I'm guessing you landed here because you were looking for an entry-level HR role. Unfortunately I don't have one to offer at this time.
However I do have some advice, being an HR grad not so long ago... and one that is tired of hearing complaints and seeing postings on LinkedIn about how hard it is to find an entry-level HR role.
The truth is, your degree/diploma doesn't mean much to anyone outside of you, your family, and maybe some of your friends... honestly.
Yes, not having these credentials would limit opportunities even more... but what value is added by having one?
Every spring, recent HR grads (not to mention the other business majors) walk across a similar stage that you did and get their diploma... Thousands of 'em.
You don't need to be an economics major to see the supply and demand picture that is being painted here.
Depressed yet?
Don't be. If you are reading this and are still in school - then I am the ghost of employment past to show you the error of grads that came before you. If you did graduate already, give me a sec.
If your school offers a co-op/internship program that aligns with your program take it! Yes it might add a year to the time that you are in school; see this as an investment in time and not a setback.
If your school doesn't have this - get one your damn self! The college I went to had a co-op program, but the co-op department was having trouble finding organizations that would hire (yes, $ not free) students from the HR program... it wasn't even a recession at the time.
So in between classes I applied/emailed/called (yes, I picked up the phone and called) organizations saying what I was looking for in terms of a 4 month co-op placement to get some hands-on experience.
Eventually I found a great non-profit that said they would take me on - but could not afford to pay me. Some of my colleagues said not to take this, but I said 'Yes!'
I have volunteered before, I will do it again, and plus I had the opportunity to assist with recruitment, learn an HRIS system, network (non-profits are great for this), and update a variety of employee and operational manuals.
Some of my colleagues got paid roles... where they enhanced their knowledge of the alphabet by filing for 8 hours a day... WHo the hell wants to do that? Big picture: this will not enhance your resume.
The same non-profit hired me part-time for a semester while in University, and for a 1 year contract when the HR Manager went on Mat-leave... in hindsight that 4 months of unpaid experience kind of seems worth it, eh?
In summary - be ambitious - don't let your future be written for you. If you want something go out and get it - now! Don't wait until graduation to develop a strategy... the job market will never get asier, so the competition starts now.
To those of you that have graduated... what can I say?
Probably what I say to most business gaduates - don't worry about getting something in your chosen field immediately. Employers want experience, and if you can't bring it to the table finding something may prove challenging.
Challenging, not impossible.
Leave no stone unturned. Your Facebook status should say what you're looking for, you should be joining discussions on LinkedIn, you should attend networking events.
Overall, stop blaming the job market. It is tough, but your attitude has to be tougher. Your high GPA is great, but without a little grit and determination - you are just one of the thousands of recent HR grads looking for an entry-level position.
Showing posts with label business. Show all posts
Showing posts with label business. Show all posts
Friday, December 30, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Are MBA's Worth the Investment?
Many people have asked me whether or not they should do an MBA... I don't know, I don't have one.
That being said, are they worth the investment?
In looking at any investment you need to first ask - What is my expected return? How will I be better when the degree is complete?
If you were considering any other investment you might ask:
1. How many competitors are in the market?
2. What is the annual return for the past 3 years?
3. Is the growth sustainable?
One thing is for sure, the amount of people pursuing post-secondary education is increasing so the value of a diploma or undergraduate degree does not hold the same weight it used to - look at your graduating class... that long line up going across the stage is applying to the same jobs you are.
That being said, the number of MBA's aren't exactly slowing down either: In 1965, fewer than 10,000 MBAs were granted to U.S. students. In 1977, the number rose to 48,000 and in 1998, it was 94,000.
So is an MBA rare? No.
Is an MBA valuable? Depends who you ask.
If you look into it, there are plenty examples of people who have found that there is an ROI in terms of career and salary growth, and others who have done okay with out one.
I'm not going to tell you what to do, but simply ask that you weigh your options and don't blindly sign a cheque to a business school thinking your salary will be triple the cost of tuition upon graduating - this may not be the reality.
In weighing your options you need to ask yourself:
1. How much am I willing to spend?
2. Is there evidence in my company that an MBA is the only way to grow my career?
2.a. Do I want to be with my current company for at least the next 3-5 years (this can be a stipulation in tuition assistance).
3. Am I willing to put forth the effort and time this will take? It will be a lot... could be 1 year full-time, or 3 years part-time.
4. Have my current qualifications held me back from growing in my career?
5. Do I want to open my own business? Lots of MBAs do.
These aren't all the questions to consider, but are important questions to ask yourself none the less.
So before you do your GMAT review, consider these questions and what you would expect from an MBA.
Do you have an MBA? Are you considering one?
I would love to have some more perspective on this.
That being said, are they worth the investment?
In looking at any investment you need to first ask - What is my expected return? How will I be better when the degree is complete?
If you were considering any other investment you might ask:
1. How many competitors are in the market?
2. What is the annual return for the past 3 years?
3. Is the growth sustainable?
One thing is for sure, the amount of people pursuing post-secondary education is increasing so the value of a diploma or undergraduate degree does not hold the same weight it used to - look at your graduating class... that long line up going across the stage is applying to the same jobs you are.
That being said, the number of MBA's aren't exactly slowing down either: In 1965, fewer than 10,000 MBAs were granted to U.S. students. In 1977, the number rose to 48,000 and in 1998, it was 94,000.
So is an MBA rare? No.
Is an MBA valuable? Depends who you ask.
If you look into it, there are plenty examples of people who have found that there is an ROI in terms of career and salary growth, and others who have done okay with out one.
I'm not going to tell you what to do, but simply ask that you weigh your options and don't blindly sign a cheque to a business school thinking your salary will be triple the cost of tuition upon graduating - this may not be the reality.
In weighing your options you need to ask yourself:
1. How much am I willing to spend?
2. Is there evidence in my company that an MBA is the only way to grow my career?
2.a. Do I want to be with my current company for at least the next 3-5 years (this can be a stipulation in tuition assistance).
3. Am I willing to put forth the effort and time this will take? It will be a lot... could be 1 year full-time, or 3 years part-time.
4. Have my current qualifications held me back from growing in my career?
5. Do I want to open my own business? Lots of MBAs do.
These aren't all the questions to consider, but are important questions to ask yourself none the less.
So before you do your GMAT review, consider these questions and what you would expect from an MBA.
Do you have an MBA? Are you considering one?
I would love to have some more perspective on this.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Unpaid Internships, are they worth it?
Depending on where you are in your career, or life, chances are you or someone you know has had to evaluate the worthiness of an unpaid internship.
The theory is this: the company offers you a chance to gain some great experience for your resume, and there really isn't a financial commitment from them... win-win?
I remember back in college, when I had no HR experience, and the majority of my experience was in a kitchen or customer service kind of role - we were all there at some point.
In my program we had the option of taking 3 different co-op positions, paid, during the course of our program and a chance to learn some great skills.
Long story short, this was still a difficult process but I did manage to get an internship... but unpaid.
But I was young and figured, so what?
The company was offering me a chance to get into some policy development, revising job descriptions, and a variety of other experiences - so I took it.
A few other colleagues managed to get co-op positions at different companies. Most however found that they did alot of filing... they got paid... but were primarily exposed to filing.
I didn't get paid, but I loved my co-op position.
I don't want to sound like a Guidance Counselor, so I apologize in advance.
But whether an internship/co-op placement is paid or not isn't the point - it comes down to the ROI.
The way I justified it was, I wasn't getting paid to be in school - so what was the difference?
Long-term, the experiences gained during this initial placement really helped pave the way in next opportunities - it established momentum in my HR career.
In short, the worth of an internship doesn't always come down to the paycheque but rather the skills you can gain to sell yourself for the rest of your career - think long term!
The theory is this: the company offers you a chance to gain some great experience for your resume, and there really isn't a financial commitment from them... win-win?
I remember back in college, when I had no HR experience, and the majority of my experience was in a kitchen or customer service kind of role - we were all there at some point.
In my program we had the option of taking 3 different co-op positions, paid, during the course of our program and a chance to learn some great skills.
Long story short, this was still a difficult process but I did manage to get an internship... but unpaid.
But I was young and figured, so what?
The company was offering me a chance to get into some policy development, revising job descriptions, and a variety of other experiences - so I took it.
A few other colleagues managed to get co-op positions at different companies. Most however found that they did alot of filing... they got paid... but were primarily exposed to filing.
I didn't get paid, but I loved my co-op position.
I don't want to sound like a Guidance Counselor, so I apologize in advance.
But whether an internship/co-op placement is paid or not isn't the point - it comes down to the ROI.
The way I justified it was, I wasn't getting paid to be in school - so what was the difference?
Long-term, the experiences gained during this initial placement really helped pave the way in next opportunities - it established momentum in my HR career.
In short, the worth of an internship doesn't always come down to the paycheque but rather the skills you can gain to sell yourself for the rest of your career - think long term!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Beer, Google, and some Fishing Hooks
The other day I was driving home and the Steamwhistle Ad came on, and the slogan 'Do one thing, really, really, well' made me think for a second.
Think of all the business and finance courses you have done - the key message has always been that diversification is the best strategy, unless you can miraculously create a blue ocean, and maybe it is - but have you ever thought of companies that can actually get away with 'doing one thing, really, really, well.'
Well here are 3:
1. Google
2. Steamwhistle
3. Forbes 20 most important tools
Google still operates on ten guiding principles that seem incredibly simple, but are mostly built around having the best search engine around.
Steamwhistle, only ever wanted to have the best Pilsner in the world - In my opinion they do!
The Forbes 20 most important tools, has items ranging from a fish hook to a rifle, and while not brand specific - all these things 'do one thing, really, really, well!'
Can you think of any other companies that have built their image on a single product/service?
Well here are 3:
1. Google
2. Steamwhistle
3. Forbes 20 most important tools
Google still operates on ten guiding principles that seem incredibly simple, but are mostly built around having the best search engine around.
Steamwhistle, only ever wanted to have the best Pilsner in the world - In my opinion they do!
The Forbes 20 most important tools, has items ranging from a fish hook to a rifle, and while not brand specific - all these things 'do one thing, really, really, well!'
Can you think of any other companies that have built their image on a single product/service?
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Porter's Five Forces: Revisited
I found that over the past month or so, I keep referring to my Competitive Strategy book by Michael Porter.
While so much has changed in the business world, there are lessons and models that continue to prove themselves true.
For those of you that are not completely familiar, here is a link
for an illustrated overview of Porter's Five Forces
The reason, I think, I find myself reading Competitive Strategy again is because of the economic climate we are in.
To me, there seemed to be less focus on competitive advantages during the 'good times', but now more than ever there is this sense of having to prove yourself in the workplace, which I think is great, but certainly says alot about human nature.
Have you found this?
~Ian
While so much has changed in the business world, there are lessons and models that continue to prove themselves true.
For those of you that are not completely familiar, here is a link
for an illustrated overview of Porter's Five Forces
The reason, I think, I find myself reading Competitive Strategy again is because of the economic climate we are in.
To me, there seemed to be less focus on competitive advantages during the 'good times', but now more than ever there is this sense of having to prove yourself in the workplace, which I think is great, but certainly says alot about human nature.
Have you found this?
~Ian
Monday, March 15, 2010
Welcome!
Welcome to In Your Face HR!
This blog is for those of you who are in, want to be in, or just have something to say regarding HR practices in the workplace.
This is where you are free to speak your mind, interact, and gain insight to the world of anything and everything HR!
Let's get started!
~Ian
This blog is for those of you who are in, want to be in, or just have something to say regarding HR practices in the workplace.
This is where you are free to speak your mind, interact, and gain insight to the world of anything and everything HR!
Let's get started!
~Ian
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)