MSU alumni have asked questions about many topics. Previous inquiries and answers to the questions are provided below:
Question: I have worked with you a few times in the past on my resume. I just recently interviewed with Dell Computer and they are offering to fly me down to their headquarters in Austin, TX next weekend. What things should I do to prepare myself for this?
Answer: Congratulations! You are almost there; just another step or two, and you will have an offer in your hand. The step on our website k. Company-Visit Interviewing should help with preparations for your planning and travels to the company headquarters. The plant-visit interview is also your final opportunity to evaluate the company. Good luck! A little more effort and your job offer should be in the mail.
Question: I am working on a job application for an interview next Friday and I am trying to figure out what to write under the reason for leaving. Obviously, I am not planning to put "fired". Should I say "let go" or "personal reasons" or something else? Any assistance you might be able to provide will be helpful.
Answer: When completing job applications, do not be negative, but, be honest and do not lie, because it will come back to haunt you. You can use language such as "job ended" or "terminated" if you are required to state a reason for no longer working at the job. If you are specifically asked if you were fired, you need to answer "yes." Lying on a job application is grounds for dismissal at any time in the future and could cost you future unemployment benefits.
All your job search correspondence must be positive. There should be no need to mention that you were fired in your resume or in your cover letters. Make sure your cover letters address the position you are seeking and why, and how, you are qualified for it. That is all you need to address. There is no point in bringing up the circumstances of your leaving until you have to respond. More here.
Question: It was really helpful meeting with you a couple of weeks ago. I have updated my resume, following your recommendations. I have also completed the career analysis chart with ideas on my most desired types of jobs. I am getting ready to contact some of the people I thought could help me, but I am not sure of what conversation starter to use in this particular case, probably due to my general shyness.
I "do" want to make some positive noise, since silence has not helped me thus far in my career. Would you let me know how to approach these networking visits? Also, should it be an email asking for a suitable time to "talk" longer or a phone call?.
Answer: For your networking visits, a networking script is needed. There are hundreds of questions you could ask, but you will only have time to ask 8 to 10 questions. Select questions that get at information you want to know. Listen attentively to the answers given by the employer. This is a time for you to listen and not to talk too much!
Connect with your network contacts preferably by telephone or letter. Ask for a convenient time when you can call to discuss scheduling an appointment. In person is another excellent approach. And if necessary, send an email request. More here.
Question: A couple of prospective employers are asking that I provide them with my social security number on their applications for employment, but because of identity theft, I do not feel comfortable doing this. Should I do it?
Answer: Until you receive an offer of employment or are into the finishing stages of negotiating a final job offer, do not provide your social security number. During interviews, it is legal to ask if you have the legal right to work in the United States.
After you are hired, an employer may legally request: A copy of your birth certificate, your marital status (married or single only), proof of citizenship, a photograph, physical examination and drug testing, and a copy of your social security card. More on Legal Interview Questions here.
Question: Many of my interviews seem to get bogged down oin the "job hopper" interview question. Do you have any advice on how to answer this question?
Answer: It is a good idea to direct the interview toward your accomplishments rather than focus on your job-hopping. Examples of past outstanding accomplishments usually outweigh any negative feelings about possible job-hopping issues.
Make any prospective employers impressed with your knowledge about their available position, their organization and the way they do business. Thorough preparation can help you keep prospective employer focused on your obvious positive skills. More here.
Question: On an online application, the last question is: "Please state your career objectives" in 1500 words maximum. Do you have any suggestions for content? Is this different than a cover letter? Any help will be appreciated.
Answer: The business world is always attaching itself to the latest "in" topics and buzzwords. In the '80s everyone was talking about the "paradigm shift"and in the '90s, it was "re-engineering." In the new millennium, every company, large and small, has developed a company mission statement. Now they are asking job applicants to develop a personal career focus, so take the time to prepare your personal career mission statement. Not because it is the "in" thing to do, but because it will help you when crystallizing your vision of who you are and where you want to go in your career. Limit the length of your career mission statement; keep it short. Begin with, "My personal career mission is . . . " and finish with qualifying words and phrases to describe your mission. More here.
Question: When interviewing for a school counselor position, my husband who is an associate superintendent of schools says that I should wear the traditional dark suit to my interview. He does a lot of interviewing for positions within the district and I respect his advice. But, I am thinking that something a bit less formal would be appropriate. If I was interviewing for an administrative position I would agree, but I see a counseling interview differently. I want to appear approachable, but professional. I am thinking along the lines of a longer summer dress with a sweater - dark colors, small floral print on dress. I would really appreciate your opinion.
Answer: I agree with your husband. It is good advice to you dress for the role you are seeking, and as a school counselor, you are viewed by many outside schools as an administrator. A dark navy suit would be appropriate, in my opinion.
Question: Thank you for helping with my resume and other job hunting resources, but I am writing because I have an interview on Thursday with a search committee. While I am pretty experienced as an interviewer, I thought you might have some resources for me to use in order to brush up on making a powerful, lasting impression. Anything you might suggest is appreciated. Many thanks!
Above all else, have confidence in yourself. If you believe in yourself, you will do well!
Question: I am wondering if MSU has any kind of law school placement services for alumni. I have been trying to make contacts at the law schools that interest me, but I am having trouble persuading people who do not know me to take up my case and help me get an interview. Do you have any suggestions?
Answer: The counsel that I am getting from the Pre-Professional Advisers at MSU indicate that you should NOT approach law schools to get interviews. They say that is not a good idea, or rather, it will not work.
They say that you SHOULD send an email or call to check on the status of your admissions application. You can ask if there are any additional materials that you can provide.
If you do not get admitted, you can contact the law schools and ask them what you can do to make your application stronger for the next time.
This is the best advice I can get from the advisers. They say that the top law schools are heavily focused on LSAT test scores and GPAs.
Question: I received two (2) job offers. Both the positions offers good benefits and a challenging work environment. The first one offers less salary compared to the second. I have chosen to accept the second offer. Do you have any tips on how I can professionally decline the first offer?
Answer: Have you already accepted the first job offer? If you have, then you made a commitment and should keep it. There is NO good way to tell the first employer that you found a better offer and have decided to take it. No way; no how!!
However, if you have two job offers, and neither is accepted yet, then merely accept the second job offer. Then tell the first employer that a better offer was received. DO NOT negotiate, unless you are still deciding. Then you can tell the first employer about your second offer and ask if they can match or exceed the salary of the second offer.
If you are as good as your WORD, then you will fulfill the job offer you accepted, in spite of any additional job offers you receive.
Let me give you another example. You are buying a home. A seller agrees to sell you their house, but then the seller gets a better price offer from another buyer, and the seller reneges on their deal with you. Would that be fair? You would say that it is ABSOLUTELY NOT fair, but that is exactly the situation you are presenting to these two employers.
When you make a deal, KEEP IT!! If you are honest, you will. I you are DISHONEST, you will renege on the job offer you accepted.
If you are a graduate of MSU and you renege, your MSU department chairperson, Dean, and other relevant MSU administrators will be informed about your unethical behavior.
Question: Just before the holidays I read an article on "grit" in Psychology Today magazine. Mostly just "stick-to-it-ness" and it had a huge impact on me. So often if something does not work out I just get frustrated and never finish. Well, I am working at developing grit and just sticking with something until it is solved. Sometimes it means leaving it sit overnight. It has really helped with around the house projects. I am having fun with results from getting back in the saddle. And when reaching an impasse I found that I can see some more answers in a day or two; later I can see another option and I am rolling again.
Answer: Among all the competencies you can possess, true "grit" is among the most important, because it will carry you further than many other skills you possess. Keep up the fine efforts!! Way to go!
Question: When I try to post my resume on the Resume Database of the MSU Alumni Career Services web site, it comes out as one big paragraph! There is no spaces and it looks like a big mess all together like that. I was wondering if there was a special format that I needed to use. My resume is in MS Word format.
Answer: The data storage system in the Resume Database is ASCII (pronounced "AS-kee") which is an acronym that stands for American Standard Code for Information Interchange and is used to describe plain-text files that have no graphics, no rule lines, no bullets, no italics, and so on. Thus your resume can be imported from this system to ANY employer database regardless of their design.
Be prepared with an ASCII version of your resume for uploading to many employer databases. Accepted by ASCII are all caps, double returns, extra spaces, and a few other text character to make it look good, but employers are mostly concerned with the text, not how your resume looks. If they want a fancy copy of your resume, they will ask you for a copy. Thanks for asking.
Question: I am currently looking into grad schools and mainly MBA programs. I graduated two years ago and have been working since then. I am researching schools and am finding that many of them suggest an average of 60 months (5 years) of work experience prior to applying to graduate or MBA programs. With only 2 years of work experience, what are my chances of acceptance into an excellent MBA program?
Answer: There are two main reasons for the work experience requirement. Without prior work experience, the relevancy of course material will be minimal. In order to enhance your knowledge and to be effective in your future career, you need relevant knowledge and concepts from prior work experiences. Second, because of the team-based learning approach of most MBA programs, your work experience will enable you to be an asset for your team in dealing with projects and assignments. Prior work experiences will make you a stronger contributor, while the backgrounds of other teammates will enhance your knowledge and experiences. Go to Grad School Admission for help.
Question: In the spring, I had my resume critiqued and I am wondering if you offer the same service for cover letters? I could use some help in crafting a more effective one. Please let me know if this falls under your rubric of services. Thank you for your time and go green!
Answer: Absolutely. Email a copy of your cover letter (as an attachment) to resume@msualum.com or fax a copy to (517) 355-5265. Then call (517) 355-7698 for a review by phone or to schedule an appointment for a personal visit.
Question: I'm attending a job fair this weekend and I have a question about my resume. I'm interested in the company's marketing department, specifically 2 different positions: either a marketing associate or advertising assistant position. For the employment objective on my resume, can I list both or is only one supposed to be listed? I have a feeling that my resume will be reviewed by only one person so I don't want to hand in two separate resumes with only the objectives differing.
Answer: First, a review of our website materials on preparing for job fairs might be helpful. Focus on what it takes to make you really impressive when attending a job fair.
In your employment objective, one objective that includes both marketing and advertising would probably be best. Word your objective so it is evident that you want consideration for either or both positions.
Question: I have received inquiries from a number of recruiters. Three interviews, but no offers as yet. I believe that salary and age are key factors.
Answer: Thanks MUCH for the update. On the "age" issue, you'll need to believe that it is NOT an issue and approach employers accordingly. Otherwise, it WILL be an issue and interfere with your employment applications. Convince the employers that it is NOT an issue by demonstrating enthusiasm and confidence and WITHOUT ever coming even close to mentioning the age issue.
Question: It's been a few weeks since I last talked with you about my cover letter. To be honest, I got discouraged because I ran into many pyramid-scheme marketing companies. I just want to stay clear of those types of job postings since they are not something that interests me. It's so difficult to stay motivated and so easy to just push it off till tomorrow. Then tomorrow turns into weeks! I'm trying to get back on track again and I have a quick question. After sending a cover letter and resume, am I supposed to just wait until I hear from someone? Or am I supposed to contact them again after a week or so? I'm not real sure on what to do. Do you have any helpful suggestions?
Answer: Yes, after sending a cover letter and resume, then contact the prospective employer again in week or so and then again every two weeks thereafter. Do not become a pest, but be persistent.
Let's talk about job campaigning strategies when you have time including attitude boosters, business cards for distribution, and keeping in contact with employers that MAY have job listings.
Question: Dr. Scheetz, thank you very much for forwarding this job opening to me. It is the type of assignment that interests me. It combines sales and international trade, two areas that match my experiences and interests. This particular job looks like it is based in Chicago but I will contact them anyway to see if they have any openings in Detroit.
Answer: Although you did not ask, you had better be prepared to work in Chicago or commute to Chicago until you become firmly established with this organization. If you try to negotiate too much before you are employed, you may not get the job. The employer knows what they want, and they want a new employee working in Chicago. It is my advice that you agree to their terms, or do not apply for this job.
Question: Is it asking too much to request a job description from an employer before going on a job interview? I have been getting a lot of cold calls to come for an immediate interview. After doing this many times and walking out wondering why I was called, I have recently been asking for job descriptions. Now I am not getting interviews. In fact, I do not get the job descriptions that people say they will send to me.
Answer: Ask for the job description, but do not be too concerned especially if an executive search firm does not send one. They are probably fishing for high-priced prospects to sell employers, and maybe you will meet their expectations, and maybe you will not. And yes, be wary of employers that will not tell you much about the available job openings. Maybe they did you a favor when they did not ask you for an interview. At least you did not waste any time on them.
Question: When employers ask for a salary range at an interview, is it okay to say that I am sure the salary range they offer will match mine? I ask them about their total benefits package. I am afraid to put a dollar amount out there.
Answer: Agreed, do not provide an employer with a salary requirement or salary range if you can help it. Without refusing to answer the employer's question, let the prospective employer know that you are willing to negotiate the starting salary for the position they offer. As employers list "doq" which means “depending upon qualifications” as their salary expectations, you may want to list "dod" which means to you “depending upon duties and responsibilities.”
Some employers will ask for your salary history. If you feel comfortable, provide them with your salary history.
However, employers that are focused heavily on salary expectations may be telling you as an applicant that they want someone who is willing to work long hours for little pay. They MAY NOT be the employer that you are seeking.
It is NOT a good idea to tell an employer that "I am sure the salary range you have in mind will match with mine." Their expectations might NOT match your requirements. Hope this helps.
Question: You helped me refine my resume and cover letter some two months ago. Since then I have sent at least 100 to 200 resumes per week and have not yet received any significant interest from any employers.
I am wondering if employers simply are not interested in my background for the human resources field, or perhaps it is not a good use of my time and resources without any positive responses from employers. Possibly I should try a different career or try to start a consulting firm. What are your thoughts on this dilemma? Maybe you know of others that have experienced this same scenario. I would appreciate your thoughts on this matter. My resume is attached to assist you with recall of my credentials. I sincerely appreciate your time and attention to this request. Thanks again.
Answer: Agreed, to send 100 to 200 resumes per week without much positive response from employers is good reason to pause and rethink your job campaigning efforts. A good response rate from employers would be 6-7 resumes per request for an interview. This is NOT a magic formula, but 100 to 200 resumes per week without an interview is warning that something may be wrong.
For sure, rewrites of your resume and cover letter are recommended. First check for spelling or grammar mistakes. Possibly your work experiences or career objective need some tweaking.
Emailing of resumes to hundreds of employers is not very effective either. To network with other MSU alumni or employers in your chosen field could yield very positive results. A targeted approach rather than dumping 20,000 resumes from high above a city might be more effective.
Investigating career alternatives is a good idea. If your resume and cover letter are excellent, but employers are not buying, then maybe another career option might be suggested.
To believe in you might help too. If you don’t believe that you would make an excellent human resource executive, then prospective employers will not seriously consider you either. Therefore, go back to the first steps in job campaigning and begin again.
Question: My question involves leaving a job that I recently started. I graduated from MSU with a BS in Packaging in December of 2003. I started working as an Engineer with a company in New Jersey in May. I had a great internship experience with this same company last summer at a different location. I have been here just over 2 months full-time and this experience has been awful, to say the least. Having completed two internships for a total of 11 months of professional experience, I was unaware that a job could be this bad. I have received none of the training discussed during interviews, I am getting slammed with problems that are a result of having my position remain open for months before my hire with very little support, and the department is managed very poorly. I have voiced these concerns to my immediate supervisor and my mentor in another department, but nothing has come of it as of yet. The fact that I previously had such a great experience with this company leads me to believe that these problems are on a departmental level, and not an issue with the whole company.
I am very unhappy in this position and have even started to look into a few openings I have seen in the area. I am hesitant to leave this job because I have only been here a few months, and I feel I somehow owe it to them to stay, they gave me a job and it pays well, despite that it is a bad job. I am also aware that as an alumnus of MSU, leaving so soon would likely not help other MSU candidates seeking jobs in other areas of this company.
My question is; is it acceptable to leave this job so soon? What advice can you give me? I am able to handle this bad job, but it seems pointless if there are better opportunities out there and I am not happy. I am not content to spend a few years in this situation. Any advice would be helpful.
Answer: We need to talk!! If the "problems" that you are referencing are truly caused by the position left empty for a while, then it seems that you have a "fantastic" opportunity to make a name for yourself. From your description, it sounds like you could "solve" some of the problems, identify other problems and request short-term consulting help to find solutions, and generally make your work environment a better place to operate. Break your problems into small edible bites and work on each small problem, which will make many of the big problems go away.
From my experiences, the first few days, weeks, and months on the job are always difficult and sometimes feel like they are too much to handle. If you accept the challenge, you could be a huge asset to your company. If you give up, then you have established a negative record, which will be difficult to turn around.
Let's talk. It seems that you have an opportunity to make "a mink coat out of a sows ear." This is an old farm saying, but it means that you can make a place that stinks into something that is truly the talk of the town. Are you up to the challenge?
Question: I want to take this opportunity to thank you for the time you spent with me. Our discussions about possible career alternatives were helpful. My resume, cover letter and business cards have all been updated. What's next?
Answer: The next step is contacting networks resources for help with identifying actual job openings and anticipated career opportunities. See the section of this web site on networking and informational interviewing. In addition, use as many online job listing resources and employer web sites as possible to identify actual openings. Then apply with cover letters and resumes. It is time for ACTION!
Question: I am wondering about the proper etiquette of being offered a job and wanting to explore other options. I do not want to burn bridges, but at the same time I would like to investigate all my career options. Could you offer insight and guidance?
Answer: You can ask an employer for more time to consider their job offer, but DO NOT tell them that you want more time to consider other job options. You may offend the employer, and they may withdraw their job offer, which is their right to do.
Question: I have encountered the "overqualified" objection to my applications in some recent interviews. I have one tomorrow and one on Monday. The one on Monday is a second interview and the employer raised this question at the beginning of the interview. I think he thinks I'll get bored and will leave soon for more money, etc. I would really like this position as it has an altruistic flavor to it as well as an advertising element. How should I respond to this question? Answer: In many cases, you may not be overqualified for positions as much as prospective employers are simply "under-convinced." What can you say or do to convince employers that you are not overqualified, and thus, not a threat to quit after a few months on the job?
To downplay employer fears, point out that you can be more productive and require less supervision than many "younger" recent graduates with a couple of years of experience. Emphasize any skills or training you have that are cutting-edge technology or new management methodologies. To do so can make you look more adaptable and up-to-date.
Withhold your resume as one strategy. At the first whiff of extra qualifications, most resume screeners will stamp "no" on your application. So, go directly to the hiring manager to pitch your ability to excel in the open position. You can either call or write, but hold back your resume in the first round of communication with the employer.
Sell the employer on their need for your skills. Imagine how your qualifications mesh perfectly with the employer's job requirements. Explain how your skills will help meet the employer's needs. Do not mention the higher-level skills that do not pertain to the available position. Emphasize your fit with the employer's wishes.
Customize a one-page presentation of yourself to de-emphasize higher level positions you have held while stressing elements of your professional background that match the employer's position. Be careful not to misrepresent yourself. Omission of recent and important career assignments and job titles is unethical deception.
Eventually, answer one question that the employer is too embarrassed to ask: Won't it be humiliating for you to take a job that is beneath your capabilities? Your response has to convey a positive attitude toward the available position and your fitness for it. You have to believe that there is honor in every job.
Question: Do I have to provide a CAREER OBJECTIVE on my resume? Is this required or necessary?
Answer: No, but employers view your Career Objective as the most important feature on your resume (Scheetz, Recruiting Trends). A major complaint from employers is job applicants that lack a specific focus. Without a career objective, your resume will get very little attention in most organizations. Your career objective should be clear and concise. You may need to design 5-6 resumes, one for each of your career objectives. If someone told you not to use a career objective because it is too limiting, then that person has not been on the "hiring" side of the fence. Be specific and targeted, and then you will get attention from hiring officials.
Question: I need to ask a question with regards to my performance review that will be held as early as tomorrow. First I will give you my background. (background described). I am up for my first true performance review in the next few days and I was wondering how to handle this event. My greatest concern is how to communicate my pay request to my supervisor.
My concern is that most employees do not have a BA or BS and rarely from a university like MSU. My question is does the pay structure of this company match my talents correctly? I currently make $##K per year, and when I started I made $##K.
Where should I be in the next year? I have been promoted and have accepted a staff of my own (2 people) and am responsible for the training and coaching of 10 other staff members. I am also very involved in the development of a new customer service system.
Please let me know if you could help me with my concerns, which in a nutshell are to make sure I receive fair pay for what I am accomplishing and for my degree level. Thank you
Answer: The answers to some of your concerns are not simple. Yes, there are some strategies to suggest that might improve your salary situation. But most of all, you'll need some bargaining chips.
See this page on the MSU Alumni Career Services web site for details .... Pay particular attention to the section on Negotiating a Job Offer. Even though you are already employed by this organization, you are renegotiating your job offer every year ... when you are invited for a job performance review.
First, describe your current job performance results with quality and quantity data. How many customers did you serve? What ratings were received from these customers? What were the sales $$s from these customers? Etc.
Second, you will need to communicate what specifically is lacking in your current pay and benefits package. Is it the position? The role and responsibilities? The money? Insurance? Vacations? You must name your requests specifically. But do NOT offer ultimatums!! That will get you fired.
Third, you must provide a proposed solution. Tell your employer exactly what can be done to make things "right." You will need to make it understood that if certain things (you name them) could be changed, you would be pleased. The employer will be much more willing to go the extra mile for you if they know that resolution of your concerns will make you more willing to seek more work, more responsibility, greater sales for the company, etc. Do not play "hard ball" with them. Be straight with them so they are willing to try to improve your current salary and other working conditions.
Finally, you will need to appeal to their position and their vanity. "Is it within your power" is a positive challenge to competent managers. If they really want to keep you and your requests are attainable, this will convince them to work on your behalf. Very few managers like to admit that they are powerless to get what they want. So if it can be done, they will try to make it happen for you.
Check on your market value. See - http://www.collegegrad.com/salaries/salaries.shtml for the Salary Calculator - to determine your worth on the job market. Maybe your current employer cannot pay you what you are worth, so a change of employers may be necessary. Good luck with your negotiations.
Question: Thanks for the Job Campaigning Newsletter. It is nice to get something that applies to people like me, out of work and looking. It makes me feel like I am not the only one in this situation.
Answer: You are welcome, and rest assured that there are many people with college degrees that are having difficulty finding jobs in these hard times.
Question: My resumes were sent to several prospective employers. Now I want to call them to follow-up. My goal is to get an interview. These are entry-level positions, but I don't have a job so I am willing to work for less. I have 15 years of marketing, (not sales), experience. These types of employers think that I am overqualified. Perhaps I am, but I will do a great job for them, for less money. What should I say when I call? Answer: This is an excellent question. First, call to confirm that the employers have everything they need to consider you for available job openings. Then, confirm with them that you know the job market is tight, so you are willing to prove that you are an excellent employee. If you prove your abilities and competencies through performance, then you presume that you will receive appropriate consideration down the road when promotions are possible. All you want to do at this time is prove that you can get results. See Networking and Informational Interviewing.
Question: Can the Alumni Association really get me a job? Even if my major was physiology?
Answer: No, the Alumni Career Services of the MSU Alumni Association cannot get you a job. Only YOU can get you a job, but possibly the Alumni Career Services could help you conduct a successful job-search. Visit Alumni Career Services for a list of services available to help you.
MSU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
242 Spartan Way
East Lansing, MI 48824
(877) MSU-ALUM (517) 355-8314
msuaa@msualum.com
