Overqualified????? Seriously…….

Last week I had a second interview with one of FORTUNE Magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For”…the company shall rename nameless. I had all the qualifications for the job. After getting called back for a 2nd interview I was really pumped about working for this company. The second interview went so well I walked out of the office thinking I had the job…

Less than a week later I got a call from someone in their HR department (who did not interview me) saying that they really liked me and thought that I would be great for the position, but that I was “overqualified”. They didn’t think I would be “challenged” enough in the position.

Unfortunately this has been happening to many of us recent grads. The quote “Overqualified and Under Experienced” has been said to many Gen-Y’s. Now how does “over qualified and under experienced” make any sence. I feel like you can’t be both.

Heather Huhman, of Come Recommended, calls it a “cop-out” and I must agree with her.

“Personally, I think this word is a complete cop-out employers use when there is some other reason (or perhaps no good reason) they don’t choose a particular candidate.”

What doesn’t make sence to me is, with all the candidates out there why would a company not pick the best of the best? Why would you not want someone who you think is “overqualified”? Also if this is a cop-out as Huhman states, what employers don’t realize is that this does not help the candidate?

Myself and many others, even if we don’t get the job, use these interview as experience. We learn how to present ourselves better to our potential employers. The only thing that this interview showed me, with the feedback they gave, is that I made myself look too good. This doesn’t help me at all.

I recently read an article that gave 10 tactics to fighting the overqualified label and a couple of them really made a lot of sence to me:

1. Take salary off the table. I am working part-time as a barista for slightly above minimum wage. I really didn’t care what the position paid (to an extent) as long as I wasn’t getting taken advantage of. I am looking for a full-time job where I can use my degree.
2. Demonstrate loyalty. I think one fear employers have with hiring a Gen-Y who is in their eyes “overqualified” is that if something better (more $$) comes along they are out the door. I think this is a huge stereotype of Gen-Y. Employers should not assume this.
3. Everything in moderation. I have done A LOT since graduation, dabbled in a little bit of everything (quite frequently two or three things at the same time). I use that in my interview as a multi tasking skill. This might have made me seem like I wouldn’t be challenged.

To read the full article click HERE.

Lastly I want to pass on what Huhman stated in her recent article: I Hate the Word “Overqualified”

“Employers: Stop taking the easy road and get to know this top talent! Maybe they don’t end up being a fit for another reason, but “overqualified” just doesn’t make sense.”

Have you or someone you know experienced this? Tell me about it.

Emails: They make an impression, now make them better

I know what you may be thinking, “It’s just an email, how hard can it really be?” Truth is mistakes are made in emails everyday. Emails we send make an impression. No matter what profession you are in, email in very important. Sometimes it is the only impression you get to makes to some very important people. I would like to share some tips with you to make sure you make a better impression when send an email.

• Select an appropriate email address— The general rule of thumb for a “professional” personal email address is that is should include your first name and last name. This makes it easier for people to identify you by your email. When setting up my email, with Gmail by Google, I had to do several variations of my name because LindsayElias@gmail.com was already taken. After a couple tries I got accepted.

• Take pride in what you send— Emails play a role in defining your brand. If this is your primary form of communication, what you say and how you say it plays a big part in how others see you.

• Write short paragraphs—We have all received that really lengthy email with too much detail. Be honest, did you read it all? If you keep your email paragraphs short they are easier to read and will improve the likelihood of being read all the way through. Same goes for sentences, keep those short as well.

• Respond to your emails— Unless you are Donald Trump and are getting flooded with copious amounts of emails then responding with in 24 hours is not out of the question.  Most people expect an email response within that time. We have all had experiences with people who won’t return emails or who respond a week later. It’s slightly annoying and could be seen as disrespectful. 

• Use “bcc” for more than one recipient—Not a lot of people use this method or know how to. If you want to send an email to a large group of people, put your name in the “To” field and put everyone else’s in the “Bcc” field. This way all of your email addresses stay private. Also is prevents the dreaded “reply all” messages that everyone will get if they are put into the “To” field.

• Proof your emails—Never send an email without proofing it at least once. If it’s a really important email read it 2 or 3 times. When I was in college I sent an email out to an employer asking him to come speak at our PRSSA conference and at the end of the email I said, I hope to hear from you “shorty” instead of “shortly”. Slightly embarrassing when a member of my committee caught the error.

• Don’t use lol, bc, brb, etc…—These are emails not text messages. Spell things out.

• Always put something in the subject line—When I get emails from people with nothing in the subject line I am hesitant to open it. I think it might be spam. Just take a second to summarize the subject.

• Keep your inbox clean—Inboxs can get messy with old and unnecessary emails. I suggest making folders for emails you want to keep on file. This keeps your inbox from getting cluttered and always makes it easier to find emails when you need them later.
• Always included a signature at the end of your emails—Especially when you are contacting people you have never met before it is essential to put a signature to identify yourself and who you work for. This is also a great place to include links to your Web site, blog or online portfolio.

Portfolio Tips

I recently spoke to some soon-to-be college grads and the subject of portfolios came up. I think of portolios like resumes, there are a lot of ways to set one up and it changes depending on the industry you are going into, and what type of company you are applying with.

In college I was required to create a portfolio before graduation. It was a large, overwhelming project and I found it was best to get started early.

For those of you who don’t know where to begin, here are some tips to get the project moving along:

• A zippered three-ring notebook. Leather, cloth or vinyl usually works best. Higher quality notebooks tend to be more expensive, so shop around for the best deal. I got mine at Staples.
• Store your work samples in page protectors. Do not use a 3-hole punch on your portfolio work. Place them in the protectors. This way they stay nice and won’t rip.
• Decide the key skill areas you want to focus on.  Create a tab page for each. When doing this remember that this portfolio is a representation of you, showcase your personality and strengths.
• Sort through college papers and design projects and other work you would possibly want to include in your portfolio. Pick out two to four samples for each area, such as two to three press releases and two to three design projects.
• Have a peer or professor edit these samples. You never know what you might have missed while reading or looking at them.
• Create work sample overview cards for each piece. These cards should state what the work is and when you created it. Slip these into the page protector along with your work sample. These are usually found in the bottom right corner.
• Don’t cut corners, don’t take short cuts. As said before, this portfolio is a representation of you. You want it took look as best as it possibly can. If you cut corners it will be noticeable because there is no other way to represent your work to a potential employer.
• Use a copy center. Places like Staples and Office Max are great resources when printing out design samples. They are cheap and willing to work with you.
• Make sure your portfolio is flexible. Your portfolio needs to grow as you grow in your career. Work samples will be added and others taken out. Stay away from doing things to your portfolio that you can’t change.

All integrative public relations students are required to create a portfolio before graduation. As this is a large, overwhelming project, it is best to get started early.

For those of you who don’t know where to begin here are some tips to get the project moving along.

To begin, you need to get organized and purchase the supplies you will need, including:

v A zippered three-ring notebook. Leather, cloth or vinyl usually works best. Higher quality notebooks tend to be more expensive, so shop around for the best deal.

v Store your work samples in page protectors. Do not use a 3-hole punch on your portfolio work. Place them in the protectors. This way they stay nice and won’t rip.

v Decide the key skill areas you want to focus on.  Create a tab page for each. When doing this remember that this portfolio is a representation of you, showcase your personality and strengths.

v Sort through college papers and design projects and other work you would possibly want to include in your portfolio. Pick out two to four samples for each area, such as two to three press releases and two to three design projects.

v Have a peer or professor edit these samples. You never know what you might have missed while reading or looking at them.

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Portfolio tips

Lindsay Elias

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v Create work sample overview cards for each piece. These cards should state what the work is and when you created it. Slipped these into the page protector along with your work sample.

v Don’t cut corners, don’t take short cuts. As said before, this portfolio is a representation of you. You want it took look as best as it possibly can. If you cut corners it will be noticeable because there is no other way to represent your work to a potential employer.

v Use a copy center. Places like Staples and Kopy Korner are great resources when printing out design samples. They are cheap and willing to work with you.

v Make sure your portfolio is flexible. Your portfolio needs to grow as you grow in your career. Work samples will be added and others taken out. Stay away from doing things to your portfolio that you can’t change.

When it comes time to put together your portfolio remember these tips. Also talk to your peers. Many IPR majors have done their portfolios already and are willing to give advice and help you with yours.

The Controversy Over Unpaid Internships

The New York Times article, The Unpaid Intern, Legal or Not has stirred up some controversy about unpaid internships. I found my self thinking of an article I wrote, just months before, about that very same subject, which I will share with you later in this post. The simple fact is we all want to be paid, of course we do, but with scarce job openings a lot of companies are turning towards unpaid interns.

Yes, there are some “BIG BAD” employers out there that misuse unpaid interns. My boss shared the story of her unpaid 40-hour a week internship while she was in college. That is definitely abuse of an unpaid intern, but the 15-hour a week unpaid intern is more than acceptable. Most employees give interns real “career oriented” tasks to perform at their internship. Unfortunately, I think all employers that offer unpaid internships are getting grouped into the BIG BAD category and I don’t think it’s right. Internships offer experience college students would not other wise have, and if all interns demanded to be paid or the law stepped in and made it illegal not to pay then I guarantee there would be a significant drop in the number of internships available. A lot of companies would not be able to afford such an increase. It is definitely something to think about.

Here is my article on unpaid internships. Originally posted in our CR e-newsletter.

Unpaid Internships: Money is Not the Only Value

By Lindsay Elias, public & media relations assistant

Unpaid internships are becoming more frequent due to the down economy. But, internship experience is key when beginning your career. Unpaid internships may not have monetary benefits, but they give students a chance to witness the “real world” workplace and to gain exposure to acceptable workplace conduct, including appropriate dress code, team work and accepting criticism.

One benefit of an unpaid internship is references. Relationships built during the internship can be very valuable later in the student’s job search.

Interns also can network with co-workers and clients. Networking is one of the best ways to land an entry-level job. An estimated 80 percent of jobs are secured through networking.

Unpaid internships also are resume builders. Chances are, students are seeking college credit for their internship experience. However having more than one type of workplace experience during college looks great on a resume.

Unpaid internships also enable interns to “test drive” different job environments or industries. For example, there is corporate, agency and nonprofit sectors of public relations. If an intern discovers a certain job isn’t for them, they can easily move on afterward, with more knowledge about what they do want.

When considering unpaid internships, weigh the pros and cons to see if the potential benefits outweigh the costs. Additionally, remember that some internships are considered illegal.

“Unpaid internships are volunteer positions and must be treated as so,” said Richard Bottner, founder of Intern Bridge. “In this regard, employers must be very flexible with their unpaid interns’ hours and will find that they will be limited in what they can offer their interns in terms of business exposure due to a limit in hours.”

There are many benefits of unpaid internships. Don’t brush off an unpaid internship because it isn’t paid – the more experiences you have before graduation the better.

Networking 101

Recently I put a presentation together for my boss that was all about networking. It got me thinking that we all may think we are networking and using all the social networking tools to our advantage, but have not yet mastered the art of networking.

First, the facts:

• Networking is the best way to land an entry-level job (or any level job, for that matter)
• An estimated 80 percent of jobs are secured through networking
• It is not taught at most colleges and universities

Networking also has one big myth associated with it: to do it effectively takes a lot of time, and that you have to do it all the time . This is completely untrue. There is such a thing as smart networking and it has four characteristics:

• Smart networkers prioritize quality over quantity
• Smart networkers are highly effective face-to-face
• Smarter networkers leverage tools in the right way
• Smart networkers have mastered the “art of the ask”

When looking at how you network you need to first ask yourself, “Are you really networking?” The overall goal of networking is to create a two-way, mutually beneficial relationship. If someone helps you let them hear your success stories. Networking may also give you knowledge of new products and services you might not have been aware of before or simply didn’t know how to use. Before Twitter was the next best thing a fellow alum I network with introduced me to it and we all know what happened with Twitter.

Before you start networking you need you come up with your unique selling points (USPs) You may not have years of experience, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have something special to offer. Figure out what your USPs are and own them. After you figure out your USPs create an “elevator pitch” based off those skills.

This is your 60-second story and says:

• Who are you?
• What are you seeking?
• What can you offer?

Think of yourself as the salesperson and the product. Don’t sell too hard or your buyer won’t like the merchandise.

Get the most out of your network. The saying “it’s all about who you know” has never been more true than in today’s economy. It’s never too early to start building a strong professional network.

Using social media, like Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook is the easiest way for a 20-something to network. Use each sites individual qualities to your advantage. ReTweet something you found interesting, comment on blogs, find a common acquaintance on LinkedIn.

If you do go to an in-person networking event make sure to have your elevator pitch ready, know the dress code, collect business cards, and make notes on the back and then follow-up after the event.

Make sure you manage your network. Use social networking tools and don’t forget to pay it forward.

5 Things Every Business Should Know About Using Social Media

Everyone now-a-days is using social media, including businesses. Some businesses considered it a great asset and dove head first into the world of Twittering and LinkedIn profiles, while others consider it a nuisance and say it’s just a trend that will soon pass. Either way, there are some things businesses should know about social media.

• Social media is here now, so you better do something. Generation Y is the biggest user of social media. Not only are they customers, but also your new and up-in-coming employees. There is a lot of information flowing out there on these networks — it is up to you to get a hold of it.
• Don’t drop everything else and make SM your #1. Social media is just another form of communication and interacting with different audiences, but it shouldn’t be the primary way you communicate. Talking face-to-face or over the phone should still be your top gun.
• Our boss uses Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. at work, why can’t I? It’s addictive, I’ll admit, and if employees have access to the Internet while they’re at work, chances are they are Facebook stalking and Twittering. Employers need to have rules when it comes to using SM at work.
• Tell the truth or social media will out you. I am not saying everything said on Twitter is true, not even close. What I am trying to say is that if you lie, chances are someone somewhere will out you or your company. If you say your company does something and a customer has had a bad experience, they will let everyone else know about it, and most of the time they are not too nice about it.
• Chances are social media is here to stay, so learn to be good at it. You might think all this social media business is just beyond you. Think of hiring a young 20-something tech savvy grad to manage your company’s social media. Regardless if you decide to go that route or not, you should personally learn this medium. Do you have a hobby? Blog about it, find Twitter users who have similar interests and ask them about how they use social media. You might find this social media thing is not really that far beyond you.

Originally article written by Lindsay Elias for the CR e-newsletter.

The Struggles of Job Searching

Today’s entry-level job search is frustrating. It’s almost infuriating. You sound perfect for an open position and then you read minimum 2 years experience required. And you’re thinking, “How can I get experience without any experience?!”

Sometimes it seems impossible. Job searching is like riding a rollercoaster — it brings so many emotions with it. There are ups and downs. Knowing how to manage those emotions will help keep you on the right track in your job search. Here are some ways to overcome those negative aspects of your job search and some things you can do when you get really, really, really discouraged.

1. 1. DON’T GIVE UP! This is the most important thing to remember when you get discouraged. If you give up on your job search, you’re only hurting yourself.
2. 2. Know that you’re not alone. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of discouraged workers was up 70 percent to about 717,000 between the first three months of 2008 and the first quarter of 2009.
3. 3. Expand your job search. You may not be finding a job because of the area you are looking in. You may want to widen the search to statewide or to another surrounding state. You could even expand to a nationwide search. Or, perhaps consider looking in another industry altogether that you hadn’t thought of originally. This opens you up to a lot of other options.
4. 4. Don’t just apply to job postings you find online. Some companies may be hiring but don’t post their openings other than on the company Web site — or not online at all. Get out there and network — in person. (A great resource for job postings on company Web sites: LinkUp.com.)
5. 5. Use LinkedIn’s companies section. LinkedIn will show you if you have any contacts at the company, jobs posted, and company stats. It should also provide a link to the company Web site. Reach out for an informational interview or job shadow. You never know where the opportunity might lead!
6. 6. Contact three prospective employers each day. Research three companies that interest you. Then, send an e-mail to the person in charge of your area at those organizations, for example the head of public relations if you’re in PR. The e-mail should be a sort of mini cover letter.0:00 /00:48Targeting your next job//
7. 7. Network as often as possible. In-person or online, networking is a great way to find out about job openings. Also, networking in person gets you out of the house and can help you see your job search in a different light.
8. 8. Be accountable to someone. Talk to someone who is interested in how your job search is going. This could be a significant other, family member, friend or peer. Talking to someone about your job search can help keep you confident because they know your skills and can help keep you motivated.
9. 9. Participate in a job search support group. Yes, these do exist, and there a greater number more now than ever because of the struggling economy. If you don’t have one near you, you can always start your own. The members of your group will support each other and give suggestions in their job searches.

10. Start a journal. List all your fears and perceived barriers in your job search. Then, write out potential steps you can take to overcome your fears.

Written by Lindsay Elias, originally posted as part of the Career Collective.

Why Students Should Have Business Cards

I know what you’re thinking. Why do I need a business card? Just because you’re a student and don’t have a professional job doesn’t mean you don’t need a business card. You’re a busy college student; you meet lots of people and participate in numerous actives. College is a perfect time to start using a business card. As you start networking you will find yourself exchanging information with your peers and it would be so much easier to hand them a card with all your info right there. This helps you network effectively and make successful connections. Business cards are also a way to establish your personal brand.

Here are some reasons to have a business card as a student:

• Share your contact information – This is the most common reason to have a business card. Other wise you find yourself jotting down your info on a napkin, scrap piece of paper or anything else that is most handy. It is more likely to get thrown away this way.
• Networking – After I meet someone new at a society conference or a meeting the first thing I offer up is my business card. Especially when I meet a lot of people, at a national event for example, it’s hard to remember what school they went to. If you have their business card then it’s easy to glance at it and remember.
• Personal Branding – As a soon to be professional you will need to brand yourself. It could be centered around an area of interest, an industry, or others. If you are going into a more creative field make your business card stand out. Make it artsy. There are many Web sites like 123print.com that offer tons of templates for business cards at very “student affordable” prices.

What to include on your business card:

• Full name
• Email address
• Cell phone and mailing address (if you feel comfortable enough saying where you live)
• Your university (be careful when using university logos, a lot of the time they are protected by law and you need permission to use them)
• Your blog link (if you have one)
• LinkedIn and Twitter account links (and any other social media sites)
• You could list any memberships you have, such as a sorority, fraternity or professional organization.

Whether you choose an inexpressive card stock and print your own or buy better quality business cards online, it is important for students to have business cards. The style and font is up to you. Have fun with it, be creative and don’t be afraid to give them out to people you meet; you never know what it may lead to.

Post written by Lindsay Elias, originally posted in the CR Blog.

Informational Interviews

There is only so much information you can get from printed material or information on a company website. Information interviews are interviews in reverse. An informational interview is speaking with someone who is currently working for the company you are interested in. An informational interview can not only give you special insight into the company, but also help you get your foot in the door and show them you’re interested in a certain position. But keep in mind and make sure that it is clear to the person you are interviewing that this is not a job request, but a simple inquiry of the company itself.

Informational interviews can also:

• Give real world information about your chosen profession
• Give tips and suggestions on how to gain experience and prepare for your job search before receiving your diploma
• Provide an opportunity to network with professionals from different companies
• Provide insights into what makes candidates sick out to employers

Just like before a job interview, you need to do your research on the company. Learn as much as you can before you ask for an informational interview with a professional. This way you can ask more in-depth questions and make better use of the professional’s time. They will remember you for doing so.

To find a professional in the field of your choice it is wise to ask people you know like faculty at your school, family, friends, peers, recent alumni or people that are part of your professional association. Also if your university has an alumni house this is a great place to find contact information of people who went through the same program you are. Most of the time informational interviews are obtained by sending an email or simply calling.

After you have arranged your informational interview you need to start thinking about what type of questions you would like to ask. Here are some typical questions one may ask on an informational interview:

1. What is a typical day on this job?
2. What do you like most about your work? Least?
3. Why did you choose to be in (FILL IN PROFESSION HERE)?
4. How did you find this job?
5. What qualities are necessary to succeed in this profession?
6. What is the job outlook for this profession?
7. If you could go back to college and take different courses to help you prepare for this profession what would they be?
8. What are your career goals for the future?
9. If you had one piece of advice to give to a college senior seeking a career in (FILL IN PROFESSION HERE) what would it be?

You should write your questions down ahead of time and it’s ok to take some notes with you. Be prepared, be on time and make the most out of the interview, because after all, the professional you’re interviewing is doing you a favor.

After the interview you may want to decompress. Ask yourself if you got all your questions answered or what new questions do you have and if you missed one you may want to send a follow up email.

The most important thing you want to do after the informational interview is send a thank-you to the professional for their time and assistance. This is a great way to put you back into the person’s mind in case of an opening in the company.

Working From Home

My undergrad is finished! Also I have a job, two actually, in the field I went to school for. In Michigan’s economy saying that is a miracle I think. I am lucky enough to be in the group that has a job in their field immediately after graduation. And the best part about it is I do it all from home.

Working at home can be both a blessing and a curse. Luckily for me it has been a blessing. Whether you’re like me, a new college grad. with a virtual job or you’re self-employed or freelancing we all know that procrastination and other distractions can happen.

So how do you stay productive? Here are a few tips I find to be very useful.

#1. Separate work from home. This helps you get in the state of mind “I’m at home” to “I’m at work”. Unfortunately for this recent college grad I don’t have a separate room to dedicate to work. But how I do this is I NEVER NEVER NEVER work in or on my bed. My desk is my “work” and my bed is my “home”. But some day when I have the luxury of having an extra room I would make it my office.

#2. Set hours, and stick to the schedule. Since you have everything right at your finger tips this is easy to lose track of, but you know what you have to do and how much time you have to do it, so make a schedule and stick to it. If you deviate once in a while it won’t be such a big deal.

#3. Close the door. I know alllllll to well about having distractions especially with roommates. Having the door closed means business and helps you not to be bothered during the day for unimportant things, like chit chat.

#4. Keep your desk clean and organized. Am organized workspace helps keeps things in order which helps make your day more productive.

#5. Don’t Facebook, Twitter, IM, text, etc. I know it is sooooooooo tempting to Facebook stalk all day long. Don’t do it. Turn off AIM and silence you cell phone. It helps, believe me.

#6. Have a good chair. If your going to be sitting in it all day it’s worth spending some money to get a nice and comfy one.

#7. Give yourself breaks. Don’t lock yourself in the room for the whole day. Give yourself a 15 minute break every once in a while. This gives your mind time to rest and let’s you get a good stretch in.

#8. Drink lots of water. This may lead to frequent bathroom breaks, but it keeps you hydrated.

#9. Track your time. Even if you log hours on sites like Active Collab have an excel sheet for yourself. It is a great way to check and re-check hours.