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.