Looking for a first job? First find your passion, career specialist says
Katie Garibaldi
Issue date: 11/17/05 Section: News
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Are you wondering how to get a job or how to manage your career?
These are the questions Jonathan White focused on in his Nov. 15 talk on career management, part of NDNU's Distinguished Speaker Series.
White works at the firm Spencer Stuart and has a background in high technology and marketing.
White said, "We don't find jobs for people. We find people for jobs."
The speaker focused on the idea that if one doesn't do anything, nothing will happen.
"You each control your own career."
Passion is the key starting point and what one needs to identify before taking on job seeking.
White said, "What is it that 'passions' you? What are the things you enjoy doing? What drives you beyond the paycheck?"
The employer is going to look for what one is going to do to make a difference.
White talked about how you get a job. The first component is to figure out what you want to do (the key criteria that drives you). The second component is the mechanics of a job search.
For the first part, White discussed that it is human nature for people to make decisions based on their gut, not their mind. An employer already has the resume with the correct boxes checked, like proper education and experience.
In the interview, they need to find out what you are really all about and what you are going to do to make a difference. "The gut is usually always right. When you try to use logic to justify the gut, that's when you run into conflict."
He also discussed the elements of a cover letter. According to White, the cover letter should be brief and direct, consisting of four paragraphs that will win over the employer in no more than six seconds.
When discussing the elements of an interview, White gave some great pointers like: be sure to answer the interviewer's specific questions and be aware of your posture since the interviewer pays attention to non-verbal communication as well. "Be sensitive to the work the interviewer's there for and just be polite."
White said, "You can get what you want, but first be sure to think about what it is you want ... because you just might get it."
These are the questions Jonathan White focused on in his Nov. 15 talk on career management, part of NDNU's Distinguished Speaker Series.
White works at the firm Spencer Stuart and has a background in high technology and marketing.
White said, "We don't find jobs for people. We find people for jobs."
The speaker focused on the idea that if one doesn't do anything, nothing will happen.
"You each control your own career."
Passion is the key starting point and what one needs to identify before taking on job seeking.
White said, "What is it that 'passions' you? What are the things you enjoy doing? What drives you beyond the paycheck?"
The employer is going to look for what one is going to do to make a difference.
White talked about how you get a job. The first component is to figure out what you want to do (the key criteria that drives you). The second component is the mechanics of a job search.
For the first part, White discussed that it is human nature for people to make decisions based on their gut, not their mind. An employer already has the resume with the correct boxes checked, like proper education and experience.
In the interview, they need to find out what you are really all about and what you are going to do to make a difference. "The gut is usually always right. When you try to use logic to justify the gut, that's when you run into conflict."
He also discussed the elements of a cover letter. According to White, the cover letter should be brief and direct, consisting of four paragraphs that will win over the employer in no more than six seconds.
When discussing the elements of an interview, White gave some great pointers like: be sure to answer the interviewer's specific questions and be aware of your posture since the interviewer pays attention to non-verbal communication as well. "Be sensitive to the work the interviewer's there for and just be polite."
White said, "You can get what you want, but first be sure to think about what it is you want ... because you just might get it."