When you can't get a job, who do you call? Your spouse? That's what it seems Mike did. His wife, Robin, has created the website My Husband Needs a Job to help Mike with his job search.
I love the creativity behind Robin's efforts. Why, it even got featured on our local network news here in the San Francisco Bay Area. But it begs the question: Why is the site so obviously create by Robin instead of Mike? Even though the site speaks about Mike's MBA qualifications (in the third person), it seems it's really demonstrating Robin's website and promotional skills. I wonder who got the new job, Robin or Mike.
Showing posts with label job search - MBA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label job search - MBA. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Friday, June 29, 2007
What to Study to Make Money and Be Happy
Question
I am on the verge of completing my MBA in General Management but the concern I have is choosing the right combination of electives. Where I live, Finance is the most sought after career path but I’m not comfortable with math and numbers.
Do you think I should still go ahead and choose something in Corporate Finance? If I do and I’m given a position that depends on careful numeric analysis, won’t my inefficiencies come out? Which leads me to the most important question, Are International Marketing, Strategic Human Resource Management and Public Sector Management marketable electives, i.e., can I get a relatively good job with these?
Answer
by Alexander Kjerulf, Chief Happiness Officer
That's a great – and very fundamental – question. How do you choose what to study?
A recent study asked 1000 college graduates in Denmark how they had chosen their studies and arrived at two very interesting findings.
1: Study what you like and you’ll get a job you’ll like.
It turns out that the people who chose studies they were interested in were much more likely to be happy with the jobs they then got. This is not surprising at all - study something that interests you and you’re more likely to end up working with something you like.
2: Study what you like and you’ll make more money!
But interestingly, people who chose their studies based on interest were also more likely to be happy with their salaries than the people who had chosen their studies based on how much money they could make.
So choosing your studies for money means you enjoy work less – and it also means you make less money!
Makes sense, no?
I also have to say that to me, choosing your studies based on potential later earnings seems… hollow. Do you honestly want to spend your work life just chasing money instead of doing what makes you happy?
So find out what will make you happy at work. Then do that.
Alexander Kjerulf – The Chief Happiness Officer - speaks and consults on happiness at work all over the world, because loving what you do is just that damn important!
I am on the verge of completing my MBA in General Management but the concern I have is choosing the right combination of electives. Where I live, Finance is the most sought after career path but I’m not comfortable with math and numbers.
Do you think I should still go ahead and choose something in Corporate Finance? If I do and I’m given a position that depends on careful numeric analysis, won’t my inefficiencies come out? Which leads me to the most important question, Are International Marketing, Strategic Human Resource Management and Public Sector Management marketable electives, i.e., can I get a relatively good job with these?
Answer
by Alexander Kjerulf, Chief Happiness Officer
That's a great – and very fundamental – question. How do you choose what to study?
A recent study asked 1000 college graduates in Denmark how they had chosen their studies and arrived at two very interesting findings.
1: Study what you like and you’ll get a job you’ll like.
It turns out that the people who chose studies they were interested in were much more likely to be happy with the jobs they then got. This is not surprising at all - study something that interests you and you’re more likely to end up working with something you like.
2: Study what you like and you’ll make more money!
But interestingly, people who chose their studies based on interest were also more likely to be happy with their salaries than the people who had chosen their studies based on how much money they could make.
So choosing your studies for money means you enjoy work less – and it also means you make less money!
Makes sense, no?
I also have to say that to me, choosing your studies based on potential later earnings seems… hollow. Do you honestly want to spend your work life just chasing money instead of doing what makes you happy?
So find out what will make you happy at work. Then do that.
Alexander Kjerulf – The Chief Happiness Officer - speaks and consults on happiness at work all over the world, because loving what you do is just that damn important!
Monday, March 26, 2007
MBA in Healthcare, What to Do With It
Question
I am a graduate from economics and did my post graduation in MBA Hospital and health systems management (India) which I completed in 2006 June. For the last 9 months I have been working in a multi-speciality hospital and have been looking for a change in jobs. I wanted to study something further in a related field in the USA but could not decide on the course that I should take up. Please advise on that.
Thank you,
Shashwat
Answer
by Richard Yadon, CPC, President/CEO, HealthCareerProfessionals
Shashwat, there are two major drivers in the US health care industry – clinical technology and financial efficiency. Clinical technology has made the US health care system the most admired in the world. However, it has created an escalating financial burden upon hospital systems, insurance companies, and the economy in general. Businesses and people who can offer solutions to this problem are in high demand.
I'm sure your MBA studies included a strong dose of financial knowledge. Healthcare is no different from other businesses in that you have to increase revenue, control expenses, and improve the bottom line. What is unique in the US health care industry is how this is actually accomplished.
My advice for you is to gain experience rather than more studies. Many of my clients are hospitals and health insurance plans. They always want people with relevant experience within their respective business environments. An operations executive's responsibility at a hospital is very different from a peer at a health plan. See if you can find a role in claims, reimbursements, operations, or finance within a health insurance plan. Many of these functions are being outsourced to India. Your marketability will be much stronger with practical experience rather than more book work. You might also visit the American College of Healthcare Executives website for additional information.
Richard Yadon is President/CEO of Health Career Professionals, an executive search and employee development company focused in the healthcare industry.
Susan Ireland’s Two Cents
Job Lounger, do you have a question? Email (joblounge@aol.com) it to me and I’ll post your question and an expert’s answer here in The Job Lounge.
I am a graduate from economics and did my post graduation in MBA Hospital and health systems management (India) which I completed in 2006 June. For the last 9 months I have been working in a multi-speciality hospital and have been looking for a change in jobs. I wanted to study something further in a related field in the USA but could not decide on the course that I should take up. Please advise on that.
Thank you,
Shashwat
Answer
by Richard Yadon, CPC, President/CEO, HealthCareerProfessionals
Shashwat, there are two major drivers in the US health care industry – clinical technology and financial efficiency. Clinical technology has made the US health care system the most admired in the world. However, it has created an escalating financial burden upon hospital systems, insurance companies, and the economy in general. Businesses and people who can offer solutions to this problem are in high demand.
I'm sure your MBA studies included a strong dose of financial knowledge. Healthcare is no different from other businesses in that you have to increase revenue, control expenses, and improve the bottom line. What is unique in the US health care industry is how this is actually accomplished.
My advice for you is to gain experience rather than more studies. Many of my clients are hospitals and health insurance plans. They always want people with relevant experience within their respective business environments. An operations executive's responsibility at a hospital is very different from a peer at a health plan. See if you can find a role in claims, reimbursements, operations, or finance within a health insurance plan. Many of these functions are being outsourced to India. Your marketability will be much stronger with practical experience rather than more book work. You might also visit the American College of Healthcare Executives website for additional information.
Richard Yadon is President/CEO of Health Career Professionals, an executive search and employee development company focused in the healthcare industry.
Susan Ireland’s Two Cents
Job Lounger, do you have a question? Email (joblounge@aol.com) it to me and I’ll post your question and an expert’s answer here in The Job Lounge.
Monday, March 12, 2007
New Horizons for an MBA
Question
I have been self employed for 20 years, I have an MBA in finance and management experience. I am looking for a change, but am having a difficult time finding anything that fits. Any suggestions?
Answer
by Townsend Belisle, former Professional Headhunter
First off, I’m envious of your experience. I believe that self-employment is one of the only ways to truly find that holy grail of work-life balance… though I know it takes enormous discipline.
I believe that the best way to find “something else that fits” is to “try on” as many things as possible. I would suggest you spend as much time as possible reading, traveling, and talking to people you respect or admire.
Read, read, read (yeah, I should practice what I preach). Here in New York, one steadfast way to find inspiration is to read The New York Times regularly. There are a number of times I’ve found a compelling article, an influential profile, or an engaging company or product in the “pages that fit.” Every week I hear the line, “did you see that article in the Times?”
I’ve also read two books that have helped many re-think their careers. The first is one by Richard Bolles called What Color Is Your Parachute? The premise is that you match your skills and passions to targeted industries and companies. I know nearly a dozen people who have found work this way.
Another popular book out there is Po Bronson’s What Should I Do With My Life? Many Gen Xers found it helpful post-internet bubble. This is a great read that gives permission to a generation to accept more meaning in their work, while giving them direction on how to find that meaning.
Travel can also inspire ideas on a career change. Go spend some time with those long-lost friends on the opposite coast, neighboring city or foreign country. A brief exposure to a different culture can give you ideas about what you like and don’t like – and can further drive decisions about those things you admire in a job.
Then go talk to people. One of the most marvelous things about people is that, when you openly and honestly ask for help, many willingly jump in to assist. Call those mavens and influencers in your life and ask them, “Can you help me? I’m trying to understand how my work experience and skills could apply to other industries and I believe you are someone who could offer sound advice. May we schedule time for coffee?”
Whether you find another means to be self-employed or you’re looking for the safe haven of “working for the man,” know that finding the new career is about knowing (and believing in) your expertise - and when considering something so new, you might try to focus on your skill-sets, and not your experience.
As an example, I’ve spent my career holding titles such as agent, producer, headhunter, recruiter, and business developer. But my expertise has remained the same – I am an expert at mediating between creative people and business people. In those roles, I’ve landed big contracts, built top-brand websites, targeted key executives, sourced for specific talent, and sold turnkey solutions… but my skill sets can be pared down to just a few.
Don’t be weighed down by how your “professional experience” limits your options. Instead of thinking of your career by the numerous titles you’ve maintained, think of it simply as the use of your skills over time and in many situations. And it is those skills that you take from job to job (and improve upon job to job), that become so valuable as an expertise, which can then be applied to many companies and careers. So think about what your actual skills are – and determine how you can apply those skills in other positions or within other industries.
"I honestly think it is better to be a failure at something you love than to be a success at something you hate.” ~ George Burns
Townsend Belisle gained listening and anthropology skills from his family, learned how to multi-task while waiting tables, and discovered the art of cold calling while championing friends into creative careers.
Susan Ireland’s Two Cents
Job Lounger, do you have a question? Email (joblounge@aol.com) it to me and I’ll post your question and an expert’s answer here in The Job Lounge.
I have been self employed for 20 years, I have an MBA in finance and management experience. I am looking for a change, but am having a difficult time finding anything that fits. Any suggestions?
Answer
by Townsend Belisle, former Professional Headhunter
First off, I’m envious of your experience. I believe that self-employment is one of the only ways to truly find that holy grail of work-life balance… though I know it takes enormous discipline.
I believe that the best way to find “something else that fits” is to “try on” as many things as possible. I would suggest you spend as much time as possible reading, traveling, and talking to people you respect or admire.
Read, read, read (yeah, I should practice what I preach). Here in New York, one steadfast way to find inspiration is to read The New York Times regularly. There are a number of times I’ve found a compelling article, an influential profile, or an engaging company or product in the “pages that fit.” Every week I hear the line, “did you see that article in the Times?”
I’ve also read two books that have helped many re-think their careers. The first is one by Richard Bolles called What Color Is Your Parachute? The premise is that you match your skills and passions to targeted industries and companies. I know nearly a dozen people who have found work this way.
Another popular book out there is Po Bronson’s What Should I Do With My Life? Many Gen Xers found it helpful post-internet bubble. This is a great read that gives permission to a generation to accept more meaning in their work, while giving them direction on how to find that meaning.
Travel can also inspire ideas on a career change. Go spend some time with those long-lost friends on the opposite coast, neighboring city or foreign country. A brief exposure to a different culture can give you ideas about what you like and don’t like – and can further drive decisions about those things you admire in a job.
Then go talk to people. One of the most marvelous things about people is that, when you openly and honestly ask for help, many willingly jump in to assist. Call those mavens and influencers in your life and ask them, “Can you help me? I’m trying to understand how my work experience and skills could apply to other industries and I believe you are someone who could offer sound advice. May we schedule time for coffee?”
Whether you find another means to be self-employed or you’re looking for the safe haven of “working for the man,” know that finding the new career is about knowing (and believing in) your expertise - and when considering something so new, you might try to focus on your skill-sets, and not your experience.
As an example, I’ve spent my career holding titles such as agent, producer, headhunter, recruiter, and business developer. But my expertise has remained the same – I am an expert at mediating between creative people and business people. In those roles, I’ve landed big contracts, built top-brand websites, targeted key executives, sourced for specific talent, and sold turnkey solutions… but my skill sets can be pared down to just a few.
Don’t be weighed down by how your “professional experience” limits your options. Instead of thinking of your career by the numerous titles you’ve maintained, think of it simply as the use of your skills over time and in many situations. And it is those skills that you take from job to job (and improve upon job to job), that become so valuable as an expertise, which can then be applied to many companies and careers. So think about what your actual skills are – and determine how you can apply those skills in other positions or within other industries.
"I honestly think it is better to be a failure at something you love than to be a success at something you hate.” ~ George Burns
Townsend Belisle gained listening and anthropology skills from his family, learned how to multi-task while waiting tables, and discovered the art of cold calling while championing friends into creative careers.
Susan Ireland’s Two Cents
Job Lounger, do you have a question? Email (joblounge@aol.com) it to me and I’ll post your question and an expert’s answer here in The Job Lounge.
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