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Past Questions

Your Job Preparation

Q: Almost every job description that I see requires previous experience. How am I ever going to get previous experience if no one will hire me in the first place?

A: Life has a pretty funny way of welcoming you to the real world, and I’m sure you would agree that it’s really not that funny at all. This is just part of the transition; digging through the trenches with every other recent graduate until you finally reach a point where you can rest easy. Most of the 20-somethings that I met in our focus groups just wanted to know how they can “skip” the entry-level part and start working at the job they spent the last 4-6 years studying for. Your degree essentially opens the doors to the jobs that you want, but it’s up to you to let yourself in. Think out of the box in terms of how you can find jobs. Go out and meet people that are working in your field, and don’t forget about friends and/or family that may be able to help you out. You’ll find that most entry-level jobs are anything but glamorous. But if there is one piece of advice I could give you, it’s that if you work hard and produce results in whatever you do, your efforts will not go unnoticed, and you’ll be out of that trench before you know it.

Your Job Hunt

Q: I am bored with my current job; I'm thinking of pursuing other opportunities but I don't want to risk losing my job and having nothing else to go on. Should I just stick it out at my current job and hope things get better?

A: I can't tell you how many times I've heard this before. Not just from 20-somethings, but from people in their 30's, 40's, and even their 50's. Getting stuck in a boring job was a top concern of both pre and post graduates. Your job is what you make of it, so if you feel like your getting too comfortable with your day-to-day routine, you may want to consider asking your manager for new challenges. You'll find that it wasn't the company that was getting you down, it was just your assignment. Last time I checked, no one has lost their job because they asked for more work.

Q: I am currently finishing up my last semester in college as a student teacher. Turns out I have a little problem...I've discovered that teaching is not for me. I'm still going to get a degree in elementary education, but after graduation, I have no idea what to do. What can I do with my degree without inevitably ending up back in a classroom?

A: Dear Student Teach: Did you originally receive an undergraduate degree in another discipline? What other interests, talents or skills have you amassed? What other career options have you previously explored? Have you met with your career placement services as your primary college? Do you enjoy teaching/training in any capacity? You could investigate working in a plethora of different industries and starting out in human resources, taking responsibilities for creating and managing training programs for new employees, or more senior staff looking to expand their skill sets in management, presentation or other specialized skills. Do you have any targeted industries or interests that we can start with? For instance, if you were also interested in music or law, I would encourage you to look at potential human resource areas in either a media company or a law firm. If you really had a passion for the law, and if your grades were good or preferably outstanding, you could take the appropriate LCAT tests and possibly look down the road at law school. I strongly suggest that you start with our "know yourslelf self test" (Chapter 2, page 23 in No More Ramen: the 20-something's real world survival guide). Then read further in Chapter 3, and start to set some reasonable goals and objectives, and target several optional career paths. You should use some of the recommendations in 'Ramen to test out possible paths, trying to speak with individuals in those areas and see if it's right for you. You may need to dedicate yourself to an entry-level position in a desired field, then "create the dream job" by making strong contributions to an employer demonstrating your value. Please read on in the book and try to come back to us with more specific questions, we are more than happy to help you.

Q: If I need to start planning for retirement now, how should I save or invest my money?

A: The answer is really dependent upon how much you are earning and what your present debt and liabilities total (including college loans, credit card debt, budget for cost of living, etc.). Regardless, you should invest as much as permissable (without any tax implications- check with an accountant) into your 401(k) plan, and if there is not a plan available from your employer, then set up an IRA (independent retirement account) immediately with an authorized financial planner or stock broker. Rule-of-thumb that you can use would be approximately 6% of your "gross" earnings should be placed aside for your retirement account per annum, and it's even more productive when your employer makes any matching contributions (this is an outstanding benefit that should be compared when analyzing job options). The best manner to do this is through linear payroll deductions, have the money taken out regularly and in equal amounts from your "base pay", and go directly into your account. No More Ramen: the 20-something's real world survival guide, provide more comprehensive tips on how to set up these accounts. You should also start contributing into an individual savings account, and placing monies aside for potentially purchasing a home, car, vacation, emergencies or other discretionary investing or spending. This should be committed AFTER you have paid off any high interest credit card debt, which most often cannot be deducted from your taxes. There is good debt and bad, which we detail in 'Ramen, but generally credit card interest is not deductible, while college loans, mortages and other "good debt" can be deducted. Please let us know if you require any further elaboration, and wish you the best in preparing for your future.

Q: What's the deal with graduate school? Some say you need it; some say you don't. Should I just play it safe and go get my graduate degree anyways?

A: I heard something from a number my co-authors that today’s bachelors degree is equivalent to a high school diploma 20 years ago. With that said, it’s no surprise that recent grads and even graduates from a few years back are flocking back to school in record numbers with high hopes of securing a “better” job when they get out…the second time around. If you are considering going back to school for graduate degree, make sure you are doing it for the right reasons. Do your research. Does the job that you want require or suggest that you have a graduate degree? Ask people in your field what they would recommend. For most people, graduate school probably means a whole new set of loans stacked on top of one’s you already have. Can you really afford to do this right now? It’s no secret that a graduate degree increases your chances of getting a better job, and often gives you a higher starting salary. Graduate degrees can do great things for you early in your career; just don’t fall into the trap of going back to school because the transition to the real world was too rough or just didn’t offer enough for you.

Q: I just moved to a new city and I don't know anybody, let alone in the same field as me. Where can I go to meet more people?

A: It's called the hidden job market for a reason; if you don't go out looking for it, chances are you'll never find it. One of my co-authors was in a similar situation as you, but she wasn't just in a new city, she was in a completely different country. Learning a new language and adapting to another culture is one thing, but meeting people in her field could be considered impossible. Her options were pretty limited when it came to places to meet people, so she started talking with her professors and colleagues and just like that she got her start. You may not realize it right now, but there are people that you may only see once a day on your way out of the office that can be a huge source for you. It all starts with knowing what you want and being able to communicate it. Set out some clear goals for yourself, get out and start telling your family members, friends, professors, and colleagues about what you are really looking for. Chances are they or someone they know can help you get there.

Q: Dear Nicholas, I am currently reading your book while at the same time interviewing. My problem is that although I feel the interview went great and I received positive feedback from the interviewer I am not getting the jobs or making the final cut. I did not go straight to college out of high school and in fact graduated a few months ago at 32. All time is accounted for and there are no discrepancies. The people that I am interviewing with when I do not get offered the position are generally younger than I am while the reverse holds true, when I interview with someone older than I am I nearly always get offered the job. I am not aware of any differences in my behavior and think it may be the fact that I am not 24 that is disqualifying me or it may be that I shave my head. I do not shave it for any trendy look, I started losing my hair in my late teens and decided not to try and hide it. Could either of these or a combination of both be the real reason as to why I am not getting the job? I graduated with a high GPA and use a professional email as well as dress professionally at the interviews. I am clueless at this point.

A: 1. I encourage you to email me directly in the future at nicholasinaz@cox.net, and I am open to a phone conversation as your personal situation may get complicated in writing- try my cell phone at 480-220-3700. I will be on the West Coast until mid-June, then on the East Coast through mid-September. 2. Send me a copy of your resumee in MS Word format. It is a bit of a disadvantage to graduate school so late, but you need to make the best of your circumstances. Depending upon what you did for the time off, may or may not be "spun" positively to prospective employers. The challenge you have in a field where you may lack experience is that employers are investing time in training you for the future, and you may be viewed as less growth prospects from younger graduates. However, for certain fields, you may be viewed as more stable and mature, and if you have some relative experience (general or specific), you may position yourself well as comparable or slightly higher wages. 3. Shaving your head, tatoos, piercings and other manners of presenting yourself can be taken differently by varying demographics or genres, but the bottom line is that you want to work for an employer and manager that is comfortable with you for who you are and your potential contributions to the company, and you also feel at ease with them. In this day and age, it is more socially acceptable for men to have shaved heads, stylistically or due to natural aging process. I can't imagine that this would be a prime reason if all other attributes of the interview and your skill set match up well. It is more common, particularly amongst younger managers, to gravitate towards younger subordinates- I went through this maturation and educational cycle as a young manager myself and can share what I learned in the process. 4. What school did you graduate from, what was your concentration, and did you have any relevant work experience- either part-time, full-time work or an internship? Having a high GPA can only help. Don't lose confidence, you may need to knock on a lot of doors before you find the right match... Feel free to contact me anytime, I can help you polish your paperwork and hone some of your skills. Sincerely, Nicholas Aretakis, Author No More Ramen: the 20-something's real world survival guide

Q: I'm considering multiple job offers, one near my home town, and the other clear across the country. It makes sense to take the offer near my family, but something inside of me wants to explore other areas. I haven't done much traveling, so how can I guarantee that I'm making the right move with the right job offer.

A: This can be one of the most exciting decisions. Especially early in your career. When choosing between job offers you have to look at all your options and you have to know what you really want. Take into consideration the weather, location, potential for growth, cost of living, and definitely take a "preview trip" before accepting any offer. Then use the Comparing Job Options chart from No More Ramen to narrow down your choices. It really comes down to what speaks to you the most, so take your time, be realistic, and remember to have a little fun along the way.

Your Money

Q: What am I supposed to say when my boss asks me how much money I need?

A: Now there’s a question that you don’t expect. In actuality, this happens more than you think. It’s a question that you ask yourself everyday, especially coming out of college with loans, rent, and bills coming at you. If you’re not exactly sure how much money you really need when your boss asks you, the worst thing you can do is take a wild guess and risk falling short of what you need to survive. Set up a detailed budget for all your expenses, like the one in No More Ramen. Make sure you cover everything from rent, to insurance, to eating out, to dry cleaning, and even include a savings plan. Add those numbers up and take good look at everything you are spending your money on. Go through each item in your budget and start figuring out ways that you can lower your expenses (i.e. lower your rent by getting a roommate) and set monthly targets. Take that final number that you get and let your boss know that you’ve got it all figured out.