Graduates, it’s a tough labor market - don’t give up!

During our career journeys, sometimes we find ourselves taking the road less traveled. Over the next few weeks, through a series of blogs, I’ll be sharing my career story and the journey I’ve taken along the way. If these stories resonate with you, I hope they provide encouragement and inspiration to press on. Don’t give up, continue to pursue your passions throughout your career and life journey. 

Many recent and upcoming graduates are facing a saturated job market where many industries are compressing instead of expanding. It’s a tough time to be entering as a first timer! My first experience was rough as well, so hoping to pay it forward to people who may need a bit of encouragement. 

Back in the mid-1980’s, during my senior year at University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, I wanted to work in human resources at a growing technology company, like Hewlett Packard. I had heard about “The HP Way” and was interested in HP’s five principles: respect for the individual, value of leadership, importance of integrity, power of teamwork, and need for adaptability. When I looked at the HR roles offered at our campus career fair, the companies didn’t espouse this type of culture, and the roles I found on my own didn’t interest me. But I was willing to take a risk. Shortly after I graduated, I hopped on a plane with my plan in hand, including a target list of companies. 

Silicon Valley here I come! 

I had relatives who had already relocated to the area; they were working at Intel and a large accounting firm. Fortunately, I had a place to stay and an initial network. I just needed to land my dream job. 

I started by sending my resume and cover letter to jobs advertised in the local newspaper and networked with my family and new friends. I secured some job interviews and met people for informational interviews and networking. But I still didn’t have a job and I became discouraged. Though fiercely independent, I leaned on friends with whom I could be honest and authentic. They offered advice, listened, and encouraged me to get through this rough patch with confidence. 

I pressed on. 

After months of disappointment and rejections, I finally landed my first job. It wasn’t my dream HR job; instead it was in marketing. The opportunity came from my network and I needed to pay my bills. Even then it didn’t cover everything so I supplemented it with a night job. I made cold calls for Stanford University, recruiting and qualifying candidates to participate in a smoking cessation program; again, an opportunity from my network. 

Eventually I found my first part-time HR job at a local medical clinic, also from my network. 

My relationships and networks were incredibly supportive and valuable.

It wasn’t until four years into my career that I found the type of job I really wanted, I was hired at Lightwave Electronics, a manufacturing company, as their first Head of Human Resources. The CEO was innovative and believed in building “People First” companies and led with HP’s five principles. We were mission-driven and we built and grew our company together. In 2005, JDS Uniphase acquired us and we all experienced some financial upside. 

I’m proud to say that in my late twenties, I achieved that first career goal: leading a people-first HR function! But it came after taking risks and making sacrifices. 

To review:

From my toolkit: First years 1980’s and 1990’s... 

Key learnings: 

Create a plan and stay focused on your plan

Be willing to take a different path then you first imagined

Identify great companies and great leadership teams

Character Building: 

Take risks, build resilience, humility, and authentic relationships 

My Leadership Style: 

Treat people in a respectful and fair way 

Books of Influence: The HP Way, The Goal, Type Talk at Work and Good to Great 

Operational best practices: Follow up with an email after each meeting. When you express your gratitude, it goes a long way. 

Bottom line: Control what you can: the process, plan, and your attitude! 

Next up, how do you successfully return after stepping out of industry? I have some ideas, answers and best practices, stay tuned.