So you didn’t get along very well with a former supervisor? Throughout your career, you’ll encounter all types of people, and it’s really important to learn how to work with them.
Q: I’ve just graduated from college in business administration and I’m finding it really difficult to locate a first job. I did have a placement last year but it didn’t pan out into a job after graduation as I had hoped. Too many personality conflicts between me and my supervisor. Are there any tips you might have or any specific hiring programs you might be aware of? Thanks, Jill.
A: Before we move on to tips, I’d like to encourage you to remember that in the workforce you’re going to come across many supervisors like the one you had during your internship. I know you didn’t outline what those personality differences were, but you can’t please them all and they certainly can’t please us all either.
So it’s really important that we learn how to work with all types of people.
As for tips, I’d recommend that you locate another internship and try to see if you can make it a better experience.
Also, it’s never a bad idea to ask during a job interview or very early on in the internship if the company makes a habit of hiring their interns.
Let them see that you’re not only committed to the internship, but that you’d also love to be an employee, too!
While interning, you also want to attend as many fairs and/or job interviews as you can.
That’s a good thing about interning — the flexible hours lend themselves well to job hunting.
Don’t forget your college’s alumni student services, either. All too often we let our colleges and universities off the hook but remember — those services are part of what we paid big bucks for.
You’re entitled to enlist their help in finding you work, or at least connecting you with a career coach and/or other potential job leads in your field.
Have you kept in touch with any of your class instructors? If you did — and you always should! — I’d encourage you to drop them a line, too.
Especially when it comes to college instructors, I find many of the profs work outside the classroom as well, and they’re often able to help connect you to the right people.
Network, network, network and don’t give up. It can be very frustrating, because yours is the story of thousands. Do some cold calling too and stop in to some companies as well.
As you’re a new graduate, firms might be a little warmer to that idea, as well as to the idea of internships or even volunteering.
Jill Andrew — CYW, BA, BA (Hons.), BEd. Please include your full name, address and telephone number when e-mailing. All letters are subject to publication.
