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Q: I have received two excellent job offers from two competing companies in the same industry.  One is a company that has been in business for many years, and has offered a generous compensation package including a high base salary, and the other is a fairly new company that is offering a more incentive laden package that may give me an opportunity to earn about 30% more, but there are no guarantees and the base is much lower.  My friends and family tell me to go with the new company because of the risk/reward, but my heart is set on working for the company that has been around longer?  I don't want to be a fool and take the wrong job; what do you suggest?

A: The heart and the mind can certainly cause a conflict of interest in your mind.  While you certainly want to take advice of those who support you, you really have to look beyond the compensation and decide on the job that will give you the most joy in going to work every day. 

The stability a long-established company brings can certainly bring comfort.  Depending on how much faith you have in the opinions of others, that certainly is something to consider in your choice.

Do a pluses and minuses inventory of both companies, and determine which of the factors you look at (stability, pay, incentives, long-term potential, etc) seem most important to you, and you will make the decision that is best for you.

Q:  I'm graduating in May, and have applied for many companies I hope to work for over winter break.  A few companies have told me to wait until April to apply, while others have asked me to apply now.  What is the right approach to take?

Several news outlets reported this week that Wal-Mart was letting go of 12,000 workers in its Sam's Club division.

Reading deeper into this story, it became clear that most (if not all) of these workers were part-time and/or were in-store product demonstrators.  These in-store demonstrations will now be outsourced to a firm specializing in this service.

Many companies fear bringing in outside workers for basic tasks, feeling it will take away from the level of service or consistency of that service. 

While anyone losing their job faces an uncertain future, situations like this can happen and people holding the positions often are given the opportunity to pursue a position with the new company.

In my family alone, two of my relatives worked for companies whose services were then outsourced, and both received new jobs with the new company similar to the tasks they were performing.

If you are good at what you do and passionate about the products and services you offer, no layoff can stop you from trying to keep your job when it is sold off to another person or company to do.

Q:  I'm finishing college in May; when should I begin searching for a job?

On Tuesday December 8th at 1pm, my students at SUNY Delhi at SCCC in Schenectady will be debating hot issues in human resources.  

Another recurring theme from the Saratoga Job Fair was speaking with applicants of selling their personality, their role as a great teammate, and adaptability and flexibility to the situation.

While many applicants brought similar skill sets, the ones who impressed me the most were the ones who focused on selling how well they got along with others, and were able to express that well both to me and in their resume.

In a world where many people are applying for the same or similar jobs, selling you as a brand or as a good ambassador of the companies you work for can be the difference between a job offer and a thanks but no thanks.

I reviewed several resumes this week at the Saratoga Job Fair, and a recurring theme that came up was whether or not to include self-employment on a resume.  A couple candidates had 2-5 year gaps since their last position, and when I asked them why, they said they had been working for themselves on various projects.

I explained how it certainly is valuable to show that you are doing something during gaps in employment.   When I left retail in 2005, even before I left, I founded my consulting business.  This left no gap of employment and allowed me to showcase all the small to large projects I have been working on since then.   Even if some of the opportunities didn't work out, showing the drive to strike out and to fill the gaps with productive activity can make the difference between a job offer and continued unemployment or underemployment

Q:  My friend's father is interested in having me join his company as an intern.  I have been interested in his company for a long time, and known him for a long time as well.  How do I approach the application process?

A:  I'd approach it with the same professionalism as you would with any other process; send him your resume, address him formally, and proceed through the process as would any other candidate.  This will demonstrate to the employer that you are not just applying because you know him, but because you really enjoy the company despite the relationship to him.

Your teachers, your peers, even your boss has their opinion on what belongs in a resume.  Would you like another set of eyes?

Q:  Should I put an objective on my resume ?

A:  Depending on who you speak with, you will get a different answer.  To me, an objective OF a resume is more important than the objective ON the resume.  

Are you looking for a job in your current field?  Focus on your accomplishments within that field and make subsidiary any other work you have done.

Are you looking for a job outside your current field?  Focus on your SKA's (skills, knowledge and abilities) that transcend a particular field of study

Are you a student seeking your first job? Focus on leadership roles and the coursework you have taken at school.

I find the objective ON the resume to be somewhat intrusive and not well thought out by most.  If you lay out your resume properly, it indicates to the reader what your goal is, based on the three questions above, or others you may be trying to get across.

If you are going to use the objective ON the resume, be sure to be succinct and clear of what your objective is.

Examples

- Seeking a front desk management position at a resort larger than the one I currently work at.
- Seeking a management position in Dallas, TX so I may accompany my spouse who is being relocated (this will help identify you as a soon to be local who may be living elsewhere).

Share your examples of good objectives at robert@galaconcierge.com