SU Mentor Moments Career Advice

The "SU Mentor Moments" program is designed to give you "real world" advice from current alumni already in the workforce.  One career-related question per month is sent to the mentors. The responses are then collected and placed on this website for you to review.  Their responses are valuable because they have been in workforce for a period of time and they know the answers to many questions you may have about the world of work. Below are the the questions and responses the mentors have provided. 
*-Denotes Mentor Moment of the Month Winner

Page Index:
May, 2008-"What should a new employee avoid when going into his/her first job?"
June, 2008-"What was the hardest interview question you ever encountered and how did you answer it?"
July, 2008-"????"
August, 2008-"????"
September, 2008-"????"
October, 2008-"????"
November, 2008-"????"
December, 2008-"????"

May 2008: -
Question-"What should a new employee avoid when going into his/her first job?"
Employer/Job Title/Responses:
St. Lawrence Cement | Energy Recycling Manager-US Division-"Avoid forming any preconceived opinions and attitudes. Go into the job with your eyes and ears open and eager to learn. Remember that everyone has something to teach you on a new job and it is important to allow others to share their experiences and knowledge. And finally, if you do not know the answer- do not be afraid to say so but then be wiling to pursue the answer and learn from the experience."
McBee Associates | Consultant-"They should try avoid feeling anxious, and should try to stay focused and determined. Employers are not expecting any new hires to be Einstein's. What they are looking for is the indicators of future success in the organization: confidence, ethics, hard work, diligence, and determination."  
Eastern Shore Regional Library | Manager, Information Technology-"Don't be a "know-it-all". Resist the urge to tell coworkers how it is done."
Perdue Farms Incorporated | Systems Analyst-"Remember that company email is monitored so watch what you are sending regarding "appropriate" content."
Salisbury State University | Associate Professor of History-"New employees should be loyal to the company that hires them, but should NOT assume they'll work for that company forever!"
The Madeira School | Archivist & Head Librarian-"Avoid suggesting radical changes! Don't assume that a method of doing something or a process for completing a function of a job hasn't been tried before. It often takes months to truly understand the inner workings of a workplace and laying low for a while to absorb the feel of the place is a great way to learn about how things are run. Often times you can ask peers subtle questions about workplace process - not suggesting change, but asking if other things have been tried by the company in the past. Once you have gained the respect of your supervisors, you will feel more comfortable making suggestions."
Carroll County Public Schools | Reading Specialist-"A new employee should avoid casual dress, speaking negatively about experiences and coworkers. A prospective employee shouldn't brag about his or her experiences, rather use those opportunities to share how you turned negative experiences into positive experiences.  Finally, don't share your personal life unless you are asked."
McGladrey & Pullen, LLP | Senior Associate-"A new employee should be careful of turning down opportunities for work when they first begin employment. In my experience, I have found some new employees have preconceived notions of certain kinds of work and will turn down opportunities presented to them. While some of this may be due the individual knowing thy self well, I believe it is more often than not that it is simply a fear of doing something they are unfamiliar with and are more afraid of failure.

"You always pass failure on the way to success" ~ Quote by Mickey Rooney."
University of Baltimore | Assistant Director of Student Involvement-"Avoid making quick judgments. It takes at least 6 months to really learn the culture of an organization -people, policies and procedures. Give yourself time to settle in and keep an open mind about your workplace. Give yourself time to observe and learn - you'll be better able to make informed decisions and suggestions once you've become more comfortable in your position."
*Beachley Medical | President-"In any office environment you are constantly being evaluated by your peers and management. A good first impression will go a long way in gaining respect and confidence from others. Dress appropriately - meaning not overdressing or under dressing. Arrive a little early and do not be the first to leave at the end of the day. Be the employee that puts in extra effort and keep any bad habits you may have away from the workplace. If you can prove to others that you want to succeed you will find a lot of help along the way."
Worcester County Board of Education | Teacher-"One should avoid acting as if he or she knows everything. Regardless of how much experience one has, one hasn't had the experience of working at that particular job site at that particular time. One is sure to ruffle feathers if one enters with an attitude of "I already know how this is done"! Look, listen, and learn first."
Beckman Coulter, INC | Applications Scientist-"Trying to do everything at the same time. Pick up a few important concepts and work on perfecting them. Learn everything you can and ask lots of questions. Be flexible and understand the scope of what the company does."
MD Dept. Of Environment - Air Management Admin. | Eastern Shore Regional Director-"Giving information that is not a true representation of you ideals/values."
Printing Specialist Corporation | Vice President-"Change. Give yourself some time to learn the company's protocol and the employee culture. Once you have a handle on that you can give a different perspective that may work better. Change is good but it needs to be done with diplomacy."
Bissman Enterprises Inc. | Owner/CEO-"Being late."
Federal Bureau of Investigation | Staff Operations Specialist-"The job selection process can take months and ultimately the decision is rightfully 100% self-centered on what is best for the individual. Money, location, commute, money, upward mobility, industry sustainability, and don't forget money. But once you've finally accepted that offer - the best advice I can offer a new employee is to drop the mindset that got them there as soon as possible. Think in the company's best interests, selflessly assimilate into the team, and focus on becoming an important part of the bigger picture. Don't worry, there's still a time to be selfish again when somebody brings in donuts!"
Indian River School District | Physical Education/Health Teacher-"Thinking this will be easy. As a new teacher don't let them see you smile until Christmas. Ask questions to experienced teachers if you are confused."
Self Employed- private outpatient therapy practice | Licensed Clinical Social Work-"A new employee should avoid participating in office gossip. It is destructive to gossip in the workplace and a new employee is setting himself/herself up for a whole host of problems by even listening to it. Instead, a new employee should focus on cultivating a positive work environment by firstly minding his/her own business! Avoiding office gossip will communicate respect, healthy boundaries, maturity and positivity!"
DCAA | Auditor-"Being nervous! Remember everyone at one time was in your shoes. Even your supervisor and head of the company. Show you are confident and are willing to learn!"
Supreme Court of the United States | Federal Police Officer-"
Avoid becoming involved in political gossip amongst coworkers. Allow yourself to form your own opinions; keep your eyes open and your mouth shut. Also avoid being perceived as lazy or rude."
Cort & Associates, Inc. | President-"My advice to people starting on their first jobs is not to set unrealistic expectations. Remember that Rome wasn't built in a day and that it takes time to develop a career. Avoid burning bridges and keep a pleasant attitude. Look at a first job as an apprenticeship, not a final destination."

June 2008: -
Question-"What was the hardest interview question you ever encountered and how did you answer it?"
Employer/Responses:
*LJT & Associates-"During my interview process, I was asked if I was prepared to discuss salary. The company asked me what I would like to have in the compensation package, including how much I think my annual salary should be. It caught me off-guard at first because most employers already have the salary and compensation packages determined for the position, not the person. If I asked for a salary too low, then they would take advantage of me and give me something lower than I deserve. If I said something too high, then I would risk the chance of not getting the position. After some thought, I asked if I could do some research and get back to them. I went to monster.com and looked up salary tables for that position in that area. This really made the negotiation process much easier. The employer also liked the fact that I took the time to really think and research the question before answering."
Peninsula Regional Medical Center-"What was your least favorite course in nursing school and why? I choose to state community health nursing because I felt that in the acute care hospital setting care is centered more around the individual and the family as it relates to acute and chronic disease processes. Identifying the class community health nursing seemed best because it concerns the health of community aggregates in which the emphasis is health promotion."
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central MD & Lower Eastern Shore-"One that sticks out in my memory was for one that I didn't get. I was interviewing for a position that was somewhat outside of my field of "expertise" and was asked frankly, "So, why is it that you're applying for this position that has nothing to do with your education, and why are you not pursuing a career in your field of study?" It was hard not to be defensive! But I did my best to explain that my education helped me develop critical thinking skills as well as an in-depth knowledge of people's motivation and behavior, which are universally applicable in many fields. I was early in my career and sought to diversify my experiences, but the employer was looking for someone very specific; looking back, I'm glad I didn't get that job and fit much better in my current one! "
Schlenger/Pitz & Associates Consulting Engineers-"Why are you leaving your current employer? Luckily the person interviewing me was down to earth and it was an informal interview so I told him the exactly why. You should answer objectively. "Due to personal issues I... or I'm looking for a position closer to home. The technical question are easy for me."
Wicomico County Board of Education-"There were a couple of job-specific questions that I had not researched. I answered by being honest and saying "I don't know," and telling a few things I did know related to the question."
Discovery Communications-"I guess being asked "What was my biggest challenge in a previous job/school and how I accomplished it? That's tough because you always want to make yourself sound positive and it's a negative question. I think I may have answered it: Knowing when to speak up when I have too much on my plate. I'm the type of person who will work late/more in order to finish things if I have too much, but I eventually had to say something and my boss really appreciated it."
AmeriCorps Cape Cod-"What are your weaknesses? A: Being able to speak up when there is a confrontational problem at work, by proposing the problem in a mature fashion."
The Pennsylvania State University-"The hardest interview question I was ever asked was for my very first teaching position. I was asked what I would do if I caught students cheating on a test. I had never taught before so I couldn't rely on a previous experience to know exactly what I would do. I paused to think and answered honestly, which is always the best way to go. I said "I truly don't know," suggested that I would give the student a zero, and that such classroom management situations would be the type of thing that I would like to talk to my supervisor, or other experienced teachers about before starting the job. It shows integrity to admit that one doesn't know, and when you have to admit this in an interview, it is important to show that you know where to go to find the answer."
SW Associates-"What does your husband do? I live in France and the rules are a bit different here. I looked that guy straight in the eye and said, what does it matter? AND I got the job!"
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals-"How have your performance results compared to your colleagues and why do you consistently out perform them? My performance results over the past 5 years have consistently been in the top 20% in my division. I have been able to consistently out perform my colleagues because of my ability to analyze difficult situations, implement a clear strategy, and adapt to change while executing the strategy. I then gave a specific situation that included the task, specific actions I took, and the results I achieved."
Caroline DSS-"Answering your strengths & weaknesses. I am organized but have trouble with time therefore I set my clock ahead so I make it on time."
Sherwin Williams-"What was the worst hiring decision that you ever made? I was in a roundtable interview with at least eight interviewers. The position that I was interviewing for was Operations Manager at the Purdy Paint Brush Plant in Portland, OR. The HR manager at the site asked me the question. Some of the other interviewers included shop floor supervisors. My response: The answer to that question is confidential but I would be happy to speak with you about it one on one."
Salisbury University-"Where do you see yourself in the next five years?" Well, I obviously didn't want to say "Have been offered this position, and have learned enough to get your job."(smile) But I wanted to let them know I was looking for a career position where I had an opportunity to advance and professionally develop. So my response was..."I'd like to be in a position where I have the ongoing opportunity for professional development and growth."
IMS Health-What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Be honest. Don't make yourself sound like anything you are not. Make sure to be up front, and not feel like you are excluded from having either.

July 2008: -
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August 2008: -
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September 2008: -
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October 2008: -
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November 2008: -
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December 2008: -
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