1. Researching Your First Job— Researching the Community Dianne Miller Assistant to the City Administrator Eagan, Minnesota

2. Checklists to Consider Before I considered accepting my first job, I had three checklists:  Professional  Personal  “In a Perfect World”

3. Professional Checklist Close working relationship with an experienced, successful manager and a cohesive management team Identification with the community Cooperative, functioning Council A variety of challenging work assignments Opportunity for growth, supervisory experience, and advancement within the organization

4. Personal Checklist Job opportunities for husband (who also is in city management) Salary, benefits, and housing market in the area Past history and role of interns and/or assistants Career stage of existing assistants in the organization “Fit” within organization (ability of co- workers to have fun!)

5. In a Perfect World…Checklist Defy the Gen-X stereotype by continually advancing in my career within the same City An office culture that embraces work- family balance See a community through every stage— growth, maintenance, redevelopment An office close to home—short commute!

6. What I didn’t know then… After almost 5 years on the job, I’d add the following questions to my checklists: How diverse is the City staff and is there gender balance? Does the organization embrace change and encourage risk taking? How many hours per week is a “normal” work week for members of the management team?

7. Conclusion—Thoughts to ponder when searching for your first job Think about what is important to you—both professionally and personally—in your place of work Think about the present and the future (you only have one chance at your first job!) Be upfront and clear in your expectations for an organization; don’t be afraid to ask questions Work is supposed to be enjoyable—find the right fit for you! Give thought to your career ambitions and choose your career path accordingly