Sue Mentors: Jobs, Careers, Lifework...

Our world now revolves around Google and the internet. We all search for information all the time. So make sure you know what's out there about you. Do your online ego search and make sure you do it on various ways your name would look - full text, last name and first initial, etc. Remember that much information is cached and someone might be able to find a posting from your younger days. Make sure you know what's out there that may be seen in a negative light before you learn about it from someone interviewing you (if you even get that far!).   Taking control of YOU means ensuring that you have the widest electronic presence possible. If you aren't already doing all these things, you need to.   Join your professional organizations. For public health careers, join APHA and add GHC (Global Health Council) if you're interested in working in international development. Don’t forget about special-interest groups in organizations as well.   Make sure you've joine

My mother always used to tell me this - and it was validated when I was a senior in high school. My grades were just under the A- line which identified the group that was required to take the National Merit Scholarship test while it was optional for others. Thanks to my mother, it was a test I did take. Only the class valedictorian and I had test scores giving us Letters of Commendation.     So you should always ask - for an informational interview, for help connecting you to a colleague of mine, for consideration for a job. You never know what the person will say - and it could be YES....   But don't be defensive if I do say No. It may not be the right time, the right place, the right skills fit, or the right person. Remember that there will be another opportunity. Posted via email from suegriffey's posterous

 I know you're using your networks. After all, you're being proactive about searching out what you need. But this post is all about being prepared so your mentor isn't having to do your work for you.   Mentors don't mind helping out at all. That's what mentoring is. But don’t make me do your work for you because then you stick out in my mind - and not always in a good way. A few suggestions about being prepared:   You can ask for an informational interview but understand that I many not want to do it in person. Given all the demands on everyone's time these days, asking for 15-20 minutes by phone during a weekday is reasonable to request. Some people you contact may want to go to lunch, but most of my colleagues and I now prefer you get concentrated discussion time on the phone. Do prep and study before an informational interview whether by phone or email. Make sure you've looked up both my organization and me. And then take time to think about the

All advice about job-hunting says to be proactive. So no doubt you've already made lists of what you want in a job and where you want to work - and you've been e-searching and compiling all the information. You've been busy organizing and contacting organizations and sending out resumes and cover letters for job postings.   But don't get so busy that you're missing signals that are already coming to you. Take advantage of serendipity and over-the-transom opportunities.   Think back and you'll probably identify a conversation with someone who mentioned an opportunity for work or interning - and you may have mentally dismissed it because it didn't sound like something you wanted to do.   If you're not paying attention to incoming signals, you may be missing an opportunity that's looking for you. Posted via email from suegriffey's posterous

Here's my list of things to think about. I'll be writing on each one of these in the next few postings. Be proactive - and also be reactive. Use your networks, but don’t abuse your networks. Always ask. The most they can say is NO - but don’t be defensive when they do. Make sure you know what’s out there. Take control of YOU. Walk on water and do windows. Be prepared to do lots of windows – but remember that you get to look into them at the same time. It’s more than a job title. Read all the words in a job ad, not just the headlines. It’s a 2-way street – just because I want you doesn’t mean you want me – and that’s OK.