The Job Hunt

The Job Hunt...probably the most crucial part of getting settled into the Real World. And you wouldn't have a job without the hunting part of the process. This past weekend I spent a lot of time job hunting. With both my resume and cover letter perfected, I filled out applications for a summer staff position with University of Dreams and an associate editor position at Conde Nast. As stressful as it may be, I still find when I push the "APPLY" button so exhilerating.

So as I was searching the web for job hunting advice, I found tips, like I posted last week about Interviews, that make you aware of who to take tips from and to "Steer Clear of Bad Job-Hunting Advice."

Penelope Trunk, a former pro-volleyball player and now an advisor with careers and businesses, gives these eight tips for Job Hunting and who to take advice from, as the job world, in which I like to refer to as the real world, is changing:

Bad Rule 1: Draw a clear picture of yourself:
Trunk says that "a resume is not an autobiography, it's a marketing document." So instead of telling everyone everything about yourself, use this as your key in getting interviews. Your resume should make the employer want to know more about you, almost making it like a "tease," as Trunk states.

Bad Rule 2: Don't be too narrow:
"If you want to stand out, you have to stand for something." You want to appear unique to employers, almost like a specialist. Like Trunk says, "it's the specialists, not the generalists, who get what they want. That's because the specialists are the hardest to replace."

Bad Rule 3: Don't job-hop:
Trunk actually disagrees with the saying, "don't job-hop" because she says that job-hoppers are the happiest. She says, "Who cares about loyalty." Apparently, a person who changes jobs has a less boring lifestyle compared with the one who does, because their everyday work may get a little consistent. Unless you like consistency that is.

Bad Rule 4: Don't have gaps in your resume:
Gaps are sometimes seen as a place to grow with your resume and branch out with other activities and other employment opportunities. Unless your job is your only thing in your life, then gaps may be fine and they may work out for you. Gaps are sometimes an interesting point to talk about in your interviews, like other things that you may try out.

Bad Rule 5: Don't have typos in your resume:
Trunk's advice on this one may be a little wierd, but she says that she's not telling you to misspell words on purpose, but rather to not fret over a small typo in a resume. Not everything is perfect. Trunk states, "Look, if proofreading were such an easy job then publishing companies wouldn't have to hire proofreaders. So don't make yourself crazy about the typos, because while 10 typos is a sign of incompetence, one typo might be a sign that you have a moderate and healthy standard of perfectionism."

Bad Rule 6: Clean up your online identity:
Trunk says not to fret over pictures of yourself online when you were drunk that one time. She says that it's out of your control. Instead she says, is to build up your online identity with one that may pop up first when an employer googles your name or looks you up somewhere like a blog. Trunk feels that a blog is a place that may take the place of the drunk pictures and show employers what you want them to see.

Bad Rule 7: Treat a job hunt like a project and be a project manager:
Trunk says that that is great advice if you're looking for a job four times in your life. By building up your networks, you don't have time to take a break because Trunk compares being a good networker to being a good friend. She says to "treat your job hunt like a personal development project."

Those are some of Trunk's bad rules for job-hunting and either agree or disagree, whether you do or not, good luck with the job hunt!

For more of Trunk's advice: http://finance.yahoo.com/expert/article/careerist/19128

What Not To Do In An Interview

I've never really had an interview experience, other than on the phone that lasted all of 15 minutes. All I know is that I was extremely nervous and made sure beforehand that my phone was fully charged, there was no outside noise, and to make a point of speaking as clearly as possible.

When reading tips for interview techniques, usually they are how to make the best of an interview and techniques on what to do right. So I came upon 10 tips on what not to do on an interview, by Joe Turner and I thought it was appropriate to clue people in on what to avoid when in on a job interview.

Turner compares a job interview to a date. He says, "When you're on a romantic dinner date, you try to avoid 'mood killers' - talking with a mouth full of food, cursing an ex-lover, or complaining about a foot ailment. During a job interview, you have to avoid similar spoilers if you want to make a good impression."

Here are Turner's "most common 'advantage killers:'"

1. Not Knowing Your Aim: Many people think that what they need to do in a job interview is to ask for a job. That seems obvious...But what you're really there is to explain to your possible future employer how fit you are for the specific job.

2. Being Too Needy: "Neediness is probably the No. 1 advantage-killer in an interview. Remind yourself before walking in the door: you do not need this job. You do need food, you do need air, and you do need water. Keep things in perspective."

3. Lousy Nonverbal Communication: First impressions are very important and you need to demonstrate that you have confidence. When walking into the interview, you need to make direct eye contact, stand up tall, and give a strong handshake.

4. Compromising Your Position: Always conduct yourself as an equal during the interview, not a subordinate to your interviewer.

5. Falling Into the Answers-Only Rut: An interview isn't just about you answering the questions that they ask. You should treat it as a conversation between the two of you. It is helpful to prepare what Turner calls "prepared stories" when highlighting your accomplishments and to also have a follow-up question of your own after answering their questions.

6. Rambling: "Telling your interviewer more than they need to know could be fatal. Your stories should be 60 to 90 seconds long and they should have a relevant point." Don't utilize unnecessary talk with silences. Your prepared stories and research should be your main focus when answering questions.

7. Being Overly Familiar: Just because an interviewer will make you feel comfortable after a little while doesn't mean that they have become your new best friend. You should keep treating it as a professional business meeting, with never letting your guard down.

8. Making Incorrect Assumptions: You know what they say when you assume something...Always make sure you are understanding what the interviewer is asking you or talking about, there are no stupid questions. Always ask for clarification if you don't understand something and make sure to take notes on what you're being told.

9. Getting Emotional: "At times the interviewer may hit a nerve or consciously try to provoke you into an "outburst." Don't fall for it. Clear your mind of any fears or expectations, so you can maintain a calm, open-minded perspective at all times. When emotions enter into an interview, failure follows."

10. Not Asking Specific Questions: It is always a good idea to go to the interview with a list of prepared questions having to do with the company, the position you are applying for, and the other employees that work there. Avoid questions that will just have a yes or no answer, but rather ask questions that begin with "what," "how," and "why."

If you'd like to read more in depth answers to Joe Turner's Interview techniques, visit: The 10 Biggest Interview Killers

Good Luck!

Networking

Networking...what does this word mean? Well, about 8 months ago, I had no idea what networking was and how it could have such a great impact on making the adjustment into the "Real World" so much easier. I know that I have mentioned my summer in NYC a lot in my past few blogs, but last summer is my whole reason that I'm excited about getting a job and I did really learn a lot, I mean that is why my parents sent me there in the first place...(I just have to post one more picture of the best city, this time of the Manhattan skyline taken from a sunset cruise around the city's harbor). So back to networking, about 8 months ago, in a seminar held by Andrew Hewitt and Luc d'Abadie, the authors of The Power of Focus for College Students, I learned that not only who you know but who knows you is a large factor in where and how far you can go in the working world. It is an especially good way to get started.

According to Cheryl Ferguson, Networking in the 21st Century "is more than just a buzzword. It's probably the best opportunity you will ever have to make connections, build relationships and help yourself and others in the networking group succeed." It "is also a great way to explore new career options, learn more about a specific industry, gather insights from peers on critical business issues and grow professionally.

She first says that you need to begin networking with a goal in mind. By thinking about what you want to accomplish, whether it's looking for a job, trying to develop new business or becoming like the go-to person in your industry or the industry you would like to become a part of, is what should be going through your mind as you begin to find contacts to network with.

The way to obtain networking contacts is easy. If you see a keynote speaker, get their email address, ask if you can contact them and discuss future job plans or if they are able to give you advice, search for contacts on the internet and send them an email, ask advisors and teachers in your major for different people that you may be able to contact, and even ask friends, you never who they might know.

Cheryl says to make sure that when making a new networking contact, just to listen and see what they have to say. By using this technique, she says that it "helps you gain insight as to how that contact can help you, making the connection stronger. It's not about collecting the most business cards; it's about collecting the right ones."

She also adds, that "if you're networking correctly, you'll find you have more visibility, greater knowledge, and a wider circle of reliable contacts; and that you can leverage those assets to further your career."

People that I began my networking with was my boss at BlackBook Magazine, a former dreamer, turned staff member, now starting her own editing firm in Manhattan, and my placement agent through the program. See, very easy.

If you would like to read more about Cheryl Ferguson and her networking techniques, visit: Cheryl's Tips.

Where I Hope To Be In 3 Months

After graduation is over in May, I hope to be...working for a magazine in...Manhattan! Or at least just working for a magazine at this point. As I said before I spent last summer living and working in Manhattan. The first time I visited was Spring Break of last year, and when I left, I still felt scared to death. But by the end of July, after living in the Big Apple for two months, there was no doubt in my mind that I'd be coming back a year later, this time on my own.

My ideal job after graduating with my degree in Journalism from UA, would be to work for a magazine that deals with fashion and celebrities. How perfect would a job be, to get up in the morning, walk to work with a coffee in hand, have an office on say the 50th floor overlooking the skyline of Manhattan, and write or work with clothes and celebrities all day...sounds great to me!

My top three choices of magazines would be: People Magazine...I've been reading this publication for at least eight years now, and it's one of my bookmarked websites that I must read everyday to hear about the latest celebrity gossip and see my favorite "star tracks."

Cosmpolitan Magazine...The latest fashions, the do's and dont's of today's society, and the latest celebrity gossip is a major guilty pleasure of mine, especially while sitting in the bookstore during the long gaps in between classes.

Nylon Magazine...As one of the top competitors of the magazine, BlackBook that I worked for this summer, I still enjoy reading this magazine for its ads and the fashion that isn't always found in my small hometown of Cottonwood. Reading this magazine, makes me feel like I'm a city girl again.

By posting my top three dream jobs, it's a way for me to get started with sending out resumes and figuring out where I really want to be after graduation. I hope that it makes everyone out there think of where they ideally would like to work. The "Real World" can be as good or bad as you make it, and I say by starting here, it could be a dream come true.

(Pictures used from Yahoo Images)