Learning Journal about Getting a Job - Assignment Example

Learning journal Learning journal E1 In this specific topic, I was able to learn a few things about growing in the career journey to the highest point of influence. The topic was about application for a job, how to get the job applied for and finally succeeding in the job placed in. before enrolling for this class, I had not known anything about how one can build his reputation in the job. The classes were proper eye openers to me: I was better off facing the world with a surety of success and growth. Erica Jarvis was able to take us through the struggles that fresh graduates go through in the search for placement, starting off well in the job market and proper apprentice experiences. I believe the rich experience that Erica has gathered in the period of advising great companies is a firm foundation for the instruction in this unit. Our group discussion during this week reflected much on the interview skills, professional conduct and resilience in the workplace. The interest of our group members was how to ensure professionalism and not miss jobs that one qualifies for. Other students felt that professional conduct, as stated by the instructor, would mean doing what was expected of one in the most acceptable way. Being stable in the face of stress and trouble would mean that one accepts the reality of things and remains real by himself/herself too. I thought politics and strives at workplace could best be solved through the legislations therein. My opinion is that accepted professional conduct is much based on code of conduct of a specific organization rather than what is taught in class. Other lessons learnt in this class that would last in the job market include: the first impression, the process of job application, importance of internet in job search, the requirements from employers and the best way to cope in the office as a professional (Corfield, 2009). E2 The second lesson was an eye opener about how best to survive in a job and the life experience of the instructor in her application for jobs. The thought of all graduates, as it was with Nina Levy, is to get out of college and get a well paying job at the click of a button. However, this is not true in most cases: before one finally gets a job, he/she goes through a set of struggles and hassles. My greatest lesson was that one has to begin small as he/she goes up the ladder of profession: nothing comes on a silver platter or as a complete package. A positive attitude to life is important in settling down in the job market. My opinion is that there are other professional short courses that organizations take their employees through on the job. An individual, not withstanding their educational level, must embrace the trainings as required by the organization for which he/she is working. Nina, for example, settled down quite fast on her job and accepted trainings that came her way. In my evaluation, this act helped Nina to cope speedily on the development of her career. Experience is gained on a job: in as much as the opportunities available may not be what one wants or expected, they ought to begin with it. The opinion of my group members was that there are great employment opportunities that may come one’s way just on account of taking up a less attractive job earlier. I agree that it is important for one to follow his/her heart in the search for a job and the entire process of professional growth. A professional should not accept a job offer just for the sake of the pay, pride or status of the offer. As Nina states, giving a quality service would depend on whether one owns up what he/she is doing. There is much satisfaction in doing what one loves to do. If one goes for the pay or societal acceptance, he/she will spend time in frustration and struggle to please (Sauvain, 2010). E5 Matt Stott explains much about the Goose Chase adventures: what they are, the scope of work, upcoming plans, achievements, challenges faced and the lessons learnt over time. I learnt that the entity begun in 2002 just as a hobby but grew to be an annual event by 2007. It stood out that what begins from a passion can turn around business within no time. There were events organized and executed by wild goose chase for friends. The lessons from wild goose chase are applicable to any business that would want to grow and impact the world. Wild goose, as stated by Stott, transformed after registration in 2012 as a sole trading business. I have learnt over time that most contracts are given to organizations with properly drawn profiles. Additional advantages that Wild goose had were the logo, brand and well made website from a professional. Stott was able to keep his employment and still run businesses with the registered firm. This is a great secret for young entrepreneurs who would want an additional money generating venture. I believe employment may not be as demanding on time so long as one is able to organize him/her time well. Some of my group members mentioned that some contracts may be signed and finished without the business owner’s presence: one would only need to outsource labor (Hicks & Goo, 2010). Partnering in business needs thorough brainstorming as it was in the case of Matt and Sophie. The pair took time on talks from the March to December 2013 which might have involved testing of skills too. From this lecture, I learnt that businesses are easier to run than registered companies. Sophie and Matt have to quit their jobs in order to focus on running their newly formed and registered company. There are many logistics that a growing company comes with: creating new and more attractive offers to clients, change of business focus at times and review of directorship among others (U.S. Senate, 2000). The lessons from Stott are very helpful in the professional world and for aspiring entrepreneurs. Professionalism is needed in dealing with clients, creation of company profile and business transactions among others (Dine & Koutsias, 2007). Learning beforehand the possible challenges to business ventures would prepare one not to be caught in unnecessary losses or management challenges. I would not want to forget that businesses that deal directly in social services have to take keen notice from clients of feedback from clients and successful marketing strategies. E6 The lessons taught by Shirleen DuPreez were awesome eye openers to the importance of networks to professional life. The process of preparation for a practically successful specialization in any career is very important to all: assuming or giving the process less attention will mean struggle in the future. In these lessons, there were three important aspects unveiled by Shirleen about this preparation: Activity, networking and keeping important relationships. During this week, I learnt that networks are not only friends. The people and groups who form one’s network include: college mates, online connections, recruiting firms and personal connections among others. I agree with the important feeling that trust has to be maintained for a firm development foundation among individuals and in institutions. Stakeholders, employers and trustees cannot spend their money on a professional they do not trust his ability, qualification or level of responsibility (Pierson, 2009). Friends in my group agreed with the fact that one should be in touch with friends on jobs already. Many of them had found internships or jobs that were never publicly publicized. This is the result of keeping important contacts and relationships as one climbs up the ladder of professional success. Most companies, as I came to learn, prefer referrals: this is because people already known are cheaper to recruit into employment. My decision from the lessons is to keep an open network: this opens people to new interactions and opening that closed networks would not have done. In as much as closed networks help to ease work after trust have been built, open networking is better for people who want to grow in their careers. E7 A person has to know what he/she wants to do and what it takes to do the same. For example if it is design, then it is important to know the entire recipe needed for the success of the venture. The skills, experience and equipments at hand will pave way for professional success in any field. In third week, I learnt that taking time to package self with the requirements would mean a thorough understanding of the field of operation (Harwood, 2013). There is a sense of direction and prior induction into professional demands of the career of interest. One has to take keen notice of the most important items for success even as he/she plans for a great adventure in the line of work. My group members agreed that getting to know the requirements for success helps individuals to plan well on issues of networking. It would be important for one to choose well the people he/she keeps around on the way to professionalism. It would be easier for upcoming students in different careers to introduce themselves early to organizations for attachments and internships. This kind of networking would help individuals to struggle less during job search after college. It would be easier to consult the pioneers of a profession for success paths and decisions that were of help. Learning form the mistakes of others is a reserve for the wise who take heed lest they fall into the same. The greatest lesson learnt in this topic is that it is not automatic that networks will get someone a job. Close networks should be maintained with everyone that adds value to life: however, the expectation should not be too much to get disappointed about a negative outcome. Vildana Ekic warned that no one should get angry that his/her networks did not help in finding a job. Harwood, (2013) state that high expectations should not be attached to networking: the moment the expectations are not met, frustration sets in. this hurts the process of professional growth. E8 This lesson was another eye opener on the things to do on the interview day. Roz Michael mentioned a few important tips necessary for passing an interview. The first thing was to show the interviewers that one is very interested and keen to have the job. An interviewee must dress up for the interview; not as one going to the farm, an outing with friends or to the supermarket to shop. Respecting self even in the dressing and planning for the interview makes an individual feel more confident and boosts interview results (Greene, 2004). The second aspect was on doing a proper research on the company and job being applied for. I agree that no company would want to prepare new employees from scratch. My group members agreed that it is more difficult to keep a job than to get it. We took time to share examples of friends who hoped from one job to another because of this reason. In the lesson, Michael mentioned that an employee has to care about his/her bosses: the worker and his/her needs and interest must always come second to the needs of the company and bosses. I was impressed by Michael’s story; one does not need to have everything to start off. Michael had no mobile phone or computer, but he had the passion for management. The instructor and other people now celebrate him as a management success. References List Corfield, R. (2009). Preparing the perfect job application forms and letters made easy (5th Ed.). London: Kogan Page. Dine, J., & Koutsias, M. (2007). Company law (6th Ed.). Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Greene, B. (2004). Get the interview every time: Fortune 500 hiring professionals tips for writing winning resumes and cover letters. Chicago, IL: Dearborn Trade Pub. Harwood, L. (2013). Your career: How to make it happen (8th Ed.). Mason, OH: South-Western/Cengage Learning. Hicks, A., & Goo, S. (2010). Cases and materials on company law (5th Ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. Pierson, O. (2009). Highly effective networking helps meet the right people and get a great job. Franklin Lakes, N.J.: Career Press. Sauvain, P. (2010). Finding a job and settling down. Amersham: Holton. Small business efforts to facilitate equity capital formation: Report to the Chairman, Committee on Small Business, U.S. Senate. (2000). Washington, D.C.: The Office. Read More