Whether you’re in the market for a new job or hoping for a promotion within your current company, it’s always important to maintain a professional demeanor. In today’s internet-fueled society, this need for professionalism extends past the office and into the most visible representations of our private lives. Yes, ladies and gentleman, I’m talking about Facebook.
First off, I want to confirm the age-old rumor that potential employers, current bosses, and co-workers will indeed view your Facebook page from time to time. For this reason, it’s important to keep your profile free from any deal-breaking warning signs. Photos of outrageous partying, profane status updates bashing your superiors, and crude wall posts definitely won’t bode well with your current or prospective employers.
However, your Facebook doesn’t have to lose all it’s character for fear of never getting hired. There are plenty of ways to stay appropriate while still expressing yourself in a fun, free-spirited way, and we’re here to help you find that balance. In Wednesday’s blog, we’ll be discussing some specific tips for maintaining the perfect, workplace-ready Facebook page. Stay tuned!
If you’re still curious about summer jobs, check out these interesting news stories:
Summer jobs lower unemployment rate
Although finding a summer job may seem tedious, it’s a great way to gain valuable work experience without worrying about the added stress of the academic year. If you’re still looking for a summer job that fits your schedule and your needs, there are plenty of factors to keep in mind.
A deciding factor for all job opportunities is location. If you’re in a big city for the summer, your prospects will differ in terms of hiring practices, hours, and commute. If you’re spending the summer in a city like Chicago, most internship opportunities will be diverse and expansive, while finding work in a college town or smaller city may be more competitive sheerly due to a lack of industry.
Regardless of where you’re living this summer, finding some form of work should never be a problem. If you’re having difficulty scoring the internship of your dreams, don’t get down. Explore freelance options, and if you interview for positions in retail, food, or customer service, make sure to tell your prospective employers about your future aspirations – you might be able to help them out in resume-enhancing ways!
Now that we’ve covered the essentials of moving to a new city, it’s time to discuss another current issue – finding a summer job. This week, we’re going to explore the ways young professionals can gain valuable work experience while still enjoying the long-awaited freedom we all cherish during the summer months.
With summer quickly approaching, it can be easy to forgo your job search in favor of sleeping late and spending time outside. But in reality, you’ll feel much better down the road knowing you sacrificed some of your initial free time to build your resume.
If you’re a college student staying on campus this summer, your university probably offers
internships and administrative positions, not to mention opportunities in your local downtown area. Check out your college’s job board (there’s one for nearly every school) and ask around – you’re bound to find something!
Seeing as most schools have already ended their spring semesters, those of you without summer work might be freaking out a little. But not to worry! Wednesday’s post will focus more on the seemingly daunting summer job hunt, and with any hope, we’ll shed a little light on the situation.
If you’re interested in learning more about socializing in a new city or keeping your options open, check out these links:
Job market looking for new graduates
As the job market continues to improve, more college graduates are shifting their career paths in the hope of gaining ground-level experience. While you should always keep searching for a job that falls within your desired industry, during tough times like these, it’s important to keep your options open to multiple fields.
In last Thursday’s PBS news feature, “College grads are adjusting their way into the workforce,” correspondent Ana Olson reports about the changes young professionals are making to jump-start their careers. Olson interviews Rachael Dickson, a George Mason University student who’s dream of becoming a foreign correspondent recently transformed into a job editing Washington DC-area news websites.
According to the article, this newfound open-mindedness may be working in recent grads’ favor. With national hiring rates on the rise, twenty-somethings like Dickson are being placed in careers that will act as stepping stones to their original ambitions.
So, if you’re in the process of finding your dream career, just remember to keep your options open. Consider jobs you never thought about, places you may not have seen yourself living, and skills you never imaged you’d acquire. You may just surprise yourself!
While moving to a new place after college requires a number of lifestyle changes, finding a welcoming social environment can be just as crucial. Whether you’re settling in a Manhattan-esque metropolis or somewhere rural, developing new friendships can provide you with people to talk to, places to go and exciting opportunities you may have missed otherwise. Here are a few simple ways to connect with friends, old and new:
1. Exploring the work scene – One of the most convenient ways to make new friends is by connecting with co-workers. If you’ve landed a full-time job, chances are you’ll take multiple breaks throughout the day. Lunch and coffee breaks, as well as after-work happy hours, are prime social periods for young professionals, and finding a group of people to grab a bite with could help you build a solid group of in-office pals.
2. Make new friends, but keep the old – This one applies especially to those recent grads moving to a big city. If you’re somewhere like New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles, you’re likely to know a few people from high school or college who live nearby. Whether you prefer social networking sites like Facebook, or a simple phone call, getting back in touch with old friends is easier now than ever.
3. Checking out the nightlife – Nearly all cities, large and small, have some sort of nightlife geared toward young people. Once you make a few friends (or reconnect with some old ones), going out to restaurants, bars and other evening hotspots should be no problem at all. If you enjoyed going out during college, chances are you’ll love it afterwards as well. And if you’re more of a homebody, don’t worry! Most cities have tons of classes, groups and activities for people who prefer a low-key atmosphere.
Now that we’ve covered budgets, transportation and socializing, we’re nearly finished discussing the big post-graduation move. Let us know which aspects of big-city or small-town life you’re still curious about, and we’ll definitely include them in our final installment this Wednesday!
Find out more about moving to a new city.
Money advice for college grads: you’re gonna need it
College grads are adjusting their way into the workforce
Do you guys have any other resources or commentary about making the big move after college?
When making the move to a new city, most young professionals find it necessary to adjust their budgets. Whether you’re settling on the other side of the US or crossing the Atlantic Ocean, you’ll need to account for some inevitable cost-of-living changes. Here are a few ways to ensure your budget stays afloat during this crucial time:
1.Keeping an affordable roof over your head: While apartment rentals vary significantly from place to place, your salary should always support your digs. In pricy cities like Chicago and New York, finding residential areas that attract the most young people is a solid way to discover the best deals. Another way to ensure you’re not spending too much is to find prospective roommates with similar budgets by asking around to co-workers and friends. Whether it means cramming four people into a studio apartment or scoring a swanky condo, your focus should always be on living modestly.
2.Getting from points A to B: If you’re moving to a city with a large public transit system, chances are you’ll need to rely on it for the bulk of your travel needs. In places where parking costs are through the roof, it’ll be undoubtedly cheaper to walk, bike, or take the train to work. If you plan to make daily use of public transportation, most city transit systems have durable ticket cards designed for long-term use.
3.Becoming your own Iron Chef (or Barefoot Contessa): Eating well on a budget can be pretty difficult for some seasoned foodies, but fulfilling your palette is easier than it seems. Do some of your food shopping at ethnic grocery stores: the prices tend to be much lower than traditional supermarkets, especially if you’re looking for spices, produce or even high-quality meat. Avoiding frozen and junk foods in favor of fruits and vegetables is another way to save money while staying healthy, since the markup on pre-packaged foods can be pretty unreasonable. So, the next time you catch yourself eyeing those overpriced pizza bites in the frozen aisle, consider some fresh veggies instead!
So now that we’ve covered the basics, it’s time to find out what other aspects of moving to a new city you’re curious about. Entertainment? Nightlife? We’ve got it covered. Feel free to post a comment asking for tips on how to make your big move a little easier.
Starting your first job after college is a significant life transition, and combining this time with a move to a new city can often require extra planning.
As the end of the school year approaches, graduating seniors are thinking more and more about the new directions their lives are about to take. Whether it involves finding a new social circle, learning an entirely new public transit system or planning a budget, it’s always important for young professionals to be well acquainted with their new environment.
Over the next few weeks we’ll be discussing the ins and outs of this lifestyle change and providing tips on making the transition as smooth as possible. We’ll be covering all the basics, but if you have a specific request, don’t hesitate to let us know by leaving a comment!
