Advice From the Other Side

For those of you who weren’t aware, after months of interviewing and sending out countless resumes, I received a job offer I am now a full-time, public relations professional at a firm in New York City.  Besides finally acquiring that ever elusive paycheck (can I say I’m a bit more excited about the business cards?), I’ve gotten a great behind-the-scenes look at the hiring and interviewing process.  So for my first post as a working adult, I’m going to share some insights that will hopefully bring you the same luck I’ve enjoyed.

• Employ an extra set of eyes- Everyone makes mistakes, even the most senior managers and executives, but when applying for a position, it’s doubly important to review documents.  A senior vice president at my company told me that an overwhelming number of applicants submit cover letters and resumes that highlight their vast experience in pubic relations and ability to asses market trends.  If you didn’t catch those last two mistakes, maybe it’s time for you or a friend to give your resume the once over.

• Never dismiss someone- Walking into an office for an interview can be a bit of a frazzled experience.  Most often, applicants are winded from the commute and are desperately trying to remember company and client details all the while maintaining a smile and sturdy handshake.  Still, the waiting room is no place to review flash cards.  Take the opportunity to greet the receptionist and make an impression.  Ask about the office space or how long he or she has worked there.  Trust me, companies ask for their input after a candidate has left.

• Social media can be a blessing and a curse- My co-workers told me my fluency with social media applications was one of the main reasons they hired me.  If you haven’t jumped on the band-wagon yet, the time is definitely now.  Still, social media can be a double-edged sword.  No matter how much you may want to brush off warnings from your professors and parents, companies look at your social network profiles, including Twitter.  This doesn’t equate to a complete loss of personality, but try to refrain from tweeting about that embarrassing walk-of-shame or drunken upheaval.

• Remember the interview is a conversation- So many applicants get so wrapped up in a rehearsed speech demonstrating their skills and accomplishments that they forget to take a breath, let alone ask questions in return.  Sometimes, the answers to those questions can spark a shared experience or acquaintance that can ultimately make a big difference.  After the particulars were out of the way, I discovered that the woman interviewing me shared a common friend and another person at the company also competed in public speaking in high school.  Who would have thought that networking and public speaking skills are a handy thing to have in this industry?

NYC Career Fair

Register here to attend the free career fair on December 9th! Be sure to check out their advice for job seekers as well, including an article about managing job search stress.  Not in NYC? No worries!  Follow them on Twitter to get the most up-to-date alerts about other job fairs nationwide.

Calling all HR managers and interviewers!

I recently stumbled upon a LinkedIn poll that asked employers to identify the factor considered most important when hiring a public relations employee.  According to the results, writing abilitity is the top priority, followed by previous agency experience.  Some other interesting facts to consider:

• 100% of females polled (56% of the total) choose writing ability as the most important, while 75% of males (44% of the total number polled) agreed.  The other 25% of males chose previous agency experience as the single greatest factor.
• When considering age, 100% of individuals 18-24 that responded to the poll found previous agency experience more important.  Instead, 100% of those 35-54 chose writing ability.
• In regard to company size, 100% of those polled in large (13%) and small (63%) firms chose writing ability.  Employees at medium-sized firms (25%) were split, with 50% choosing writing ability and 50% choosing agency experience.
• Education only accounted for 3% of the overall results.

I found this very interesting considering how many job advertisements call for 1-2 years of prior agency experience and current media contacts.  I quickly realized though that the poll was not limited to entry level candidates.  Would the results differ?

Below is a poll I created based off of the LinkedIn poll by Doreen Clark.  I invite all human resource employees, internship coordinators, and agency interviewers to vote.  Disagree with the choices? Please include an answer of your own in the ‘Other’ category.

 

 

The results may provide some really helpful insight for current college students and recent graduates (including yours truly).  Comments are encouraged!

Pleased to Make Your Temporary Acquintance

With most of my friends currently working 9-5  (including former partner in unemployment, Megan) it’s hard to keep my chin up and my nose on the grind.  Yes, while I wish all my friends and classmates the best of luck in their endeavors, this recessionista can’t help but feel like a singular statistic.

How? Well, there is certainly strength in numbers.  In regards to unemployment, the strength manifested is often mental, and as the number of familiar faces in the unemployment line dwindle, it becomes harder to stay optimistic in your own search.

Rather than become bitter and jeopardize my personal plight for a position, however, I decided to become resourceful.  I spoke with a few friends about what methods they used and found that two words kept repeating- temp agency.

According to the American Staffing Association, it turns out about 90% of firms have used temporary employment services. Even better? Almost 72% of temporary employees go on to permanent positions.

In the past, temp agencies were largely associated with clerical and administration positions and I’ll admit, at first I disregarded them entirely.  I recently registered with one, however, and I’ve found that already a huge weight has been lifted off of my shoulders.  No longer alone in my job search, I have a veritable army of people behind me working (free of charge) toward the same goal.  The historical perceptions of the past also proved to be misleading as temp agencies today work with a variety of companies and place candidates from a wide array of fields.

Registration may differ between companies, but usually candidates are asked to schedule an appointment and complete several writing and computer tests to evaluate proficiency.  An updated resume, along with a number of professional references, may also be requested.  The following two agencies came recommended by friends:

• Core
• Vanguard

Both are located in the NYC area.  Be sure to research temp agencies near you, including those that support different fields.  Happy hunting!

NYC Job Fair

New York Career Fair

Date: Monday, November 16

Location: Radisson Martinique On Broadway Hotel
49 WEST 32ND STREET
New York, NY 10001

Time: 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM

For a list of attending companies, click the link and fill out the brief registration form.  Not in NYC? Just simply change the location and search for job fairs in your area.

Jimmy Fallon Slow Jam: Unemployment

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Earn While You $earch

Unlike others I witnessed, I can confidently say that this graduate survived alumni weekend with my dignity (and liver) intact.  My wallet, however, is another story.  After months of unemployment, my trusty faux leather, Forever 21 friend is looking a little tattered- not to mention thin.

In an effort to curb my ferocious spending habit and aid my career quest, my friend mentor life coach Laura suggested Swagbucks, “an online portal dedicated to helping you earn digital dollars called ‘Swag Bucks’, which can be redeemed for exclusive Swagbucks.com merchandise.”

Simply browse the web using the site (results are aggregated from Google and Ask.com) and Swagbucks will award you some of their one-of-a-kind currency.  Invite friends or promote with a banner or widget to earn even more mullah.

It’s been said that applying for jobs can feel like a full-time one itself, and before Swagbucks there have been few perks besides a casual dress code and flexible hours.  Hopefully the fruits of your labor will yield a real paycheck in the future, but for now, this is certainly good motivation.

Michael Strahan- “2009 is All About Swagger”

Flashback to this past May.  As I anxiously prepare to cross the stage at graduation, three thoughts repeatedly cross my mind:

1- DO NOT TRIP AND FALL!

2- Someone get me out of these torture tents sweat suits robes!

3- How many days until alumni weekend?

Despite my worst fears, my brief moment on stage was both elegant and graceful and I’m quite positive the black graduation robes- which we were warned may bleed through- actually helped me lose three pounds by ceremony’s end.  Sans three pounds (not to mention a dry-cleaning bill) and with my dignity intact, I looked forward to my triumphant return to Marist in the fall.

Flash forward 5 months later.

I’ve packed those 3 lbs right back on (and then some) and my ‘triumphant’ return to my alma mater is now overshadowed by perpetual unemployment.

Rather than dwell on my status as an economic causality, I’ve decided to use alumni weekend as an opportunity- and not just necessarily to party.  After all, “2009 is all about swagger,” and no one wants to hire a depressed (not to mention drunk) post graduate.  So turn on the confidence and try to reflect on these suggestions between beers at Mahoney’s:

- Alumni weekend poses as the perfect opportunity to network as colleges and universities create opportunities through department reunions, alumni picnics, and reunion celebrations.

- Besides sharing an established commonality, potential employers are most likely familiar with the school programs and progress.  Why not enlighten them as to how you helped contribute to them during your time there?

- Use your time wisely and make sure to re-connect with professors and classmates who may have valuable contacts or information about new positions.

- Most importantly, remember that just as you will one day represent your future company’s brand, you’re going to be representing yourself as a personal brand during the weekend.  Have fun but try to refrain from drunkenly confessing your respect and desire to work with [Insert Potential Employer Here] at Darby’s- not the best move.

Hopefully you’ll come back with more than just a hangover- a job offer!

*Be sure to check out Fox & Friends tomorrow morning at 6:30 to see yours truly on a panel with other unemployed college grads!

Even Cinderella Had a Job, Geez

According to an article in The New York Times, job seekers now outnumber available positions 6 to 1.  This news doesn’t fare well for recent graduates, especially those planning to attend alumni weekend in a week and a half.  To make matters worse, I am broke.

No, really.

COMPLETELY BROKE

The irony? Like most students, I struggled with money for the majority of my college career, yet still managed to make due somehow.  No matter how dire my financial situation, I always managed to come up with enough money for extracurricular activities- whether that meant utilizing friendships with underclassmen for cafeteria entry or paying Dave the cab driver with Sacajawea dollars (his grandchildren love ‘em).

With Dave in happier times

Graduating from college is like leaving the party at 10:30.  Graduating from college without a job? Well, you probably never made it in to the party because you couldn’t afford the $5.

Now, with commencement long behind me and my collegiate ingenuity a thing of the past, I find myself in some pretty hot water.  Granted, budgeting has never been a strength of mine (my parents can happily tell you ALL about it) and money seems to burn a hole right through my pockets.  I’ve come to realize, though, that budgeting post-graduation is perhaps more important than ever.  For the sake of my alumni weekend plans, financial future and pant pockets, I need to get my monetary situation in order STAT.

Luckily, I stumbled upon this article which lists “Fab Five Financial Tips for Recent College Graduates.”  Among the author’s suggestions? Invest in a 401(k) plan and be sure to take a look at a potential employers’ benefits package.  If you think you could use more than five tips, don’t worry- the internet is littered with thousands of helpful ideas (one for every dollar you may owe in student loans).  Be sure to check out this article and accompanying podcast in The New York Times which offers some great advice, as well.

Whistle While You Work

Thanks to my buddy Tricia,  I came across JobRadio.fm, an internet radio station that streams free career advice.  Its founders have been churning out podcasts dedicated to work related issues since 2005 and boast over 1 million listeners.  Now JobRadio.fm features “jobcasts” by some of the most seasoned recruiters and career advice professionals.  Its iPhone application is also now available.  Talk about handy.  So instead of pouring over countless articles that offer the same suggestions, give your eyes a break and listen to JobRadio.fm.

Shows include: The Savvy Jobseeker, Jobacle, Secrets of the Job Hunt, Jobs in Pods, Total Picture Radio, Career Communique Radio, The Job Search Guy and Career Czar.

On another note*- check out Lindsay Olson’s blog for a guest post by Chris Perry at Career Rocketeer in which yours truly is featured.  She also offers great advice for job seekers, so make sure to keep her on your radar!