Tag Archives: young professionals

University Career Centers Offer Valuable Assistance

As most of my blog followers know, in addition to working with private clients as a career coach and professional resume writer through The Resume Resource, I also serve as Assistant Director of the Center for Internships and Career Development at Eastern Connecticut State University. Between these two roles, I work with a wide range of people helping them to identify their ideal career path and develop the tools, strategies and confidence to achieve their career goals.

Over the last few months, I have been approached by quite a few parents of new college grads looking for resume and job search assistance for their children. In most cases, these alumni have graduated from expensive private colleges, and despite the fact that the family has paid well over $150K in tuition over the 4 years, Continue reading →

Overcoming Age Discrimination in the Job Search – Part I

As a career coach, I work with fresh college graduates looking to launch their professional career as well as baby boomers looking for a satisfying second career. While they have different obstacles – they have the same goal: they need to make their resumes “age-neutral” and convince the hiring manager that they are the ideal candidate for the job. Jobseekers with little experience need to sell themselves on their potential while more mature workers need to show they still have a lot to offer an employer. There are effective strategies for each to overcome age discrimination in the job search. This week I’ll offer a few tips for the new graduates, next week I will address the boomers.

New college graduates and other Millennials need to show prospective employers that they have transitioned from “college kid” to “young professional”. Continue reading →

5 Ways A Young Professional Can Succeed in the Corporate World

By Lauren Piccini

helping young professionals succeed at wrok

Joining a corporate office for the first time can be intimidating. You are viewed as the “new kid” for months, or at least until another new employee is hired. Don’t let this derail your confidence level; your employer hired you because he or she knew you would add value to the company. Succeeding in the corporate world is a game, and you can win it by using these 5 strategies:

Tip 1.

Be mindful of your actions. Always show people your most confident side and don’t discount your ideas. Stand up for yourself.

Mistakes to avoid:

Polling before making a decision
Sharing too much personal information
Needing to be liked
Being overly concerned with offending others

Tip 2.

Keep a success-oriented mindset. Being new to a company can be overwhelming, but never lose your confidence in yourself. You are great at what you do, that is why you are there. Take advantage of the possibilities your company can offer.

Mistakes to avoid:

Setting high, unrealistic standards for yourself
Limiting your possibilities
Talking yourself out of a promotion you know you deserve
Abandoning your career goals
Refusing perks

Tip 3.

Brand and market yourself as if you are the boss. After all, their position is the one you ultimately want to have, right?

Mistakes to avoid:

Minimizing your work or position
Waiting to be noticed
Being modest about your accomplishments
Staying in your comfort zone
Giving away your ideas

Tip 4.

When speaking among your colleagues, show them that have transitioned from a college graduate to a young professional by being mindful of your tone. Always be confident that what you are saying holds value, and it will.

Mistakes to avoid:

Second guessing yourself
Asking for permission
Apologizing for your beliefs
Failing to pause or reflect before answering questions

Tip 5.

Your response to actions occurring around the office and feedback received from colleagues shows a lot about your character and work ethic. Although negative feedback is criticism, taking it constructively can only help you grow.

Mistakes to avoid:

Internalizing messages
Tolerating inappropriate behavior
Biding your time instead of taking action
Putting the needs of others before your own

The keys to corporate success mostly revolve around knowing your worth and the value you deliver to your employer. Recognizing this power statement can only bring you great success and happiness. Good luck!

Lauren Piccini is a writer and blogger who helps business owners increase their brand awareness through social media. She is a recent grad with a degree in English from the University of Connecticut whose first work was published within six months of graduation. www.LaurenPiccini.com

College Grads Get Hired When They Show They Have Transitioned into Young Professionals

The biggest concern facing college grads is “Will I have a job when I graduate?” In today’s economy, the competition for entry-level jobs is at an all-time high. Not only are recent grads applying for these positions, but so are people who have been in the field and have years of experience. College seniors and new grads must show employers that they have progressed from college student to young professional before they even leave college.

Take advantage of resources available to you at your college to build your portfolio. Instead of just telling potential employers what you might be able to accomplish, show them what you have achieved during internships and other experiences. Recruiters and hiring managers are looking for experience as well as initiative, so take advantage of everything your college has to offer to show that you are driven and will be a great addition to their team.

Use your college years to build your network. Get to know your professors on a more personal level. Stop in to their office during office hours and discuss your career goals. They are experts in their fields; having them as a part of your network can open doors to internships and job opportunities. Not only do they see your performance in class, but taking that extra step proves to them that you are passionate and dedicated. They also may be able to introduce you to other experts in your field.

Utilize the power of LinkedIn to build your professional network. Create a LinkedIn account and use a personal message to invite face-to-face networking contacts to connect with you online. Let them know that you enjoyed meeting them and ask to schedule a short informational interview. This is how you leverage your network to advance your career. Contact them periodically so they will have you in mind when they hear of an opportunity that may be suitable for you. Finding a great career is all about “what you know and who you know.”

Having a college degree does not guarantee you a job, but if you take advantage of your resources and build your portfolio before it’s too late, you will stand out from the competition. Show potential employers that you are a young professional, not just a new college graduate. Good luck in your job search.

Trish Thomas founded The Resume Resource in 2009 to help people advance their careers with rewarding jobs that provide more than just a paycheck. As a Career Coach and Resume Writer, she takes the time to get to know each of her clients and guides them through the job search process to make it less overwhelming and more successful.