Blog: Tammy Hartley

Are you searching for a job? Well then you need to Google yourself!  Look at it from the employer’s perspective: They want to find more out about the person who they just interviewed or the person who submitted their resume – but how do they do that? GOOGLE!  81% of employers are going to Google you before they hire you and you’ll want them to find positive information on the internet about you. 

I do have to say that after Googling my name, I’m not terribly surprised as to what came up. I am thankful that nothing too bad came up under the name Tammy Hartley. I’m not the only Tammy Hartley in the world, and I’m sure someone out there has the same name as you!  The worst that came up were: Myspace: “Tammy Loves Dwayne 4 Ever” and Flickr Photo Albums with my name on them.  Just to let you know, I don’t love Dwayne 4 Ever nor do I know whose photos are in that particular photo album. 

Out of 29 search results on the first three pages, five of the hits were actually me, while 24 of the hits were people with the same name as me.  Four of the hits were actually from blogging about career related topics and one hit was my Twitter Account.  If you’re on social networking sites, you’ll want to reconsider changing your privacy settings if you feel your information is not as professional as it should be.  Things such as photos and the things that your friends say to you on your “wall” might not be something you want your future or current employer seeing. 

On the other hand, if your social networking sites are as professional as can be, by all means make sure they’re well known.  You can change what pops up on Google searches over the course of a few months.  If you haven’t started a blog about your job search – it’s a great way to get some attention on your Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn page. 

I encourage you to Google yourself today, find out what’s out there on the internet under YOUR NAME HERE, and start to strategize what your next step is to make sure you’ve got positive search results under your name.  Happy Googling!!

Feel free to email me at thartley@onl.herzing.edu and check out Herzing University Online at http://www.herzingonline.edu/.   Are you an employer looking for an employee?  Click here to see our available graduates.

Volunteering is always a hot topic so the Department of Career Services here at Herzing University Online is here to share with you some of the best parts of spending your time helping in your community.  A volunteer is someone who jumps in to help to benefit someone else, however that doesn’t mean there can’t be some value for the volunteer as well.  The following are some benefits to volunteering for your consideration: 

Real Results

First and foremost, the best part about volunteering is giving back to the community.  Volunteers are able to take a step back and see what areas of the community are the most intriguing and focus on those.  As you delve into volunteering, you will be amazed to see how the time and energy spent giving back to your community really does make a difference.  As your volunteer efforts continue, you will enjoy seeing the real results developed from your hard work. 

Networking

While spending time making your community a better place to be, your volunteering efforts also serve as a great way to launch your own networking efforts.  As you dig in to help out, take a look around to determine who else shares your passion.  Seek out those individuals by introducing yourself and committing to stay connected.  No one said you can’t benefit from your good deeds as well so make the most of your time spent volunteering. 

Skill Development

Volunteering is a great way to develop new skill sets or further develop the talents you already possess.  Whether you’re diving into a new career or you’re interested in a new career path, volunteering is a great way to learn new skills.  Research what you’re interested in learning and ask if you could volunteer some of your time towards their charity.  By volunteering your time, you can gain a breadth of knowledge depending on the things that you volunteer for.

Feel Good

What better way to feel good about yourself than to volunteer.  It gives you a chance to work with others on a project that’s doing good deeds for others who are in need of your assistance.  I know that during the holiday’s it’s always more fun for me to get gifts for others than receiving gifts.  I enjoy thinking about others and what would make them feel good themselves.  This also works the same as when volunteering.  You’re putting others’ needs in front of your own, and ultimately you’ll feel great about it.

Social Responsibility Circle

Herzing University has started a group to get its students geared up for volunteering in their hometowns.  As said before, there are many benefits of volunteering, and here at Herzing, we want to add to those benefits. Students receive a documented transcript of the hours and specific volunteer opportunities that they have participated in throughout their education.  Students are encouraged to share their volunteer experiences with their peers in the Social Responsibility Circle group. 

The bottom line is that volunteering has its benefits, both for you and others around you.  Get out there and volunteer, you never know what you’ll learn!!

“I know that negotiating salary is something that I’d like to do, but I don’t exactly know how to do it.” Is this something that you’ve asked yourself when you’re offered a job? I’m sure like me, many of you would answer YES.  A tough economy doesn’t mean that you cannot try to get a better salary, additional benefits and opportunities than you were offered.

The first thing you need to determine is when to begin the negotiation process with an employer. You may already be aware that a first interview is not the time to discuss compensation with a potential employer (unless the interviewer brings up the topic). So when is the best time to bring up your salary requirement? The ideal time would be when the job is officially offered to you. At this time you want to get a clear understanding of the salary and benefits being offered to you, so negotiating compensation can naturally work itself into the conversation. Occasionally you will come across an employer who wants to firm up salary details prior extending an offer of employment. This situation often arises when the company is deciding between two top candidates for the position. In this case, negotiate just as you would if you had already been offered the position, putting particular emphasis on why you are the best candidate for the job.

Think about your salary negotiation as you approach other things in your day to day life. Every day you negotiate things at work and you’re probably not even thinking about it. The trick here is to use those skills into leveraging more money for a job offer. Take for example a deadline for an assignment given to you from your boss.  You need more time for it because you didn’t get it done yet.  When your boss asks you about the task, you reply that you have XYZ done, but want to finalize it more to make the final outcome the best you possibly can. You may see this as telling your boss an excuse as to why you need more time, but really what you’re doing is negotiating for more time so that you can get the job done well. Emphasizing your examples, qualities and reasons why you should get more money are going to be important when you negotiate.

The number one thing to keep in mind when you’re being offered a job is to keep your self-confidence at a high level.  Remember – you have a lot of great assets to offer this company, you have a wealth of experience and you can benefit this company in many ways.  Another thing to keep in mind is that if you have several job offers at one time, be sure to let the employer know  as it could give you that appealing edge that makes you more desirable to a company (however – never lie about this, because it could backfire on you).

Finally, when negotiating your compensation, keep in mind that money isn’t the only thing to focus on. Consider the other benefits you will receive from your employer, such as paid time off and health insurance. See if it is possible for you to start off with the same amount of vacation time that someone who has been employer there five years would be offered. Ask the employer to waive the rule that you must be employed 90 days prior to receiving health coverage. If your future supervisor is insistent that the salary and benefits package is non-negotiable, try a different approach. Ask to receive a performance evaluation three months after your start date, at which time you could be eligible for a bump in pay or benefits. Then work to the best of your ability, proving to your supervisor that you are deserving of a pay raise.

 *Tammy and Holly*

You’ve heard it before, and you’ll hear it again – Volunteering is a great way to boost your resume and career.  The key to doing this is to volunteer for organizations that could really use your skills and knowledge for their benefit.  There are a lot of organizations out there that are in need of specifically skilled individuals to volunteer their services.  Take for example, while I was in college I volunteered my knowledge of education and took time to help out at a school for underprivileged children as well as an after school program for mentally challenged students.  They appreciated my volunteered time, while I enjoyed spending time with the students and gaining experience to put on my resume. 

What organization most interests you? Is there something that you’d love to help out with and be a part of? Check it out – see if they have any volunteer opportunities for you within the organization.  Are you currently out of a job, or would like to change career paths? Sometimes it’s difficult to break into a new career with no experience; a volunteer opportunity is a great experience to put on your resume that shows you’ve taken an extra step towards that career.  Who knows, that volunteer opportunity could turn into something positive for you – a job, a networking opportunity, or a reference. Today, take some time to think about what volunteer opportunity you could take part in to leverage your career into something better for yourself (while benefiting others that need your help). 

Best wishes,

Tammy

Herzing University Online

Career Services Specialist

A few weekends ago I was invited to go ice fishing with my boyfriend and a few of our friends.  I've lived in Wisconsin my whole life and had never gone ice fishing, this was a new adventure for me. I knew nothing about ice fishing – nothing about ‘tip-ups’, ice augers, sitting on buckets for seats or the fact that really short fishing rods were used for ‘jigging’.  I learned pretty quickly what ice fishing entailed – and had a lot of fun.  

Of course my wheels were turning throughout the long, sometimes quiet day – ice fishing is just like job searching! How, you ask??

The night before, we gathered our gear for fishing; fishing rods, tip-ups, buckets, warm fluorescent orange jackets (very fashionable), and plenty of other things to help keep warm. Although everything wasn’t in one place, we found the things that we would need for our day of fishing and gathered them all in one central place. 

In your job search, this is when you’re preparing a portfolio and other job search documents. Your portfolio should showcase evidence of your growth and accomplishments. This includes, but is not limited to your resume, professional development activities, newspaper clippings, certifications and awards. Your portfolio should be something that is a collection of all things that will be beneficial towards your career.

When we arrived to the frozen lake, the first thing that we did was set up shop.  Let’s face it, I sat back and watched everyone do their thing – remember, I’m a newbie.  My boyfriend, Chris, used his ice auger and he ran around and made holes in the ice for him and our friends.  Here’s where everyone set up their tip-ups.  Now, this was the coolest thing that I’ve ever seen as far as fishing goes. The tip-up does exactly what it sounds like, has a little flag that tips up into the air letting you know if you’ve got a bite on the other end (and you don’t have to do anything else but sit and wait).

Here’s where ice fishing isn’t exactly like job searching; you cannot sit around and wait to get a response from an employer. Call and follow up with each application or resume that you submit.  Let them know that you’re an interested applicant and would like to know the next steps in the hiring process.  Stay on top of following up – this is key to your success in getting an interview.

In your job search, it’s essential to put yourself out there and market your skills and qualifications. An effective way to job search is to target employers that you’re interested in networking with.  Sign up on the company website to get up to date job postings, network with others to tap into the hidden job market, and search several job titles/terms to get a variety of job postings available. Keep track of the jobs you’re applying to, follow up, and you never know – you might get a bite!

About a week ago our pet fish at work, Frankie, passed. He was a handsome Beta fish and will be missed by our Career Services Team – he was our career mascot. My boss had bought Frankie the neatest fish tank you’ve ever seen – an office with a view. He was set up with a desk, computer, filing cabinet, a plant and a desk lamp for when he wanted to stay late – which was quite often. Frankie was kind enough to leave his fish tank to his successor. 

On Friday another team member (Amber) and I took an adventure to a nearby pet store to seek out the most perfect of Betas to take the place of our beloved fish.  We had already picked out a name for our new fish: Walter (Wally for short).  Amber warned me that she was quite inquisitive and would be asking a series of questions so we could find out as much as we needed to know in order to properly take care of our new fish.

When we got to the pet shop, a woman kindly pointed us in the direction of the Betas. This probably would have been good enough for me – I would have picked one out, paid the five dollars for the fish and have been on my way.  Amber had another plan.  She went back up to the woman and asked her a simple question about the Beta fish that led us into a teacher/learner conversation.

After we had learned so much from our friend, Amber asked “Where did you learn all of this great information?”  Her reply was that she had been interested in animals since she was a young girl.  She let us know that a combination of experience in the field and classes she had taken gave her the edge to keep up with new ideas in her area of expertise.  She went on to tell us that she had moved her way up to the position she currently was at. 

Walking out the pet store, I thought to myself that education and experience in the field you’re looking to grow in is really a fantastic way to succeed at what you love to do.  Keeping up with current trends in your field of study and taking classes will give you the power to be promoted within your company.  Today I encourage you to think about professional development opportunities in your field.  Say yes when you’re offered the chance to expand your knowledge, you never know where it might take you!

Feel free to email me at thartley@onl.herzing.edu and check out Herzing College Online at http://www.herzingonline.edu/. 

This is a busy time of the year – we’re all aware of that. Feeling as if there’s no time for a moment to yourself is pretty standard during the holiday season. The stresses of (fill in the blank) seem higher than usual.  If there’s one thing that I learned during college it was to reflect, and then reflect again.

I’ve had plenty of time to reflect the past few weeks during traffic on the way in and out of Milwaukee.  On a normal day I’ll sift through the radio talk shows to fill my time, but for whatever reason, the past week I’ve started turning the radio off on the way home and reflecting on the day. I’ve found that although traffic could be a stress added to my day, I’ve turned it into a time for myself – a time to reflect.  This is also when I set small goals for myself – what am I going to do for the rest of the night, what will I be doing tomorrow and what has to be done at work the following day. In some way, taking a step back and thinking about the bigger picture seems to make it a great day.

Today I encourage you to take some time to reflect on the day. Whether it is your job search, your career, or the stresses of the holiday season – take a moment to reflect on the day and make small goals for yourself.

Feel free to email me at thartley@onl.herzing.edu and check out Herzing College Online: http://www.herzingonline.edu/

On a daily basis I interact with students and graduates communicating with me that they cannot find a job.  One of the first questions that I ask is “How are you networking?” Just the other day I had a student tell me that she went to the dentist’s office with her son and asked his dentist about a possible internship in the coming semester.  He welcomed the idea with open arms and agreed to sponsor her for an internship. I’m so excited to hear that students are taking my advice and talking to others about their job search!

Previous to my job here at Herzing College, I’ve had a job since I was in 8 th grade. My first job was a paper route with my brother – we had asked our paper route carrier how we too could have our own route. He gave us the phone number to the head of the Daily News and by the next week we were delivering papers and makin’ money. During high school my job at Pizza Hut was found through my best friend Megan. She had already been working there for about 6 months and talked to her manager about letting me interview for a job – I was hired the next day.  During my summers while in college, I worked at a paper factory in my hometown – where my father and two of my uncles worked – I immediately got the job after going in and telling Human Resources who I knew.  My job at the gas station was found through a friend in the Education program at school whom I had told about my search for job – I was hired on the spot.

What’s weird is that I never realized - until just now - that every single job I’ve had in the past, was found through networking.  At the time I didn’t know it was networking, I was just telling other people that I needed a job.  Networking is an essential piece to finding a job in today’s market.  Today I encourage you to tell others about your job search. You never know who will know someone who will know someone that has the perfect job for you (I realize that is quite a mouthful)!

Feel free to email me at thartley@onl.herzing.edu and check out Herzing College Online: http://www.herzingonline.edu/

Thanksgiving is a time to share with family and friends; a time to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of our daily lives.  I, like many others, went home to my parent’s house for the holiday. I was met with a warm welcoming from my family. Dad just got a new camera that he’s trying to figure out, mom is in her pajamas cuddled up on the chair, and my brothers immediately start with the jokes to start out a typical holiday celebration at the Hartley household. 

Once things settle down a bit, we all get to talking to one another about the important things in our lives. My two younger brothers and my dad were discussing the up and coming wrestling season (my youngest brother is a senior on the Varsity Wrestling Team). Naturally the older of the two brothers had a great deal of advice to be giving him because he too was on the varsity team in high school.  As I listened in on the advice being given, I heard the same theme mentioned over and over again: “Take Your Title”. He was telling my younger brother that he needed to make the choices in his wrestling career that would allow him to take the title home during the big wrestling tournaments.

This statement got me to thinking that the same holds true for your professional career as well.  Taking the steps and making the choices that will lead you to the career that you’ve always wanted is the way to take your title. Standing on the sidelines and hoping that things work out the way they’re supposed to might happen, but in order to assure that your career is where you want it to go – taking action is a must.  Think about how you want to improve your career in the years coming. Where do you want to go? How will you get there? What are the necessary measures that need to be taken in order to “Take Your Title”?

Feel free to email me at thartley@onl.herzing.edu

So you got that interview you’ve been waiting for – you’re perfect for the job, you’ve got so much to offer, it’s just the job you’ve been looking for.  How do you impress your interviewer in the interview? You want the job, but how do you show it without begging for a chance to prove yourself?

Psych yourself up! You’ve been called to come in for an interview – you must have something that caught their eye in order for them to give you a chance to interview for the position.  Now it’s just a matter of wowing them during the interview process. Go ahead and talk to someone about your up and coming interview - Career Services Advisor or a friend in the field you’re looking to get into.  They will help to reassure you of your qualifications for this job, give you some pointers that they’ve learned in their own experiences, or help with conducting a mach interview.

Passion! Let your passion for the job shine through. This is a job in a field that you’ve been interested for quite some time.  Let the interviewer know about all the things you’ve done to get to the point you are at today.  What accomplishments have you succeeded in to achieve your ultimate goal of becoming a professional in this field? This will show them not only that you have goals set for yourself, but that this company will help in achieving your goal.  Let the interviewer know that you want to grow with their company and inquire about advancement opportunities within the company that you will want to pursue in the future.   

Attitude! Your attitude about the job will also play a big role in your interview.  Is your posture poor, are you averting eye contact with the employer, and are you dressed inappropriately? Factors such as these show your attitude about the job – and they shout - “Don’t even think about hiring me, I’m not that interested anyways, give the job to someone else who is.”  Even if you think that you’re not quite right for the position, go into the interview as your best – be the person that they’ve been looking for. Your positive attitude will show and will impress the interviewer. 

Be yourself! There’s no point in trying to be someone that you’re not.  If you’re truthful about everything you say and the personality that you show in the interview, there will be nothing to hide when you do get the job.  Telling your interviewer that you’ve got experience doing this, that, and the other thing will then be expected if you get the job – if you can’t come through with what you stated as true, they may question what else you’ve stretched the truth about in  your interview.  Allow your personality to show in your responses and while trying not to sound as if you’ve memorized any and all interview questions and answers.  Interject your personality throughout the interview while maintaining that certain work persona that is looked for in an ideal employee.