Creative Cultivator

Let's start with goals!  You have some.  Everyone does.  Question is . . . do you know what they are?  Maybe you can't quite rattle off your 5-year plan, but you probably know full well the difference between what you want to do and what you don't want to do.  Preference?  Yes, partially.  But, embedded within, you probably have some goals that need to be brought to light. 

How do you do this?

Goal setting is actually a process of constant refinement as new experiences and information are processed, not a matter of writing goals down and saying, "Well, there, I'm good now for the long haul."  So, if you haven't revisited your goals lately, it's time to do that.  You're saying, "But, I don't know what I want ... yet.  I don't know what my goals are!"  Then I'll bet one of your goals is self-exploration and discovery of your path; at least, that's a good place to start.

Setting Goals
Setting goals can seem intimidating, like writing on a blank page or painting on a fresh canvas.  Here are some tips:
* Brainstorm -- make a list of possibilities that occur, that come from your heart; don't rule any out yet -- winnow later
* Aggregate -- can you group possibilities into categories? do you see patterns or directions?
* Separate -- consider short-term versus long-term goals, realistic goals given resources at hand, and reasonable/viable action plans for a core set of goals that will be your primary focus
* Implement -- write down your action plan for the core goals (and find a goal partner, if possible) including what you want to accomplish, timeline, details, and outcomes
* Clarify -- take a holistic look to see that your core goals will keep you on track and fit in with your lifestyle, your values, and your personal dreams
* Change -- revisit, refine, and revise your goal plan as necessary to align your goals with your dreams and to maintain a balance between head and heart and happy living

This BASICC approach makes it sound so simple, right?  It isn't; I know that.  If it were that simple, I'd be done with my PhD and doing my own research.  Goal-setting is a complex process because we are complex creatures, so I am still working at my studies and trying to set my own goals for when I finish my degree. 

For another template or approach to goal-setting, take a look at Success From the Nest.  It can also help to work backwards from dreams to goals.  Look at the big picture (the dreams) and try to figure out how you get there (the goals).  Think of your goals as your car and map your route to your destination.  We'll talk more about this topic next time!  For now, start thinking about your goals and how they will help you reach your dreams.

First of all, I apologize for the long hiatus . . .  I took a little break after the spring semester and did a little traveling and a little teaching (and not so much resting). 

Secondly, I have focused a lot on career tips, the pragmatic aspects of career opportunities, so I am going to shift for a while into the more nebulous arena of creatively cultivating career directions.  What is that, you ask?

Let's start with dreams.  I don't mean the psychoanalysis of dreams, their interpretations and meanings.  I mean dreams for the future -- hopes, aspirations, big goals.  Eventually we'll talk about goals and goal-setting, but we have to start with dreams.

I have a dream . . . of finishing my PhD and doing something fabulous with it.  I'm not sure what that "something fabulous" is quite yet.  I have a goal of finishing up sometime this decade.  I need to hurry; time is running out on that!  The dream is the bigger picture, the goal is detail of the picture.  Cast another way, according to the Teaching Moments blog, you shoot an arrow (goal) at a target (dream).

I like to think of it in terms of a journey: you have the destination (dream) and the vehicle (goals).  Both are equally important.  Why own a car if you don't have any place to go?  Conversely, if you have some place you want/need to reach, you need a way to get there -- just wishing yourself there or clicking your heels three times isn't likely to work!

So, what kind of car do you want to drive?  By this, I mean in the realm of opportunities and possibilities, in career and personal pathways --

* Sports car:  You want the fast track. You like to accelerate from 0-90 in a heartbeat. You want to stand out from the crowd with your style and features, get noticed, be envied. You are in a top-tier price group.

* Compact car:  You are efficient and effective; you get the job done. You can be just a loaded as features as the next car, but your emphasis is more on pragmatics. You may not get noticed for your extra features or flair, but you bring things in under budget.  You're great at going the distance.

* Hybrid car:  In today's world, you're a mix of the practical and the possibilities, down to earth and head in the clouds.  You have style, but you're sensible about it and you're looking for the best solutions for everyone.  You're globally-focused and team-oriented.

* Concept car:  You are the future, baby!  The world is in your hands, and you are ready to run with your ideas -- as soon as someone gives you the company charge card.  You are a visionary and a decision maker.  You take risks and lead others.  You are bold and people notice you and know who you are.

* Minivan:  You always have a lot of people around, and you have a unique way of providing the help that people need when they need it.  You can take charge, if necessary, but you probably prefer to be part of the support team.  You're very organized, detail-oriented, and you like the add-ons in life.  Your family values shine through and are at the heart of your aspirations.

* Pickup Truck:  You're practical and hands-on.  You like to be involved in making the details happen, not just planning them out, and you take initiative.  You're usually traditional, conservative, and a problem-solver.  People come to you to fix things -- and you do. 

Now, not everyone fits perfectly into the above categories.  Some people see themselves in more than one.  Some people may not quite see themselves (but can picture themselves as a different type of car).  You get the idea, though.  Your personality, your work style, your approach to life and values -- all of that influences how you work out your goals.  If you don't have the right type of car (goals) to get where you're going (dreams), now might be the time for a change!

So, you've graduated . . . now what?

http://insidehighered.com/views/teachable_moments/cartoon0509

For most new graduates, this either means more school or (cue the dirge) the real world: yes, folks, a "real" job!  Hopefully by the time you hit graduation day you have had a taste of real world experience -- part-time work, internships (2-3 preferably), at least an externship or some job shadowing experiences.  Any way you slice the pie, though, graduation day means growing up and moving on -- or at least moving on (growing up is sometimes optional). 

From the Fire
The first step is finding the golden goose, the perfect job -- or at least one that will pay the bills and get one's foot in the door while providing some experience!  The question is, when you don't have experience, how do you land a job when you're competing against others with . . . experience for positions that all require some type of . . . experience?

Leverage your assets!  Market your knowledge, skills, and abilities from across your various experiences -- and think broadly about what "experience" means: jobs, internships, campus involvement, volunteering, research, team projects and other special course projects, etc.  When you're starting out -- or changing paths -- you have to aggregate all your experiences and think about how your knowledge and skills from one situation or area can prove useful in a completely different situation or area.

Examples: 
Barista -- knows how to serve customers, solve problems, work in a team, streamline processes -- these skills translate to a variety of business and service environments

Athlete -- knows how to function as a team member, set and strive towards goals, prevent injuries, manage risks, exercise discipline -- these skills translate to a variety of business and service environments

Biology Major -- has taken intensive math and science lab classes and knows how to conduct a variety of detailed analyses, collect and interpret data, write technical reports, analyze results, think critically, and manage projects -- these skills translate to a variety of business and service environments

School Musical Lead -- has experience with public speaking and strong presentation skills, working as a team member, setting and achieving goals, working independently, performing under pressure, and meeting deadlines -- these skills translate to a variety of business and service environments

For any activity or major, a list of skills and competencies can point the way to reinventing yourself for the employment marketplace!

Several resources for job hunters include:
http://simplyhired.com (job posts compiled from boards, employer sites, and a variety of sources)
http://idealist.org (job search tool for the non-profit sector)
http://www.makingthedifference.org (categorizes federal job opportunities by interest area)
http://jobster.com (job search engine)
http://indeed.com (job search engine)
http://www.footprintsrecruiting.com (jobs for ESL abroad)
http://goabroad.com (working abroad)
http://justmeans.com (social networking site for social responsibility)
http://linkedin.com (social networking site for professionals)

To the Frying Pan
Once you find a place to start your career, the fun is just beginning.  What you learned in your college classes is only the beginning of what you will need to know to be successful in the workplace.  To start with, keep the following points in mind:

*  Corporate culture has many nuances -- keep your eyes open and observe until you know the ropes well enough to start voicing opinions.  The first day (or week or month) is not the time to make ripples!  In particular, watch what your colleagues wear, the tone and substance of collegial interactions, the culture of technology (e.g., use of cell phones, personal email, etc.), the timing and frequency of breaks, how extra duties are handled, and all the "extras" that may or may not be explicitly covered in orientation or handbook policies. 
*  What you wear, say, and do and how you contribute to the organization in the first few months will be closely watched by everyone -- from the mail room clerk to the CEO; mind your Ps and Qs and project an image of confidence, quality, and success.  But don't overdo it!
*  Just because you now have a job does not mean you can "let it all hang out" virtually.  Continue to carefully manage your online persona -- watch the photos, blogs, comments, and other digital materials you display and make sure they enhance your professional image.
*   The first 6 months to a year in a new job can be challenging if not downright overwhelming.  You may be taking over a new position, a revamped position, a position in disarray -- or you may walk into your dream job and hit the ground running with success from Day 1.  If you buy that, I have a timeshare at the Taj Mahal to sell!  More than likely, there will be a steep learning curve in any new job, especially if you're a new grad.  Classroom learning rarely translates directly to workplace productivity.  Find a mentor (or several) who can help you navigate the terrain and support you through your first year.  Make sure to cultivate a give-and-take relationship and share your fresh perspectives and cutting-edge knowledge with your mentor(s)!

Yes, it's a dog-eat-dog world out there.  Or a rat race, as some may call it.  There are also many doors waiting to be opened, many adventures looming just ahead, and ideas blooming like ripe fruit. 

Many interviews start with the phrase "Tell me about yourself" -- or a similar invitation to give your 2 minute infomercial.  Like many interview prompts, this is an opening to tell your story; prepare for the opportunity by crafting your stories.  For a list of some of the toughest interview questions -- and how to answer them -- visit george's employment blawg.

For a list of the top steps to preparing for an interview, take a quick tour through this YouTube video presented by Job Interview Bootcamp:

Tell Me About Yourself
This standard prompt is not an invitation to begin your narrative from birth and bring listeners up to present moment.  Rather, it is an invitation to give a brief overview of the highlights of your academic and professional career, including your key qualifications for the position at hand and your motivating factors in applying for the opening.

Watch this brief Krueger Resources YouTube video to see a good answer to the question: 

Tell Me About a Time When You Overcame an Obstacle or Solved a Problem
Generally, interviewers are looking both for evidence of your problem-solving and critical thinking abilities as well as a story that resonates and sets you apart from other candidates.  What kind of story should you tell?  New grads typically tell stories from working with peers on class projects, so these don't rank high on the unique scale.  Plan for this question and search your personal history for an unusual story to tell, one that showcases your talents, personal qualities, and capacity for creative thinking.  Such a story may come from a family activity, a volunteer or part-time job, involvement in a campus organization, etc.  Be sure to focus on your role in solving the problem/scaling the challenging and don't get sidetracked with the details of the story.  If you realized in retrospect a better solution, share that.

Check out this brief YouTube video from Denham Resources showcase a good answer to the question:

What Is Your Weakness?
A very sticky question, indeed, but an opportune moment to share a story of personal development.  A job interview is not the equivalent of a confessional, so you should not come clean about your propensity for quarreling with colleagues, subverting authority, missing deadlines, or other major or minor workplace issues.  Rather, this question is a tool to mention an area you are targeting for personal development.  First of all, this gives the interviewer insight into your personality.  Secondly, this demonstrates that you are motivated and have the necessary initiative to succeed.  Use the frame of a personal story to tell the interviewer, for example, that time management has been a struggle for you since your teachers stopped writing assignments on the board and giving gold stars in your daily notebook -- but that you've been working towards better management habits through calendaring, to-do lists, and use of a PDA and these efforts have netted you sufficient daily time to join a gym and you turned all your class projects in on time last semester. 

Here's a good answer to the question, via YouTube video, from Krueger Resources:

Storytelling Basics
Remember the basics of a story: beginning, middle and end.  These elements, plus the foundation of character and setting, are essential to a well-crafted story.  Your stories should be succinct and well-rehearsed -- but not memorized.  The key is to be natural when you deliver your stories, so you will want to think through potential questions and scenarios ahead of time.  Beyond merely thinking of the stories, practicing them aloud is vital.  Stories in your head sound vastly different from stories in open space -- and if you don't practice speaking them, you may stumble over your tongue.  If you can't gather friends, family, or neighbors to listen to your rehearsals, preview your stories for the household plants, pets, or your mirror image.  As long as your tongue gets a workout, your practice session will be beneficial.

The old adage, "It's not what you know but who you know" holds sway.  Networking is the premier way to find a new job.  Of course, the word "networking" strikes fear into the hearts of many.  I've discussed the topic before -- and will again, I'm sure -- because of its value (and its largely misunderstood nature).  Today, though, I'm going to focus on the technological tools that making networking if not a breeze, at least a relatively painless process. 

There are hundreds of social networking sites to explore -- and hundreds more social bookmarking sites.  New sites are cropping up constantly.  The social web is the place to watch.  Some of the top spaces are:

Facebook  (http://www.facebook.com)
MySpace (http://www.myspace.com)
Bebo (http://www.bebo.com)
iMeem (http://www.imeem.com)
Xanga (http://www.xanga.com)
Classmates (http://www.classmates.com)
Gaia Online (http://www.gaiaonline.com)
Friendster (http://www.friendster.com)

These are generally social spaces, but they can be used for making employment contacts and finding jobs.  Job seekers be wary --

*  Know your friends (you're known by the company you keep, even in cyberspace)
*  Reveal discreetly to avoid discrimination (photos, gender, marital status, religion, political affiliation, etc all reveal information that is illegal to ask in interviews and could screen you out of the job search)
*  Manage digital dirt (know what's online about you, make sure good information is visible and bad information is invisible)

The net is a tool like any other -- use it as such.  If you use a tool well, it can be an invaluable aid in your job search process.  If you use a tool poorly, it can hinder or sideline your progress.

Since it's almost baseball season, it seems apropos to think of the career search framed in the metaphor of a baseball game.

A season = a job (some players get traded to other teams)
A team = company or organization you work with/want to work with
A game = cycle of a job search
An inning = one phase of a job search
Strike = challenge
Strike out = setback
Hit = opportunity
Home run = job offer
Grand slam = successfully negotiated job acceptance

Now, I'm not a huge baseball fan, but I did spend my adolescence in St. Louis, attending Cardinals' home games once or twice a year, so I know a few things about baseball.  The metaphor may not be perfect, but it'll give us a lens to take a look at some of the details of the career search process more closely.

First of all, as any sports fan knows, you have to know the stats of the team (and the players) you're cheering to victory.  If you don't know their stats, how can you be sure the team (or player) will go the distance?  In the career search, the players put their stats into a document called a resume, a "first impression" on paper.  For more information about how to format your personal stats page and its importance in the career search, start with Dean Tracy Jobs blog on recruiting topics.   Make sure your stats stand out on the top of the pile!

Next, and I can't emphasize this enough, learn everything you can about the team and players you want to join.  You really need to do this step before you can write your resume -- and here's why: the more you know about the other team, the more you can tell them what skills, attributes, and experiences will make you their next MVP!  Help them see you as one of their new teammates by tailoring your background and qualifications to the team's needs.

Where can you find out about the team and players?  There are obvious places: company/organization websites and newspapers (online and print) that will tell you.  You can often learn about the background and mission of a company from its website and, depending on whether it's public or private, sometimes financial reports will be online.  Newspapers such as The Wall Street Journal will give you a sense of how a company sizes up against competitors, what the trends are, and what you might be able to expect in terms of growth and stability.  Besides obvious resources, check your library or career center for access to databases like Hoover's, Lexis Nexis, Vault, and CareerSearch that will search more specialized company information. 

Then, go beyond the obvious . . . look at company blogs to find the culture of the company.  Read what the company itself says -- and what it's team members say.  This is called transparency -- an important communication tool in the Internet era.  You need to know how you will fit in with the team culture so read about the values of the team, the corporate goals and mores, the stories that employees tell (and the stories between the lines) about working together.  Behind-the-scenes info is invaluable in sizing up the team and deciding how to sell yourself as their next team member.

So, work up those stats . . . that's the first step to success.  Next time, we'll talk about some next steps to take in earning a place on the team bench. 

I have to confess . . . networking doesn't come naturally to me.  I love meeting new people, and I love talking to people but the part about the "two-minute infomercial" is definitely an acquired skill.  After much, much practice.  A great deal of which has been enhanced by my Internet interactions.  Contacts on the other end of a chat screen generally want the brief, attention-getting version of your life story when they say, "So tell me about yourself."

How did I overcome my aversion?  Pure and simple . . . I read a book by Andrea Nierenberg called Non-Stop Networking.  Then, I practiced online.  The more social networking I did online, the easier in-person networking became.  Plus, I set networking goals for myself at an event.  While it's tempting to cling to people I know, I realize that networking with new people exposes me to new ways of doing things.   Sometimes I imagine that I'm an ambassador on a mission to mix and mingle -- focusing this way gives me extra impetus to make connections.

And my next confession . . . quite honestly, I love hearing how others do things differently (even if it's better).  Each time I step out of my comfort zone, it gets a little easier and more natural.  Maybe I'll be a natural networker by the time I retire!

Networking is a concept that is difficult for many to grasp, particularly those who are transplants to the American culture or who are reserved by nature.  Another confession . . . for the longest time, I thought networking was only for people who were actively job hunting and wanted to make contacts to find a job.  A huge (and common) misconception!  Upwards of 60% of jobs are gained through networking, but networks provide a wealth of resources. 

I now realize that networking is a careerlong process.  You can search for leads, recruit new hires, promote projects, raise venture capital, and gather knowledge and resources through your network.  I would posit that your career horizon is only as strong as the network you build! 

As with a real web, the links are bi-directional -- meaning it is meant to be a mutual relationship with each person benefiting at some point.  Like a social network, a face-to-face network has the potential to connect you to multiple branching networks.

myspace-networking.jpg

A college student or new grad may wonder:  What do I have to offer to a young professional or a seasoned careerist?  Plenty -- your fresh perspectives of the field, cutting-edge classroom ideas, and as you build your network and progress in your career, other people to introduce to your contacts.

So, where do you start?  If you happen to be going to a business meeting, conference or convention, or anywhere amongst other people -- start there:  meet new people, preferably those you can identify as having some connection to your goals, aspirations, or interests.  Online sites make it easy to target individuals with commonalities through interest boards.  Make sure to also join professional networking sites, though, and build your network including both current and new contacts. 

When you have trouble thinking of whom to include in your network, make lists of all your circles of involvement in life (past and present): schools, family, friends, church, civic organizations, hobby groups, co-workers, employers, professional associations, campus clubs, sororities/fraternities, honor societies, etc. 

To nurture your network with etiquette in mind -- choose carefully (quality over quantity); stay in touch (seasonal cards, relevant resources); always be respectful of privacy of contact information and acknowledge assistance from your contacts along the way.

Great resources on the topic of networking include:

Andrea Nierenberg's Self-Marketing Blog (general insights, not all networking -- but she is the networking guru)
http://thenierenblog.typepad.com/

Career Bloom: Networking
http://workbloom.com/employmentblog/networking.aspx

Quintessential Careers: Tools for Networking on the Internet  http://www.quintcareers.com/Internet_networking_sources.html

College Recruiter.com (see "Do Employers Really Hire Candidates from Facebook and MySpace?")
http://www.collegerecruiter.com/weblog/

Last night, I presented a workshop on "Managing Online Personas" to college students, and I cautioned them that until the Millennials have more currency among the leadership of the world, they need to respect the communication preferences of the older generations -- primarily phone, some email.  Today, I gave a brief presentation at a campus meeting of career professionals from across campus and encouraged them to make use of social networking sites as a means of staying connected and relevant to students. 

As someone who falls right on the borderline of the Millennials and the GenXers, I feel the tension between the generations.  Many of my thirtysomething friends, indeed, are minimalists when it comes to email -- and they find current technologies such as social networking sites, text messaging, PDAs, and other "conveniences" or "necessities" virtually non-essential, if not downright disturbing.  At the other end of the spectrum, my late teen and twentysomething friends are nearly surgically attached to their Blackberrys and iPods, tapped into not just Facebook but a whole host of social networking sites (for various purposes), linked in with their contacts wherever they go, communicating more by texts, chat, and wall posts than email (a seemingly "obsolete" technology for many Millennials).

Why, then, do so many of us on the bridge between the generations -- or even slightly across the bridge -- have such a hard time reaching back and adapting to the changing world?  Changes are imminent.  They're not going to go away.  The sooner we accept that social networking sites are important to the younger generation, a part of our culture, and learn to use them effectively as the versatile communication tools they're designed to be -- the better leaders we'll be for the Millennials. 

The Millennials aren't quite ready yet for planetary domination -- although they show signs of great potential as they enter the workplace with creative visions and strong ideals.  They're looking to GenXers and Baby Boomers to provide mentoring and facilitate the leader-shift.  The best of all possible worlds is for the generations to meet each other halfway to make the transition smooth.  Millennials can respect the knowledge and experience of the veterans in the workforce and GenXers and Baby Boomers can look to the changes the Millennials bring with new eyes and an openness, willingness to learn.

According to the Myers-Brigg Type Indicator (MBTI), I'm an ENFP.  These four letters tell the world I'm a change agent who enjoys variety, sees possibilities everywhere, and is creative and charismatic.  On the downside, I tend to prefer an unorthodox method of organization (e.g., my own unique style of disorganization) that can be annoying to others and focus more on the big picture, the vision, and the ideas than on the details and the follow-through-all-the-way-to-the-end-when-it-gets-to-tedious-and-drawn-out part.  Like the code says, I like change and adapt well to new situations!

Within Holland's hexagon I come up with an SEA code: Social, Enterprising, and Artistic.  I love people, being around people, working with people, meeting new people, helping people -- perfect for my current occupation as a librarian/career counselor where I'm doing a lot of training and counseling.  I'm a leader and enjoy influencing others; I can sell ideas that I believe in and frequently organize groups and motivate others to get jobs done.  In addition to my interest in languages (French, Spanish, Italian, etc.) and international cultures in general, I both appreciate the performing arts and enjoy performing in musical, theatrical, and dance venues when time and opportunities allow.  Not to mention the fact that I've been known to dabble in the fine arts from time to time!

There are other inventories I have taken over the years and, no doubt, other codes I could acquire to "tell me about myself."  At the end of the day, though, these codes only take me so far in answering the big questions: Who am I?  What do I want to be when I grow up? 

While some of us would like to answer a page or two of questions and receive a printed report with definitive confirmation of our life's destiny, these assessments fall far short of being the guidestars we might want them to be.  They are simply tools to help us on our quest.  The hard work of searching, experiencing, trying different careers out for size, talking to as many professionals as possible is up to us.  The end result, after we make our decision to pursue a single path towards a career, a specific degree program?  We are rewarded with a set of letters to signify our degree: BA, BS, MA, MS, PHD. 

THE END

When you're searching for a career, the best move you can make is to "try before you buy."  In other words, get an internship -- or at least do some volunteer work, spend some time job shadowing, do some informational interviews with a wide variety of experts in the field you're going to enter.  Would you buy a mattress without testing it first?  Would you choose a car without taking it for a test drive?  Then why choose a major or sign on to a job without knowing what the ins and outs of the field are really like (and you can only learn so much from reading about it).  I speak from experience!

I spent 2 1/2 years earning my teaching credential and Master of Arts in Teaching -- only to get to the end (you know, the part where they actually put you in the classroom, with live children running amok, parents beating down the door, and administrators waving policies) and find out, "This teaching gig ain't my cup of tea!"  The theory textbooks didn't mention the disconnect between schools and parents.  The professors didn't spend a lot of time on the red-tape bureaucratic structure of school boards, administrative policies on curriculum, school committees, and constraints on actual time allotted to teaching.  Even our one required behavior management class wasn't sufficient background material for dealing with in-the-flesh situations with smart-lipped teenagers and classroom power struggles.  I love teaching and I love teens -- and I even love teaching teens -- but not in the traditional setting of a regular classroom. 

An internship experience a little earlier in the game would have saved me a lot of angst.  Live and learn, though.  I don't regret my classroom experiences and the lives I touched as a teacher, hopefully a few of them effectively.  I personally find the non-traditional library setting more satisfying as an educational arena -- no standardized tests, minimal restrictions on curriculum, fewer behavioral management issues.  I still love teaching because when I'm guiding others through the learning process, I'm completely wrapped up in the experience -- no need to watch the clock, count the ceiling tiles, etc.  As they say in psychology, I'm in "flow."  When I give a presentation and can get the participants involved through asking questions, doing role plays, talking to each other -- I've got my A game going.  The moment a participant comes up to me with the eyes of someone who has just seen a light for the first time, then I know that the years with the theory textbooks were valuable (as were my short-lived times in the trenches).

Lessons Learned:
1.  Find your passion and do it; keep your eyes off the clock and get caught up and swept away.
2.  Break a sweat, get your hands dirty -- get an internship, get a job, volunteer -- you'll be in your career longer than you'll be in a new car.
3.  If your new career isn't the right one, it's not a prison; regroup and move on -- your skills transfer to other settings.