Already a member?
Welcome to Brazen Careerist!
Emily Ma is using Brazen Careerist to share ideas. Join now to become a member and start networking with Emily Ma and other professionals just like you. Learn more.
Brazen careerist
Where ambitious young professionals connect and grow
Email
Print
I spent last Tuesday night at a career fair in Madison. Personally, I’ve always thought career fairs are entirely worthless. But after being on the other side of them, I realized that they’re only mostly worthless…
I was expressing this opinion to a co-worker of mine and she said, “Well at least it’s a great resume builder for you.”
That got me thinking… I feel like there are a lot of people who look at opportunities through that lens.
For more timely, relevant, and engaging articles,
subscribe to Brazen Careerist.
- The Anti-Stalker’s Guide for Converting Online Contact into Real World Collaboration
- Continuing Education: Extending Learning Beyond Your Campus Years
- A New Kind of Business Mover and Shaker
- How To Find a Writing Partner Who Can Help You Achieve Your Goals and Make More Money
- Why You Might Be Better Off Without a Job After College
Comments
10.03.08
This is all assuming of course that the steps that are involved in building your resume do not correspond with your goals ; )
Good post, though. The point about being a part of 14 groups hits home to my past.
10.03.08
Great point Andy! I totally agree with your view. For years I peeped through the career looking glass with that same lens and then wondered why I was not as motivated or excited about what I was doing. I finally sat back and contemplated what I really wanted and what really excited me. My very first real job taught me that what you get out of a position, company and the people is far more valuable than just saying you showed up and made some money.
10.03.08
Andy, why can't you have both...build your resume by doing project(s) that you are passionate about. Also, I think there is a reality that not all projects are fun, or bring out the passion. That should not be an edit point to pitching in. Individuals who help for the greater good of their respective workplace should get a benefit...Quid pro quo (this for that. I think its all about moderation and balance...I have excelerated my career by being balanced about passion and practicality!
Mark
10.03.08
@Nathan - That whole "14 groups" thing was something I did as well. It teaches great time management skills... but I didn't accomplish anything worthwhile until I focused on one thing.
@Tiffany - Thanks for the comment! What did you do at your first job?
@Mark - You CAN have both... That's the point. If you do something you're passionate about, odds are, you'll end up with an amazing story (and a great line on your resume)...
But there's a huge difference between taking a project because it's a "great resume builder" versus taking a project because you're truly passionate about the project (or the company.)
Just my thoughts. Happy Friday everyone! :)
10.03.08
Resume building is important at some stages in your career, but according to what you are saying here some people treat it more as a way of life.
I think finding activites that can build your resume IS important for young people seeking a first job (think 16 years old), High Schoolers targeting a competitive university, College Grads, and anyone seeking to change fields.
What your co-workers said sounded like a way to justify "fill in activiy X here" as not being a complete waste.
@ Mark - I agree you should always be striving to do both!
10.03.08
check the link below to see how long it will take to find a job with your skills . This site is a simple amazing example of how web networking can help to get a good handle on job search.
10.03.08
I think the reason for the preoccupation with "resume-building" comes from fears over job insecurity. If you have a job for life and assured promotion prospects within it you can easily forget the resume and focus on what you enjoy. But for most people the reality includes temporary contracts, big university debts and bills to pay, no guarantees of promotion and constant reports in the media about increased house prices, oil prices or collapses in dotcom/insurance/banking/whatever companies. It makes doing what you enjoy seem like a bit of a luxury.
10.03.08
Resume-building jobs actually are more important than doing stuff you love right off the bat. I mean, the stuff I want to do, 90% of my job right now is resume-building shit to get to it, 90% of it is showing up to work every day, and doing what I have to to put in five years at a company so that I'm able to look someone in the eye and say "I'm good. And you know this because they kept me for five years." even though the reality is that I was good before I worked at such and such a place for five years.
I feel that this is terrible advice, akin to people who say things like "Well, if you're not happy, isn't it better that you break up?" No, it isn't better. It's just an excuse to chase after stuff that won't happen because you didn't put in your resume-building, shit-shoveling time.
Now, there are things not worth doing for a resume - like when people are lying to you about the effect it will have on your resume. But most jobs that are good for resume-building, are the kind of jobs you ought to do. If you want to be an entrepreneur, then a resume isn't important. But if you want to fight your way to the top of a company, yeah, you need to do the resume-building shit. Hell, Ron Meyer - the head of Universal Studios - started out as a runner for an agency so tiny CAA wouldn't even bother to step on it.
10.05.08
I guess it really depends on what you want to do and where you want to go...
10.05.08
It is always a good idea to seek work projects that you enjoy. People naturally do well when they are engaged in work they are passionate or at least enjoy. But it is a good idea to be consider how work you enjoy will pave the way to a promotion. You are in charge of your career - it is up to you to design your strategy.
All the best,
Jessica Bond
10.05.08
@Anonymous1 - Good point about how people treat resume building as a way of life, as opposed to a one time thing...
@Rijo - Thanks for the link. That's really interesting.
@Anonymous2 - "It makes doing what you enjoy seem like a bit of a luxury." That's so true... Especially with more people than ever graduating with loads of student debt.
@Kristen - Just curious... What industry are you in? I'm impressed that you want to stay five years at the company. That doesn't seem to happen very often with our generation.
@Ron - You've got a great point... There are some industries that almost require a period of "paying dues" compared to other industries. For instance, sports marketing or the music industry... because there are so many people who want these jobs, it takes more time and more experiences to get anywhere. The difference is that people generally go into these fields because love what they are doing, even if it's crap work for the time being.
@Jessica - It is important to consider how you'll get to the next level... but I feel that it's more important to figure out what you want the next level job to look like.
Thanks for all the comments!
Got Something To Say?
Got Something To Say?
Not a Member? Brazen Careerist is a career management tool for next-generation professionals. Set up a free account today to comment on this post and start sharing your ideas. Learn more.
Login to view your networks!
 |
|
 |
 |
|
