how to lose a job offer in one day

Welcome back to the office everyone! Hope you had a wonderful weekend and that you're ready to take charge of the week ahead. I am excited to share a new guest post that I've written for CareerJunction today, thanks so much for everyone's great feedback on the previous post I wrote for them.

With Valentine's Day coming up, I thought it might be fun to approach interview advice from a different angle. It may take ten days to lose a guy (or girl for that matter), but one day is all it takes to lose a potential job offer - so let's have a look at a few pointers over here...

things you really don't need to mention on your CV

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you've had a super productive work week so far, and that you have wonderful plans for the weekend. But before you go, a quick career boost to end your work week on the right note.

For today's post I'll be sending you over to Junction.co.za, where I have contributed as guest writer for the first time. Most South Africans know that CareerJunction is the place where some of the country's most reputable employers advertise their vacancies, and the site also has a platform where you can find useful career related tips and articles on a daily basis. I was so stoked when they invited me to write an article for them.

I really enjoyed writing this post, and I'm sure these tips will be helpful if you would like to ensure that your CV is modern, relevant and to-the-point - have a look over here!

are you leaving the nest after graduation?

The academic year (in South Africa at least) has just ended and many graduates are excited about their career plans for the new year. But we all know that getting a job straight out of college/university isn't always that easy. If you just graduated, have you already lined up your first post-grad position? For those of us who have been in the work force for a while, can you remember how easy/hard it was to find that first job after graduating?

Here are some very interesting stats presented by CollegeAtHome.com  on recent grads considering the option to stay at home for a while after college:

common mistakes to avoid in the workplace

Today's awesome guest post is written by Lauren Bailey. She has hit the nail right on the head with her tips for young professionals just starting out with their careers. Enjoy guys!

About two years ago I temporarily worked as a writer for an advertising company in the city. I already had a few years of corporate job experience under my belt, so working in an office setting and working as a subordinate wasn't anything new to me. But for Megan, the 23-year-old who just graduated with a bachelor's degree in marketing a few weeks before, the working world was a rude awakening. She was late all the time, couldn't follow orders correctly, and by the end of month four already complained about her salary and requested a raise. It's safe to say she didn't get it.

While her sometimes overly rude mannerisms and unprofessionalism were initially blamed on her upbringing, we began to notice that a lot of the younger employees acted the same way.

Finally an employee explained the phenomena: "those are just millennials for you."

In short, millennials are those that fall somewhere between 18-and 29-years-old. They're fresh out of school and are known for being super ambitious.  Unfortunately, the same qualities that make millennials great can sometimes leave a sour taste in employers' mouths. That's because some employers find millennials too eager and unruly, which causes them to make several "mistakes" in the workplace.

Of course this is a generalization and not all millennials act like this, but just to make sure that you don't potentially sabotage your first job, it would be wise if you avoided a few common mistakes mostly associated with new graduates. To learn what those are continue reading below.

Don't Expect a Flexible Schedule

Perhaps some millennials are just too accustomed to arriving to classes late (or skipping them altogether) so they don't even blink when they shift the same habits to the workplace, but it's a really big problem. Not only can tardiness affect your performance review and jeopardize your potential raise, but it can get you fired. It's unacceptable period. So you should be respectful of your contract hours. If that means you need to skip out on the late night partying to get to work on time, so be it.

On a similar note, if you were hired to work 9-to-5, don't ask your supervisor if you can leave early because you finished all of your work. Pace yourself accordingly so that you're working the entire day.  If you need more work, then ask for it. But do know that unlike school, "overachievers" do not receive praise which leads us to our next mistake—

Don't Expect Too Much

Some millennials also sometimes have a habit of wanting rewards and recognition for the things they contribute to the company. You're not going to get a gold star sticker or get a written "good work today" from your boss every time you complete a project. After all, it’s your <i>job</i> to complete your tasks. Your reward is your paycheck.  But if you're worried about your performance, like the old expression goes, "no news is good news." So just continue to make sure that you do your absolute best on every assignment and project you are given. Don't get discouraged because you don't get the feedback or the reassurance you crave. 

You also need to understand that opportunities like raises and promotions come with time. You have to earn those things over time. In fact, talks of raises don't even occur until employee evaluations, which should be around your one year anniversary with the company. So be patient.  Don't feel under appreciated because it doesn’t happen within the first few months.

Don't Overstep Boundaries

You also need to respect your supervisor and avoid stepping on too many toes. This means not going over your direct supervisor's head and sending your CEO an email about your great ideas when you just started working there a few weeks before. Go through the proper levels. It may seems like you're taking the initiative, but no one knows you. You'll most likely get a "who do you think you are?" from your new employees. Earn everyone's respect first. People don't know you yet and this kind of behavior will be looked down on. 

Don't Get Distracted

Finally, millennials are known for using social media sites like no other. But unless your job requires you to be on Facebook and Twitter all day, you need to slow your roll and do that during your lunch break or wait until you get home. Aimlessly surfing the web to check various social media accounts, checking funny tumblrs, and watching YouTube videos can easily distract you from the tasks at hand. And you don't want to risk your boss walking behind you and seeing you're not on task either.  Eliminate your distractions. This includes your cell phone too.

Lauren Bailey is an education writer and freelance blogger. She frequently writes about online colleges and courses. She also enjoys providing career advice for new graduates. She welcomes comments and questions via email at blauren99@gmail.com.

interview with a career enthusiast

I have a good friend, Liezl McLean, who is currently the editor of the SA Career Focus Magazine - I have always wanted to do a quick interview with her for my blog. I love the mag because it's great guide for youngsters who need to make informed career choices. Each addition features a variety of career options and includes interviews with people who are in those roles at the moment. So let's hear it from a lady who deals with all types of careers on a daily basis.

How did you come to be a magazine editor?

After undertaking loads of odd travel jobs before studying (such as working at an assembly line in a Smarties factory, waitressing with a crazy chef, changing nappies at a nursery school in London and doing some grape picking in Bordeaux), I was finally ready for a more ‘serious’ job. I love the media industry and believe it plays a vital role in our country.

What are the things you love about your job?

I constantly get to meet the most weird and interesting people! You never know who you’ll be interviewing next and every person is worth a feature! I also love the fact that one never stops learning in this industry – you constantly have to read up about whatever topic you’re going to write about next, whether it’s politics, sport or lifestyle.

And the not-so-glamorous parts?

Late night editing to meet deadlines. The result: a coffee addiction. (Think I need to go for counseling)

After featuring so many different job profiles in the magazine, what are your top 5 career tips for young professionals?

• Find out what you ENJOY doing.
• Choose a career that utilises your natural strengths – the job will come naturally.
• Make sure you have some self-knowledge - this includes an understanding of your interests, abilities and personality.
• Sharpen up your career knowledge. In other words, know what the job is really like. Do a job shadow or speak to someone in the industry who knows the daily activities.
• It’s not all about the money.

There you have it - great tips from someone who's tried out some interesting jobs herself and eventually chosen one that is just right for her.  Have you checked out this magazine before? I wish I had a career guide like this when I was still in high school!! 

you've graduated - now what??

Hooray for guest posts!! Today I have the pleasure of welcoming back Zach Buckley, who's written a guest post for wannabe|employee before.

For many college students, it can be difficult to see beyond the perceived end goal of graduation. When in college, however, it’s important to think about what lies beyond. If they fail to consider what they’ll do once they graduate, they may find themselves ill-equipped to handle the rigors of life after college. Whether the graduate in question trudged to campus every day or earned a degree through the completion of online classes, he’ll still face the same challenges post-graduation.

Acquiring a Job

The first challenge any new graduate faces is hunting down that elusive job offer. Venturing out into the job market with new degree in hand can be a daunting task. Often, graduates are left choosing between the position they want and the one they can acquire immediately. When beginning the search process, it’s important for recent graduates to set clear and achievable goals. While holding out for a dream job can be desirable, sometimes graduates must take jobs to make ends meet.

Graduates who settle for less-than-ideal jobs should keep in mind that this position doesn’t have to be one they hold for years. If they aren’t happy with their initial jobs they should still continue the job search while working at this starting job, continuing to strive for the career they’ve always dreamed of having.

Get a New Place

Whether the graduate lived with a roommate or stayed home with Mom and Dad through college, graduating often means calling a new place home. This can be difficult as the graduate often doesn’t have gainful employment to fund this new abode. As they prepare for graduation, students can make this transition easier for themselves by exploring new home options and saving up to finance this dream. If graduation arrives before the funds are saved, it may be beneficial to remain at home with parents or to live with a roommate while starting out in order to save the necessary capital.

Continued Education

When walking across the stage to pick up that degree, many college students --exhausted from years of study-- feel reluctant to head back to school. Doing so, however, is a wise choice, particularly in ever-changing technology industries. It behooves recent graduates to consider continuing their education, even though the prospect may appear less than desirable. By exploring online degree programs, recent college graduates can acquire information to enhance their understanding of concepts within their industries and pick up new credentials without making additional schooling a full-time endeavor.

Network for Advancement

After completion of a degree, the graduate’s attention should turn to the process of networking. By building relationships within the business community, the graduate can set himself up for career advancement. While even the most adept networking doesn’t ensure a job promotion, attending industry functions and rubbing elbows with movers and shakers is always helpful. Graduates can enhance their ability to network by joining professional societies in their field, as this gives them access to an array of activities and events that will be filled with individuals who work within the same industries.

Leaving behind the comfy cocoon of college can be equal parts scary and exhilarating. As graduates prepare to exit these halls of education, they can often assuage their fears by critically thinking about the steps that follow graduation. With careful exploration of the post-graduation process, former students can make the transition a seamless one and find their way more easily into the working world.

Zach Buckley is a freelance writer who is interested in exploring the intersection of culture, science and education. He lives in the Midwest and enjoys music, literature and good food.

career advice to my 5-year younger self

I recently asked my readers what advice they would give their 5-year younger self. I have certainly learned a lot during the past 5 years of professional life, so here is my take on it:

• Make mistakes. You are young, you will make many of them. Allow yourself some room for error and learn from each one!
• Be patient. There is no way around it - you need experience in order to really know your stuff. A qualification gets you in the door, but work experience adds weight to your opinions.
• Be teachable. Allow anyone and everyone to share their experience and tips with you.
• Be pleasant. One of the most popular post on my blog speaks about the value of good manners in the work place. Even if you have no education and no work experience, good manners and respect for others will open doors for you.
• Think ahead. Just because you are still a junior and making copies all day, think about what you want to reach in the future and be sure to invest some energy in that area. Reading, attending networking events or connecting with others who have already made it in that industry.

Some of my favorite comments from readers:

From Eleanor Khupe:

• Bring your personality with you to work. Don’t be a wall flower because you’re new and you don’t know much yet. Get out there, get to know your colleagues, engage with them. The more you interact, the easier work will become.
• Ask the stupid question. Even if you think it’s stupid. It’s better to ask and get the answer than to never know.

From @mal_kozak: Don't be afraid of a challenge, apply at companies that interest you and do your research! Network, network, network! :

From @Careergeek_blog: Figure out what you want to do. Once you know that, building up on it and finding the best way to get there should be easy!


Thanks for your tips guys! If you missed our discussion on twitter, feel free to leave your comment below.

why you shouldn't stop learning after graduating

I really enjoyed my time at university. Even with the pressure of exams and intense assignments I used to feel so alive when I was studying!  I know reading and studying isn't everyone's cup of tea, but continuous learning can play a big part in your career success! Am I serious, you ask? Yes, here's why:

1. Showing that you are continuously improving your skill set shows initiative and self-discipline. What do ALL employers love? Initiative and self-discipline!!
2. Attending a workshop or seminar is an ideal opportunity to network and meet peers or experts in your industry.
3. If you are up to speed with current trends and breakthroughs in your industry, people around you will start referring to you as an expert on certain topics - serious boost for your personal brand!
4. If you read or study to grow your skill set you can improve your performance at work as you learn. Any employer will love seeing you apply new knowledge to the benefit of the company.

So some of us have the funds to do a new course or programme every few years, but what about those of us who don't? You may even still be paying off your student loan. Here are the cheap ways to keep up with the experts without paying for a academic qualification:

• BLOGS: You know it! There are blogs for almost every industry available online. If you have Internet access you can subscribe to regular blog posts and they'll be delivered straight to your inbox. No need to browse for hours, the information comes to you in short relevant chunks - for free!
• SEMINARS: I follow an HR company that regularly hosts networking breakfasts and seminars for minimal attendance fees. They often feature experts in our industry who share their knowledge and allow time for questions, and I am always motivated to grow after spending time with them even for one morning. 
• BOOKS: Books aren't expensive. Books are easily accessible. Books can even be more current than old school academic qualifications. Reading will distinguish you among your peers when you can make relevant and valuable contributions to a project at work.
• MENTORS: Do you have a mentor? This one one of the most powerful free tools to keep you learning at all times. If you do have one, see if you can schedule meetings at regular intervals and come with questions. If you don't have a mentor, here are some tips to help you find one.

Sure, reading books or attending seminars might cost you some of your free time, but it will pay off before you know it! You can also have a look at this post on extended learning beyond your campus years.

Any tips for juggling work and continuous education from my readers?

guide to acing interviews

Welcome back readers! hope you had a wonderful weekend!

Today's pointers will give you some cool ideas for job interviews. There is no single set of rules to follow because each potential employer will have a different culture, requirements and interview criteria. But there are definitely trends and basic tools that can help you regardless of the job or employer you are interested in, so let's get to it!

• What Political Debates Teach Us About Successful Job Interviews and How to Not Screw Up a Skype Interview (by Brazen Careerist)
• Interview Etiquette: How to Explain Your Family Responsibilities (by Classy Career Girl)
• Job Interview Tips and Advice (by Monster.com)
• The Best Interview Tips for Any Job (by Careeralism)
• 7 Tricky Interview Questions and Ways to Respond (by Movin' On Up)

Like I mentioned in a previous post, you can never go wrong with having good manners and respecting the person who is interviewing you. People tend to pick up on your attitude faster than they hear the words coming from your mouth, and even though you might be an excellent candidate this can definitely ruin your chances.

Are there any specific tips you have found helpful in the past?

things you should know before starting your career

So, you are still in school and you want to be more than just another average employee someday? Here are a few things that can really affect your career in a negative way before it even starts!

Over confidence: Thinking that you know all you need to know and ignoring advice from people with actual job experience will cost you. Sure you want your independence and you are tired of being told what to do all the time, but being open to advice from experienced professionals will give you a serious boost in your career persuits. I wish I had started asking for advice (or reading career blogs) while I was still studying, I would have made much better career decisions in my early career.

Following the crowd: When choosing your career path or qualification, it's so easy to just do what everyone else is doing. Instead of doing some research and exploring your strengths, odds are you might want to follow your friends in their career dreams. Big no-no! Remember that you will be spending the majority of your life in the career path you choose, so make time to see guidance counsellors or visiting career fairs.

Waiting until it's too late: The earlier you can start asking questions about career choices the better. Even if you're still in school, ask your parents and their friends about their careers. Find out why they like their jobs (or not), and what an average day looks like for them. While studying it's also wise to try out some part-time jobs or job shadowing to give you a head-start. Stepping into your first full-time job with some experience behind you will definitely distinguish you from your inexperienced peers.

Rushing into things: Some of us really don't know very early in life what we want to do for the next 40 years. I was pretty clueless about which career path to choose because I have so many different interests. If you feel like this and it's at all possible, consider taking a gap-year to try different jobs or travel the world. Just because others know from age 5 what they want to do with their lives doesn't mean everyone else should.

For some more tips check out these posts: what I wish I knew before starting my first job AND what I wish I knew before entering the workforce.

smart ways to pay off your student loan

You completed your studies, you've landed your first job - congratulations!! But with all the excitement also comes the notion of getting rid of that student loan! So while you may be really excited about your first salary, a big part of it may be going towards your first bills, and your student loan could take forever to pay off - yikes!

Here are a few ideas that might just cut the time in half:

• Prioritize - Try to focus on private student loans first as they tend to have high interest rates and might take very long to pay off if you don't tackle it aggressively. Also try to cut down on luxuries even when you may be dazzled by your first real paycheck. The sooner you are debt-free the sooner you can start investing in other things, so distinguish between luxuries and necessities whenever you hit the shops..
• Stay calm - Before you even begin worrying about the mountain before you, remember that thousands of other first-timers have been in your position and it's not as impossible as it might seem. If others can successfully eliminate study loans, so can you!
• Keep track - Be sure to keep correspondence and statements, and set goals for how much you would like to pay off each year. Work out a budget to keep you from overspending on other things - it's NEVER too early to start using a budget.
• Communicate - If you ever struggle to keep up with payments try swallowing your pride and giving your lender a call. Instead of disappearing off the face off the earth and ending up blacklisted, own up and see if there are alternative arrangements or extensions available.
• Synchronize - If you tend to forget to make payments, why not set monthly reminders or schedule automatic deductions from your bank account?
• Big bursts - If you can afford to pay bigger installments, do it! You'll save lots of interest and cover the whole amount much sooner. Any additional income you receive during the year can also go straight to your loan in order to speed up the process as much as possible.
• Eyes on the prize - Remember your goals. As soon as you've paid off your debt you can start investing in other things. Regardless of what your goals are, set some sort of reward for yourself to keep you motivated until you make your last payment.

Self discipline and patience are crucial skills you will need to learn during the process so remember to keep your eyes on the prize. You can also have a look at this post where college grads share their student loan horror stories!

how to prep for your first day at a new job

So you have made it through the screening and interviewing, and it's the first day at your new job! The stress of getting the position is over and now it's time to brace yourself for what lies ahead. Maybe it's your first REAL job and you have no idea what to expect?

Here are a few basics to help you prep for the first day:

1. Get loads of sleep - Before I start a new job it's usually hard to fall asleep the night before, but try to hit your pillow as early as possible! It's very important that you arrive sharp and focused as you'll most likely receive tons of information to process. Remember that your first day is what most colleagues will use to create their impression of you!
2. Test drive your route - Take a drive by your new office a day or two before hand. Visualisation helps many people prep for important events! If you want to do it just to see how long it takes you to arrive, that's also a good idea.
3. Pack a lunch just in case - You don't always know how busy your first day will be. Maybe there's a shop close by to get a sandwich from, but just to eliminate one more uncertainty for the day it's wise to bring a lunch box just in case. Some companies take new employees to a first-day-lunch (lucky lucky!!) but don't bet on it.
4. Do some homework - Have you had a good look at the company's website? The more you know beforehand, the more of the information you receive will fall into place. You'll also be able to ask sensible questions and score some first-impression-points!
5. Time for a trim - Why not go for a brand new haircut!? There will be a lot of eyes on you when you arrive, so why not give your personal brand a boost from the get-go? While colleagues don't know you yet, your appearance will play a big role in their impression of you (and your abilities).
6. Prepare to take notes - Have your smart phone or note book handy. Odds are that there will be a lot of rambling going on and by lunchtime you will have forgotten what was covered in the first orientation session. You want to avoid asking your new employer to repeat themselves. I tend to forget a lot of facts if I don't make notes.
7. Say "cheese!" - Try to be pleasant and accommodating. Usually your new employer will go out of their way to make your first day welcoming, so remember to say please and thank you. Try to smile and make eye-contact to cement relationships from the start, and avoid frowning too much when you're concentrating.

For more great tips on rocking your first day at a new job, have a look at these tips and this video!

do you have the tools you need to do your job?

I remember one of my first jobs in an office environment, where I was required to fax documents to our head office on a regular basis. Pretty basic right? Think again. The equipment in my office didn't include a fax machine or scanner, only a printer from an undetermined prehistoric era. So I spent time every day driving to the nearest Xerox shop, standing in line, paying with my own money, waiting for the fax to deliver after several failed attempts, driving back, and claiming my minuscule expense - all while trying to look professional. Sounds like fun, right?

This was frustrating for me on two levels:

• Personally: I'm pretty savvy with a computer and I love technology, so I found it gruelling to be relying on faxes in the hi-tech world we live and work in. I like getting things done, and quickly too. It also cost me money out of my own pocket to drive around and pay for this, and only being reimbursed at the end of the month.
• Professionally: How many hours of my week were spent waiting in that Xerox shop? Minutes ticking away every day with no real work being done and no profit being made. I may have been a first-timer, but I was feeling terribly inefficient and I knew that this was not the way to do business.

As this was something I didn't have much control over, I did try pleading with my boss to supply a print/scan/fax machine in order for me to do my job properly. Funny thing is that I had to wait a month for his answer: "When you start making some real money, we can think about getting more gadgets for your office". Hmpf, please stop asking me to send faxes then...

I don't need to tell you that this had a very negative effect on my commitment towards my job and my boss. I was young and inexperienced and I needed a job, so I tried going with it for a while. Even though this wasn't my responsibility I did try to be flexible and work with what I had, but you can only spend so much of your time trying to fix something that isn't yours to fix. Regardless of the other resources available I was not able to do my job properly.

According to Gallup's Q12 Employee Engagement Survey, this is another foundational requirement for employees to feel engaged and positive about their jobs, and I am a believer after experiencing the opposite for myself. This experience has taught me to consider available resources before accepting just any new position in the future, and also to be grateful if I do work for an employer who supplies everything I need to do my job.

If you have all the tools you need at work, you can spend your energy doing what you're paid to do AND MORE. I don't think I'll ever take resources and tools for granted again after that first experience. Any others who had to learn this the hard way?

do you know what is expected of you at work?

When I started my first job, I had no idea what a job description should look like. In fact, I was naive enough to accept a position without seeing a proper description .Yes, it's true, I was swept away by what my very charismatic new manager told me in the hope that it would appear on paper soon after. I only received a written description a month after my start date.

Needless to say, I didn't enjoy my first job and it didn't last very long.

Not having a clear description of what is expected from your employer has been proven to be one of the fundamental elements that affect your engagement negatively (Gallup's Q12 Employee Engagement Survey). And besides influencing your attitude when going to work each day, if you don't know what is required for you to move up in your current role, you might be wasting your efforts on the wrong things.

The moment I moved into a new position where I knew exactly what was expected of me, I was free to start setting goals and performing well. So when choosing a new job or evaluating the position you're currently in, what are the things to look for? See if you can identify these categories in your position:

• Duties & Responsibilities: These are the duties listed on your job description, describing what your tasks will look like on a daily basis: typing meeting minutes, running a certain project etc. When was the last time you reviewed yours? If it's outdated or vague, it might be a good idea discussing it with your manager in order to better allign it with your actual daily routine.
• Key Performance Areas: KPA's are the measures by which your performance will be rated by your employer. Do you have an indication of what yours are? These can be things like meeting certain deadlines, achieving specified goals. Knowing which KPA's you'll be scored on (and how frequently) helps you focus your daily efforts correctly, and not spend all your energy on things that don't carry any weight in the eyes of your employer.
• Corporate Values: These are typically found in your office policy or employee handbook, and apply to everyone regardless their position. Does your company have one of these? Every company's policy will look different, and some won't even take the time to put one in writing. It indicates which kind of behaviour will (or will not) be tolerated at the work place, focusing on topics like: confidentiality, non-smoking, relationships between colleagues etc. Although these aren't related to your job description, they draw clear boundaries within which you will need to operate on a daily basis.
• Assignments from your Manager: These are not always communicated in writing and may cause a lot of frustration if you are getting vague requirements or contradicting assignments from the same source. Some managers will ask for a certain outcome and allow you to chose your own process, while others enjoy dictating your every step. Some struggle to express what it is they want altogether. A lot of this frustration may be relieved if you and your manager are able to understand the differences and/or similarities in the way you communicate. I tend to be distracted easily, so taking notes helps me think through the how's and the when's of an assignment while receiving it, guiding our discussion and eliminating confusion. Reading up on management styles even though you are the one being managed is also not a bad idea, as it may help you diagnose the situation correctly.

Any of you feeling confused about what is expected of you from your employer? Any plans for rescuing the situation?