Today’s young professionals are changing jobs much more frequently than previous generations. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the median employee tenure was only a little more than four years. However, becoming part of this trend may not be the best option for entry level workers. There are many benefits to remaining with a single organization for a considerable amount of time. Working for the same company, even if your role does not change as rapidly as you would like, can help you develop and grow professionally and could provide great payoffs in the future. Show That You are Dependable Overall, an employer is going to want someone in their company that they can trust to be loyal. While a resume with a lot of work experience is helpful to any entry-level employee, a series of short work stints may make a hiring manager uneasy. Hiring and training new employees is both expensive and time consuming. In fact, according to Bersin by Deloitte, the average cost for an organization to hire a new team member is $4,000. If you perform well in your role for years, your supervisors might be more willing to invest in you long term than if you had left the company after only a few months and are looking to return again. Gain Knowledge and Experience Over Time Depending on the situation an organization faces, staying in the same job could provide you with more opportunities to expand your skill set. For instance, if the company you work for happens to be without another higher level employee for an extended period of time, you might need to take on some of their tasks. These extra interim responsibilities could require you to learn new software or participate in more brainstorming sessions for projects. If there's a shortage of talent in the market, job hoppers will still find plenty of opportunities. But when the market shifts and there's more talent available than there are jobs, the candidates who have been more stable will rise to the top and be the first called. - Brett Good, Senior District President for Robert Half Make Professional Connections
By sticking with a single job for a longer period of time, you will be able to develop stronger relationships with your co-workers and bosses, which will be invaluable if you ever need a professional reference. Many business have begun to realize the benefits of promoting from within instead of widely recruiting for leadership positions. Because an internal employee is already familiar with how their company operates, their learning curve for the promotion will be considerably shorter than it would be with an outside hire. Acquire Seniority The longer you stay with your current job, the more likely you are to gain seniority and enjoy certain aspects that come with it. After a year or two, you might acquire paid vacation days for example. Sometimes employee health and dental benefits do not kick in until one year after the start date. Other bonuses, such as a 401k retirement plan, grow in returns the longer an employee stays in their organization. Achieve Stability Once you’re over the learning curve for your position and past a probationary period, you will likely have more chances to explore opportunities that you would not have initially had the time for. While some employees may become complacent after obtaining job security, others will use it to their advantage by taking up other professional development opportunities. Going back to school for a master’s degree or attending more conferences are two examples of these . In the long run, a hard-working employee will be able to reap the rewards of their loyalty to a company. As Brett Good, senior district president for Robert Half, once said: "If there's a shortage of talent in the market, job hoppers will still find plenty of opportunities. But when the market shifts and there's more talent available than there are jobs, the candidates who have been more stable will rise to the top and be the first called."
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As one of thousands of upcoming college graduates entering the workforce this summer, you may be intimidated to make the transition from student to young professional. However, there are steps you can take to make you feel more confident during your job search and in interviews. These actions can be undertaken regardless of your major, skill set, or personality, and help you make a positive first impression to a potential employer. Develop Self Awareness Prior to applying for any position, you need to be aware of who you are and what you can bring to the company. Your attributes are more than just the hard skills that you gained in your college classes or previous internships and work experience. The way you approach new concepts and brainstorm ideas is essential to earning a new opportunity. Every job in some way, shape or form involves persuasion. Whether you’re part of a business that's trying to sell a product or service or a non-profit promoting an idea, most employees often need to convince groups of people to give their time and attention to their organization’s mission. Thus, you need to ask yourself the following questions before you apply for a full-time position:
By pondering these questions and possessing self-knowledge you will be able to present yourself as the top fit for the company. Be Honest Now that you have taken the time for self reflection don’t deviate from what you have learned. Hiring managers can sense when candidates are being genuine regarding their passions and goals. If you are trying to come off as someone you are not, you will appear to be fake and unfavorable to an employer. Don’t Be Afraid to Look Outside of Your Career Path Too often many prospective employees limit their thinking when deciding on positions to apply for. Many people assume that there's a specific road map to success that they have to follow to obtain a job. They believe if they major in Political Science, for example, their options are to go to law school or work on election campaigns for nonprofits. However, limiting your scope of applications will only prevent you from finding opportunities. A 2015 Forbes article noted that liberal arts majors are often some of the most valued employees in the tech industry because a liberal arts degree enhances communication skills, creativity, and the ability to analyze complex situations. Adapt to the Situation During the Interview In the interview process you are going to get questions that you were not prepared for or may not know how to answer. This is often a make or break moment where an employer is going to be able to see how you think on your feet. When this type of situation arises, breathe and take a second to fully process the question. Take it apart piece by piece. What is the root topic the employer is trying to get at? What potential connections do you have to best respond to the open ended question? Even if the inquiry is referring to a topic that you are unfamiliar with, you can likely find a way to connect to it a situation in your own life or a conflict you helped resolve. Don’t Be Modest You will need to be cognizant and proud of your own accomplishments despite the level of your work experience. Above all, an employer is looking for someone who can efficiently get tasks done. By being able to showcase your own skills such as problem solving and attributes such as ambition and being goal oriented, you will be able to show that you have the traits most desired by employers. Have an Elevator Pitch Ready Now that you’re aware of yourself and your abilities, you need to incorporate both into a concise and effective speech. Often coined an “elevator pitch”, this is a prepared summary, roughly 20-30 seconds long, that you can use to make a lasting impression. My name is ________ (your name), and I am a __________ (class year) at Marist College studying __________ (field/major). I will graduate in __________. I am interested in the _____________ (full-time/internship) _______________ (position title) at ____________ (company name). I have the _____________ skills and experience that the job posting describes. _________ (the company name) interests me because _________________. Conclude with something about yourself that is positive and memorable. Candidates who are able to effectively market their own skills and abilities will increase their chances of being hired. A good candidate must be persistent and have a mix of soft and hard skills to bring to the role. Everyone has their own unique experiences and perspectives that make up their story. All you have to do is be able to use them in the most effective way.
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