Tri-City Herald (Washington) - Tri-City Herald (Washington), July 31, 2007 Tuesday
1 year, 5 months agoOK Generation X and Y, we realize you don't want to work 60 hours a week and earn minimum wage with that college degree that just bought your university president his Mercedes Benz.
You just need to get a good start on eventually landing that corner office.
Nicholas Aretakis, a Scottsdale, Arizona, author who wrote No More Ramen: The 20-Something's Real World Survival Guide, says it can be done if you have realistic job expectations.
For starters, look for jobs that fit you.
If you don't like wearing business suits, don't mail your application to a law firm, suggests Roberta Chinsky Matuson, president of Human Resource Solutions in Northampton, Mass.
We're also guessing that if you like to get up at noon, you'd be better off working a night shift at a hospital than taking a job as a West Coast stockbroker.
Do some research before you start filling out every application that blips across your computer screen.
You may want to investigate the industry standard for salary, bonus programs, benefits and think about what kind of boss you want to work for.
From there, make a list of questions to bring to the interview.
Such as: Does the company promote from within? What are standard working hours? Do employees take work home on weekends? Are vacation or paid/unpaid time-off dates flexible?
If everything about the job sounds appealing except for the vacation time you'll get in the first year, negotiate a start date that allows for a trip before you start, recommends Matuson.
Still need tips for preparing for your job hunt? Check out Aretakis' online community at www.NoMoreRamenOnline.com.
