Permanent linkHave you ever regretted missing a chance at something? A few months ago I traveled to Mexico with my kids, and found myself on a Mexican beach with boats going haphazardly up and down the beach pulling parasailers. I knew that any minute, two of the boats would intersect incorrectly, ropes would cross and parasailers would plunge to their deaths. Of course, the first thing my three teenage kids said was, "Let’s do it!” And they did. Afterwards, all three reported unbelievable views, cooling winds and nice endorphin releases. Then it was my turn. I deferred. “I’ll do it later when the larger boat with the blue sail is free,” I joked.
The day went on. I relaxed, caught some rays, road some waves, took a nap. When I woke up, the boats were gone; the winds had changed and I had missed my chance.
Second Years- don’t miss your chance! This market is not perfect (understatement!). Your dream job just may not be a reality this year. But there are still excellent jobs to be had. Don’t wait for the “boat with the blue sail,” take the boat with the purple sail (after all, what is purple but a mixture of blue and red anyway?). When the market recovers, you can go for the boat with the blue sail (or you might find that the boat with the purple sail is a little better with some red in it).
The time is now. Perfectly good interview slots with purple companies are going unfilled in the CDC. These interview slots won’t be there in February when you decide that the boat with the purple sail would actually be OK. Be smart- create a back up now. Maybe by February you can still pursue the boat with the blue sail, but wouldn’t it help to have the confidence of an offer in your back pocket? Don’t miss your chance now. Who knows when the next one will come along?
What can I say? I couldn't agree more with the thought process, but I can help put together a cause for what is happening. What we have here is a very difficult situation (not the markets, duh!, but for Darden). Companies are working hard to sail through this economy, but a lot of them are still making key hires. They appreciate Darden for what their graduates bring to the table, but they still have to invest the money required by the school and logistics (flights to Charlottesville, stay, etc.) and spend it in a time where additional expenses are not welcome. We also have the CDC, which is doing its best to broaden its scope and bring an array of new firms to recruit at Darden. Selling talent is hard in this environment, especially when it can be had for less money (it is jobless in many cases). Then we have students who have leveraged to chase their dreams and have been working really hard at achieving them.
It happens that the CDC goes to great lengths to make the companies come and students then to fail to sign for interviews. Companies feel cheated and the CDC feels that all its effort goes down the drain. Companies have their pride and PR work is tricky indeed.
What to do? There is a subset of students that has taken more risk in coming to Darden. Not only have they leveraged, but often left lives and careers in other places. This subset is the International Students. Companies feel compelled to hire people that ‘fit’ the culture, and we internationals might have a long way to go in this regard. Nevertheless, there is nothing that proves that we are not as at doing capable the job as US nationals. I have heard opinions that internationals, “just want a job to stay” and some companies are not willing to have someone “not fit” and then change jobs in six months. It is my belief that this opinion is wrong. I believe the difference lays in a different priority system. International students chose to come to the US to study one of the best academic and business systems in the world and, some of us, would also like to stay and live here for a period of time for different reasons. Better opportunities, better lifestyle or just a better ability to pay our USD denominated debts are some of the motivators. We always think first about “a job” and the about “the job”. Our “safety net” is not here but elsewhere and securing a job here takes an importance in itself.
I give this long explanation because I have been tracking the Job Postings and Interview Lists that have been left unfilled. Only US citizens are allowed to apply. I have even talked to international students who have applied to a “US Only” jobs and they haven’t been called, even when they could be the perfect fit for the job. Look at the postings, no interview list that allows internationals to apply ever goes unfilled.
I know that in times like this of political uncertainty, companies do not want to take on the risk on someone who might not get a working visa, but for a multinational company with lawyers and budget (at least budget to recruit), what difference does it make to pay the $2,000 it costs to go through the H1B filing?
I know that with the current political environment it is dangerous for me to talk about immigration when so many people are out of jobs, but if companies want to look at talented individuals. We are here, waiting for an opportunity.
Posted by: Sergio Alvarez at 10/15/2008 9:35 PM
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What can I say? I couldn't agree more with the thought process, but I can help put together a cause for what is happening. What we have here is a very difficult situation (not the markets, duh!, but for Darden). Companies are working hard to sail through this economy, but a lot of them are still making key hires. They appreciate Darden for what their graduates bring to the table, but they still have to invest the money required by the school and logistics (flights to Charlottesville, stay, etc.) and spend it in a time where additional expenses are not welcome. We also have the CDC, which is doing its best to broaden its scope and bring an array of new firms to recruit at Darden. Selling talent is hard in this environment, especially when it can be had for less money (it is jobless in many cases). Then we have students who have leveraged to chase their dreams and have been working really hard at achieving them.
It happens that the CDC goes to great lengths to make the companies come and students then to fail to sign for interviews. Companies feel cheated and the CDC feels that all its effort goes down the drain. Companies have their pride and PR work is tricky indeed.
What to do? There is a subset of students that has taken more risk in coming to Darden. Not only have they leveraged, but often left lives and careers in other places. This subset is the International Students. Companies feel compelled to hire people that ‘fit’ the culture, and we internationals might have a long way to go in this regard. Nevertheless, there is nothing that proves that we are not as at doing capable the job as US nationals. I have heard opinions that internationals, “just want a job to stay” and some companies are not willing to have someone “not fit” and then change jobs in six months. It is my belief that this opinion is wrong. I believe the difference lays in a different priority system. International students chose to come to the US to study one of the best academic and business systems in the world and, some of us, would also like to stay and live here for a period of time for different reasons. Better opportunities, better lifestyle or just a better ability to pay our USD denominated debts are some of the motivators. We always think first about “a job” and the about “the job”. Our “safety net” is not here but elsewhere and securing a job here takes an importance in itself.
I give this long explanation because I have been tracking the Job Postings and Interview Lists that have been left unfilled. Only US citizens are allowed to apply. I have even talked to international students who have applied to a “US Only” jobs and they haven’t been called, even when they could be the perfect fit for the job. Look at the postings, no interview list that allows internationals to apply ever goes unfilled.
I know that in times like this of political uncertainty, companies do not want to take on the risk on someone who might not get a working visa, but for a multinational company with lawyers and budget (at least budget to recruit), what difference does it make to pay the $2,000 it costs to go through the H1B filing?
I know that with the current political environment it is dangerous for me to talk about immigration when so many people are out of jobs, but if companies want to look at talented individuals. We are here, waiting for an opportunity.
Posted by: Sergio Alvarez at 10/15/2008 9:35 PM
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Sergio, thanks for the thoughtful reply. I could not agree more. YEsterday we secured a new company to recruit on grounds this fall for SY, and I am visiting their head of HR in NYC on Wednesday to make the case that they must hire internationals or they will miss too much of what Darden has to offer. I'll use your reply as fodder for my discussion.
Posted by: Everette at 10/17/2008 3:47 PM
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The economy is having a major impact on the job market. Here’s some information that you might find useful: http://www.theladders.com/career-advice/job-search-approach-mindset?fromSearch=true&start=&contentSearchKeyword=change%20your%20job%20search%20mindset
Posted by: Ben at 11/7/2008 7:02 PM
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The economy is having a major impact on the job market. Here’s some information that you might find useful: http://www.theladders.com/career-advice/job-search-approach-mindset?fromSearch=true&start=&contentSearchKeyword=change%20your%20job%20search%20mindset
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