Ok this time I’m the bad blogger. I suddenly disappeared and for that I apologize. I could make a million excuses, many of which revolving around balancing school and work, but excuses won’t make us move forward. It only dwells on the past. So here I am, a month before I graduate, asking you to follow me in my job search. You may have thought Indecision 2008 was over, but for many recent grads, it’s an ongoing process of uncertainty. A process that will probably continue well into 2009. Years ago I thought I was getting ahead of the game by graduating a semester early. Having little knowledge of the stock market (and the future), I was unable to predict the economy I would find myself in as I begun my job search.
I have been told to find an employment agency or perhaps get a part time job while searching for my career. Honestly I am ignoring these suggestions because I am afraid of getting stuck in a job rather than a career. Jim in The Office confided in a video diary that he did not want a promotion because it was just one step closer to his job becoming his career. People my age generally don’t know the difference between the two, but rather call a career a “real job,” as if the others don’t make money or provide security or happiness.
So I have started my search for my “real job.” I have visited my career services center to perfect my resume, and also received advice from a friend at my last company. I apply to companies like I pitched for my previous job. RESEARCH. “Spray and pray” is the best way to pitch if you DON’T CARE about your client. I hate to pull the whole, “don’t vote if you don’t care about your rights” speech, but let’s be honest here. If you want something, you put in the effort to get it. So before applying for a job, I do my research. I look into recent press they’ve received, their case studies, clients, work ethic, what they stand for, etc. In my custom cover letters I try to bring out what I have done to show the company what I can give them. Inside knowledge about consumer products, how to deal with feisty authors, how to save the company money by going green…
So here is some advice that I’ve learned along the way. I hope to continue posting more to help others like myself who are battling the overwhelming job search.
1) Have great stories! You can say “sure – I’m a leader” but what examples do you have to support this? This is probably the English major in me. Don’t say something unless you can back it up with proof. A good story is much more effective than a general statement.
2) Know your company! Know where they’ve been, what they are doing, and where they want to go. My mom once made a pretty bold move in an interview with an advertising firm. She brought in nine of their advertisements and critiqued them. Showing that not only she knew about their clients, but also how she could improve upon the results, helped her land the job.
3) Go to career fairs! I’m serious about this one – even if you don’t see anything you like. There was nothing for me at the last three career fairs I went to. I thought at least one of them would have something in public relations, but that was not the case. With the pressure off, I was able to have candid conversations with hiring reps about how to interview, the best handshake and making the best first impression. I also got some valuable advice – which leads me to my next point…
4) Enroll in Job Hunt 101! For all of you still in classes, I received amazing advice for an EMC rep who graduated from Holy Cross. She told me to treat your job search like an additional class. My classes meet for 200 minutes a week. Then I have approximately five hours of homework for each class per week. I know it sounds like a lot, but dedicate the eight or so hours a week to researching and applying for jobs. Try not to save it all for your weekends when you have other homework. Treat it exactly like a class. Try like an hour and a half every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for applying. Save your research for the weekend when you are likely to be surfing the internet anyway.
So I hope my recent knowledge has made up for the lack of blogging. I will be sure to keep you posted on applying, interviewing and advice along the way.
All my best in Job Hunt 2008
1 Comment
November 13, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Good luck with the hunt, Miss Meg! Great advice there. If you need help/additional suggestions/etc., you know where to find us. =)