it!).

2. Never let on to employers, whether through sending a very generic resume or cover letter, or by your blase answers in an interview, that you’re just looking for any job to tide you over for the moment.  Employers dislike this for three main reasons.  One, they don’t want to hire someone, spend time and money training them, only to have them leave shortly thereafter.  Two, someone lacking in focus and energy is unlikely to make a good employee.  And three, employers are people too.  They want to believe that you’re interested in their industry just as they are!  So make sure, without lying, that you can at least gather up some interest and enthusiasm for any job you apply to.

3. This may sound obvious, but don’t apply for any job that sounds completely awful just based on the job description.  Even if you’re looking for “any” job, it’s unlikely you’ll stay any length of time in a job if you had negative interest in it in the first place!  And then you would quickly find yourself back at square one!

4. Finally, once you succeed and get that interim job, don’t forget two very important things.  First, don’t write off the job as temporary or “just an income source.”  Put in your best effort.  You may even come to like the job or industry where you end up, or at the very least you’ll have an excellent reference for your next place of employment.  And second, just because you’re now financially secure and gainfully employed, don’t give up on figuring out “what you want to do for a career,” now that the issue is no longer so pressing.  Now is exactly the time you should be thinking about it, while you don’t have financial woes.

In any case, good luck with your search and be sure to keep  your energy and enthusiasm up!

It seems fitting to me to kick off this new blog with some pictures from my career-themed party!  There were fabulous people, delicious food (thanks to Lars Liesbisch, my cooking class teacher, who has helped my culinary skills immensely!) and lots of fun career activities.

Various guests filled out career madlibs, leading to such brillant statements as, “All employers are primarily looking for two BORING traits: the ability to COLLATE outside the box and the ability to work SLOWLY with other FLUNKIES.” and “If you’re going to thrive in the corporate PLAYGROUND world, you’ll have to talk the BUNNY HOP and walk the ORANGE.”  Very insightful without a doubt!

Then, of course, we chose our new careers based solely on our favorite colors (a very scientific method, of course!).  My favorite color is yellow which makes me, “optimistic, enthusiastic, and sociable.”  That sounds right! 

All in all, much amusement was had!   Who knew jobs and careers could be so much fun?