Job Doc chat transcript
About Our Guest
Elaine Varelas is a career expert with over 20 years experience in career management consulting. Elaine is managing partner of Keystone Partners, a career management firm headquartered in Boston. In addition to contributing to the Globe's Job Doc columns, she also writes the Hire Authority column for the Boston.com/Monster Hiring Hub
Elaine Varelas: Hello Chatters, Hope you have your lunch and are ready to chat about job and job search related questions.
kerry: I am a new grad RN, and my resume is ready to go. Do I need a cover letter?
Elaine Varelas: Congratulations - your employment prospects look good!
Elaine Varelas: Any time you are trying to find the right job at the right organization, you'll need a few different kinds of cover letters.
Elaine Varelas: Some are to introduce you and give a quick overview of why you should be hired.
Elaine Varelas: Some will be needed for thank you letters after a networking meeting, or an interview. Draft them now so you'll be ready to personalize them when the time is right.
holdingon: Hi Elaine, in these uncertain times, I've been trying to think of things I can do to make myself a less likely downsizing target. Besides the obvious things, like learning new skills and ramping up overall efforts, what else should people do?
Elaine Varelas: In uncertain times, how to best position yourself as valuable to the organization?
Elaine Varelas: It's not all about new skills though many people think so. It is about great attitude, the ability to get things done, to work well with others at all levels and to do the job faster, less expensively, and more highly competitive way.
Elizabeth: I am trying to pick a major in college. What are the hot jobs in the Boston area?
Elaine Varelas: Picking a major is always fun - and many people will tell you what you start with in college may not be what you end with!
Elaine Varelas: Choose your major based on what you are interested in, and couple that with some business course, some public speaking courses or experiences.
Elaine Varelas: What is hot changes and by the time you are out, it may not be hot anymore. Life sciences and biotech are hot, health care is hot, (and here is the question I answered earlier without sending the RN's question through.
Rick: Hello Elaine: I am a sales guy with over 10 years of experience. Over the past 7 years I have been with three different organizations. Currently I am looking for a new sales opportunity - I have asked in interviews before if there is a concern around the number of sales jobs I have had in the past. The responses are sometimes vague - is there a way for sales people to deal with this issue in an interview?
Elaine Varelas: Rick - It all depends on what you have been selling. There are some industries where sales rise and fall with the stock market.
Elaine Varelas: There are others where it all depends on just you and your sales skills. If you can show that you were successful - everyday, as most sales people need to prove, and you have valid reasons for moving on, it should not be an issue.
Elaine Varelas: If you are complaining about everything being against you, the economy, the territory etc, you may need to reevaluate your career choice.
savvymom: Hi Elaine -- I would love your advice about what skills I should work on and/or things that I could do while staying at home raising little ones? Prior to staying at home, I worked for 2 years in finance, volunteered in the Peace Corps, and worked as a freelance writer. While staying at home, I have started my own, small tutoring service; but I would like to return to the corporate arena in the next few years....any advice would be great!
Elaine Varelas: I hope you are having fun at home - as everyone tells you it goes too fast!
Elaine Varelas: The best advice I can give you is to stay connected with your professional network. They may have small projects they need help with, and you need to be able to have a conversation about what is going on in the business world.
Elaine Varelas: Try and get your experience in professional ways in addition to the volunteer work. Potential employers will want to see that you have stayed very current.
cp: I have an "interesting problem" I was a very senior IT professional who left my position to become the CIO at a smaller firm, they wanted me to come in and get a couple projects "over the hump", I successfully did that. But now they are thinking about not creating the CIO position and just have me do projects as the "senior guy" . Under normal circumstances I would leave and get the CIO position somewhere else, but they are paying me CIO money to doing project work. Should I just stick it out and hope they change their mind? Or start looking for the CIO roll somewhere else at probably a lower salary?
Elaine Varelas: What does your offer letter say? Were you offered a job as the senior guy or the CIO? I think you'll want to try and show them that as a CIO, you would have made sure there was never a "hump". You would have developed a strategy, a project plan, and staffed accordingly.
Elaine Varelas: They may have an aversion to the title and I would find out what the problem is. The senior guy in IT is called the CIO, and I would consider encouraging them to take a new look, before you jump.
Slogger: I am interested in moving into project management. I have access to online training for Microsoft Project. Would it be ethical for me to list familiarity with this software if I have trained on it and used it for minor projects at work, but have never used it formally?
Elaine Varelas: You have access to it, and have trained on it but never really used it. That doesn't sound familiar enough.
Elaine Varelas: Would you be able to walk in and use it on the job? I'd train on it some more, see if there are ways to incorporate it into your job in other ways, and build up more of a proficiency.
Elaine Varelas: You don't want to put all the things you really know about at risk of being suspect.
Rick: Keystone partners is an "outplacement" firm as I understand - can you recommend some good quality career counselors for over 40 that are looking to change careers?
Elaine Varelas: Keystone is an outplacement firm, and we provide corporate sponsored outplacement.
Elaine Varelas: There are many great independent career counselors. The best way to find them is through the career counselors consortium. Jean Olsen in our office has access to that full membership, and can refer you to great practitioners, and the web site.
Daniel: I've been with my company now for a little over six months (my first job out of college), but I am convinced that this is not where I want to establish my career. I would like to seek employment elsewhere, but have been told that one should never leave a company before having worked there for at least a year. Will employers hold it against me if I leave before reaching that one year mark?
Elaine Varelas: Maybe. Of course there are no easy answers, but why you leave, and how you leave all matter. No one expects you to end your career at the place you had your first job out of college - anymore - I know it was that way once.
Elaine Varelas: But they do expect you to act professionally in giving notice. If it is a good job at a good organization, is there a way to look at other internal opportunities? Take the time while on the job to figure out what you want to do, and how to get there.
Elaine Varelas: You are building your experience, and a good track record of all the basics of work..
milton: How long after an interview should you wait to call HR back? One week, two? If I haven't heard back from HR in a week after an interview, is it safe to say I'm not getting the job?
Elaine Varelas: Great questions and I hope HR people are chatting too. You deserve to get a call back - but that is not always the case.
Elaine Varelas: The best way to ensure you stay connected is to work this out before you leave the interview. As part of your close, you want to thanks them express why you are such a great match for the job, and find out what the timetable is and when you can expect to hear from the, Then you can add, "OK if I don't hear from you by (date) is it ok if I give you a call. They'll say yes.
soxrok1: I'm a sophomore business major in college and am looking to start my own "Event planning for fundraising" business. Is now a good time to start a small business? What are the initial steps I must take to get off on the right foot?
Elaine Varelas: Ambitious! What a great way to be!
Elaine Varelas: Starting a business can be a huge undertaking, and having the money to do so is most often the first hurdle. You might want to try the business out on a small scale for your alumni association, or some on campus groups.
Elaine Varelas: Writing a business plan is the right way to start, and I'd encourage you to take a summer or full year job for an organization who currently does this work.
Greg: Hi - I've been with the same company for 8+yrs doing HR for an IT organization: recruiting, hiring, salary negotiation, conflict resolution, coaching, and other HR related tasks. I'm looking for a Sr. Human Resources position and am curious what the job market is like for these skills. A lot of what I do is recruiting, but I'm looking to branch out further into other HR areas and feel my experience is deep enough. My biggest concern is my title is Technical Recruiter for my company (not an agency), but my role is very much that of an HR Manager.
Elaine Varelas: Greg - The market for HR people with staffing backgrounds is very good.
Elaine Varelas: You will have to pay extra attention to the write up of your job on your resume so hiring managers see it is not just limited to IT. This is also where great cover letters, and being introduced by a networking relationship make the big difference.
Elaine Varelas: See if there are stretch projects at your current job you might be able to take on to develop the depth you'd like to be able to show.
rootbeer: Hi Elaine, I'm actively engaged in a job search. My primary focus is in the non-profit sector. In various job postings that I've seen, in addition to asking the candidate to submit a cover letter and resume, they are also asking for a list of references including contact info. This goes against the philosophy that I had from career services to put "references upon request" at end of your resume and even some more recent advice that advises to actually omit the reference note on resumes under the premise that it's a given that candidate have reference sources that will be made available when the interview/relationship reaches the right stage and so the candidate can appropriately notify and prep the reference. Is this a new trend? If so why and what's the best way to handle?
Elaine Varelas: So - they want to see who you know?
Elaine Varelas: There are many areas where references are used to determine political clout in a certain industry, and non profit is often one of those areas.
Elaine Varelas: If you have some big name references who actually KNOW you - not just of you, then you can add that one name to the cover letter.
Elaine Varelas: I'd be apt to say "Out of respect for my references time, I'm happy to provide you with those names and contact information after we meet". You can also ask the hr people why they are looking for the names so early in the process. It may be because someone who doesn't know any better told them to.
chins: Hi Elaine. I have been in the same job for close to ten years. I am thinking of a job change - have multiple advanced degrees, and good skills. But have never had to interview for a job! Am nervous about even starting the process! Any tips on resume revisions and marketing oneself? Thanks.
Elaine Varelas: No interviews - ever? Wow! You must have had to impress someone some where to get a job. It can be a scary time.
Elaine Varelas: There are good career counselors who can help with resumes, and there are on line systems as well. The best interview advice I have is PREPARE. We know the questions that will be asked - prepare the answers, prepare your questions. Role play LOTS and do a video interview as part of your prep. I guarantee it will be worthwhile as you develop your skills.
tcofarlington: I'm an electrical engineer, and in my mid 40's. Jobs in my industry have been slowly outsourced. I am hearing that companies are starting to reconsider outsourcing, but my future is uncertain. I love what I do. I'm trying to learn new skills, but I'm not sure what I should do. Should consider changing careers?
Elaine Varelas: Being prepared is a good start. What is the best engineer at your firm doing?
Elaine Varelas: Being prepared is a good start. What is the best engineer at your firm doing?
Elaine Varelas: I know it is probably you, but the way to see who is leading the way into the future is to look at people who have the careers and jobs you hope to get.
Elaine Varelas: DO they have great leadership skills? Technical skills are where it all starts out but the more senior you get, promotions are often based on leadership, teamwork, the ability to be strategic. No matter what your career these will be the skills needed!
mikem: Hi -- I recently had major surgery and have been out of work for 5 months and it could possibly be 8 by the time I get medical clearance to come back. While I have been out my company has eliminated my position which was in management. My question is- how do I address this gap in my employment on my resume without scaring off employers. I should add that I am on a Personal Medical Leave so my company did have the right to eliminate my job after 12 weeks. Thanks.
Elaine Varelas: I hope you are recovering well, and will be prepared to let the new organization know that you have been cleared to come back to work, and are looking forward to that.
Elaine Varelas: Time off in the under a year mark is really not so much of an issue. Being able to show that the medical issue was dealt with and that you are ready to work is what matters most.
Mainley-Me: What advice would you give to someone who is currently unemployed but really has no idea of the position she would like to seek? She has been in Sales, Education, Hotel Management and Real Estate and lives in a rural area, B.S. and M.Ed. and over 50 is some background. Can you help?
Elaine Varelas: I have a bias toward working with a great career counselor so let me say that. Clearly you can get jobs - and 50 doesn't even begin to approach old, so skip that issue.
Elaine Varelas: Can you revisit your alma maters? They may have career services that can help you see what the trends are in the work you chosen. What you loved (or disliked) and why will start to reveal patterns. Once the target is there, you can find ways to do the work remotely if you are that rural. I see lots of presentations skills in your experience, services, and there is always a need for those skills. Telemarketing perhaps?
newpos: My dept has an opening for a PM. I'm currently Assistant PM. My manager offered me the position, but with only 3% salary increase. What do you think?
Elaine Varelas: I think I'd say thanks and then ask what the range is for the position.
Elaine Varelas: Start documenting how much different the role is than the one you are currently in, and show them why it is a more senior job - as they have titled it with lots more responsibility. Certainly if you knew what your predecessor was making it would help.
Sam: Hi! I have a question-- I'm a college freshman and I want to find an internship in Boston for the summer. I tried looking through my University, but it's in PA and there weren't many options for people coming from out of state. The general internet searches aren't being particularly helpful either, often I don't qualify for the options they provide as I'm still too young. Where do you suggest I take my search from here?
Elaine Varelas: Good for you for looking as a freshman. Now is the time to build up the work related experience.
Elaine Varelas: See where your almuni are. They must be employed in the Boston area, and this will give you a great population to network with. Meet with any of the people who support admissions to your college in this area as well. I have no doubt they'd be happy to network with an ambitious student.
Elaine Varelas: We have about 10 minutes left for new questions so feel free to send them in.
eagle: Hello, How important is it to personalize each cover letter you send as oppose to sending a generic letter?
Elaine Varelas: Eagle - it matters. Speak to the specific job, and to the right person. What you invest in each contact heightens your chances of a positive outcome.
David: Hi Elaine: I am currently searching for an opportunity in HR. I work full time so I would like to find a recruiter to assist me in my search. My problem is that I have had several bad experiences with recruiters (unprofessional and/or inexperienced) and I am reluctant to take off more time from work to meet with someone else unless the probability is good for a favorable outcome. Any suggestions on HR recruiting agencies?
Elaine Varelas: Recruiters some in all types, and finding is good ones is best done by word of mouth. You didn't mention whether you were looking for retained firms or contingency firms, but I can tell you that the BBJ just published a list of the largest firms in the area.
Elaine Varelas: Review the list and ask others who they have worked with within each firm. Great ones are there - I know them.
kerry: Hi, I am going to a job fair for health professionals - should I bring a resume and cover letter, or just a resume?
Elaine Varelas: Here is one place you don't need to bring cover letters, but bring lots of resumes, and be prepared to write lots of thank you letters.
Elaine Varelas: Prepare really concise answers to what are you looking for in a job. Why should we hire you?
Elaine Varelas: Why are you looking? What are you making? This is a competitive situation and you'll be surrounded. Make the most of differentiating yourself in a positive way.
adm: I will be taking maternity leave this summer and upon my return, I would like to work 1 day from home. I have officially made this request, but I know that I would be the only person with this allowance if it were granted (I will also be the only person with a young child in my group0. Any advice on making this request as it will be a first for my department in many, many years?
Elaine Varelas: Letting them know you'd like to is a good start. Can your work be done that way? Are you a high performer?
Elaine Varelas: Smart organizations are trying to look at situations like this and ask themselves the questions. It isn't about has it been done, but can the work be done well, and do we want to retain this person. That is the message you want to show they. Most will see they will get more out of you than expected.
Elaine Varelas: It is time to end the chat, and I want to thanks all of you for your questions. I enjoyed being here and look forward to next time. Good luck with your careers! 