02:17 PM EDT on Wednesday, July 12, 2006

ADVICE FOR JOB HUNTERS

           From Edward M. Mazze, Distinguished University Professor of Business Administration

The University of Rhode Island

JULY

 l. I am in a job where the turnover is high. The average length of time people hold my position is often less than three years. What do you think I can do to prove this average incorrect?

The most important thing is to make sure you do not buy into this statistic. Some jobs are more exciting than others while some jobs are an entry to better jobs in the organization. There was a reason why you accepted the job - was it the challenge of the job, did you like the pay and fringe benefits, was it in the right location, did it require the use of your education, did you believe it would lead to a better job in the organization, and for other reasons. Try to determine why people left the job. There are jobs that are so repetitive that people leave because the job is not exciting. There are situations where the supervisor of the job causes the turnover. You can change the average by being motivated and focused to do the job in a way where you will be recognized by your boss and other workers in the organization as a great employee.

2. How difficult is it to get a job in the media ?

Most media jobs start as an internship and over time may lead to an entry level position at a newspaper, magazine, radio or television station. The competition for the internship is stiff. The best time to apply is during the sophomore and junior years after you have taken courses in communications, marketing and/or journalism. The media hires graduates of all colleges. They look for self-starters who are patient and willing to learn. Many interns have had experience at their college newspaper or radio station. The internship is tough; the hours are long and the pay is low. In many cases. an internship does not pay and may be part of the student's college program. Working with the media is exciting. Everyday is different because you will meet and work with people with a strong passion for what they are doing. If you are lucky enough to get such a job, remember that the salaries made in the media are significantly lower than what you read and hear about in the media.

3. What do you think is the company's greatest benefit after salary for its employees ?

Most people will answer fringe benefits and more specifically health care because of the high cost of medical care in the United States. There are benefits such as a 401K plan, number of holidays and personal leave days, a tuition remission program to continue education, flexible hours, special arrangements for watching children, a company physical fitness program and other benefits too long to list. To me, there are four benefits as important as salary - they are a challenging job, good working conditions, great supervisors and other employees excited about their jobs. If you put all of these factors together you will have a satisfying job where your salary and fringe benefits will increase over time.

4. I have an opportunity to go with a large company or with a small company at the same salary. What are the pluses and minuses of either decision.

A small company will allow you to do more things and learn more on the job. You may have a chance to take a project from beginning to end. Small companies are a great place to strengthen your management, communication, people and technical skills. Small companies educate their employees quickly about the importance of the customer and the need for high quality products and services. Large companies are more bureaucratic, and policy and bottom line driven. You are evaluated as an "employee" who may or not make it. The competition for advancement is tougher at a large company than a smaller company because large companies can hire five, review three and select one while the small company may be dealing on a one to one basis with an unhappy customer, supplier,

transportation company or other service provider. Large companies are more structured and often have a plan of action for the intern while a small company is limited in what the student can do for a particular employer. Most large companies were once a small company. Many successful entrepreneurs ran small businesses where they had the opportunity. You can be a big fish in a small pond or a little fish in a big pond.

5. How do I deal with a co-worker who spends most of the time complaining about every part of the job?

Negative energy makes it difficult to do a job well. Some approaches include ignoring the worker, talking to the worker and getting the supervisor's help. I would talk with the worker while recognizing this is a delicate task and hope the worker understands that I want to get my job done without hearing complaints. In today's job environment, it is important to recognize that every worker cannot be your friend and the job site is where you get paid for carrying out specific activities. If an individual does not like his or her job, it is time to move on.

JUNE

1. How important are references?

            Employers are aware that job applicants give the names of individuals who will only say good things about the applicant whether they are true or not. Reference checks must be taken seriously. Careful questioning of references can lead to information that did not appear on the resume or at the interview. Most importantly, no individual or organization should be given as a reference without prior approval. Depending on the level of the position and/or the training of the individual doing the reference check, a good reference check may lead to additional names to call so that the company does not make a mistake in offering the position to the wrong individual. If a company obtains a bad reference, it is important for the company to talk to the job applicant to get additional information. Some references may be mean-spirited. Select your references carefully – those who can identify your strengths and weaknesses in an objective manner and at the same time provide the company with useful information about your abilities to do the job well.

2. As a new manager, how do I build a network?

           There are at least five groups of individuals from which you can build a directory of contacts. First, you start with the contacts you made before becoming the new manager. This list includes classmates from high school and college, individuals you have met at social and business meetings, colleagues from previous jobs and friends and family. The second group includes individuals in your discipline. For example, if you are a sales or marketing manager the list will include members of the local sales club and chapter of the American Marketing Association. These individuals do work similar to yours and are often the first to know of new job opportunities. The third group is those individuals you currently deal with as a new manager. They include other managers in the company, suppliers and customers. These individuals know your strengths and weaknesses, and your contributions to the company. The fourth group is individuals you meet in the community. They are your neighbors, members of service clubs such as Rotary, local political leaders and volunteers in the not for profit sector. And lastly, the fifth group, individuals you meet at trade shows, industry conferences and industry sponsored training programs including post graduate courses.

3. How important are foreign languages in getting a job after you graduate from college with a professional degree?

           The knowledge of foreign languages differentiates you from other individuals seeking the job you are interested in obtaining. With a global economy, most medium and large sized companies are operating around the world. These companies seek individuals who can deal in a multicultural world. It is important to become proficient in one or more foreign languages. Proficiency is measured minimally in three ways: read, speak and understand the cultural differences. There are also advantages of visiting the country through an internship program where you can work and use the language.  There are opportunities for studying abroad which will also give you a chance to improve your language skills. In today’s market-place, knowledge of one or more of the following languages will move you to the head of the class for a job interview: Chinese, Spanish, German or French. While improving your foreign language skills, do not forget the importance of English in communicating with others. We want to avoid the Rhode Island sentence – no noun, no verb, no meaning. Communications involve speaking, questioning, reading, listening, writing and observing in no matter what language you use.

4. As a recently retired senior executive, do you have any ideas on how I can use my experience to help others?

Two immediate ideas come to mind. There are nonprofit organizations that could use your help as a volunteer board member. The principles of management in the business world can be helpful to organizations in the human services area. Many executive directors of nonprofit organizations do not have a background in business and are dependent on their board members to help them apply best practices to their organizations. Select an organization and make an appointment to talk to its Executive Director about how you can help. I realize volunteerism is not for everyone. The second suggestion is to share your knowledge with young people in high school or college by serving as a guest lecturer in a course. There may be opportunities to teach part-time at a local community college or at a university. You will need a master’s degree to teach at the college level. Contact local educational institutions and see if they can use your knowledge in the classroom.

5. Everyday there is conflicting information about job opportunities in Rhode Island. You read that the state has a higher unemployment rate than most states and then you read the state is creating more jobs than in neighboring states. What do you believe?

Since we deal in low numbers of employees in Rhode Island, every economic and business decision could have an impact on the job market. Rhode Island has been less affected than other states when there is a major economic downturn because many employment sectors seem to be recession proof. With large numbers of employees working in government, the leisure and hospitality industry, educational and health services and professional and business services, there are still job opportunities for new hires and those replacing retirees. Manufacturing has been declining each year. If the state is successful in its economic development activities, future job growth will be in financial services, biotechnology and entrepreneurial businesses – all these sectors leading to higher paying jobs. Job opportunities are always personal – if you have the job you desire all of the “doom and gloom” forecasts you read have little effect on you. The materials you read comes from different sources using different statistical methodologies with different data collection times.