For students in the midst of Fall Semester, as well as graduates targeting employment
opportunities, it’s vital to consider the kinds of skills that will increase employability.
Students must think intentionally about how academic work needs to be coupled with
targeted skill-building outside the classroom to help them become job-search ready, and
graduates must develop these skills quickly to set themselves up for job-search success.
Employers who seek future employees will view applicants not only in terms of their degrees,
majors and minors but also, they will assess the specific skills needed in their respective
professional setting.
Job-seekers in today’s landscape must cultivate the traditional workplace skill-sets of their
parents and mentors, as well as develop critical 21st century skills that have emerged due to
rapid advances in technology. As a result, today’s aspiring professionals must do
exponentially more work, and undertake proactive planning, in order to master even basic
skills that will make them attractive employment candidates.
What are 21st Century Skills?
Technology’s impact on the workplace cannot be understated. There is a technology
upskilling occurring in almost every career path, and some skills that used to be job-specific
are now pervasive across industries. For example, the use of programming languages is no
longer the sole domain of computer science majors, and many early careerists find that
companies throughout the workforce are seeking these technical skills, even in entry-level
jobs. This is particularly true given how intertwined the different functions of a modern
company can be. Learning data science skills – such as the languages of Python, R or SQL –
might sound too technical for a person who does not aspire to become a data scientist;
however, some roles will call for collaboration with the data science team, and it pays to be
familiar with these areas of study in order to form effective partnerships.
Prospective job-seekers should also bolster their social media skills to be successful in the
workplace. While the students and grads may have a basic grasp on platforms like Instagram,
Facebook and Twitter, they are likely less familiar with tools such as Google Analytics and
Hootsuite, which respectively measure and analyze activity levels of these platforms and
allow users to manage multiple social media channels.
Additionally, customer relationship tools like Salesforce and Mailchimp, are used across
marketing, sales and corporate communications roles. Collaboration tools such as Slack and
GitHub are used by professionals who need to learn from each other within and outside of
organizations. Business Process Automation tools create robotics applications in corporate
departments of all types including accounting and human resources. Presentation and content
management tools such as Prezi, WordPress, and Zoom are valuable in a variety of
occupations.
It’s important to understand the kinds of skills that will be essential to your job-search
process. Map out a creative approach to developing these new skills. If you’re a student,
figure out how to foster these skills within, alongside, and outside of your college curriculum.
And if you’ve already graduated, make 21st century skill development a daily priority.

What is needed?
An insightful and productive method of identifying necessary skills is to explore job
descriptions for aspirational roles in your field. What skills do employers require and at what
level of proficiency? What skills does LinkedIn score for roles that you find interesting?
Talk to people in the field now and understand the kinds of skills that their company
prioritizes – one useful question is “What skill do you wish you had mastered before you
started your job?”
Start early in this exploration. It is better to be armed with a plethora of useful skills than to
rush to acquire them (or need to mask skill deficiencies) while you are in your active job
search.
Identify Complementary Skills
In order to be a well-rounded candidate, it’s important to augment your academic background
with additional, complementary skills. If you study or studied a technical field, such as
engineering or computer science, consider business skills that you might not cover in your
curriculum. If you are a business or marketing major, jobs you seek in the biotech or
pharmaceuticals sectors may expect some scientific or clinical training. If you are considering
working in a start-up environment, you may be expected to have knowledge of a variety of
social media tools, both on the front-end and the back-end, as well as additional technical
knowledge. Students across academic disciplines can benefit from developing an advanced
understanding of Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint, or project management software.
How and When to Learn
Armed with new skill specific goals, figure out what resources are available through your
school. Start small – consider obtaining a book or locating online tutorials on the subject you
want to learn. Once you’re comfortable with the basic material, research your range of
options to learn; consider group classes, private lessons, or identify a guide who can get you
started on the basics. If you have secured an internship, find out what training resources will
be available while you are working – large firms often have extensive resources for
employees to master software packages and learn about the complex features of application
service providers like Salesforce or Workday. Some companies like Salesforce and Tableau
will also allow students to learn the basics of their tools for free, to help them develop skills
they’ll need for entry-level positions.
New Skills in Action
Transform your new learning into mastery by finding an opportunity to apply these newly
developed skills. Offer to volunteer or assist in projects on campus, at local companies, at or
for profits to put your skills into practice. Alternatively, find problems and use your new
skills to solve them, creating interesting personal projects to spotlight on your resume.

Once you have firmly developed a skill, you will be able to note the skill on your resume;
stating what you learned, how you applied it, and any outcomes you achieved – this is
valuable information for an employer seeking a skilled resource.
At Early Stage Careers, we help Freshman students, college graduates, and everyone in
between to start building technical skill ideas and options; while also ensuring that clients
continue to cultivate traditional soft skill building in the areas of teamwork, creativity,
analytical skills, and adaptability.If you start early, you can add on to them as new
technologies are created, allowing you to transfer your skills to new opportunities. No matter
when you start building your roadmap, you will be demonstrating to potential employers that
you are committed to continuous self-improvement, and contributing more to meet company
needs; which goes beyond obtaining a degree.

Next week is Thanksgiving, which marks the beginning of holiday festivities that will carry
us through the New Year. The upcoming holidays, and the many gatherings that typically
occur, present a good opportunity to evaluate your networking approach and find ways to get
started or improve in this area. Developing a network is critical to career advancement –
networking connections can help your resume stand-out from the field, help you arrange an
interview with a company, or help you follow-up on an opportunity that seems to have
stalled. More importantly, networking yields benefits far beyond job search efforts – creating
and maintaining meaningful relationships will serve you personally and professionally
throughout your career. Your network should encompass people in your world from every
angle: Personal, Educational, Professional, Philanthropic, and Spiritual.
Bridging the Networking Gap
The concept of business and social networking has existed for ages – it costs nothing to
implement, and requires no special assistance. Yet, it is one of the most frustrating aspects of
career development for people of all industries and all ages, especially early careerists. This
natural resistance to networking is partially due to lack of familiarity – networking is
something that is not taught in school, is not part of any curriculum, and is rarely mandated
by employers. While job-seekers practice other skills like interviewing extensively, even
attending mock interviews, most do not spend any time practicing networking tactics. That
needs to change. At we encourage our clients to embrace networking, using tools like
LinkedIn or Facebook. We help early careerists to see the longer-term value of network
building. We work with our clients to examine who they are connected to, to design
approaches to identify new people, and to forge contacts with people from their past.
Three Steps to Networking Success

Use this three-part formula to overcome resistance and begin networking:
1) Fix Your Mindset: Many early careerists think the act of reaching out to people is
self-serving or needy. Frankly that is not the case. If you have accepted a request from
someone to connect, either via an online tool, or in person, you usually say yes; without
analyzing the request deeply simply because it feels nice to be asked and even nicer to
accept. Expanding a network is a mutually beneficial endeavor; networks create a resource
for mutual development and growth. It is not selfish; learn to be comfortable engaging with
others, even if it includes a little self-promotion.
2) Get Comfortable Taking Micro-Risks: While asking someone to connect via
LinkedIn might feel like taking a risk, there is no downside. Yes, you might not hear back,
but odds are you will. For many people, you are, in fact, already connected; you are simply
asking to memorialize your pre-existing relationship on LinkedIn. Be patient, and do NOT
expect an immediate response, as people pay episodic attention to most things.
3) Build Habits: Take small action steps. You will be networking for the rest of your
life, and building good networking habits is no different than building habits of proper
nutrition or physical activity. Take positive actions to build your network; invest in
convenient, small time increments to regularly focus on networking, such as Sunday evening
as you close out one week and plan for the next.
Habits to Practice
Practice makes perfect? No. Don’t aim for perfection. Simply engage in a set of exercises to
cultivate a growing network, in-person and virtually, using LinkedIn, Facebook, email, a
notebook, or these tools combined. Here are some fundamental steps you can take to
organically build your network:
· Connect Your Existing Tribe: One crucial part of networking is formalizing existing
relationships. Tell people how you are doing and ask to connect. Let them know you were
thinking of them. If you see an article that reminds you of them, reach out and share it.
· Ask About Their Journey: If someone is doing work that is unrelated to where they
started out, for example a lawyer who once played in a rock band, reach out to learn what led
to such an interesting transition.
· Say Thank You: Prioritize sending personalized thank you notes throughout your
job-search process; even for little things like quick phone calls. You can use LinkedIn to send
thank you notes while simultaneously ask to connect.
· Build Bridges Quickly: If you make a connection, don’t wait to follow-up – reach out
online within 24 hours while memories are still fresh in both of your minds.
· Hit the Books: Skim directories of alumni, yearbooks and conference programs to
recall names.

· Ask to Join forces: Networking doesn’t have to be exclusively with people of higher
status than you. Find people in a similar situation to you, such as other alumni in the job
market. Connect and help each other.
· Use Teachable Moments: Make sure to connect with those closest to you – parents,
siblings, cousins, etc. If they don’t use LinkedIn, offer to help them learn and be their first
connection.
· Little Things Matter: Send congratulations and birthday wishes along with a
thoughtful, personalized note. Don’t just reach out when you need something – remember,
the strongest networks are built on real relationships.
· They Are Not Strangers: Ask people to lunch or coffee – make an effort to reach out
to those you don’t interact with otherwise. Try asking the person who held your job before
you, or the manager in a different team that seems to be doing interesting work, or an alum
from your college who joined another department.
· No Walls Between Tools: Building a network encompasses all aspects of your life.
Don’t limit yourself to online connections. The people around you are precious, so plan ways
to connect with them during down time – suggest sharing a meal or take off your headphones
and chat during the commute home. Crosswalk your connections on other forms of social
media with those people nearby.
· Add Value: Networking should be a two-way street – you shouldn’t solely connect
with others looking for ways it will benefit you. When you’re building your network, look for
ways that you can help others and add value to the relationship. This will create a mutually
beneficial relationship, and will help ease some of the discomfort of appearing needy or
asking for help.

At Early Stage Careers, helping our clients overcome internal resistance to cultivating a
network has had benefits that will last them throughout their careers.Networking allows
young careerists to hone their communications skills with a variety of people, and gives them
interesting things to talk about both in interviews and socially. It equips young professionals
to become more effective collaborators, as they might offer leads from their network to others
who are trying to solve problems. Your network might lead you to an innovative inspiration
or new hobby.When you are ready, your social networking platform will provide a place to
create content and share it about matters that are important to you. Networking is a way to
extend and establish your professional foothold, so be sure you focus on developing this skill
as you move into and through your career.

The end of the calendar year usually means a little well-earned relaxation. Students wrap up
the fall semester – putting exams, papers, and projects behind them – and many young
professionals will have some time to recuperate as well. While it’s great to enjoy some time
relaxing with family and friends, and to catch up on much needed sleep, it’s important to use
this precious time to prepare to launch your career anew in 2020. Whether you are trying to
decide what career direction fits your interests, searching for an internship or first full-time
job, or seeking a career transition – these ten steps you can take over the holidays will set you
up for career launch success in 2020.
Job Search Readiness
First, attend to the basics that will make you job search “ready” – set aside time to complete
simple tasks that don’t need to take long, or that can be done in little chunks of time. By
tackling these completely, you will be ready to react when you see an opportunity or chance
to network over the break or as soon as you return to school.

1. Prepare to interview – take time to formulate answers to interview questions. At Early
   Stage Careers, we prepare clients by having them learn and develop robust answers to
   common questions. Small investments of time can help you master the art of conversation in
   both interviewing and networking situations.
2. Get ready for video interviewing – invite a friend to catch up over Skype or Zoom.
   Check if your settings, both on your computer and in your surroundings, work for a video
   interaction. Ensure and test that your microphone and speakers work adequately, and your
   chosen space is well-lit with nothing odd appearing in your background.
3. Plan for individual company research – establish a method you can quickly replicate to
   ensure you fully understand the company and its markets. Also, prepare substantive questions
   that you can ask about a specific company’s products, training and growth plans.
4. Get current on world events – spend a little time each day catching up, especially if your
   school and activities in the fall kept you from staying informed about the news. You need to
   be well versed in a variety of general topics during interviews.
5. Update your resume, LinkedIn profile and cover letter – ensure job search materials
   reflect your end of semester grades, activities, new skills and recent accomplishments. Make
   sure these incorporate keywords that employers use to describe candidates they are seeking
   for targeted opportunities that are right-fit for you. You will now be ready to act quickly
   when you see a great opportunity.

Planning
Next, do some deeper thinking about your motivations and goals; your job search is likely the
first of many throughout your career, so align your search with the parameters that matter
most.

6. Explore your options – think about your skills and what you love to do. What are the
   project and skill experiences that have allowed you to get lost in the moment? We think about
   skills in terms of the employers seeking in the field you are considering. Think back over the
   last several years to see if you can uncover where your passions lie and how they can align to
   business opportunities as you plan your job search.
7. Consider a Career and Skills Assessment – consider completing a career assessment with
   a trained professional if you are feeling unsure of what direction to pursue. Earlier in 2019,
   we explored in our newsletter; many clients find this to be the foundation they need to build
   a successful job-search strategy. This is also a good time to evaluate your proficiency and
   abilities in skills that employers are seeking in job candidates for specific roles.
   Reach Beyond Your Comfort Zone
   Completing your education and moving into your professional life involves learning to push
   yourself, broadening your perspective and engaging with your community. It takes a plan to
   meet these challenges without reservation.
8. Get comfortable being a little uncomfortable – start by networking. If you are not sure
   how to begin, read through our recent Armed with these tactics, actively try to help someone
   else accomplish something. Expect nothing in return, but don’t be surprised if, someday, they
   help you.
9. Prepare to endure – understand that job searching is fraught with ups and downs. While
   you are on break, treat yourself to rest and relaxation. Deadlines, pressure and rejection are
   natural parts of any job search, so focus on
10. Be open to taking positive risks – consider what it might be like to accept an opportunity
    in a new city. While it is intimidating to think about relocating for an internship or new/first
    job, it may be necessary. Consider what living elsewhere might entail. If you can spend a
    little time traveling or simply thinking through the essentials, such as housing and
    transportation options, you might be more open to accepting an interesting opportunity that
    you find, or to joining a company that rotates new hires across various locations.
    If ten steps seem to be more than one can tackle over the holidays or winter break, keep in
    mind that several of them take very little time to complete. Remember, tackling these steps
    while you have a break will be much easier than trying to balance job searching with your
    additional responsibilities when the holiday season ends. Preparing for a well-executed job
    search takes a plan, practice and engagement. Consider finding a partner who can help keep
    things on track and guide your progress. the year to help these early job seekers establish
    mastery of each of these components. Happy New Year and best wishes for successful job
    searches in 2020!

The New Year is filled with new opportunities, and many college students and graduates are
kicking off 2020 with new classes, capstone internships, and full-time jobs. These new
experiences are exciting, and each provides an opportunity for strategic students and
graduates to effectively maximize the outcomes in order to position themselves for career
success.
At Early Stage Careers, we not only help clients get the jobs or internships they want, we
guide them on how to lay the groundwork to maximize these opportunities. Whether one is
starting a new class, internship or job, these are a few areas to invest time in before getting
caught up in the hard work that lies ahead.
The Place
If you’re starting a new internship or job, set aside time to do fresh research about the
organization. Look at anything you can find about the company – try to understand how it is
organized, and what lingo is used to describe its divisions, products and clients. Discover
materials about its history, and make sure you’re familiar with the organization’s mission.
No, you don’t need to read the entire 850-page book about the founder before you start, but
having a grasp on the company’s roots, goals, and trajectory is going to be helpful as you
start to meet senior people on the job.
The People
An experience is oftentimes defined by the people – and it’s important to learn about the
backgrounds of the people you will work most closely with. If you’re beginning an internship

or job, you should be familiar with the backgrounds of your manager, and any senior people
in your area. Use tools such as LinkedIn, and for startups, try Crunchbase or find media
coverage of their founding. Glean what you can – see where they’ve worked before, or where
they attended school. You may discover you share common bonds – maybe you’re both
alumni of the same college – and at the very least you’ll be better prepared with questions for
them as you develop rapport. If your peers or others in your industry participate in
professional organizations, you may want to consider joining – keep in mind, many offer low
rates for early careerists or students.
If you’re starting a new class, learn about the professor’s background and if they specialize in
any areas. Discover the papers or books your professor published, and search for online
interviews. It’s also important to find out if your professor employs students to join them in
their research work, and how you might be able to apply. If your class will be taught by a TA
or adjunct professor, you should learn about them as well – they may have a job outside of
school and by getting to know them, this may lead to future opportunities.
Remember to approach things from a personal standpoint, not just a career-oriented one.
Your co-workers and professors may very well grow to be lifelong friends – by investing in
those around you, you will bolster your personal life in addition to furthering career
ambitions.
Move Beyond Your Job Search
If you’re starting a new position, it’s time to embrace the end of your job search. Turn off the
job alerts and any other notifications you no longer need. Clear the decks on your computer
and email to file away the cover letters, resume drafts and job descriptions you have
accumulated during your search. You can store the important materials – you may one day
reuse some of them or share some with friends looking for similar roles. By eliminating
distracting relics of the search process, you can allocate greater focus to the upcoming
experience you will be beginning.
Preparing For Your Opportunity
In the days leading up to a new experience, you can reduce stress by making sure you’re
prepared for all aspects of the opportunity. Practice the commute or route to your classes to
understand what the journey will be like. Is it really a 15-minute route during rush hour, on
city streets or across a bustling campus? Is the building easy to find, and do you need to
account for any additional time to get to the classroom or office? It’s good to be sure, as you
don’t want to arrive frazzled and tardy on your first day. You may even want to lay out your
clothes for the first day or two in advance, so you have one fewer thing to worry about in the
morning.
Adjusting to Company Culture
Once you are on the job, be sure to follow the culture of the environment, and when in doubt,
choose the conservative path. For example, don’t use your cell phone while at your desk, and
be sure it’s set to silent. If you experience downtime, ask your supervisor how to best
manage that, and find things to do that are company-focused. If you are having difficulty

with anything, don’t be afraid to seek guidance – you can ask questions of those within the
organization, and rely on an external mentor or career coach for feedback on how to approach
delicate workplace situations.
Spread The Word
For a new internship or first job, if you haven’t done so already, be sure to tell friends,
family, and your full network about your new role. Thank them for their support in helping
get you to this important milestone. Your exciting news will likely increase your contacts, as
you hear about other people who work there, used to work there or want to work there.
Overall, having time before you begin something new is a luxury that does not come along
very often in life. Most changes occur unexpectedly and immediately. Use this time to
discover what is most interesting to you about what lies ahead and plan to engage with the
place, the people and the experience fully.

A job search sometimes feels like a juggling act, and keeping the balls in the air – including
job-search tasks, as well as the continuing demands of school/work and day-to-day living –
can oftentimes feel like a struggle. For neurodiverse individuals, the thought of embarking
on a job search can be overwhelming, as it adds complexity and stress to established routines.

Many parents with neurodiverse twenty-somethings have invested countless years in helping
plan and implement experiences that support their child’s development, but may feel at a loss
for how to best assist in a job search. These job-seekers not only need guidance through the
basic steps of job-searching, they also benefit from having someone who can anticipate which
factors in a job-search can be more challenging for neurodiverse individuals and to help
scaffold this process.
For this reason, Early Stage Careers’ team includes professional, experienced counselors that
can share in this responsibility – Janine Rowe and Eric Homburger – whose experience
includes supporting job seekers across a range of needs including Autism Spectrum Disorder,
ADHD, Dyslexia, depression and anxiety. Eric and Janine partner with clients to create a
personalized job search strategy that leverages their strengths and minimizes challenges.
So, what are strategies and steps our Neurodiversity Specialists pursue in order to help
job-seekers who have specific challenges, and what steps can neurodiverse individuals take to

successfully navigate the job-search process? We outline below the steps our coaches take to
help set neurodiverse job-seekers up for success in the job-search process.
Transitioning and The Parent Partnership
Many parents of neurodiverse young people have been actively involved throughout their
children’s lives in providing the support they need to be successful. However, as children
grow older and enter adulthood, it’s important for these dynamics to change. As Eric
Homburger notes, “Young job-seekers are working through a transition from student to
professional; while at the same time, their families are working through their own
transformation from hands-on advocates for the child to behind the scenes coaches.”
Of course, it’s important for a parent to be involved in the process even if a coach is engaged.
Parents have personal insights as to which environments could be a good match for their
child. And when a new job is secured, parents are pivotal to helping their young adult
children work through the transitional challenges, including how health support plans can
work with a new and evolving work schedule. As Janine Rowe puts it, “The role of families
is crucial, particularly in situations where the parents work to address related issues such as
those involving a work-related relocation; housing, transportation and arranging for therapy
with new professionals.”
Career Planning – Before the Search
Before the search begins, we typically consult at length with the client, their parents as well
as therapists and other professionals working with the client, to ensure we are fully
understanding the range of needs. In the words of Early Stage Careers co-founder Jill
Tipograph, who handles this sensitive outreach, “It is crucially important to understand the
strengths and challenges of the job seeker, how their needs manifest, what their behavioral
triggers are, and to get an objective professional’s view on how we can best tailor our
approach as career coaches.”
One struggle some neurodiverse job-seekers have is determining what industries or roles will
set them up to be successful. A Career Assessment can be a valuable tool that helps
students/grads plan for the initial job search and/or determine alternate career goals. Our
career coaches regularly help students identify right-fit career options by helping job seekers
examine multiple factors relating to successful career choice, including prospects for the
career of choice, job outlook, and work environment.
When determining what direction to pursue, Eric Homburger suggests that early careerists
consciously shift their mindset from, “You can’t do this or that” to “What can you do and
where do you want to be doing that type of work?”
Setting a Sourcing and Networking Strategy
Once target roles have been determined, a sourcing strategy is established in partnership with
our coaches. These coaches investigate companies that have a track record of recruiting
neurodiverse talent and organizations that support people with specific challenges. These may
include companies that have programs that specifically provide onboarding and training

tailored to neurodiversity factors, or companies that simply have large numbers of roles that
play to various talents and strengths. Additionally, our coaches are familiar with a wide
variety of valuable resources —they guide job-seekers to use those that will be most
beneficial, narrowing their scope to make best use of valuable time.
While the coach can help in the sourcing of opportunities, they will also work to assist the
young person in ramping up their networking. Most early job seekers are a bit resistant to
spending time on networking at first –Janine points out that she commonly hears, “I need a
job, not a network!” – and so coaches work to help clients see the value in building a
network, not only for this one search, but to establish support throughout the career journey.
Coaches spend considerable time helping neurodiverse job-seekers master tasks of
networking, creating communications, getting comfortable with outreach, and identifying
people who can uncover hidden opportunities.
Interviewing: Put Your Best Foot Forward
Interview preparation is always tailored to the individual, but when neurodiversity challenges
are present, the strategy to build these skills requires expertise. Training the interviewee to
see beyond the literal question and deliver an answer that addresses the underlying “question
behind the question” – offering context and detail that highlight one’s strengths and abilities
to master complex subjects – takes practice.
Coaches also address non-verbal behaviors, including managing eye contact and being
prepared for what to expect at each step of the interview. Our coaches work through and
discuss every aspect of an interview, including what to do upon arrival at the building, how to
deliver a strong handshake, and how to close the meeting with a demonstration of interest in
the role and organization. Lesley Mitler, co-founder of Early Stage Careers, points out that
anyone with executive functioning challenges “benefits from a detailed walk-through of what
to anticipate with a focus on how to be prepared, from clothing choices to the use of the cell
phone.”
We help clients be prepared for the tough parts of the process, including the common lack of
response following rounds of applications, and how to handle feedback when given, so that
future interviews have better outcomes.
Supporting Success on the Job
While getting a job is a major part of the career launch process, successfully onboarding to a
new organization is just as vital and oftentimes requires as much focus. Our coaches work
with the newly employed to understand the importance of getting to know colleagues,
greeting people on arrival and investing time in learning about them one on one. We help
these new employees prepare for the social aspects of the workplace that likely include
interactions outside the company walls, such as after-hours gatherings, or volunteer work.
Planning strategies for how and when to participate in events, versus how to respectfully
decline, can be discussed and practiced with a coach or other mentor.
Perhaps the most important part of the job-support process involves helping a new employee
understand how to appropriately ask for help or raise a concern. It’s vital for young

employees to confront a challenge while they are facing it, and not after the fact. Our coaches
debrief with clients to explore how things are going in early days and weeks, and provide
support so that feedback from supervisors can be implemented immediately and accurately.
Coaches can also help new employees handle the complex decisions regarding disclosing a
disability, including requesting accommodations.
The Importance of Partnership
Partnership is essential during a job search: the job seeker, their family, the career coach and
other experts who help foster skills and abilities come together to help job-seekers find and
secure a right-fit role at a right-fit organization, and foster strong new employee behaviors.
By focusing on long-term skill building while looking for an initial role, our coaches set the
stage for a lifetime of success. We not only help candidates get hired, we help them master
the blend of business and social interactions that is oftentimes a particular challenge for
neurodiverse job-seekers. Early Stage Careers coaches can lend a hand when addressing
challenges initiating tasks, prioritizing how to spend time, organizing the work, along with
measuring and monitoring progress. Let us know how we can partner with you

Interviewing is a vital component of any job search process, and a successful interview is
oftentimes the final step needed to clinch employment. While there are certainly ways to
generally bolster interview skills – at Early Stage Careers we work with clients on of
interview preparation – it’s also vital to tailor your preparation to each specific interview and
company.
By taking the outlined steps below, you can confidently position yourself as an engaged,
prepared, and curious applicant who is excited about the upcoming opportunity.
Get Comfortable with the Context
What is the context for the job you are interviewing? Take some time to look at the industry,
the company, its competitors and the area of the company you will be joining. Look at
everything you can find; positive news, awards and recognition, negative news, and product
issues. Use your search engine and any specific resources that the company makes available
as well.
It’s important to begin with this macroscopic view, because you are not only going to fill a
position, but enter a professional field. It’s important to have a basic, objective grasp on the
industry you’ll be discussing, and the way the company fits into this landscape. What is the
history of this company? If it is the product of a merger or divestiture, or a start up, you need
to be versed in those facts. What are the prospects for this market? Is this industry expanding,
consolidating or contracting? Who are their customers: are they consumers, other businesses,
the government, or some combination of these? Is the company an innovator with very few

competitors close on its heels? Will you be joining a large division of experts, or, taking the
role of soloist in a small company?
Balance your research to understand what the company chooses to publish and highlight in
contrast to what the outside world observes. If you find differences in those perspectives,
these might be questions to raise during the interview.
Fit the Role
Next, focus on understanding the specifics of the role. Examine the tasks, tools and people
involved by creating your own personalized version of the role description. Focus on the core
components of the position – what will you do and who will you work with – and push
extraneous details and perks (like ping-pong tables or a pet-friendly office policy) to the
bottom.
Be prepared to explain how your past work at school, in projects, or at early work
experiences mirror what is described in the job description. Capture short bullets of those
examples you most want to recall. If you realize that you are missing one of the requirements
or preferred skills, be prepared to explain your level of competence and inquire as to how you
could ramp up in that area before you start in the role.
If the job-listing includes skills with specific technologies, you should be familiar with the
purpose of each even if you aren’t proficient. If you are unable to find examples of a listed
technology, it is likely proprietary to the specific firm, which is something you can inquire
about in the interview. To this point, it is important to note that job descriptions are often
written for both internal and external applicants – if you notice any puzzling acronyms be
sure to highlight them, so that you can ask for clarification about the meaning and their use.
If the role involves working with other teams, such as marketing, legal, or accounting, plan to
share any collaborations you have with those specialties. Also, ask if this is the description
for the person doing the job now, or if it is a newly designed role; this may reveal information
about changes going on within the company or team.
Last, if, by chance, you are a dog-loving, nationally ranked ping pong player, aligning with
the company culture, don’t forget to mention those details along the way.
Your Role in “Our” Future
It’s important to understand not only your ability to serve a specific role, but your holistic fit
within the company you are interviewing. Envision yourself working there over time, say 2-3
years – you are about to invest your most precious resource, your time, in the company’s
future, so it’s important to think with this outlook in mind. With this perspective, try to
generate forward-thinking questions that demonstrate your investment. Ask about the
business itself, growth in markets and products. Seek to understand how you might add value
immediately, and how your role might grow over time. Understand how people are evaluated
and trained. For smaller companies, ask about the relationships of more recent hires to the

founders or first round of talent they hired. For a large company, seek to understand if there
will be opportunities to move laterally into other areas, or to new locations.
Write out at least five questions to ask that demonstrate you care about the future of the
company, and your role in that. During the interview, you may develop better questions in the
moment, but these questions are your foundation and will demonstrate both your interest and
preparedness.
At Early Stage Careers, our coaches work with clients on every aspect of interview
preparation. We help ensure that these preparatory steps are managed throughout the job
search process for all types of roles, and help job-seekers implement this method for key
interviews. Remember, there is no such thing as being over prepared for an interview – if
your research does not yield dividends during an interview, perhaps this knowledge might
serve you well in a future interview round (or even during the job, if you’re hired).
Consider that you may be asked, “What did you do to get ready for our meeting today?”
Being able to honestly answer this question to convey the depth of your preparedness, your
familiarity with the company and the role, and the thought you’ve given to your fit with the
company is a major asset during an interview. That answer, coupled with your engagement
during the interview, will help the interviewer picture you as a valuable part of their team,
and may very well lead to a job offer.

What has been your experience with Early Stage Careers?
In a word, extraordinary. The week that jobless claims surged by 3.28
million, the largest weekly increase in history, it seemed like business as
usual for the Early Stage Careers team. Of course, you acknowledged that
COVID-19 would hold significant implications, but, your message was
delivered in the context of positive steps prospective employees should
take now.
I believe the forward momentum you created in my son’s search process,
throughout this economic downturn, has made a tremendous difference in
his outlook. Not simply in regard to his future employment prospects, but
also, and perhaps more importantly, in his day-to-day outlook.

What were some of the services Early Stage Careers delivered?
College teaches us how to learn and it allows us to identify areas of
interest. But, most kids don’t seem to graduate with a clear path forward.
Many young people don’t even know how to begin thinking about a career.
The question looms so large some of them feel overwhelmed.
Early Stage Careers began by interrupting my son’s inaction. It helped him
identify potential career directions based on his unique set of skills and
interests. After that essential first step, followed by resumé preparation and
interview coaching, you directed him to a series of highly useful continuous
education resources. Those classes, which are served up in digestible
modules, are viewed favorably by prospective employers. My son feels like
he’s acquiring skills he’ll be able to apply day one on the job. Each step in
the Early Stage Careers process has instilled in him confidence and a
sense of possibility.
What has the process of working remotely with Early Stage Careers
been like?
I have an interesting perspective on this because we began working with
your team before the pandemic and we continue to do so now that the
Country is largely shut down. New Yorkers do not shy away from major
challenges. Governor Cuomo is a daily example of the candor and
commitment it takes to move forward positively and effectively. I feel the
Early Stage Careers team exemplifies that same grit.
You initiated important conversations as the COVID crisis unfolded.
Embedded in those conversations were two important elements that have
gone a long way. You communicated with an authentic sense of possibility
and you assigned actions steps that focused my son’s attention, making
him accountable for his outcomes. Interview preparation, research into
companies and industries, and even some business writing were among
the steps you recommended. All of this was seamlessly executed on a
remote basis.
The Early Stage Careers team circled around my son when he needed it
most. You delivered tailored advice. Most importantly, your belief in my

son’s employment prospects never wavered despite deteriorating
conditions in New York during this health crisis.

What outcomes can you report?
Miraculously, my son has received responses to his online job applications
during the COVID crisis. Lesley, Jill and the Early Stage Careers team
circled the wagons to help him prepare for phone interviews. They helped
him discover the silver lining in himself and our collective ability to work
together in troubled times. I am grateful, and, frankly, deeply moved by
what I’ve witnessed.

During the COVID 19 pandemic, Early Stage Careers strongly encourages
clients to find ways to contribute time and talent to organizations that need
help. Volunteerism provides an avenue to make a real, positive impact in a
time of crisis. It’s also a way to be productive, expand your horizons and
network, and apply your skills to tangible projects. These developmental
experiences will help you as you pursue future opportunities in the work
world.
Framework for Identifying Opportunities

1. Search for Possibilities

Research what is available in your area or virtually, patterning after
the ideas offered below. To gather ideas, ask family members which
organizations or causes they volunteer with or donate to.

2. Evaluate Opportunities and Organizations
   Before reaching out, consider the reputation and scope of the
   organizations’ work. Does it fit with your values and interests? Will it
   be easy to work virtually? Can you contribute while still practicing
   social distancing? If their doors are closed now, do they need skill
   based, behind the scenes, help preparing for the restoration of their
   services?
3. Offer Your Time and Talent
   Create a short note introducing yourself, sharing a few of your
   relevant skills along with how many hours you have available. Reach
   out to targeted organizations first. Also, consider contacting local
   religious or neighborhood groups, your town council, and
   well-established groups such as the Lions Club, The Rotary,
   Community Foundations, or the director of your public library – many
   libraries are still operating virtually.

Skills to Offer an Organization or Individual
● Digitization Work: Help an organization digitize their training
materials, creating online content or videos
● Environmental Projects: Bird Counts, Beach Conservation, and
Litter Pick Up Projects are outdoor efforts you can undertake while
social distancing
● Fundraisers: Do project planning and design collateral materials for
future use
● Pen Pal Program: Write to members of the Armed Services, the
elderly, or the incarcerated
● Tutoring: Offer video support to parents who unexpectedly need to
homeschool their children
● Volunteer Later: Train now for future service by learning about the
mission of an organization.

These unprecedented times mean immediate changes for everyone – be it
separation from family, friends, peers, professors, roommates, collegiate
infrastructure, and work colleagues; or getting used to living and working
under one roof with family and/or roommates.
While the health issues presented by the pandemic are of the utmost
concern, the massive projected impact on the economy may be the worst
many of us may have lived through in terms of uncertainty and
employment. This will be particularly challenging for the generation of
young people attempting to enter and/or successfully weather the current
job market.
Early Stage Careers’ roots are in the recession of 2009, when we saw
the need to help emerging young professionals who could not navigate that
unchartered territory. Due to the realities posed by the recession, these
young job-seekers were competing with more experienced alumni, and
many did not know how to go about a successful job search. Seeing this
need, we built a strong, successful company to fulfill our mission: helping
early careerists develop as candidates and get hired into meaningful jobs
and internships to launch their careers. We have firsthand understanding of
how to navigate these challenges, as our collective team of esteemed,
seasoned coaches have experienced and survived tough economic
downturns in corporate America at Fortune 500 companies and
organizations servicing them.
With our mission in mind, we are continuously, thoughtfully evaluating how
this unprecedented situation might impact young job seekers. We are
currently supporting all of our clients and services virtually,
particularly emphasizing these areas:
● Companies are turning to remote hiring practices:
We are emphasizing candidate’s digital branding (including online
presence and interactions) and prioritizing virtual interview and
meeting skills.
● Remote working environments demand unique We are building further
skill development into our services, continuing to
emphasize technology.

● Early Careerists are overwhelmed by the current hiring landscape:
We are offering compartmentalized parts of some of our programs to
prepare for hiring in stages.
● Competitive job marketplaces demand more qualified applicants:
We are working more closely with, and integrating further,
our assessment programs to target optimal opportunities that align
with client skills and employer needs.
● Employers are reexamining their hiring practices in light of the
global crisis:
Early Stage Careers’ senior team members have extensive HR
experience and relationships with corporate employers. Our team is
proactively reaching out to understand if and how they are altering
their current approach to hiring early careerists.
● Many early careerists don’t understand how to execute a
successful job search:
Our company provide job and internship seekers with tools they need.
our continued support, as we help our young and/or emerging
professionals forge forward in these trying times. Our goal is to continue to
position our clients with the best chances to succeed in this environment.

The current Covid-19 pandemic has had major implications for young job seekers. Many
early careerists have returned home amidst the outbreak and are adjusting to a new normal –
some are completing educational requirements online and adjusting to life surrounded by
family; others may be relaunching after losing a job early in their career, stunned and unsure
of how to move forward.
Early Stage Careers coaches are utilizing their years of experience to help guide job seekers
through the current difficult circumstances. While this is an exceptionally challenging time
for young job-seekers, here are practical suggestions that will help early careerists maintain
momentum in the face of our new normal.
Don’t lose sight of your goals
Take time to relax and utilize the opportunity to do things you would not have otherwise been
able to do. Read that novel on the shelf, watch a new movie, listen to a TED talk; but do not
idle away your time. It is easy to indulge ourselves at the current moment, spending hours
watching Netflix and sharing memes on social media. And this has value – it makes us laugh,
and helps us connect with community and culture, transporting us out of the current dilemma
– but it’s not helping you build your future.
Re-examine your goals. Consider the reasons you chose your career path and see if the
framework for these decisions has changed in any way. Take this time to explore and
consider career options – if companies aren’t actively hiring the positions that interest you,
research the market for the types of jobs you are seeking in order to better understand what
these opportunities may look like when we enter the recovery from the pandemic. Connect
with people who are working in these areas now and discuss their vision for the future. You
may solidify your desire to pursue a particular job, or find new things to work on related to
skills and technology needed to enter a field.
If you had secured (or hoped to secure) a summer internship, understand how companies are
For those seeking employment, while some companies are hiring right now, despite the
pandemic, the most prevalent jobs might not be the ones an early careerist imagined for
themselves. Investigate how freelance, gig work and contractor opportunities are marketed in
your area. Be ready for anything.
Master the tools for the times
At Early Stage Careers, we encourage everyone, at every stage of life to invest time in
mastering the art of the video interview and interactions – and in our current climate, are

more needed than ever. By focusing on these skills, you’ll be prepared to participate in virtual
career fairs or other remote hiring opportunities, as these alternatives continue to emerge.
Now is also a great time to focus on developing skills with basic office technology. Mastering
platforms like Powerpoint or Excel, or familiarizing yourself with industry-specific software
programs, will only serve you well going forward. Try to understand what sophisticated
features exist, and learn to utilize them by studying online tutorials and videos. You are not
alone in this
Ironically, this period of isolation offers a unique opportunity to connect with others. Use
your phone, and video engagement tools, like Zoom and social media to connect with people
– check in on how they are personally doing, and tell them what is happening for you and
what you are looking to do in the future. Offer to help them with their goals if you can –
remember, networking isn’t a one-way street. For right now, focus on finding your tribe and
staying in contact. When things get better, hopefully soon, we will all be rushing around to
ramp back up – but for now, take advantage of ways to keep in touch while socially
distancing.
Structure is key to success
Creating both short-term and long-term plans can be extremely helpful aids during the current
outbreak. From a macro-standpoint, try to identify things you’d like to achieve during this
time – it could be learning a professional or personal skill, or starting a new hobby. In terms
of daily routine – make a schedule each day, planning your time and creating structure and
purpose, including: school work, socializing, skill building, exercise, eating and
entertainment. While a routine might not be as logistically necessary as usual, maintaining a
schedule can be really Don’t be too hard on yourself if you’re not adhering to your schedule
by the minute – it’s challenging to manufacture structure in an unstructured time – but by
creating a daily schedule, you can strive to stay grounded and are more likely to use your
time productively.
Find ways to give back
In a time of crisis, while it’s great to focus on bettering yourself, it’s truly important to try to
help those around you if you are in a position to do so. Look for ways to give back both big
and small. Help your family members and neighbors – you can offer to help with groceries,
cleaning, or other household necessities, and proactively reach out to help those who aren’t
with you feel less isolated.
With those things on track, take time to explore other opportunities to contribute in the larger
community. There are online opportunities to volunteer to do digitization work, or assist with
projects in your community. If you are not sure where to begin, to find opportunities, and
evaluate if they are a match for you, we have for you to consider, leveraging ideas
suggestions from organizations that inspire those of us at Early Stage Careers. Use this to
guide you in finding places to share your talents and time that resonate with your interests. Of
course, volunteering can help your resume look more robust – but most importantly, giving

back in a time of need is a demonstration of your character, and your efforts can go a long
way to helping those who truly need it.
Ready for the Recovery
If you or your family have fallen ill, we hope that you are healthy again very soon; if you are
healthy, we hope you stay the course.
When society and our medical professionals get this under control, every aspect of the market
will have a “let’s get back to business” sense of urgency. We will all have a common
storyline in the future, the one we’ll tell when someone asks us, “So, how did you use that
time when everything came to a standstill?” While you should use this time to ensure that
your personal professional materials are in top shape, such as your resume, LinkedIn Profile
and cover letter, and to clean up your digital shadow on social media (removing some of
those college photos may be in your best interest), this should go deeper. Chronicle your
feelings and try to articulate what you’re learning about yourself, your skills, others; and
document what you’ve accomplished. Without a doubt, people in hiring roles (including
university clubs) will ask how you got through this and what you focused on. You will want
to spend time thinking about this now; which could serve as an impetus for you to take
initiative in some of the topics above.
We are all in this together; now is an opportunity to really think about how you want your
future to be shaped by this experience. By taking proactive steps now, you can ensure your
story will demonstrate that you made the best of an unforeseen opportunity, rather than
dwelling on a crisis. If you need help sorting through options related to any of these
suggestions, please reach out to us.

For job-searching students and graduates alike, the COVID-19 crisis has
created an unprecedented situation. Businesses continue to grapple with
unanticipated logistic and economic challenges, as permanent staff adjust
to remote teamwork and the economy slows.
The bountiful job market of just about two months ago has been
transformed into a job market characterized by unknowns. However, that
isn’t to say opportunities have evaporated—there are still many companies
that have, or will have, roles that need to be filled.
Keep Structure
Getting a job is a job. It is also frustrating, stressful, lacks structure and
predictability, and is wrought with more rejection than most young adults
have experienced.
To develop momentum and resilience, it’s important to establish structure
in your daily job search. Look at our plots of steps to take on a weekly
basis. Track the contacts you make and the follow-up you need to do. Vary
your activities from day to day so you don’t burn out. It’s also a good idea to
recruit an accountability partner—ideally someone who is also searching
for a job—to help keep you focused and motivated.
Stay Persistent
Look for specialized job boards, such as industry- or location-specific
boards. Some examples include for media and marketing, for startups and
tech, and for philanthropy, non-profits, and government positions. Invest in
those that allow you to narrow searches in areas of focus, geography,
experience level, duration, and date of posting; as we say, these are
winning features. And be sure to create job alerts on Google, LinkedIn,
Indeed, and others, so you get notifications when relevant positions are
posted.
In this market, postings are taken down quickly; be careful to separately
save all interesting listings and your corresponding applications – don’t
simply rely on the online posting. Act quickly – if you do not apply, others
will, and you may miss out on opportunities. At the same time, it’s always

worth applying to potential right-fit options – since offers can be rescinded
at the last minute, it is best to be in the game continually.
As soon as you see a listing of interest, apply and make yourself a dream
candidate. Be specific about your skills and experience, including other
remote jobs or internships – you want to eliminate the unknowns for
whoever might review your application, and make clear what you’ll bring to
the position. Include a thoughtful, well-written cover letter if an option; not
doing so leaves others to stand-out for further consideration. Call out any
distance-learning prowess you may have, such as collaborative projects
managed virtually.
Be Proactive
If you have an internship lined up, reach out to the company and confirm
the status of their programs. Be creative – consider and propose ways you
can contribute remotely. Getting in touch with a point person now will make
you look professional and invested. Discuss both how you could pitch in
creatively during the internship, and offer ideas of how you can volunteer in
the interim.
Even if your internship seems likely to move forward, keep applying to
others, because offers can be rescinded at the eleventh hour. LinkedIn is a
great resource and has several hashtags related to internships where you
can find new openings.
Continue networking and reaching out to people who may have creative
suggestions to help you secure a role that matches your interests and
preferences.
If you receive news that your opportunity is cancelled, be prompt and
gracious in your response. Acknowledge you heard the news and hope to
re engage with them in the future. Never burn bridges; instead, keep
options open – this could lead to online project work over the summer, a
future opportunity to interview for next summer or a full-time role after
graduation.
If you can no longer fulfill an offer you accepted, due to family or health
circumstances, let the company know immediately. Your professional
reputation is being developed, and the company will appreciate you
informing them promptly. By acting responsibly, you might open a door for
a peer to receive that opportunity.

Think Flexibly
A determined attitude, flexibility and a strong work ethic are key attributes
when navigating troubled times. It is essential for grads in limbo to focus on
building skills. Available opportunities may be in positions that you did not
originally think to aspire to, but in any of these jobs, what’s important is to
build transferable skills.
Those who are willing to be flexible can create opportunities for
themselves. Seek out virtual internships. Create a “volunteership” using
your skills to help nonprofits or other organizations in the area where you’re
interested in gaining skills. Of course, not everyone can forego paying for
skill-building. Look for opportunities that may give you an opportunity to
grow.
Don’t limit yourself to one strategy. We recommended one of our clients
simultaneously take an advanced virtual course in Excel, study Powerpoint
on his own, and get certified in a popular inbound sales software and
Google analytics – all in addition to continuing to apply to internships and
jobs where he lives. This multifaceted approach – creating a summer of
productive skill building while internship and job searching – is highly
valuable and demonstrates your industriousness to employers.
Think locally. Local opportunities offer flexibility and have several benefits,
including potential pay. While a local internship might not be what you
envisioned, try to contribute to a company in ways that allow you to apply
or develop new skills. For example, you might seek out work at a local
restaurant and offer to help build their social media presence or create a
marketing strategy to execute in the coming months.
Students may consider taking college courses, preferably as transfer
credits (if acceptable) to your school. This may allow you to graduate early
or to fit in graduate-level courses. This can put you in a talent pipeline for
when the market rebounds. If that is not feasible, consider complementary
courses that make you more marketable to future employers. An
engineering student might complete coursework in the business curriculum
or finance, for example. Finally, consider taking specific skill-building
coursework in high-demand skill sets, such as data science or coding.
The current job market presents challenges for all professionals, and early
careerists are particularly vulnerable. By taking these steps, you’ll position

yourself to deftly navigate the employment landscape and posture yourself
well both in the short and long term.

An internship is a hands-on way to learn new skills at a company or organization
rather than in a classroom. Internships are a great opportunity for high school
students, recent high school graduates, college students, and even adults looking
to explore a career change.
Completing an internship can expose you to the workplace, letting you see what
really goes on in a certain industry, which is helpful information as you consider
various careers. It can help you understand whether the field or industry you would
like to work in is the right path for you. This can help you avoid the costs of
obtaining a degree in a field that is not a good fit for you or that you are not
interested in.
In addition to gaining valuable work experience, an internship helps improve your
soft skills. You will advance your self-confidence, email and phone etiquette, and
your awareness of a workplace. You also get the opportunity to get valuable
professional feedback from people who work in the field. These skills are highly
sought after by employers today.
Just like a job, you must go through an application process to get an internship.
Applying and interviewing for internships enhances your job application and
interviewing skills, which will be helpful when you apply for a job. An internship on a
résumé differentiates you from other job seekers and makes you more competitive.
Internships are temporary. They can last from a few weeks to a few months, with
varying work hours. But they can lead to long-term benefits, such as job
opportunities in the company and increased knowledge about the industry. In
addition, your supervisor and colleagues can be a reference for a job, college
applications, or even scholarship applications.
While many internships are unpaid, the benefits of completing an internship are
priceless.