Lifestyle

Is college choice a big factor when applying for a job?

Our daughter needs to choose which college she is going to attend, and we are debating which one will position her best for a job after graduation. How important is this decision in terms of her ability to get a job?

With little else to go on but some internships, perhaps, the quality of the school from which one graduates is most important at the entry-level stage. However, as one moves along in their career, the quality of their employment history and work experience far outweighs the quality of the undergraduate institution — by far. But the first criteria is where your daughter thinks she will be the happiest — because being unhappy in a bigger “name” school is no way for her to spend the next four years of her life. The bottom line is: CEOs, doctors, lawyers, teachers, finance executives, etc. come from every tier level of college — and some don’t even have college degrees (although I strongly advise getting one!). Pick the best school and environment that offers her the academics and activities that interest her and where she will feel comfortable.

I have someone on my staff who doesn’t present well and doesn’t have bad relationships with colleagues — just not very good ones. I find myself having to defend why I keep the person when they actually accomplish what is asked of them. Is it fair to criticize a person’s likability if they deliver results on the job?

It depends on the nature of the work and how important relationships are for the entire team to work effectively and harmoniously. It’s one thing for the person to accomplish their goals — but do they make others around them better, do they help others achieve their goals, and what is the impact on the department’s culture by having someone who no one seems to like very much? In a job in which working as a team is important to the success of the company, one’s interpersonal style is a legitimate criterion for evaluation. And given how much time we spend together at work, one person can negatively affect the entire culture. You have to weigh this and determine whether the person is a net positive or negative value to the organization.