Archive for category Doostang News

Doostang News September 6: Tips for New Employees

Sep 5

Posted by doostangkaitlin in Advice & Tips, Doostang News, Office | View Comments

Analyst, Boston, MA
Brand Strategist – Advertising, Marketing, Analytics, New York, NY
M&A Analyst, San Diego, CA
Business Development Associate, Cambridge, MA
Full-Time Analyst Intern – (Fall), New York, NY

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The first day jitters end pretty much with the first day on the job, and the nervousness you feel about being in a new place dissipates pretty quickly after that. It’s easy then to cut corners and fall into habits that you see around you – things that the seasoned veterans of the company do without blinking an eye. But even though you may have the same level of responsibility as your coworkers, there is still a certain etiquette that you must follow while you are new on the job. Consider these pointers:

Connect with Your Boss

While many of your coworkers may embark on projects or make decisions without running them by their superior, you should make sure to check in with your boss when you are doing these things. You may find out pretty quickly that your boss actually likes when the employees take initiative without being asked; but until you do, assume that you should keep your boss in the loop at all times. You might think that you’re making the correct decision on something, but you’re still new and you don’t know if your boss has certain policies on things or if there are exceptions to rules.

Don’t Get Distracted

You may find that you work in a very easygoing office environment when you show up on day one, but this does not mean that you should take as many liberties as you see your coworkers doing. These people have been with the company longer than you and they have proven their value over time. Without a track record to back you up, you may just look like you’re wasting time.

Stay Positive

Even though your coworkers will probably want to put on a good show for the “new guy”, you’ll oftentimes encounter complaining or gossiping. While you may be equally stressed out about showing up to work on a certain day, avoid broadcasting this to the rest of the office like some of your peers might be doing. Try to act graciously about being there, and make it a point to be friendly to everyone – even the people that get on your nerves from the very outset.

While all workers are created equal in an office environment, as the newbie, you don’t have equal right to get distracted, act negatively, or take off on your own. So focus on the work at hand and the office relationships you need to cultivate, and the rest will follow eventually.

Welcome to the club,

The Doostang Team

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Doostang News August 30: The Art of Confidential Networking

Aug 29

Posted by doostang in Advice & Tips, Doostang News, Job Search, Networking | View Comments

Investment Banking Analyst, San Mateo, CA
Pre-MBA Associate, Philadelphia, PA
Corporate Finance Analyst, New York, NY
Vice President, Northfield, IL
Asset Management Analyst, Greenwich, CO

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You know how important networking is to a job search. But what happens when you’re searching for a job while you already have one? It becomes considerably more difficult to go out and interact with other people when there’s the risk that it might get back to your boss. So that’s when you’ll have to employ some secret networking tips. Here are a few:

Network All the Time

This is a good rule to follow, even when you aren’t actively looking for another job. In your current work, you should be networking all the time with everyone you come across. Always conduct yourself in a professional manner, but try to build close relationships with others. This will help you in business as well as in job search. When the time comes that you are looking for a job, you’ll know where to go without having to do extra networking outside of your job – and risk exposure. Additionally, if you build close relationships with your work contacts, they’ll be more likely to keep your job search under wraps.

Don’t Use Company Equipment

When you’re both networking and looking for another job, don’t do so on company equipment. It’s easier to track what you’re doing when you use a company email account or a fax machine. You should also avoid using your current work contact information, as your boss may be able to track this as well. Set up a separate email account and give a different phone number for your job search instead. Some people also prefer to use an alias for their email address or display name, as a further means of camouflage when they show up in various inboxes.

Meet in Person

Meeting in person is often a more effective networking technique anyway, and it helps you in covering your tracks. When you network online, you leave a paper trail that anyone could potentially access. When you network in person, you can hand over all your documents – such as your resume and cover letter – to an individual, instead of sending them over electronically. A physical meeting also opens the door much more easily to future contact by phone instead of email.

These are just a few tricks of secret networking, and there are many more. The reality of the matter is, however, that your boss will find out eventually that you are searching for another job or that you have found one. Try to delay this moment until the latter situation, and the transition will hopefully be much smoother.

Until next time,

The Doostang Team

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Doostang News August 23: Some Pointers for Requesting Time Off

Aug 22

Posted by doostangkaitlin in Advice & Tips, Doostang News, Office | View Comments

Investment Banking Associate , New York, NY
Consultant, Washington, DC
Venture Capital Associate, San Francisco, CA
Human Resources Associate, New York, NY
Analyst, Chicago, IL

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Requesting time off can feel a tad awkward.  Sure, you’re entitled to a life – but does your employer know that?  Many of us encounter frustration from managers or passive aggressiveness from coworkers when we make mention of our hiatus from the office.  So what’s the best way to slip out for a week or two unscathed?  Read on:

Give Plenty of Notice

While the standard notice for leaving a job is generally two weeks, it’s best to let your boss and coworkers know about an upcoming vacation as far ahead as you can.  Sooner really is better because it gives your peers enough time to digest the news and plan ahead for it.  Doing so will also make your own life easier, as more preparation beforehand will ensure a less messy aftermath when you return.  And really, what’s worse than returning from paradise to an office where all hell has broken loose?

Put Together a Plan

It will also make everyone’s life easier if you put together a plan, including a schedule that your coworkers can follow, important deadlines, and contact information – both for the people others will need to deal with on your behalf, and for you, should any emergencies arise.  The more thorough you are upfront, the fewer frantic calls and emails you’ll have to deal with when you’re miles away.

Don’t Jet During a Busy Time

While it may be tempting to flee the office during one of the busier periods, you’ll probably anger the people you work with if you do.  It’s more considerate to plan a vacation when you know things will be slow around the office, so that others can more easily take over for you.

Don’t Overlap

If possible, gauge when your coworkers might be taking time off, so that you can make sure not to jump ship at the same time.  Worse than missing one valuable employee is missing two – or more – so try to plan your time off strategically.  It may also be helpful to have these discussions with coworkers before you book your getaway, as some bosses may deny you time off if another employee will be gone at the same time.

It’s tempting to take off and leave as little information behind as possible when you’re trying to escape the office.  But some thoughtful planning beforehand will go much farther in ensuring a well-deserved, stress-free break!

Bon voyage!
The Doostang Team

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Doostang News August 16: Great Answers to Tough Interview Questions – Part 3

Aug 15

Posted by doostangkaitlin in Advice & Tips, Doostang News, Interviewing, Job Search | View Comments

Investment Banking Analyst, New York, NY
Director of Search Marketing, San Francisco, CA
Analyst, Los Angeles, CA
Public Relations Associate, Raleigh, NC
M&A Research Analyst, Paris, France

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Every minute you spend in an interview is valuable, so make sure your every answer works to your benefit.  Thought you had it all down?  Well here are a few more tough interview questions if you’re still feeling a little unprepared:

Why are you leaving (did you leave) your current (last) position?

When answering this question, there’s no reason to give a long-winded answer.  Simply tell the interviewer that you are looking to advance your career, and that the company you are interviewing with can provide the opportunity you hope for while your current or previous company cannot.  There is no reason to give the interviewer any more information than they ask for.  Don’t give a list of excuses or say something petty.  If you were laid off, don’t be afraid to say so – it’s not all that uncommon.  And if you were fired, try to stay as positive as you can, again without being petty.  Perhaps you can mention that you and your former boss/company had differences that you could not overcome, but that your termination was the best thing for both you and that firm.  More than this, you can always expound upon the lesson that you learned from this experience.

Why haven’t you found a job yet?

This may seem like one of those in-your-face questions, but it’s perfectly legitimate.  If you’ve been out of work for a significant amount of time, again, don’t spend your time giving excuses.  Simply explain that you have been looking for the right opportunity, and that you want to work for a company where you can establish a mutually beneficial relationship.

Has your performance or work ever been criticized?

While you may consider yourself the perfect employee, chances are that you have received some criticism along the way – and that’s perfectly reasonable.  What an employer wants to learn from this question is how you dealt with the criticism.  So explain to him or her that you received constructive criticism from a colleague, and that you gained something valuable from it.  You can talk about how you were able to integrate another person’s suggestions into a project and make it better than it was before.  Employers want individuals who are tough-skinned and open to suggestions, so demonstrate that you are able to swallow your pride and bounce back from critique.

At times an interview can feel like a battle of wits, interviewer and interviewee each trying to outdo the other.  It’s a tricky dance, but if you learn how to use even the most difficult questions as a forum to discuss how valuable you are, you’ll soon be making history at your next position.

Happy job hunting,

The Doostang Team

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Doostang News August 9: Great Answers to Tough Interview Questions – Part 2

Aug 8

Posted by doostangkaitlin in Advice & Tips, Doostang News, Interviewing, Job Search | View Comments

Investment Banking Analyst, New York, NY
Director of Search Marketing, San Francisco, CA
Analyst, Los Angeles, CA
Public Relations Associate, Raleigh, NC
M&A Research Analyst, Paris, France

More jobs we think you’ll like…

It’s time for the second installment of thoughtful answers to those interview questions that leave you reeling.  We devote several blogs to this matter, not because we feel that there’s much room for error in the interview, but because there’s lots of space for you to shine if you approach the toughies the right way.  So read on for our suggestions to some of the more challenging talking points.

What Are Your Long-Term Goals?

This one is tricky because it basically implies, “How long do you see yourself working for us?”  Especially as far as an entry-level job is concerned, most hiring managers know that you’re not going to want to stick around for one job forever.  But how do you ensure that they’ll get a good return on their investment in you?  Explain to the interviewer that you would like to have a career with the company – that you want to be challenged, realize success within the organization, and eventually move up the ladder.  Tell the interviewer that as long as the company is good for you and you are good for them, your long-term plan is to stay on board and grow with the company.

Why Do You Want to Work for Us?

When describing why you want to work for a company, make sure to avoid broad answers.  It’s okay to give answers that are specific to the industry, but remember to go further than that and give specific examples as well.  Make sure you are current on the latest company news, and can talk about what makes this company different and why they are the best fit for you.

Are You Overqualified for this Position?

It’s easy to be overqualified for a position in this job market, but that shouldn’t be something that holds you back.  So when you get this question, don’t give up or get defensive.  Talk about how the company needs solid individuals, and that your hope is to establish a strong presence in the company that allows you to move up and make a difference in your area of expertise.  A growing company needs reliable, proven people, and therefore you would be an excellent fit for any position.

Stay tuned for further questions that tend to stump even the savviest job seeker.  And if you have any questions that you’d like us to cover, send them over and we’ll give them a whirl!

Until next time,

The Doostang Team

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Doostang News August 2: Great Answers to Tough Interview Questions – Part 1

Aug 1

Posted by doostangkaitlin in Advice & Tips, Doostang News, Interviewing, Job Search | View Comments

Investment Banking Analyst, New York, NY
Director of Search Marketing, San Francisco, CA
Analyst, Los Angeles, CA
Public Relations Associate, Raleigh, NC
M&A Research Analyst, Paris, France

More jobs we think you’ll like…

One of the biggest sources of pre-interview jitters is the anticipation you feel over tough interview questions.  And while you’re probably convinced that an entire series of curveballs lies in wait for you, the fact is that you’ll probably only receive one or two.  Nevertheless, it’s always great to be prepared for whatever is in store, so take a look at these zingers we’ve compiled:

Are You Considering Other Positions?

Your first inclination may be to answer “No”, as you want to seem fully committed to the opportunity that the interviewer represents.  But the reality is that you’re probably looking at a multitude of jobs – after all, who wouldn’t be?  You’re trying to situate yourself as best you can, so applying for multiple positions is advantageous – hiring managers know this.  Instead, answer in the affirmative.  It’s honest, realistic, and will position you in a way where you are selecting the company as much as they are selecting you.  Make them fight for you a bit.

Why Should I Hire You?

This one’s basic, but really make sure you think it through before you arrive at the interview.  Instead of giving the stock, “I’m a really hard worker” or “I’ll really make a difference” answers, cite specific examples of hard work or the difference you have made in a company.  No one will swallow such vague answers; the more precise you are, the better.

Have You Ever Had a Conflict with a Boss or a Fellow Employee?

If this question comes up and it turns out you have experienced office conflict, don’t shy away by brushing it off with a quick (deceitful) “No”.  Instead, consider how you might use this experience to your advantage.  Tell the interviewer that you had a disagreement with a certain boss or coworker, but that you were able to work through this difference and come to a compromise that worked well for everyone.  What a hiring manager really wants to know is how you deal with conflict, and so if you skim past this one, they may just pry until they find another way for you to respond to this issue.

Have You Worked With Someone You Didn’t Like?

Here’s a similar question that you might get, though it deals less with conflict.  It’s certainly okay to mention that you didn’t want to be best buds with everyone you ever worked with.  It’s more likely that you’ll come across several people that just rub you the wrong way.  But how you dealt with this situation is of strong interest to a hiring manager.  So talk about how you were able to rise above your dislike of said individual and focus on what made this person a valuable employee.  Describe how, while you may not have spent time with this person outside of the office, you worked together wonderfully at the office.

Tough interview questions can leave you with a pit in your stomach…if you are underprepared!  So take some time to work out how to turn negatives into positives and position yourself in a desirable light, and you can tackle them with confidence.

Go get ‘em,

The Doostang Team

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Doostang News July 26: How Transferable Skills Acquired in the Classroom can be Valuable to Your Resume

Jul 25

Posted by doostangkaitlin in Advice & Tips, Doostang News, Job Search, Resumes | View Comments

Investment Analyst, New York, NY
Director of Technology Services, Nationwide
Associate, San Francisco, CA
Marketing Operations Analyst, Boston, MA
Analyst, Los Angeles, CA

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One of the challenges recent graduates often face is that they have very little work experience.  They leave college armed with all the knowledge and enthusiasm vital to the workplace, but have a much harder time filling up their resume.  The solution?  Focus on transferable skills acquired from the classroom that can be applied to the workplace:

Communication

Classrooms are rife with opportunities for communication.  Any time students collaborate on a project, share their views on an article, or review and peer edit papers, they are engaging in prime communication skills that are ideally suited for the workplace.

Meeting Deadlines

Deadlines are one of the main tenets of college education, and though many college students spend a good chunk of their academic careers procrastinating, the ability to ultimately get things done on time is a sign of a valuable employee.

Multi-tasking

Students may not feel it, but they are excellent multi-taskers.  Any individual who can juggle several classes, sports, activities, and a social life is a person who can bring an equal sense of balance to their busy life in the workplace.

Research

It often seems that the majority of what a student does in college is research.  All of those long hours spent in the library prepare you for research you may have to do on the job.  More than this, the research skills of a recent graduate are probably much more fresh than those of a seasoned employee who hasn’t stepped into the reference section of a library in years.

Adaptability

College years are some of the most shifting, unpredictable years of an individual’s life.  First, that person is uprooted from their home, then they are placed into a foreign environment with many unfamiliar people and are left to fend for themselves, often for the first time in their lives.  Someone who is able to successfully make it out of this situation unscathed can certainly take on the corporate world, learn to adapt to a new office environment and work with peers.


While listing the transferable skills that you acquired at college may not seem as convincing as listing job experience on a resume, hiring managers understand that you are young and haven’t had as much time out in the workforce.  Moreover, they also know that college, in and of itself, is practically a full-time job.  Always remember to focus on what you know and what you’re good at, and take pride in the fact that as an individual new to the working world, you have a fresh, creative, unbiased outlook on the market because that is often what a company is looking for.

Until next time,

The Doostang Team

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Doostang News July 12: Networking Advice for the Shy Job Seeker

Jul 9

Posted by doostangkaitlin in Advice & Tips, Doostang News, Job Search, Networking | View Comments

Investment Banking Analyst, New York, NY
Director of Search Marketing, San Francisco, CA
Analyst, Los Angeles, CA
Public Relations Associate, Raleigh, NC
M&A Research Analyst, Paris, France

More jobs we think you’ll like…

During a job search, individuals often distress over the fact that networking and asking people they know for career help can feel awkward.  It’s especially uncomfortable establishing contact with someone they don’t know very well or haven’t kept in great touch with.  Our advice?  Suck it up and play the game anyway.

The first thing you need to realize is that people enjoy helping others.  When an individual receives a phone call or an email from someone asking for assistance, they often go out of their way to provide it because being asked makes them feel important and needed.  The trick here is to be tactful in the way that you ask for help.  Asking for career advice goes much farther than flat out asking for a job from someone you rarely talk to.  Many job seekers are hesitant to reach out to their contacts because they do not want those people to feel like they are being used.  The best way to make sure that your contacts don’t feel that way is to always be gracious and request guidance instead of asking them to get you through the door straight away.

One way to avoid this conundrum in the first place is to sharpen your networking skills early on.  Try to touch base with your contacts every so often, even if it’s only once every other month.  A quick email to say hello and catch up or a link to an article you feel they might find interesting is all it takes.  If you stay in touch with people, you will feel much more at ease when you need to contact them to ask for help because you already speak with them on occasion, and they won’t feel like you only come to them when you want something.

The job market is showing a bit more promise these days, but it’s still tough out there.  Our networks are extremely valuable in helping us gain leads and eventually land jobs.  Branching out and asking for help doesn’t come easily to everyone, but it is the way things are done.  Don’t let a little shyness hold you back.

Until next time,

The Doostang Team

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Doostang News July 5: Give Yourself a Break – How to Avoid Work on Vacation

Jul 2

Posted by doostangkaitlin in Advice & Tips, Doostang News, Office | View Comments

Financial Analyst, New York, NY
Business Development Professional, Multiple Locations
Venture Capital Associate, San Francisco, CA
Market Research Analyst, Cincinnati, OH
Pre-MBA Analyst, New York, NY

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Summer break is finally upon the hordes of schoolchildren and college co-eds.  Hooray for them, right?  Meanwhile, you’re still stuck in the office June through August, missing out on hot, lazy weekdays and prime pool hours.  So when your precious vacation is finally upon you, what are the first things you check to make sure you have?  If you’re like the majority of modern men and women, you’re probably carrying on board a laptop and cell phone that your coworkers can reach you on.  Americans have a penchant for working on vacation, when it’s all things “work” that they’re trying to leave behind.  Here’s some friendly advice for leaving the office for a couple glorious weeks each year:

Delegate Tasks to Others

In the days and weeks leading up to your time off, start making notes of important details, deadlines, and contact information so that you can easily pass off your responsibilities to someone else while you are away.  Start familiarizing those people with the tasks that will be left to them so that the whole office can function smoothly in your absence.

Plan around Busy Periods

If you know you are always busy around a certain time of year, make sure to plan your vacation well in advance of this time or a little ways beyond it.  Similarly, if you have a big deadline to meet, make sure your vacation won’t coincide with it.  A vacation is meant to be stress-free, so don’t travel at a time when your presence in the office is vital.

Set Limits for Yourself

If you absolutely must do work while away, set a reasonable schedule for yourself and stick to it.  Don’t leave all of your contact information while away for the entire office, but instead, leave an emergency phone number for one or two people in case it is imperative that they get ahold of you.  Allot half an hour each day to think about work, and let your coworkers know that you will check in with them instead of having them get in touch with you in a way that interferes with your time off.

You work hard year round…so when you finally get some time off, enjoy yourself.  It’s important that life back at the office doesn’t spiral out of control while you’re away, but it’s equally important that you get some relaxing downtime so that you don’t have a meltdown and complicate office matters on your own.

Bon voyage!

The Doostang Team

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Doostang News June 28: Dealing with Rejection – What to Do when You Don’t Get the Job

Jun 27

Posted by doostangkaitlin in Advice & Tips, Doostang News, Job Search, Unemployment | View Comments

Investment Analyst, New York, NY
Consulting Analyst, Boston, MA
Associate, Los Angeles, CA
Business Consultant, Denver, CO
Investment Banking Analyst, Philadelphia, PA

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Combing through online job boards, sending emails, setting up meetings, dressing the part, and following up all take a lot of focus and can feel exhausting, quite frankly.  But the real sting comes when you’ve gone through the entire process, maybe made it through several rounds of interviews, and then you’re told that the company decided to go with someone else.  Now, it’s easy to check out.  Maybe you’ll send a quick one-liner to the hiring manager or won’t reply at all.  What’s the point anyway?  There is a point actually, and it’s that it is important to keep all of your current and possible work relationships as friendly and open as possible.  Here are a few important reminders, when faced with rejection:

Say Thank You

We cannot stress it enough – it is so important to say thank you every time you interact with someone in the job-hunting process.  And while you didn’t get what you wanted in the end, you must still show gratitude when you are not the one chosen for the job.  Think about it:  the hiring manager probably spent long hours reviewing applicants, making phone calls, and setting up interviews.  The fact that they considered you in the first place, let alone took the process far enough to actually meet with you, shows that they saw something in you.  So reach out to this person like they reached out to you originally.  Ultimately, you want to leave a sweet taste in their mouth so that they will consider you in the future.

Show an Interest in Future Positions

Another thing you can – and should  – do is to flat out ask to be considered for positions that might come up.  This will convey your interest in the company and show that you are eager for further opportunities.  If you make it clear that the position you were just turned down from is not the only position you are willing to consider, the hiring manager will know right where to go when other jobs open up.

Wish them Luck

Make sure to wish the hiring manager the best of luck.  It shows that you are above any hard feelings, and genuinely care about the company – which, after all, is something hiring managers look for in potential candidates.  It gives your final correspondence a confident note and lets you leave on even terms.

There’s no point in being rude or petty when someone turns you down.  After all, you never know when you may encounter them again, so it’s imperative to retain your composure and act as if you were still in the running for the job.  Stay gracious, and you will go far!

Better luck next time,

The Doostang Team

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