Master's Student finishing up in Dec. Wondering what jobs to look for?

[Craigshaf]

I've got experience in EMS, ISO 14001 implementation and registration, and a variation (SMS, sustainability management system).

What positions or organizations should I be looking for? I would like to continue to implement EMS programs and push toward sustainability programs as well.

Thesis project was a case study, through internship, on the implementation and certification of an ISO 14001 registered EMS and certified SMS at a vineyard in Northern California, the first one yet!

Any info would be greatly appreciated

Thanks!
Craig

[Randy]

I'm a prospective employer (believe it or not). I need an EHS professional to manage a facility. I'd like to do an EMS but I also have some basic environmental and safety issues to manage as well.

Other than what you've said, what do you bring to the table?

What type of experience do you have other that what you gave in your dazzlying brilliant intro?

What do you think you could do for my type of organization? (SIC 2541)

Do you know how to speak business? Give me the gist (short version) of the language.

If all you have in your bag of tricks is what you've written here I can offer you a starting position on our loading dock or as a stainless steel polisher.

Sound mean don't I? It takes more than what you've said to excite an employer and definitely more for someone to hire you to specifically do what you desire. You're going to be going against folks like me or for the most part better than me so you better have some heavy, heavy trash to toss onto the table.

BTW, what kind of money are you looking for or expect to get? The amount I mean.

[Wes Bucey]

I'm a pretty straightforward fellow. I may not be as blunt as some, but I have been known to cut people off at the ankles when they try to swindle me.

Thus said, I am one of the "executive suite guys in suits" who do the actual hiring.

Frankly, the primary thing I want to learn from a candidate is WIIFM (shorthand for "What's in it for me?")

Until you tell me how you can identify and solve problems for me, I don't care if you are self-taught or have a string of Phd certificates from major universities throughout the world.

I have no sympathy for anyone who goes through a degree program (real or sham) and then says, "What should I do? Where should I go?"

Part of the research you should have been doing as part of your degree program (shame on your faculty adviser) is researching companies that can benefit from your knowledge, skills, and any experience you may have. Further, you should have been preparing skillful presentations to make to those companies on why they would gain from having you on board.

I have written on this topic of making yourself an attractive candidate at various times here in the Cove as well as in the old ASQ Forums.

One thread you might peruse may give you a hint at a better and more efficient way to approach the job of getting a job which fits your skill and talent is Tips to get past the "gatekeeper" when job hunting

Also, be sure to visit Jobhuntersbible.com by Richard Bolles, author of "What Color is Your Parachute?"

[Randy]

Gosh Wes, are we tough or what?

[Craigshaf]

Gentlemen,
You input has been immensely valuable.

Randy, first to address your response:

Believe it or not, there is life beyond my knowledge in ISO, EMS, and SMS implementation. In my previous life, I was a consultant for Pricewaterhouse Coopers. Basically I managed the back end of 401(k) plans. This gave me a solid foundation in business skills from direct client interaction to sales support and team management.

But honestly, the best experience I had was managing circuit city stores to get myself though college. I seemed to enjoy the daily interaction with every type of person imaginable along with management of a highly diversified team.

Although I have experience in business, sales, environmental compliance, sustainability awareness and other areas, I pride myself on being valued in a team. I bring knowledge, hard work, a sense of humor and a fine appreciation for life to the table. There are many people out there who have been doing EHS work for 20 years. Although, I cannot offer that kind of experience, I can offer a co-worker who you enjoy working with. Furthermore, I thrive on the challenge of a fast-paced, sometimes crazy work environment.

In business talk; I can deliver innovation through efficient use of my resources. The value I add to your organization can be measured and will facilitate the improvement of all processes I have the pleasure of working on. The core competencies I bring to the table are not only in the requirements you look for, but also go above and beyond the business realm. Hiring me creates a Win-Win-Win situation: one win for you, one win for me, and one for your customers.

I would love to discuss further where exactly I can add value to your business (SIC 2541, Office fixtures, storage and the like). This would be most appropriate in a one-on-one discussion. I can get a better handle on what you are looking for and you can get a better understanding of what I can bring to the table.

So with all this, what am I looking for? Obviously location plays an important roll here - My previous work experience has all been in the bay area in Northern California.
Given that, roughly $60k (w/benefits) would be a good place to start negotiations.


So Wes, your turn

I am sure you have read through the above, although given the long winded nature and the value of the time of an "'executive suite guys in suits' who do[es] the actual hiring", you probably began to glance down.

WIIFM you ask? A young, hard working, fun, educated, employee, with "C" written all over him. Not only will I succeed, I will take the organization with me. Give me the challenges! I want to tackle them. I want to learn and I want to teach. I need the knowledge of working with high level execs with years under their belt and I want to share the knowledge of a young pup who has been studying what is working in today’s society. I bring on the ground experience of watching companies break through the sustainability barrier. I worked with an organization that was the first to get ISO in an industry that has never really cared what others think. I created training programs that were not "training programs" but learning opportunities, and I ENJOY IT!
<Stepping down from soap box>

Wes, I did not mean to give the impression that I am going into the job market with no knowledge; my attempt was to put a little feeler out there. It obviously tickled a couple of you, so I was not all that off. I was looking for the answer I haven't heard. This is an attempt to weed out the guy who knows of something new, fun and exciting out there that has yet to reach my desktop. Sure, I am ready for EH&S work, or Env. Consulting, but I want to find the change management position, the C of Sustainability. I am hoping my tickler shows me a path not yet discovered.

I have the list of companies looking for EHS, but where is the company looking to rethink the way they do business. Bring in a young buck (now don't get the impression I'm 21 or such, but just under 30 is still young in the business world), and take on the sustainability issue in a new light. Sometimes a fresh mind can work wonders. I have had the opportunity to create new ways of thinking in the past, and I want to do it again and again.


I know this is a long posting, but my initial short one seemed to relay undesired information. Thanks for reading. I hope we can discuss our future more.

Craig

[Wes Bucey]

Originally Posted by Craigshaf

Wes, I did not mean to give the impression that I am going into the job market with no knowledge; my attempt was to put a little feeler out there. It obviously tickled a couple of you, so I was not all that off. I was looking for the answer I haven't heard. This is an attempt to weed out the guy who knows of something new, fun and exciting out there that has yet to reach my desktop. Sure, I am ready for EH&S work, or Env. Consulting, but I want to find the change management position, the C of Sustainability. I am hoping my tickler shows me a path not yet discovered.

I have the list of companies looking for EHS, but where is the company looking to rethink the way they do business. Bring in a young buck (now don't get the impression I'm 21 or such, but just under 30 is still young in the business world), and take on the sustainability issue in a new light. Sometimes a fresh mind can work wonders. I have had the opportunity to create new ways of thinking in the past, and I want to do it again and again.

I guess Richard Bolles and I must both be crazy. There's no secret I write long pieces. My thought is always "teach a man to fish instead of giving him a fish."

I'm still disappointed in what you write. Somehow you didn't get my point, however long-winded.

The point: No one cares what you did, except that success in what you did might be "ammunition" in giving you credence when you say what you can/will do for me or any of my fellow executives in other organizations. Frankly, no one in a position to hire "cares" about being creative in helping you find a job. They expect you to be creative in "creating the job" by showing them a need you are the best person (and handiest) to fill. If you can't do that, just be an "ordertaker" by watching ads until you find one that seems interesting.

We all have good team players (or they wouldn't stay part of the team.) They all have skills and varying amounts of experience.

What we always look for are folks who "anticipate" our needs and offer solutions where we might not even be aware we have a problem without a gentle prod.

There's a decided difference between a salesman and an order taker. The salesman may sometimes screw up the paperwork, but he's out there selling benefits while the ordertaker takes orders for "things" with perfect diligence to getting the paperwork exactly right.

A simple, trite analogy: ordertaker takes orders for drill bits; salesman sells holes.

If you are going to be successful in finding a new career which gives you a vibrant, exciting (and rewarding) atmosphere in which to work, you need to ask about companies; ferret out what they need; and, if you have the right combination of skills, sell them what they need.

For example:
Are you aware of a new environmental regulation on the horizon which may catch organizations unprepared? Tell them and tell them "how" you can solve that problem before it becomes a problem.

No matter what, it still boils down to: WIIFM! (Is that succinct enough?)

[Craigshaf]

Wes,
I think I see where you are going. I gave you a personal resume when that is far from what you're after.

Finding a job is more than waiting for the right one to come along, but instead creating a need and more importantly a desire to have me on board.

I have had the time to look through the thread on getting through applying and see a plethora of useful information.

I hope you don't mind me using this forum as a way to better tune myself with the ways to break into my new career. Hopefully this can be helpful to many others.

Thanks for your input, some good stuff to sleep on....

Craig

[Wes Bucey]

Yes, Grasshopper!