Before move, make sure new school OK's coursework
I am getting my master's degree and though all of my course work will be completed by this summer, my practicum will not be completed for another 12 to 15 months. I am planning to relocate to Boston before I will be able to finish my practicum, and hence, will not have the actual degree for another year or so. I would like to know how to state this on my resume as I begin my job search in the area.
Under the heading ''Education," Put on the top line: 'Master's degree in _______' (what your master's degree is in). On the second line, I would state: Graduation Date December 2007. On the third line, name the university or college you will be receiving the degree from and list the city and state where it is located.
Just a word of caution: I would strongly advise you to check with your current college to ensure that the college will recognize a practicum taken in another place and supervised by another institution. Some schools are very strict about recognizing work done at another school. Check to determine if your current school will give you the degree or whether the new school will bestow the degree. Ensure whether the new school will accept all of your coursework taken at another institution or if you will lose credits and have to take additional coursework at the new school. If you can get it in writing that your current school will accept a practicum taken elsewhere, all the better. This is too important for you not to research thoroughly before you relocate.
Lock in a good review prior to job search
I need help on what to tell my supervisor in my upcoming review. I have been working for my company for three years. Nine months ago, my husband and I bought a house two hours away from where I work. We very much want to get pregnant in the next couple of months and while I love the company I work for and my supervisor is wonderful, I don't think I can continue to work so far from home. There is a division of my company 30 minutes from where I live but they don't have any job openings I am qualified for. How I should handle my upcoming review?
You have some choices. You can say nothing about your future plans and lock in a positive performance review that may help you with references in the future. Begin to look quietly closer to home and when you land something, let your boss know. Or you can share with your supervisor at your review that though you love the company and enjoy working with your boss tremendously, that the commute is getting to be too much. You need to find something closer to home. No need to share personal information about trying to get pregnant. Understand that there is some risk involved in doing this. Not all supervisors will take this news well.
Because you mentioned that your supervisor is wonderful, I might risk sharing your intentions with the hope that the boss might even be able to put in a good word for you at the location closer to home or even with another employer. In turn, offer to help with the transition to make it as smooth as possible when you leave.
Be creative, persevere and you'll find work
I am interested in relocating from Massachusetts to North Carolina. I have been on all of the job sites and have sent out hundreds of resumes, both directly to hiring companies and to placement agencies, to no avail. Any suggestions on how to do this more effectively? I can't move until I have a new job, but the companies I speak with are concerned I am not living in the area.
I wish you had told me what field or occupation you are looking for work in. That would make a big difference in your prospects. If you had told me you are in the healthcare field, I would say no problem. You will find work. With baby boomers aging, healthcare has become the hot field to be in around the country. The fact that you have sent out hundreds of resumes and gotten no response tells me that is not the case.
Do some research about what other industries are hot in North Carolina. Job seekers have so many resources available to them today through the Internet. Determining whether you have the requisite skills to find work in those fields is key. Identify companies that are hiring in your field. I would state in your cover letter that you will be in North Carolina for two weeks and that you would welcome an opportunity to meet with a representative from the company to discuss specific job opportunities. By letting the company know that you will actually be in the area will demonstrate how serious you are about relocating. If the employer does not respond, try calling before you leave to see if you can catch them in person and lock in an exact time to meet.
If you wish to relocate to North Carolina because your parent(s) are there, or your significant other has relocated there, say so in your letter. This will also indicate to an employer that there is strong motivation for you to relocate to the area.
If you are unable to arrange for interviews over the telephone, use your time in North Carolina to visit employment agencies, one-stop career centers, and even some large corporate employment departments. Make every day count while you are there. Try to line up as many interviews as possible for the future. You may very well have to come back to North Carolina to interview with companies.
I hope you are also working your network in Massachusetts for contacts in North Carolina. Be sure to mention to everyone that you plan to relocate to North Carolina. Ask them if there is someone they know in North Carolina that you can contact about finding work. You would be amazed at who knows whom and how some people find their jobs in new geographic areas.
Don't forget to contact your alumni association and/or career services department where you graduated from college as well. There might be some graduates from your school located in North Carolina. Call them and ask for their assistance.
Be creative. Persevere. Explore every angle. It may take some time but eventually, I am confident that you will find work in North Carolina.
May be worth risk to call about e-mailed resume
I believe in following instructions and respecting the wishes of prospective employers, but I was wondering if it indicates a lack of initiative or interest to refrain from calling to follow up on an e-mailed resume/cover letter when the ad says ''No Calls."
It depends. Is it a desire to follow instructions or are you worried that you will annoy the employer or perhaps risk rejection if you try to follow up to confirm that a company received your materials. If I did not hear from a company after seven to 10 business days, I would risk aggravating them to confirm that they received my cover letter and resume.
The trick is to get someone live to ask. In so many companies today, human resources departments are running so lean that often, there is no one to even answer this basic question. It is not unusual for companies to receive literally hundreds, if not thousands, of resumes for one position. Companies that used to send out a postcard and at least let you know whether they received your resume can no longer keep up with the volume.
Try to use your network. If you know someone inside the company, ask them if they can follow up and see whether your resume has been received and what the next steps are.
I would follow directions explicitly about how to apply for jobs at a particular company. If they tell you that only electronic resumes will be considered, don't bother to send a hard copy. If they tell you to complete an online application along with including your resume, do so. If they tell you to paste your resume in the body of the application and not as an attachment, then that is what you need to do. If they tell you to include a salary requirement, include one.
It is challenging enough to find work in Massachusetts. Do everything that you can to stack the deck in your favor.
E-mail questions to jobdoc@globe.com or mail to Job Doc, The Boston Globe, P.O. Box 55819, Boston, MA 02205-5819. Joan Cirillo is the executive director of Operation A.B.L.E., a nonprofit that provides employment and training opportunities to adults age 40 and older. 