Community Blog: Herzing University Online

Landing a position with a new company is the first hurdle to successful employment.  After you’ve landed that job you need to put your best foot forward, making an impression that will allow you to advance within that organization.  Here is a couple of easy to do pointers on making your employer say WOW.

·         Volunteer.  Are they looking for someone to help out on a special project or a team assignment?  Volunteer to take it on.  Not only will you be seen as a “go-getter” but you will have the opportunity to meet people outside of your department.  However if you are volunteering to take on more work, be sure that your other work doesn’t suffer and that you don’t have outstanding projects that you should be getting your attention.

 

·         Say YES!  When asked to take on a project or task, say “YES” with excitement and resolve.  Employers like to see people with initiative and a “can do” attitude.

 

·         Can I? Ask your employer what you can do for them from time to time.  “Is there anything I can do to help you?”  This will cement your employer’s view of you being helpful, considerate and a team player.  Too they may give you some of their work to do!  This will allow you the opportunity to learn about something new and to have some additional responsibility. 

 

·         Go the Extra Mile.  Don’t be afraid to be that employee that volunteers to stay late and go above and beyond the call of duty.  You employer will appreciate your willingness to go that extra mile for the organization.

 

·         Steer Clear.  Stay away from drama and don’t get caught up in office politics.  Gossip, complaining and negative remarks should be kept out of the office.  Period.

 

·         Network!  Never turn down any opportunity to network outside and inside of your organization.  Introduce yourself to everyone you meet, shake their hand and learn a little bit about what they do.  If your organization is involved in outside activities like the chamber of commerce, business associations or charity events, attend them.  The connections you can make are priceless.

 

·         Leverage your Lunch.  Stay away from sitting at your desk during lunch or sticking your nose in a book.  Instead talk to the people around you.  Learn what they do, what department they work in and what their interests are.  The larger your internal network, the better.

 

·         Tell Time.  Make sure that you show up for work and meetings on time.  Watch your deadlines and be sure to meet them.  The employer depends on you!

 

·         Ask Questions.  The power of knowledge and understanding not only your job but how the business operates will give you an edge when it comes to promotion time.

 

Working your way up the ladder at your new position will take time, but following these simple tips will help you be seen, noticed and most importantly appreciated.

 

Amy

 

To learn more about Herzing University Online please visit us on the web at www.herzingonline.edu.  If you are an employer looking for a great employee, please check out our map of career seekers at http://www.herzingonline.edu/student-services/resume-map

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!!

When speaking with student and graduate job seekers, Career Services staff members will often emphasize the importance of networking to learn about job leads or to make contact with someone who may be able to help you get your foot in the door with a specific company.  Using your network to assist you with locating an internship sponsor is just as important as it is in your job search.

Who to Include in Your Network

The first step in your internship search is to develop a list of contacts you can approach regarding your internship. Your network should include anyone who can assist you with your internship search. It can include past and present co-workers, bosses, friends with similar interests, colleagues from business associations, alumni from your university, or acquaintances you have met via online networking services. Your network can also include family, neighbors, and anyone who might have a connection that will help.

New to Networking?

If you are new to the area or your chosen field, you may feel your network isn’t as large as you would like it to be. In this case, it is important to be just as proactive about developing your network as it is during other steps in your internship search. One thing you can do is attend a professional networking event in your area. In larger cities, there are often many general business groups that will offer monthly networking opportunities. There may also be industry-specific professional groups that will hold events designed for individuals to connect with others in a specific field. In smaller cities or towns, general networking events are often held by the local Chamber of Commerce, so going on the Chamber website is a great place to start. You can also view organizations that belong to the Chamber who may be able to sponsor your internship. Building your network can also occur through your involvement in social networking sites. The most popular site for professional networking online is LinkedIn. Creating a profile and connecting with others is easy. Just make sure any information you post about yourself on the web is professional. You never know who may be viewing it.

What Your Network Can Do For You

Over 80% of job seekers say that their network has helped with their job and/or internship search. Networking can help with more than job leads. They can provide referrals to or insider information about companies you might be interested in working for. This is especially important during your internship search. Reach out to individuals in your network who work in your desired field; one of their employers may be able to provide an internship opportunity for you. It is also important to put the word out to your network that you are looking for an internship. You may be surprised how many people know someone who knows someone who is able to help you obtain an internship. Don’t be shy—now is the time to be vocal about your qualifications and your career goals.

Holly and Jennifer

 

“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

How You Can Tell Your Interview Went Well

Ever get out of your interview and think to yourself, “Did I just answer all of those questions to the best of my ability? Did I impress them? Do I really have a shot at this job?” Think back and replay the interview in your mind. There are some clues to let you know your interview went well.

Staff Introductions- Did the interviewers take you around to meet the staff who you could potentially be working with? Were you introduced to any higher ups, such as the president? This could be a sure sign that you’re the one for the job!

Reference List Request- If the employer is truly interested; they will probably request your reference list (which should have been brought to the interview with you). That way, they can look into your work history to get an idea of your work ethic, character, etc. If they were uninterested, they wouldn’t feel the need to request this.

Discuss Salary- If this topic is brought up, it is a sure sign that they are interested in possibly hiring you. An interviewer would not take the time to ask about your required salary, if they didn’t really have you in mind for the position.

Second Interview- If the potential employer invites you back for a second interview; this is also a plus. There is no way that a company would waste the time on a candidate with a second interview if they did not consider you a good fit for the position.

When Can You Start? - If a company is truly interested in you, they will pose the question, “When can you start?” They want to know how soon you will be able to make the transition from your old position to your new role with their company.

If you have experienced any of the five signs above, then you have a pretty good shot at landing the job. Remember, no matter how great you think your interview went, always send a thank you note letting the organization know that you appreciate them taking the time to interview you!

 

Best of luck!

Jennifer DeVerney & Ann Leicht

Career Services Herzing University Online

In an effort to assist job seekers in a challenging economic market the Career Services Department of Herzing University Online is launching a series of free career-focused webinars. The webinars are unique in that they are accessible not only to current and former students, but to the general public as well.

One webinar is presented by the Career Services staff each week 6:00 - 7:00 PM CST and will focus on one of four topics:Networking, Resume Preparation, Interviewing Basics and Strategies and Creating your Job Search Strategy

The webinars can be attended via internet and telephone or by telephone only. All interested individuals must register for the webinars in advance by calling Jennifer DeVerney at 866-508-0748, ext 855 or by email at jdeverney@onl.herzing.edu.

 

It is blood drive week at Herzing University Online and we have partnered up with the Double Tree Hotel and Wisconsin Blood Center.  36 staff members have volunteered to give blood on Thursday and we are excited about giving back to our community and helping those in need. Giving blood scares a lot of people.  Sometimes it is the needle or the sight of blood but the gift you give when you give blood is priceless; you are literally saving another person’s life. Here are the top ten reasons to give blood from the Red Cross:

• You will get free juice and cookies. (Seriously, who doesn’t want free cookies?)
• You will weigh less — one pint less when you leave than when you came in. (Rock on; that has to be a pound!)
• It’s easy and convenient — it only takes about an hour and you can make the donation at a donor center or at one of the many Red Cross mobile blood drives.  (Or you can do what Herzing is doing and organize a blood drive at work – hint.)
• It’s something you can spare — most people have blood to spare… yet, there is still not enough to go around.
• Nobody can ask you to do any heavy lifting as long as you have the bandage on. You can wear it for as long as you like. It’s your badge of honor.
• You will walk a little taller afterwards — you will feel good about yourself.
• You will be helping to ensure that blood is there when you or someone close to you may need it. Most people don’t think they’ll ever need blood, but many do.
• It’s something you can do on equal footing with the rich and famous — blood is something money can’t buy. Only something one person can give to another. (Isn’t that a wonderful feeling?)
• You will be someone’s hero — you may give a newborn, a child, a mother or a father, a brother, or a sister another chance at life. In fact, you may help save up to three lives with just one donation.
• It’s the right thing to do. (So DO it!)

I sincerely encourage our student body and the public to consider giving blood.  It is an easy choice that gives endless opportunities to those who need it; it is a GREAT Choiceortunity.  For more information please visit the Wisconsin Blood Center at www.bcw.edu to find a donation site near you.  A BIG thank you to the folks at the Double Tree Hotel on 6th, they are donating the space for the drive. Amy – Type A+ (wishing that was my GPA ) and donating at 10AM on 7/9/09. PS. look for “fun” blood donating pictures on our blog site next week…we are giving out a prize for anyone who passes out!  http://herzingonline.wordpress.com/2009/07/06/choiceortunity-19-give-blood/ 

 

 

One of my favorite pieces of advice to job seekers is to explore ways to gain experience while job searching.  Of course there are the options of internships and volunteering but if you are already working a full-time job while attempting to gain new experiences, those options might not be feasible.  This is the perfect opportunity to consider what you can do while on the job to stretch your skills and experiences further. 

 Don’t have anything to do at work?  Don’t look at that as your opportunity to kick back, slack off or become lazy.  Find something to do.  Ask your boss what you can do to be helpful.  What can you take off his or her plate?  Better yet, make up your own project and share your idea with your supervisor.  Show your value by demonstrating your creativity, independence, and willingness to help.  No one is irreplaceable but you can sure try to ensure colleagues view you as a hard working, team player. 

When talking with your supervisor about new projects, be tactful because you certainly don’t want to appear bored.  Check in with your boss to see how the day is going.  He or she will most likely say “Whew… this day has been so hectic!”  Enter – YOU; the hero there to take on a task that your boss doesn’t have time to handle today or this week.  You just cleared up some time for your boss to work on a different project all while affording yourself the opportunity to develop some additional skills. 

Once you have your new assignment, ask enough questions to ensure you can own this project and be confident in your work.  Find out the deadline or time frame in which this project should be completed and then get to it.  This shows your ability to be an independent thinker while also being self-motivated. 

Let’s say you currently work in retail but you want to break into marketing; consider some projects at your current job that will demonstrate your knowledge in marketing.  Or maybe you are working in office administration but would like to break into the technology industry.  Almost any office has a project or two on the back burner of this nature that you could spearhead.   

When it comes time for your employer to conduct reviews, your hard work and willingness to go the extra mile will pay off.  If the extra project was fairly simple, your willingness to be a team player is demonstrated.  If the new experience was huge and a bit out of your comfort zone, your ambition and ability to learn on the fly is showcased. Either way, as you continually demonstrate your value, higher-ups will take notice of your eagerness to learn and lead. 

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

Herzing University Online is proud to present a free webinar to our students, alumni and the general public.  The topic of this webinar is creating a strategy for your job search.  One of the hardest parts of the job search process is staying organized and on top of opportunities as they present themselves.  This free webinar will teach you what tools, resources and tips will aid you in finding the best opportunities in your community.  Leaving the webinar you will be armed with a plan that will aid you in effectively administering your job search.

 This webinar is free of charge but you must have access to a telephone and a computer with internet.  This webinar is being presented on May 28, 2009 from 6pm to 7pm central time.  To register please click HERE.

Herzing University Online is proud to present a free webinar to our students, alumni and the general public.  The topic of this webinar is Interviewing Basics and Strategies.  Let’s face it; the hardest part of landing a job is nailing the interview.  It can be scary, intimidating, nerve-wracking and exciting all at the same time.   This webinar will explore effectively presenting yourself and your skills to a potential employer.  It will also cover some of the dos and don’ts of interview etiquette.   This webinar is free of charge but you must have access to a telephone and a computer with internet.  This webinar is being presented on May 20, 2009 from 6pm to 7pm central time.  To register please click HERE.

Anyone who knows me knows that poor customer service is something that I cannot and will not tolerate.  See my previous blog regarding my annoyance regarding a particularly poor customer service experience and you will see what I mean.  This weekend I had a conversation with some friends and family regarding my passion for customer service and gained some additional insight.  My revelation:  Customer service goes both ways.  Yes it is the responsibility of a company’s employees to provide great service however they are much more likely to go above and beyond for a customer that is polite and pleasant.  The “Treat others the way you want to be treated” rule most definitely applies in customer service situations.  Making the extra effort to thank individuals in thankless positions makes a great impression and often prompts more attentive service.  Truly, it pays to be nice.   

 

What does this have to do with a job seeker trying to land a great position?  Well, think about it.  A serious job seeker should have a plan and that plan most likely includes an aggressive application, interview and follow-up effort.  Well, this strategic effort only works if you keep a positive attitude and unwavering professionalism in mind.  One of the biggest mistakes a job seeker can make is not treating every person they contact with the highest levels of respect and consideration. 

 

I’d like to share with you a personal story about a time when my passion for customer service and professionalism worked in my favor while job searching.  I once had a job doing cold calling for a company that had a husband and wife duo as the owners.  A few weeks into my job I was told one of the main reasons I was offered the job was because the moment I walked in for my interview, I had a smile on my face and treated everyone in the office including the woman at the front desk with respect.  From that part-time job came a great lesson:  It turns out that the woman at the front desk was one of the owners.  She was used to being overlooked because anyone coming into the office assumed she was just another employee.  When her position within the company was revealed she still didn’t get as much respect because visitors assumed her husband was the decision maker when in fact she ran the office and did all of the hiring.  So I learned from this positive experience to treat the person who answers the phone or does the greeting at the front desk like the owner of the company because they very well could be that key decision maker.  That front line person might have a little pull (or all the pull) within the company to put in a great word for you about your positive and professional demeanor and land you that job. 

 

So, like I said earlier, it pays to be nice.  Putting in the extra attempt to smile, say thank you, and be an all around positive person in all situations is worth the effort.  Willingness to display that energy speaks volumes about you as a person and just may be the extra push needed to secure a job you love. 

 

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