Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, May 8, 1994 TAG: 9405120011
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: F-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Camille Wright Miller
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A: Major career changes often call for a career counselor. These professionals offer interest inventories and assessments that help clients identify new career fields. Since you've identified possibilities, Toni McLawhorn, director of Career Planning and Placement at Roanoke College, suggests information interviews.
McLawhorn notes that information interviews provide "opportunities to investigate expectations and requirements for advancement for any career field."
To find your contact, McLawhorn suggests obtaining directories from chambers of commerce, reviewing business listings in the phone directory and calling acquaintances. Friends and business associates may prove an excellent resource if they know your interest.
McLawhorn stresses that you make it clear to your contact you aren't calling for a job. When you meet with the person ask questions. What specific training is required? What opportunities exist for advancement? What personal skills are valued? What salary range you can expect? If the field seems like a good fit, explore the possibility of observing your contact for part of a day. McLawhorn has seen information interviews turn into job offers.
Finally, McLawhorn cautions that you not dismiss exploring your present career field at other locations which may provide advancement opportunities.
Q: During my last performance evaluation I received high ratings, but my supervisor refused to summarize my performance as "outstanding." She said I didn't fit in with other employees, and I made them uncomfortable because I don't mingle well. I am introverted and uncomfortable in groups, but I need the raise that accompanies a review of outstanding. How can I overcome this?
A: You needn't change who you are, but you can alter the way others view you at work and work-related functions. The secret is to be armed with questions. Your interest will keep others from noticing you don't talk much about yourself - or talk much at all!
Start by asking co-workers easy questions. Where are they from and what did they enjoy most about that city? How did they come to work for the company? Ask co-workers to name their favorite TV show and what they like about it. Favorite sport and favorite team? Which author do they read most?
Begin the morning by asking colleagues how their day is shaping up. If they working against a deadline, ask how the project is going. Offer to help when it seems appropriate. Walking into a conference room, focus on one friendly face and begin a conversation - you can ask how the person likes the weather. Stay visually focused on your conversation partner, occasionally nod to show continued interest, and maintain a relaxed friendly face.
Armed with questions and genuine interest, co-workers will respond positively to you. Just keep the focus on others.
Q: I've been told my memos are too long - people don't read them. If I shorten them, supporting information is cut. I've tried using smaller type to achieve one page memos, but that doesn't seem to help.
A: Memos have been called meetings on paper. They're useful if you need to "meet" with more than three people. Fewer than three - pick up the phone or visit the individuals in their offices.
You're right to keep your memos to one page. Few people want to read memos; fewer actually read an entire memo. Shorter memos increase the odds that they will be read in entirety.
After you've written "To", "From" and "Subject" add "Action Required" to help you focus on what you want accomplished by the memo. Limit your first paragraph to no more than three sentences. If possible, condense the remaining information into no more than three bulleted sentences. Your concluding paragraph should be no more than three short sentences. In this paragraph you can offer to meet to elaborate on your points or provide supporting documents.
Great memos require practice. Revise until you have achieved a concise one page memo which conveys information clearly and simply. Your co-workers wi
by CNB