Is your organization right for you?

Have you ever worked for an organization and realized that it just wasn't right for you? Maybe you were happy with your responsibilities, your salary and the location but you couldn't pinpoint what wasn't quite right.  The reason was probably because the organization's values were not aligned with your own. The way employees view the organization that they work for plays a large role in their commitment to its mission, vision and values. 

Internal communications is an essential component for making this commitment happen. Internal communicators are responsible for passing organizational culture onto new and existing employees. During my undergrad I pursued a focus in organizational communications. From what I can remember, my interest in internal communications and specifically how it affects organizational culture was sparked by a case study entitled The Beauty of L'Oréal Is in Its Employees. Here are a few ways that L'Oréal Canada has succeeded in creating an impeccable organizational culture:

1)      It starts in the recruitment stage. According to the case study, L'Oréal often employs recent graduates. Often, they offer a "clean slate" because they have yet to be exposed to another organization's culture. New recruits undergo an integration period in which they receive an overview of the company’s history, structure and strategies.

2)      The learning never stops. L’Oréal offers all employees with opportunities for professional development through seminars, training and career planning sessions. Continuous learning motivates employees to improve themselves so they can advance their career within the organization.

3)      Internal communication tools. L’Oréal relies on employee surveys, internal newsletters, an intranet and electronic screens located throughout the building to increase employee loyalty by keeping them informed on up-to-date company news.

4)      Diversity. In an era of globalization there are many identities (ages groups, genders, classes, religions, ethnicities, etc) in the workplace. L’Oréal embraces this because they recognize that each brings a “different and valuable perspective to the company”.

5)      Perks. L’Oréal offers perks that cater to the needs of their diverse workforce. The Globe and Mail featured the company in an article entitled Whaddya know? Some bosses do listen. The article highlights how L’Oréal Canada’s on-site cafeteria offers a healthy take-home dinner service at a reasonable price, perfect for working-parents.

You can get a great deal of information on an organization's culture by surfing their website.  Take a look through the “About” and “Careers” section to find out if the organization is right for you. 

A New Chapter

Hello my dear readers! I have some wonderful news to share with you. I'm going to be a graduate student starting this fall! I got admitted into both schools that I applied to and thankfully I had already decided on what one was best suited for me. This is a very good thing because having to make a big decision keeps me up at night. I'm looking forward to this new chapter in my life and I can’t wait to document it right here on La Relationniste.

I strongly believe that my references played a positive role in the selection process. Whether you just got admitted into grad school or landed your dream job, it's important to follow up with the people who had a direct impact on your accomplishment.

I think that a hand written note is a great way to do this. Below are some suggested do's and don’ts to consider when writing a thank you note.

Do:

- Say thank you and be specific

- Keep it short and sweet

- Make it personalized

Don't:

- Ask for a favor or ask a question. Remember that the goal is to state your appreciation.

Do you write thank you notes? 

A Strategic Career

Every once in a while I’ll meet someone interesting during my morning commute. This week, a woman gave me some career advice that I wanted to share with you. I told her, that like many recent graduates, I’m trying to figure out what direction I want to take in my career. Her advice was simple but it made me reflect. She said: “Think about what it is that you want to learn and go for it. Ultimately you should be doing something that brings you joy.”

This woman, who was so passionate about her career, had put a lot of thought into the path she had chosen. It can be difficult for recent graduates like myself to even know where to start. This is where a career plan can be useful. Below I have outlined the basic steps to creating a short term career plan.

1.     Self Assessment

Start by looking at your professional experience to date. What aspects do you like, what aspects don’t you like? Do these jobs align with your personal interests and values? List your findings.

2.   Research and Set Concrete Goals

Research some career options that are aligned with the information gathered during your assessment. Then indicate the ones that interest you the most and figure out what it is that attracts you to these options. A great way to do this is to look at current job openings and descriptions that interest you and list all the similarities. Is it the sector, the salary, the responsibilities, work-life balance, training opportunities, etc? The answers will help you shape a better picture of where you want to be 6 months to a year from now.

3.  Consider Obstacles

Based on the job descriptions for the role you want, you can determine what you need to achieve in order to meet the requirements of that role. You may realize that you need extra courses or volunteer experience in order to meet the requirements of your goals. Write down any gaps.

4. Actions

In this section, list exactly what you are doing to meet your goals and when you expect to complete them. 

Your career plan should constantly evolve along with your experience and interests. The steps above will provide you with a solid foundation.

If you’re having a difficult time visualizing what a career plan might look like, a simple search on Google will bring up various templates and examples.

Have you ever strategically planned your career on paper?