Reader Success Story: Recent MBA Grad Lands New Job in 3 Weeks

by Jimmy Day on November 30, 2009 · 0 comments

in Interviewing,Job Hunting,Networking,Unemployment

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Note: The following post is an interview with Sarah Pearse, a higher education consultant in Atlanta, Georgia specializing in operational & strategic consulting for university clients. Sarah spent six years working in the Higher Education industry and made the transition into management consulting in 2008.

The Careerist: First of all, congratulations on your recent job acquisition, Sarah! That’s obviously no small feat in this economy. Will you tell us what you were doing previously and why you left that organization?

Sarah: When I graduated with my MBA in 2008, I launched my career in consulting. I landed my dream job at a publicly traded firm out of Chicago – they were doing the work that I wanted to be doing – partnering with universities and hospitals to help them reach strategic goals and become more operationally efficient, all with an eye toward the unique mission and culture of each institution. I was offered the job after a year of non-stop networking with employees in the company. I was at the firm for a year before the economic slump and an accounting scandal forced the company to lay off hundreds of employees. Due to my tenure and my level, I was one of those employees who was “reduced” as a part of the reduction in staff.

The Careerist: Tell us about your initial reaction when you discovered that you were going to be unemployed.

Sarah: I anticipated my layoff for many months. I knew the business model (one of my biggest pieces of advice is to always know how your organization makes money). I had gone unstaffed for six months and knew that my place in the organization couldn’t be justified much longer, so I had started to prepare. I started banking cash and tried to be as liquid as possible. Additionally, I put out very soft feelers to a few people in my key network. These initial feelers were the way that I ultimately found my next position.

I was most worried that I wouldn’t be able to pay my bills and I wasn’t quite sure what to do next – the firm that laid me off was truly unique in the market, and so I knew I couldn’t go out and find another position just like it. That forced me to evaluate what was next for me and I knew I didn’t want to go back to industry. At the same time, I was questioning my fit with consulting. My biggest fears were the potential duration of my job search and not knowing if my next position would be an ideal fit. I was very, very lucky. I was only unemployed for three weeks, and during that time, I stayed positive, knowing that my strong work ethic and network would carry me through.

The Careerist: Tell us how you found out about the opportunity that you were recently hired for and describe the interview / vetting process.

Sarah: I was identified for this opportunity about four weeks before I was laid off. A former supervisor was at a consulting firm and their main client was in need of someone with a consulting skill set and a strong knowledge of admissions functions. This position was never posted publicly, and I obtained it purely through my contact. My former supervisor spoke so highly of her work with me (which was five years ago) that her team and supervisor didn’t question my qualifications. They were emphatic that I was the only candidate they would look at. I interviewed with the Director of Admissions at the institution and the Project Manager for the project (which is a large scale technology implementation). I was highly vetted, so the conversations were not very rigorous.

The Careerist: Were there any interview questions that were peculiar or did any catch you off guard?

Sarah: The interview questions were pretty standard – they were trying to scare me to make sure I knew what I was in for. This project has very aggressive deadlines and I think they wanted me to know how difficult the work was going to be.  They asked me to walk through my experience and tell them what had led me to the opportunity. They did not know that I had been laid off and they did not ask.

The Careerist: How confident were you after the interviews?

Sarah: I have always been confident in my interview skills – my interpersonal skills are strong and I had done a lot of interview preparation only a year previously for my first consulting job. I still had a lot of those notes and stories in my back pocket.

The Careerist: How much time elapsed between your last interview and the time that you were informed that you received the job?

Sarah: I had to follow up several times, but only about a week elapsed. I was then asked to provide them with salary requirements.

The Careerist: Explain how you approached the issue of compensation. Did you negotiate at all or did you immediately accept the package that was offered to you?

Sarah: This was challenging. Initially, our talks broke down over salary. I was in a hard place – I knew what I was worth to a big consulting firm, but I didn’t know if they would pay me at that level in this position. I was told to “be creative” and so I came up with an offer that was a $10k pay cut from my previous job, but included all of my travel expenses, an apartment near the client site, and lastly, a “benefits allowance”. I was trying to be creative so that my base salary would be near my old salary, but I wasn’t asking them to pay for full benefits because I am a contractor and this contract is in New York City where insurance is very expensive.  So, I negotiated a fair amount but I was careful to be flexible – I wanted this position and although it was paying less than my previous position, I couldn’t afford a lengthy MBA job search.

The Careerist: Are you enjoying the new job? What do your future prospects look like at this organization?

Sarah: I am enjoying the position so far. I am learning a lot and I am consistently challenged. I am in a consulting role with a large team so there are a lot of moving parts and politics. I am helping to translate the functional needs of an admissions office to developers who are building a software system for the university. It is a very technical role and it has pushed me to grow. I am also very involved in training and change management for the staff and I really love that part of my job.  I will be here for at least 2-3 years and I will most likely have the option to stay, but the job requires a lot of travel so I may want to be closer to home.

The Careerist: If you could offer one bit of advice to those who are currently seeking new employment, what would you say to them?

Sarah: My three biggest pieces of advice are:

  • As I mentioned earlier – understand and know the way that your organization makes money (or serves clients) – and be very in-tune to the macro effects on that business. This will allow you to see changes coming down the pipeline and you will be better prepared for a layoff or big changes in the industry.
  • Keep in touch with former colleagues and supervisors. I have diligently kept in touch and consider certain people to be the touchstones of my network. They’re people who are working in industries close to mine and I constantly keep in touch. You cannot just go to your network when you need something. You need to have cultivated that network in the meantime. My network was the single greatest reason I only spent three weeks unemployed in this economy.
  • Weigh your risks. Is this the position where I’ll spend the next 5-7 years? Probably not. But I weighed the risk between going unemployed for 6-8 months, and accepting a position that I knew would offer me stability throughout the rest of this slump and I took the more calculated risk. I also knew that this position would help to augment my resume with some great experience that went hand-in-hand with my previous experience. I also took the opportunity to incorporate as an LLC so that when this project ends I can continue consulting under my own name.

Note from Jimmy: A huge thanks to Sarah for taking the time to participate in this interview. There are obviously many valuable lessons that can be drawn from her story. If you have any questions for Sarah, please drop her a line in the comments below.

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Weekend Roundup: Tuxedo Procurement Edition

by Jimmy Day on November 28, 2009 · 0 comments

in Roundups

Good morning! I hope everyone’s recovering nicely from their Thanksgiving feast-induced food comas. While I’m writing this post a few days in advance and it’s not quite Thanksgiving Day yet, I can already imagine the TONS of leftovers that my grandmother is going to send me home with: Virginia ham, turkey, yams, homegrown green beans, and of course, plenty of pumpkin and pecan pie. I hope you all made out as well am I’m planning to.

In other news, I went by Men’s Wearhouse last weekend to pick out the tuxedos for my upcoming wedding. I’m not the most fashionably-conscious guy you’ve ever met (and it shows), so I was a bit apprehensive about the whole process, but I have to admit, it couldn’t have been a more straightforward or enjoyable process. I was assisted by two lovely young women who correctly assumed that I had no idea what I was doing, but in a matter of less than 45 minutes, I had picked out some pretty slick Calvin Klein tuxedos, vests, ties, cuff links, etc. for myself and my groomsmen.

Like I said, the Men’s Wearhouse couldn’t have made the seemingly-overwhelming process any easier, so I want to give a quick shout out to them. If you, a friend, or a colleague are ever in need of a tuxedo rental, I recommend them highly.

So that’s what’s happening in my neck of the woods. How about we move on to this week’s links?

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Happy Thanksgiving! Now Put Down the Turkey Leg and Give Your Thanks

by Jimmy Day on November 26, 2009 · 0 comments

in Holidays

Happy Thanksgiving

Here in the U.S., we tend to  commercialize our holidays to the point where they lose their true meaning. Just take a look at all the hysteria that takes place during the week leading up to Black Friday—it’s unreal. To me however, Thanksgiving is not only a time to enjoy the company of friends and family, but also a time to give thanks and  express gratitude toward others who’ve had a positive impact on my life and career.

For instance, the day before Thanksgiving in 2005, shortly after I moved to Atlanta, I sent an email to thank everyone who had a hand in welcoming and showing me around the city. In addition, I also sent a short email to my new manager to thank him for the opportunity to be a part of his team. It obviously didn’t take much effort on my part, but you can bet that they appreciated the gesture.

This Thanksgiving, I encourage you to tell at least one person, whether it be a distant family member, coworker, or even your disgruntled boss, that you appreciate them. I completely understand that it’s not always easy to muster the courage and humility it takes to be open and sincere to someone,  but Thanksgiving isn’t about you; it’s about thanking others for the love, friendship, and encouragement that they’ve been willing to give to you.

A few ways you can say “thanks” this Thanksgiving

  • Tell your family in person. After you’ve chowed down on Grandma’s famous sweet potato pie, walk up to a family member, put your arm around them, and sincerely let them know how much they mean to you. In these hectic times that we live in, people rarely get the opportunity to feel appreciated  so make someone’s day by letting them know that you care.
  • Call a couple of your good friends. When’s the last time you actually picked up the phone to call a  good friend? If it’s been a while, consider calling a few to wish them a Happy Thanksgiving. After a few minutes of conversation, you’ll have caught up on old times and will have reconnected with someone you can turn to when the going gets tough. This is “social capital building” at its finest.
  • Email your colleagues and supervisors. While it’s not necessary to pour your heart out, be courteous to your supervisor(s) and close colleagues by sending them a quick email to wish them a Happy Thanksgiving. Again, it’s a small gesture, but it’s one that will be remembered.
  • Write a handwritten note to someone. Remember when you were a child and you received your first letter in the mail that was actually addressed to you? Help to rekindle that feeling for someone special by sending them a handwritten note and letting them know that you were thinking about them.

Now, after you’ve made your rounds and have given your thanks, sneak back into the kitchen for another slice of Grandma’s famous sweet potato pie. Go on now, you deserve it!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Image  courtesy of: JW Ogden

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Work-Life Balance Demystified

by Jimmy Day on November 25, 2009 · 0 comments

in Work-Life Balance

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Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last 25 or so years, I’m sure you’ve heard the term “work-life balance” tossed around by human resource personnel and self-proclaimed masters of productivity. In today’s modern, ever-changing, 24/7 work environment, it’s incredibly easy to find yourself texting away on your BlackBerry in one hand while trying to bathe your 2-year old with the other. The difficulties of trying to harmoniously integrate our work lives with our personal lives are enough to drive us all up the wall!

And that’s where the concept of work-life balance comes into play. If you’re anything like me, you’ve heard the term mentioned at least 659 times throughout your career and you think you have a pretty decent understanding of what it means—but do you really? Have you ever taken the time to read further into the work-life balance concept and attempt to apply it’s principles to your own life and career? Whether you have or haven’t, I’d like to offer you my thoughts on the matter after spending a few hours researching the subject.

The common misconception

Like a lot of men tend to do, I went ahead and assumed I knew everything there was to know about work-life balance (based solely on those three words alone) and much to my chagrin, I was wrong. I had always assumed that work-life balance was the end result of the few super-human people who could effectively find that perfect equilibrium between their work and personal lives. As I read more into the concept however, I quickly realized that work-life balance isn’t a result at all, it’s a process. In other words, it’s a bit of a misnomer as it’s something that is constantly evolving and can never really be 100% achieved.

Properly defined, work-life balance is the constant prioritizing of career and leisure-related activities. What I find most intriguing about the concept is that it’s not “set it and forget it”. In fact, to achieve the highest level of work-life balance and ultimate satisfaction between both your personal life and career, you’ll need to make a conscious effort to practice the art of prioritization on a daily basis.

Finding the balance

Now, before you panic, throw your hands up in frustration, and surf on over to your favorite Hollywood gossip blog, let’s spend a few minutes reviewing the most effective ways to achieve an optimal level of work-life balance.

  • Be realistic. I think it’s important to stress this one right off the bat because people tend to get a little carried away with their illusions of grandeur. Let me tell you right up front, you’re never going to achieve perfect work-life balance. It’s simply not possible, so do yourself a favor and realize that now. What you can do however, is strive to achieve the greatest balance you possibly can without making painful sacrifices. The key is to realize that there’s only 24 hours a day and sadly, you’re only human. You’re going to have to make the most of the hand you’ve been dealt.
  • Prioritize. Not to knock the scatterbrains out there, but I couldn’t imagine what kind of mess my life would be in if I didn’t constantly prioritize my goals and responsibilities. By doing so, you gain a sense of accomplishment after completing each task and that boost of encouragement makes completing the next one that much easier. If you find task prioritization difficult, try setting some time aside each day to allow yourself to think through your tasks and the potential consequences of completing one before another.
  • Strive for efficiency. Cut out time-wasting activities and processes in favor of efficiencies. If you find yourself updating your Facebook status when you should be reviewing a sales contract, turn the computer off. Try to find ways to eliminate distractions. To achieve an optimal work-life balance, you’re going to need to focus heavily on efficiency while mitigating distractions.
  • Chill out. Stop worrying. Relax. Take up yoga. Climb Mount Everest…or on second thought, maybe just go for a hike on your neighborhood nature trail. Just do something that gets your mind off your responsibilities for a little while and it will do you a world of good. The break from day-to-day life will allow you to regroup, gather your thoughts, and tackle your next challenge with a clear mind and able body.
  • Say “NO!” Easily my favorite of these five tips. My fiancee, who’s currently finishing up a chemistry degree, does anything and everything that’s asked of her, regardless of whether or not it’s required for her to graduate. On top of a full course load, she teaches, tutors, assists in labs, and grades papers. I’m relatively sure that the word “No” is not in her vocabulary, which is a shame, because the burden of work has taken a noticeable toll on her, both physically and emotionally. Learning to say “No” is one of the most effective methods available for reclaiming your sanity and giving yourself some time to relax and reflect.

Why work-life balance is critical to your success

It’s pretty simple really; without a sense of balance in our lives, we eventually  become overworked, overstressed, and ultimately, we burn out. While I’m all for going above and beyond at work, I think it’s important to draw the line at some point and indulge in personal activities that you enjoy as well. By taking the necessary time and measures to find your ideal work-life balance, you’re essentially making an investment in yourself that will pay handsome dividends in the future.

Your tips and stories

And now I hand the mic to you. If you have any relevant tips or stories you’d like to share, I’d love to hear them.

Image courtesy of SpAvAAi

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Is Being Politically Correct Holding Your Career Back?

by Jimmy Day on November 23, 2009 · 4 comments

in Behavior

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A couple of weeks ago, I overheard bits and pieces of a conversation between a couple of colleagues of mine while I stepped outside for some fresh air. One of the individuals, who I’ll refer to as “Jeff”, is a relatively low-ranking, operations-level employee who gets along well with just about everyone in the office and is always extremely well mannered. The other, who I’ll refer to as “Bryan”, is a little more brash, but because he’s a high-level executive, people tend to take his word as gospel and bend over backwards to appease him.

I honestly didn’t hear enough of their conversation to really get the gist of what they were discussing, but what caught me off guard was the following exchange:

Jeff: “Hey Bryan, do you have any idea when the new folks will be moving in?”

Bryan: “Yeah, well, I’ve heard a couple of different stories from people down there. You know how it is with those dumb***es.”

Jeff: “Jesus. Why can’t those ******* idiots ever manage to get their **** together? Is it really that difficult?”

Bryan: “Heh. Considering who it is we’re talking about, it probably is. I’ll see you Jeff.”

Wow. Remember that Jeff is the soft-spoken, cool-headed guy who I’ve never heard curse or complain in my entire life and now, all of the sudden, I catch him cussing like a sailor. Around Bryan of all people! What’s up with that? Had he gone mad?

Perhaps there is a time and place to be politically incorrect

Well, the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. I’ve personally interacted with Bryan a number of times even though he is several levels of management above me and I tend to remain quiet, polite, and let him do most of the talking. It never really hit me until I overheard him and Jeff talking, but I’m almost certain that I’ve never made a memorable impression on him simply because our interactions have always been so mundane.

Jeff, on the other hand, was cursing up a storm and having a grand old time laughing and chatting it up with Bryan. They were like a couple of long-lost fraternity brothers who just ran into each other at a beer festival. I’m no psychologist, but I’d be willing to bet that kind of interaction is almost always going to be more memorable, as it helps to build a rapport that’s not always easy to establish with senior managers and executives.

As I pondered the situation further, I began to think that perhaps there really is a time and a place to push decency and angelic manners aside in favor of some mild crudeness. After all, business is all about risk taking and relationship building, so wouldn’t it make sense to stray from your comfort zone (or society’s comfort zone for that matter) every once in a while? I eventually concluded that like many things in life, it’s a bit of a gray area and it ultimately comes down to your goals and intentions.

A fine line

Unfortunately, there just isn’t a way to make a clear cut decision, one way or the other, as to when you should turn the “P.C.” on or off. Every situation and interaction is a completely different dynamic and your own motives, morals, and goals will have to guide you to the correct decision. Some people are going to be uncomfortable rubbing elbows with C-level executives who are a little rough around the edges, while others are going to do whatever it takes to get in their good graces.

Let’s hear your thoughts

If you’ve faced a similar situation or have an opinion on the matter, let’s hear about it in the comments below. I bet that this is one of the issues where we could really get a heated discussion going, so let’s hear it!

Image courtesy of tricky

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