giovedì 22 maggio 2014

I Wish I Knew at 22: Turn Passion into a Career / Le cose che vorrei a 22 anni: come modificare le passioni in carriera

Buonasera cari lettori, vi voglio proporre quest'interessante lista di cose che dobbiamo (o dovevamo) sapere quando nella nostra giovinezza ci proiettiamo verso gli obbiettivi per il nostro futuro. E' in inglese la lista:
Manage your life’s project.
Your life is the most important and most exciting project you’ll ever undertake. Treat it that way. Make sure you give your career the attention and care that it needs and deserves. As with any big project, think big and be bold. Be disciplined. Whatever your career ambition, approach your next steps like a project plan. Set a clear direction but break down the project into manageable pieces. Make an inventory of your personal network, and identify companies or programs that interest you. Set a goal for how many action items you accomplish each day, whether it’s attending a recruiting event, talking with an advisor or mentor, or submitting applications. Most importantly, document, track, and celebrate your progress in order to sustain your motivation.
Get to know the world you want to enter.
You may be confident of your intellectual capacity, but knowing the environment you’re targeting is crucial for getting ahead. Always be prepared to discuss the latest relevant news and events, and know where you stand on the issues. Even if your network is modest, as mine was in my early twenties, you can still seek out opportunities to connect with people whose knowledge and experience can aid in your future planning. People like helping others, and you may be able to return the favor one day.
Having the right insights under your belt will also increase your comfort level when you walk into an interview. Hiring managers, who may initially perceive lack of experience as a risk, will value a candidate who demonstrates a keen interest and understanding of their business.
Don’t leave out the best part of a resume.
I’ve seen myriad resumes that read like laundry lists of activities. Too often the most compelling information is missing: measurable results. What have been the tangible outcomes of your academic, work, and extracurricular pursuits thus far? Describe not only your activities, but what you achieved and make clear that while you are prepared to expend considerable effort, you appreciate that in the end an employer is really looking for results.
Know how to answer these three questions.
I always enjoy the enthusiasm and fresh perspectives that young adults often bring to a conversation. When it comes to an interview, though, I am especially critical of how candidates of all ages navigate these three questions: who are you, what are you looking for, and what do you have to offer? I don’t ask these explicitly, but they are the underlying themes of the exchange. So bear in mind that seemingly innocuous questions such as “tell me about yourself” are actually, “why are you the ideal candidate for this opportunity?” The best answers are honest, confident, and concise.
Prepare to negotiate.
The easiest way to determine your deal-breakers, such as salary or location, is to weigh the “what if’s” in your future scenarios. Few of us land our dream job on the first day, so establish a clear idea of your must-haves as well as the negotiating chips with which you have to work. Does an offer include good mentoring potential? Growth potential? Opportunity to develop skills to parlay into a better situation down the road? If the offer requires too much compromise, be prepared to walk away.
Be open to the possibilities.

This is the most important lesson. Even if you feel a strong calling in one direction, leave yourself open to new opportunities and influences. Whether it’s a new book, new industry, or new city, challenge yourself to diversify your experiences. They will not only enrich your life but also help you identify with the multitudes of people you’ll meet and work with in the years to come.

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