Career Transitions Chat
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Our chat guest on Thursday, Sept. 6, was Doug Hardy, former Editor-in-Chief of career website Monster.com and co-author with Monster founder Jeff Taylor of the Monster Careers book series. He is also a certified career counselor who works with both groups and individuals on job and career issues.
Boston_com_Monster: Welcome, Doug!
Doug_Hardy: Great to be here with our friends at Boston.com.
Boston_com_Monster: Doug will be fielding your questions today on job and career transitions issues. How do you move up in your organization? Or how do you move out or on? What career issues are you facing that you are having difficulty confronting, or resolving?
Boston_com_Monster: We have Doug with us for just one hour today, till 2 pm, so let's get to it. Fire away with those questions.
Jesse__Guest_: Hi Doug -- I once heard someone say that you should never hold the same job for more the 5 years. The longest job I ever held was for 6 years, and the last year was miserable. I wish I had left a year earlier. What do you think of the idea that you should get a fresh start every 5 years?
Doug_Hardy: In my Dad's day, the average job tenure was 27 years; now it's about 3.7 years...but that doesn't mean you "have" to leave. "Miserable" is a much better sign it's time to move on than a page on a calendar.
Doug_Hardy: Also, many employers will see your ability to hang in there as a good thing -- you can present this as persistence, loyalty, longevity.
Doug_Hardy: No, you have to appear qualified to land interviews. Look into the courses offered by the Project Management Institute online. They have certification programs that really help get you into the PM area.
JediF__Guest_: Hi Doug, I'm 26 but have had a lot of experience in Operations in Manufacturing. I want to get into IT/Project Manager-oriented positions. Lots of companies I have applied to appear to be put off by my experience, despite my age. Do I really have to appear inexperience to land interviews?
Doug_Hardy: No, you have to appear qualified to land interviews. Look into the courses offered by the Project Management Institute online. They have certification programs that really help get you into the PM area.
career_girl__Guest_: Hi Doug, please help me with something. My husband keeps telling me that out is up. In order to be seen as a rising professional it is necessary to move on to another company because your existing place of employment will find it hard to see you at a level above which they are accustomed. Do you find this to be true?
Doug_Hardy: This really depends on your manager -- and the quality of dialog you have with that manager (and her executive managers). Internal moves up are a very good sign later, when you look for jobs elsewhere.
Doug_Hardy: Best strategy: keep a diary of your accomplishments: What situation you faced, what you did, and the (good) result. Then use that as a platform for saying you're qualified to move up.
Patty__Guest_: Hi Doug,I was at my last job for 13 years and was laid off. I feel that staying at a job for 5-7 years may be OK but these days, it seems like anything longer is perceived negatively by employeers. What do you think?
Doug_Hardy: Good question, Patty. You might be right, and there's a strategy I like to see around this situation.
Doug_Hardy: List the qualities that you demonstrate by staying with a company. Did you move up, or over to different departments? Then you know more about organizations than a job-hopper. You demonstrated loyalty.
Doug_Hardy: Also, go directly at this question by saying in a cover letter: "My situation at XYZ company was great for 13 years, and I understand that's a long time to stay. I'm prepared to commit to a new company in the same way."
Seeker5__Guest_: Doug, I am frustrated. Fifteen years in high tech and now my job is gone overseas. I don't know what else to do, but it seems like it won't get any better. Any advice? Thanks.
Doug_Hardy: I've been laid off twice myself (in 25 years of working), and whatever the reason, it stinks.
Doug_Hardy: But high tech is at least a growth area. You can look up which job positions are least threatened by off-shoring in a number of sources. I like looking at the Occupational Outlook Handbook, which you can find at www.dol.gov -- then think about gaining additional skills and leveraging your long experience in an interview that shows your maturity.
WendyGirl__Guest_: Is it really true that 70% of the jobs found are through networking?
Doug_Hardy: You hear a lot of numbers out there, but there's no doubt that networking's important. Jeff Taylor and I wrote a book called Monster Careers: Networking that has some good strategies for starting with your own circle of acquaintance and works out from there.
Doug_Hardy: I think the best job search strategy is all of them: networking, online search, posting a resume, working through your college....etc.
Networker__Guest_: Doug, I've been at home with my children for the past five years but now I'm thinking of going back to work. How can I overcome the gap in my resume?
Doug_Hardy: Bring it up quickly -- in the summary of your resume include language like this:
Doug_Hardy: "After five years at home with young children I'm ready to return to full time work, driving a progressive company's bottom line...[etc.]
Doug_Hardy: Also, although it's not anyone's legal right to ask, it doesn't hurt to say in an interview that you've got child care figured out and you have the right situation to return to work. It just sets doubts at ease. The main thing is to return to the subject of why you'd be the best choice for the position.
Freddie27__Guest_: My problem is I feel stuck. I like what I do - I work in marketing for financial services - but there has been little movement in my company, for me or my peers. They hired me out of college and have paid me well for three years, but I need more challenges now and room to grow. Should I look elsewhere? Also thinking of going back to school for an MBA, not sure. Help!
Doug_Hardy: You have a good problem -- that is, you're earning money so that buys time to make the right decision.
Doug_Hardy: I think you might be a candidate for a fully considered job transition. Start with some assessments -- the online self-guided search is good, Monster's JASPER assessment is good, and a professional assessment like the Strong Interest Survey, administered by a career counselor, are great places to start. You have life decisions to make, not just job decisions. And you have time to make them.
business_owner__Guest_: Doug, as a small business owner, I'm sometimes faced with staff turnover. How can I create an environment that will ensure a limited staff turnover?
Doug_Hardy: I've just spent a year with Jesse Harriott and Steve Pogorzelski of Monster studying this question. Job seekers don't realize how acute a problem this is.
Doug_Hardy: The key is creating a 360-degree employment experience that engenders growth, trust and loyalty. This might seem like business doublespeak, but it isn't that hard....we've seen diner owners do it brilliantly.
Doug_Hardy: Search the web for information on the concept of "employer branding" and look for our next book in January. It's called FINDING KEEPERS: THE MONSTER GUIDE TO HIRING AND HOLDING THE WORLD'S BEST EMPLOYEES. On Monster, you'll also find free reports on employee retention at www.intelligence.monster.com.
Velveeta: Hi Doug! Do you have any advice for folks interested in making a change from industry to non-profit management?
Doug_Hardy: As my friend John Issaccson says, be ready for sticker shock. Most industry managers are appalled at the pay rate in non-profit.
Doug_Hardy: {grin} but if you can afford the change, I think you have to create a case that you understand the particular ways a nonprofit area is run. You can transfer your skills from profit to nonprofit, but NP managers I know also are subject matter experts in areas like fundraising, cause marketing and partnerships.
Cathy78__Guest_: Hi Doug, My problem is that I think I am having a personality conflict with my boss. I feel as if she thinks we just don't "click". I am getting the feel that she is going to let me go as she keeps finding fault with my work. What do I say in future interviews if this happens? She is also a well known figure about town, can I avoid giving her as a reference even though I know interviewers may call her anyway? Can I say that we had a personality conflict without making it look as if I did bad work?
Doug_Hardy: This is a common situation, with a two-part answer:
Doug_Hardy: First, speak no ill of former bosses in interviews. You can give a grim little smile and say,"It just wasn't a great fit. Our working styles were different..." but keep it upbeat.
Doug_Hardy: Second, you don't *have* to give her as a reference, but assume she'll be called anyway. So have references at hand who are positive about you. In fact, you might surface this yourself by saying in an interview, "I think you should get several perspectives on my work. Here are the names of an old boss, a colleague,and an officer with whom I served in the military...."
Whoville__Guest_: Are cover letters absolutely required or is it industry-dependent?
Doug_Hardy: Required. How else are they going to tell yours from the 50 other similar resumes?
biff__Guest_: Hi Doug, I currently work for a company that I enjoy working for but have an opportunity to go back to my former employer for a substantial raise. my question, if my current employer counteroffers, should i accept? They say you should never accept a counteroffer, but it's a great place to work, but so is my former employer. Thanks,
Doug_Hardy: We should all have such problems [grin]
Doug_Hardy: The only advice I have is to avoid sandbagging one of these great employers...that is, don't stick them for a raise just so you can stick the other for a raise. Two employees have done that to me in the past and I wouldn't re-hire them.
Boston_com_Monster: Folks, we have time for just a couple more questions for Doug, so send'em in now.
OooLa__Guest_: Do employers look at constant changing of jobs as a bad thing, even if I can demonstrate a high quality of work in the short-lived jobs I had?
Doug_Hardy: "Constant" as in every 6 months or every 3 years? The first isn't so good, the second is becoming the norm.
Doug_Hardy: I like to say to an interviewer, "If you can guarantee that nothing will change in this business in five years, I can guarantee I'll stay." Obviously, neither guarantee can be made.
JB__Guest_: I left a Sales job in April of this year and took the summer off to relax and recharge my batteries. I guess I have two questions. I am looking to get back into the job market and would like to know how to best explain my taking time off, without coming across as someone who has a gap on the resume? Additionally, I am keeping my options open, what is a good starting point to assess career likes/dislikes as I would consider changing careers? Thanks
Doug_Hardy: You explained it above. Your batteries are recharged and you're rarin' to go. Check the list of assessments in the answer above, or in the index of Monster Careers.
RB__Guest_: here is my question I am currently a Systems administrator for a financial software company and i am thinking of changing my career to Personal training and opening my own gym, I am currently studying to get my personal training certificate. What should I get in place before I transition to a completely new career?
Doug_Hardy: A very large bank loan, an understanding significant other and a Costco-size bottle of ibuprofen.
Doug_Hardy: Oh, and I have incredible admiration for anyone seeking to be an entrepreneur. First, find people who have done this, take them to lunch and ask as many questions as you possibly can. Good luck!
dave__Guest_: Should I apply for a job even if the requirements are beyond what I currently possess? If it's the type of position that's my goal is it a way to get a foot in the door?
Doug_Hardy: If you can't make a convincing case, you shouldn't apply. The simple reason: 100 other unqualified people are going to apply too. Stretch yourself, but be honest with yourself.
Sally1992__Guest_: When do you know it's time to leave?
Doug_Hardy: When you're bored, frustrated, dead-ended or realize that you are burning up your one and only life in work that isn't doing some good for yourself, the people you love, or the world.
Doug_Hardy: OR....when you read a job ad and your heart started to pound with anticipation. Hmmmmm.....
Boston_com_Monster: Awesome questions, people! But that's all Doug has time for today.
Boston_com_Monster: Doug, thanks so much for joining the Big Help, and for your words of wisdom.
Doug_Hardy: Thanks, everyone -- see you online at Monster, Boston.com and the Big Help. DH
Boston_com_Monster: Chatters, look for the chat transcript here on Boston.com on the Big Help page.
Boston_com_Monster: . . .and see you next week when we chat with Jeff Taylor, founder of Monster.com and Eons.com, as well as Bill Coleman of Salary.com.
Boston_com_Monster: Good luck in the hunt!
