Black MBA - Summer 2008 - (Page 51)

campus are, and they’ll start a search within respective majors. “I think students on campus are losing out on getting some campus advocates for themselves by just going straight to companies,” Taveras notes. “Don’t just go to career services and drop off your résumé. Get to know people.” INVEST TIME IN SMALL TALK Applicable experience and knowledge of resources that are relevant to your career goals are important in gaining entry to a quality internship program. But none of these things will make a difference if you do not know how to interact with those who can get you where you want to go. Fannie Allen, director of the Allen Etiquette Institute in Arlington, Va., said many of today’s young professionals wrongly assume their knowledge of the latest software applications, previous experience and willingness to put in extra hours are more important to their career development than their ability to relate to others. “Their notion that hard work and exemplary performance is going to get them everything they want in their jobs is not necessarily the case. It is important and it is required,” says Allen. “However, the ability to communicate and to show the level of confidence that you have in yourself, and the ability to interact verbally with your peers and with management is important because you get things done through people.” Engaging in small talk and showing respect for all colleagues will give others insight into your skills and motivations, Allen says. Once identified, individual skill sets can be more easily utilized to the benefit of everyone. Yet, while Allen is a proponent of relating to all, she believes networking efforts should focus on those who can enhance your image and progression within the organization. “Get to know as many people as you can, but at the same time you need to know who the influential people are,” Allen says. One rule of thumb is to always remain positive. Even when asked to be very critical about a certain project or decision, always add a positive slant to what you are going to say, Allen advises. The worst thing to be considered in a business environment is a negative person or complainer. “It will identify you as a person who has effectively analyzed the situation rather than just saying that the project is awful, is no good or has no positive points.” Following workplace etiquette does not require hiding one’s individual self from coworkers. In fact, Allen believes in presenting your personal and professional self at all times. It’s what Allen calls the 24/7 test. There is no reason to carry yourself any different when you are networking, interviewing or in an internship program; coworkers should be able to recognize the same personality, whether at the local mall or in the office. CARRY YOURSELF LIKE A LEADER 24/7 Jeff Hatchell, president of executive coaching firm Over the Top Coaching, agrees that being who you are has a positive impact on your career. “From my experience in executive coaching, the people who tend to be accepted into [the corporate world] are the people who tend to be authentic,” says Hatchell. Remaining true to your values helps you out in the long run, because people are more likely to trust you and follow a leader who “walks the talk.” As long as your actions flow in harmony with the rest of the organization, it is best to be authentic. Hatchell defines a leader as someone who has the ability to coach and influence others, not just one who delegates or has attained certain credentials. Gaining others’ trust is imperative to someone who wants to be seen as a leader. The best way to accomplish this is to become a proactive observer and a great listener, Hatchell says. Pay attention to who is excelling, who is most effective and who has the best relationship with management. And don’t be afraid to ask why. Showing an active interest in people will make them more willing to volunteer information pertinent to your career development. When speaking about yourself, remaining concise and relevant to your audience can yield similar results. Hatchell also believes that while having a grand vision is important, it is more effective to communicate what is realistic at an immediate level. “Communicating those shorter-term steps is more effective than saying, ‘I want to be the CEO’ or ‘I want to run a corporation,’” Hatchell says. “It’s more believable to say, ‘My goal is to be a general manager or VP of a certain group.’” Recruiters interviewing intern candidates don’t have much to go on, since most students haven’t had much professional experience. Hatchell, Taveras and Cooney all agree that what differentiates a great potential intern from a good one on paper is an individual involved in a variety of activities, and specifically in leadership roles. Intern candidates can show their potential through a number of activities, including charities, volunteer work, fraternity and sorority event participation or part-time jobs. Star candidates show that they consistently go above and beyond collecting a check. Taveras likes candidates who lead new initiatives, work well in teams, train others and can be led as well as lead. Cooney likes well-rounded candidates whose involvement in various activities shows a large capacity for additional responsibility. If there is one thing students and young professionals should remember when interning and networking in a professional environment, it is to remain well-attuned to your own motivations, as well as the motivations of those whom you interact with, and act accordingly. If you do not know where you want to go, no one can help you get there. If you do not cater to the needs and desires of the organizations that you want to become a part of, no one will want to help you get where you want to go. mba BlackMBA • Summer 2008 51

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Black MBA - Summer 2008

Black MBA- Summer 2008 Contents Mailbag Up Front From the President & CEO Politics of Change Catalyst for Change: Results of our 2008 Political Poll Know Whose Shoulders You Stand On: The Legacy of H. Naylor Fitzhugh Howard University: Changing With the Times Straight Talk: CEO to CEO Creating Your Own Sandbox Dual Threats Avoiding the Faux Pa Invest in Your MBA Everything You Need to Know About...Estate Planning On Campus Plan Ahead The Big Show What's in a Name? On the Move Market Forecast Jeff Friday Keith Wyche Life Lessons On the Ground Real Biz A Golden Opportunity Entrepreneurial Institute Tech Tools Read for Success Stacey Tisdale Advertiser Index

Black MBA - Summer 2008

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