Breaking and Entering: Your Unconventional Path to an Entry-level Corporate Job

Not everyone gets a corporate job right after graduating from college or grad school. Here are a few tips for breaking in once you are no longer a student. 

• Join an industry association - Many corporate professions have industry associations which host local and national events. Join a local chapter and/or attend local events sponsored by the group. If you are open to relocating for work, consider attending national conferences to build your network and gain industry insight. 

• Secure a Mentor - Some professional associations have formal mentoring programs, but you can also source and obtain your own mentors. Industry events are a great place to meet potential mentors. Your college or graduate school’s alumni network may also provide a viable mentor pool. 

• Optimize your LinkedIn - The recruiting and career functions of LinkedIn can be a great resource if you optimize your profile by highlighting the type of skills companies in your industry are looking for. Make your LinkedIn a part of your job search. Pro-tip: Use LinkedIn to source the job openings, but apply directly to the position on the company's website when available.

Soft Skills for Summer Interns

The most common word I hear from interns and about interns is "awkward". Here are a few corporate internship do's, don'ts and "do you's" that you won't learn in training:

1.  Do be polite to the support staff and assistants.  They will make your life so much easier. Learn their names.  Ask them about their weekends.  Not only are they valuable members of the company too, but they've probably been there a long time and can give you additional information about the company.  An internship is a long job interview.  You should continue to assess whether the company is a good fit for you and the staff is a great resource. 

2.  Don't talk about anything sensitive or confidential on the elevator.  Many companies share the building with other companies.  There could also be a visitor or client on board heading to a meeting.  Same rule applies to restaurants.

3.   Don't check your cell phone during meetings or meals.  If you have an emergency project you are working on and need to be on call, politely decline the invitation. You are an intern. If the full-time professionals can carve out an hour for a meeting, so can you.  In their minds, you are not that busy. It doesn't matter if you see them check their phones every 10 seconds. Resist.

Sunday's Best is NOT Monday Dress: Church Clothes vs. Work Clothes

Many young Black professionals in Corporate America find a network, a support system and a morale boost by frequenting Sunday houses of worship. In more traditional church settings suits, ties, dresses and satellite-dish-sculptured hats are common attire.

Church styles are often inappropriate for the corporate office. Despite the recent evolution of corporate fashion, bright colored suits, wide lapels, frilly tops, and satin ties are still deal breakers.

"Do you have any questions?" 3 Questions to Ask your Interviewer

Typically at the end of an interview the interviewer will ask you if you have any questions. Instead of bumbling through awkward, potentially inappropriate questions, keep a few good interview questions handy.

1. What made you choose a career with [COMPANY NAME]?

People love talking about themselves.  Your interviewer will probably not be above this inclination.  This question shows that you have an interest in both the job and the interviewer.

2. What type of informal mentorship opportunities does [COMPANY NAME] have?

Your office will be a classroom. Very rarely does academia prepare you for the work you'll be doing in the office. While the company website may talking about formal training and mentorship, informal mentorship is very important.

3. What kind of expectations does [COMPANY NAME] have for new [POSITION]s?

The answer to this question will give you information about what you'll be doing in your new position and send the interviewer the message that your head is in the right place.

A Good Cover Letter

A good cover letter should introduce you to the company, reveal your interest in and knowledge about the position, and highlight key elements of your resume without reciting everything on your resume. It should only be a page in length and really only 3-5 paragraphs. Check for typos and good grammar. Clear communication and attention to detail are a must for any job. Below is a guide to a good cover letter:

Clocking Out: The Politics of Face Time and Leaving Early (or Late)

It was a busy day, but now it’s 6:30 and you've finished your project. As a junior in most corporate organizations, work is often assigned to you rather than generated by you. If you are finished with the assignments and your services are no longer needed for the day, can you leave? I’ve been often told that the answer is NO. However, by knowing your boss(es), knowing your organization’s culture, and using your judgment, it doesn't have to be NO.

On Professional Disappoints and Setbacks: Explanations and Solutions

They came in thin envelopes -- the rejection letters. For all of my accomplishments, the thin envelopes came for me as they would for anyone else. Even when I was certain of the contents, I opened them. I had to know that I had been rejected. And in most cases I had.

It is a bad grade. It is making a mistake on a major project. It is being passed over for a promotion. This corporate world is presented hopeful students as a meritocracy, where winning is a sign of their virtue. Even some young associates cling to the idea of always winning.  

Virtue is most evident in the manner in which one handles disappoint. That idea is not novel nor is it my own.

This post is about the way we deal with losing.

Office Survival Kit

The day I was assigned my office, I spent my lunch break shopping.

When making an office your home base whether for an internship or for the long haul, here are a few essential purchases to make things easier:

In general:

1.     Headache medicine of your choice

2.     Box of Tissues

3.     Hand Sanitizer

Tips for Applying to Jobs Electronically

Now more than ever, job applications are submitted electronically either via e-mail or directly on the company’s website. While this method may seem easier or less formal, it comes with a new set of considerations. Here are a few tips for applying to jobs electronically.

1.     Follow the instructions. Read all of the requirements and criteria and delivery what the company is asking for.

2.     Label any files you are uploading in a clear and detailed manner.
 

First Name_Last Name_Type of Document (Year or Date)

Example:  Jane_Doe_Resume (2015)

3.     For e-mail submissions, your e-mail is not a cover letter, but it is a first impression. Write a short statement of (1) your name, (2) the purpose of the email, (3) a list of attachments, and (4) include your contact information beneath the signature. Make sure your subject line is direct and don’t forget the attachments. Note, some companies will tell you what the subject line should say.

4.     Keep your font style, font size, color and s p a c i n g standard for both the e-mail and the documents. Black font in Times New Roman size 12 or 11 is commonly used.

5.     Ask for help. If you run into technical difficulties, it’s alright to call or e-mail and ask for help or an alternative form of submission, but don’t try to turn a tech phone call into an interview. State your purpose and your problem and offer solutions e.g. “Is there an e-mail address I could use instead?” “Could I mail my application? And to whom should I address the attention?”

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