If William Shakespeare were alive today, he might pose – in the context of employers and employees – his rather famous query in this manner: To tattoo or not to tattoo? In a recent Business in Vancouver article, reporter Glen Korstrom did a bang-up job of inquiring into the modern-day issue of whether it is a good idea, future career prospects and all, to permanently scar one’s body with ink, including in the more visible places such as hands, neck and the face (“Visible tattoos can limit career prospects” – BIV issue 1249; October 1-7).
The reporter did an in-depth job of noting the legal/human rights bureaucracy thicket that a company might encounter if attempting to deny someone employment who is covered with tattoos or has a plethora of rings.
Instead of employers, my advice would be directed to potential employees: never mind your rights; don’t cover your body with anything that one day, some customer/client might find annoying or disgusting. But the article reminded me of a column I have wanted to write for some time: advice for young job-seekers. Every so often, a friend or colleague involved at some level of human resources will tell a story of how people, often younger people, blow the chance at a job or even of getting a decent reference.
From my own experience and from the tales of others, here are some things the under-25 crowd should know if they care to advance in life and in their career.
Send a thank-you note. Years ago, I recall reading how George Bush Sr. was prolific at writing thank-you notes, and long before he became America’s 41st president. Apparently Bush’s mother had taught him and his siblings to always send thank-you notes.
For those raised in families where such expressed gratitude is commonplace, such efforts might seem routine and unnecessary to mention.
But not everyone was raised with those reminders. So here it is: small expressions of gratefulness go a long way.
Case in point: a friend recently asked me to help his daughter out with introductions in the career field where she ultimately wants to work. I was happy to do so and even met with her. I later followed up by connecting her via email with those I knew in that field who could give her additional tips on how to land a job.
I never heard back – not from her or the father. No thank-you note, or these days, even an acceptable half-compromise – a virtual “thank you” by email.
I would still make the effort again, but from an employer’s point of view, if one were faced with two or more people for a position, and if any such history were known to the interviewer, or if they followed up on references, the person who took the time to say “thanks” would get the nod, all else being equal.
There are other matters that young job-seekers might want to keep in mind.
Do your homework and know something about your employer. A friend who runs an advocacy organization is regularly surprised that applicants sometimes haven’t bothered to read the organization’s website, including its mission statement. That shows a lack of research skills; it also reveals they might not know what it is the organization does and why.
Or consider some other basic tips: show up to an interview – on time. Nothing will crater your chances like tardiness.
Lastly, if you get the job – and any job is a good job if it is one of your first ones – drop the sense of entitlement.
I’ve heard from numerous employers that the younger cohort of job-seekers often think they can catapult themselves into their dream position from the get-go. That is wildly unrealistic, and everyone has to start somewhere. I’ve dug ditches (for an uncle), planted trees for three summers in the north and taught English in Japan. None was my dream job, though the latter was certainly a treat. But I learned life skills and lessons in all of them. Any job, and even volunteering (another good idea) matters to potential employers but also to one’s own life experience and self-worth.
So avoid extreme tattooing and publicly chopping up too much of your visible body, and send a thank-you note to those who have helped you along your way thus far. It will make a difference in your career. •
