Job Search Survival Guide

First of all, a job search needs a well thought-out plan to achieve maximum results. Employers are looking for people who have clear ideas about themselves and what they do best. Remember, it is naïve to go into a job search thinking you will, or can, do anything. Identify the main skills you have found to be personally most gratifying in both your academic and your work life. From those skills, identify what you want to offer prospective employers.

If you are only looking at large, high-profile employers, you are missing many golden opportunities with smaller, entrepreneurial companies. Just because you don't immediately recognize a company's name does not mean it is not a great place to work. Employment statistics consistently show that more than 50% of new entry-level positions originate from the more than 12 million small businesses in the US.

Remember: Smaller companies - blessings in disguise....

One of the first instrumental components is to let as many people as possible know you are looking for a job. No one can help if they don't know:

  1. Who you are.
  2. The type of position you are looking for.

A brief word on this last point; in this particular job market, the key word is "flexibility". Your ideal job may not be available when you are ready. However, in these changing times, continuing to develop your network of professional contacts will enhance the possibility of finding a good opportunity in the "hidden job market".

Many students do not attempt to network because they do not see immediate results. Particularly after being in the structured on-campus interview environment for the past couple of semesters, the term "networking" seems vague, laborious and not immediately productive.

Networking is an indirect function. Your goal is not to ask everyone you meet for a job, but to make a favorable impression, gather information, and build contacts.

One former student organized his own campaign to build a network of contacts within the investment brokerage industry. Realizing that persistence and follow-up are particularly important in this business, he made a point of keeping his name in front of "decision-makers".

" I did not realize the importance of informational interviewing when I was an undergraduate," he states. How did he go about approaching these firms?

" I would call, give my name, tell them I was interested in a career in the brokerage industry, was planning to be in town, and ask if there was a convenient time I could stop by and talk with them for a few minutes about the industry.

Most people were very gracious and I was careful to keep my visit short and my questions targeted to the industry in general. However, I also asked them if there was anyone else they would suggest I contact. And I always wrote a thank-you note!"

He eventually made over 40 contacts within the investment brokerage industry and he received 3 offers from top organizations.

One MBA graduate, who is the Human Resources Manager of a major insurance company in Kansas City, when asked how she got her present position, replied that she found out the position was going to be opening soon through a "friend of a friend". Someone who was working at the company was aware of the opening, knew she was qualified, and suggested she apply.

Many companies welcome applicants in this manner because it saves them the time, effort, and expense of conducting a long, drawn-out recruiting campaign. From the vantage point of the hiring manager, companies need to find talented new hires, but they also need to save time and money. Hiring through the "grapevine" meets both of these demands.

How can you take steps to immediately develop a professional network if you are not working? First, join a few professional associations within your field. For instance, one excellent organizations is a local chapter of the College of Business Alumni Association either in St. Louis, Kansas City, or Columbia. Members are usually very helpful and enjoy helping recent graduates.

In addition, find out about the professional organizations or sub-groups within your field of interest and attend a few meetings. Often, the Chamber of Commerce or local newspaper can tell you when these meetings are scheduled.

The following pages offer some tips on conducting a job search of your own. REMEMBER: Keep two words in the back of your mind from day one: Patience and perseverance!

  1. INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWING

    The informational interview is one of the best ways to obtain the career information needed to conduct a thorough job search. The interviewer gains an "inside" perspective and the person
    granting the interview often has a rare opportunity to reflect on their work life and share insights with someone who values their expertise.

    However, many professionals hesitate to grant such an interview because they had a "bad" experience in the past by having their time abused by first-time job seekers using the interview to tout their own skills.

    • Talk with as many people as possible - preferably within your field of interest so you have something in common.

    • Ask how they initially got interested in their area of choice - how did they arrive where they are? Ask for suggestions of who else you might talk with. Ask, "If you were in my position, what would you do next?"

     

    • Follow up every lead. If someone gives you a name, be certain to make the contact.

     

    • If you are able to get an "informational meeting" with someone, always write a thank-you note promptly, mentioning some particular point of interest.

     

    • Above all, don't give up! Keep making contacts, keep learning, keep your interest, and keep improving.

    REMEMBER, the more people you talk to, the greater your odds of being in the right place at the right time. That is why the indirect approach ("I am soliciting your advice, etc.") is so much more effective than "Please help me get a job"! You have far more to gain by putting the contact person in the position of a "mentor" than by making them feel uncomfortable by having to answer your demands for immediate help.

    The rewards of your efforts may prove to be the beginning of not only a career, but of lifelong associations, both within and beyond your field of interest.

  2. JOB HUNTING IN DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS

    If you would like to work in a city outside of Missouri, find out if there is a public university nearby. Then (if you are registered with the College of Business Career Services Office), get the contact name and address of the career services office at that university, and call our office to request a ‘letter of reciprocity'. This letter will introduce you and ask permission for you to use their career services office resources (company lists, job postings, career fair participant
    list, etc.), not on-campus interviewing. Most colleges and universities (including ours) only allow their own students ( and sometimes alumni) to interview on campus.

    Write to the local chamber of commerce in your area of interest. Most of them publish a list of major employers in the area. Also, a subscription to the local newspaper in your selected city will provide a guideline for job opportunities within the area and a profile of work conditions and other noteworthy events, which may be of interest.

    Another excellent source of information on certain cities is the Job Bank Series published by:

    Bob Adams, Inc.
    260 Center St.
    Holbrook, MA 02343

    This series has excellent information on cities such as: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Kansas City, New York, Phoenix, Seattle St. Louis (just about all major US cities). The Business Career Services Office has several of them, if you would like to review them before considering a purchase. They are available at the University Bookstore and other major bookstores (and probably online).

  3. EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES

    When considering an employment agency, be very careful to work with only the most reputable firms. Ask each firm for references and check them out. Some firms, eager for quick commissions, may try to persuade you to take a position you don't want. On the other hand, there are many agencies with excellent reputations and impressive client and industry contacts.

    REMEMBER: Never work with an agency that wants you to pay a fee for their service. Before registering with an agency, make sure the fee is paid by the employer. Also, you may register with as many agencies as you want - you are not obligated since the agency is, in a sense, working for the employer.

  4. TEMPORARY AGENCIES

    A good way not only to supplement income but to make good contacts is to be a "temp" for a temporary agency. Again, check the credentials, type of positions they place, etc. You may be required to take a typing, word processing or other type of aptitude test. The more work history you have in your background, the better position you are likely to be offered.

    Remember, while you are working for company XYZ, the temporary agency is charging XYZ for you to work. This may be an appealing way to gain work experience while maintaining a flexible schedule for any companies that may contact you for an interview.

    Working as a "temp" may help fill the gap in your resume while you continue your job search for a permanent position.

  5. NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

    As corporations have streamlined to become more competitive, so have non-profit organizations. Although the idea of a not-for-profit organization may seem to be at odds with the overall concepts taught in business school, think again.

    As funding becomes more competitive, strategic alliances with private companies often are crucial to the success of a non-profit agency. These organizations often learned the hard way that basic marketing ideas and business techniques are instrumental to surviving in today's economy. This opens up unique possibilities for the business graduate to utilize skills in marketing, accounting, finance, or computer technology.

    Volunteering on a part-time basis at a non-profit organization is an excellent way to learn the basics. The time spent (besides looking good on a resume) will help you determine if your skills, goals, and values are compatible to this line of work.

  6. REJECTION

    Everyone gets rejected at one time or another. Rejection is not fatal. Learn to deal with rejection objectively and you will actually benefit from the process.

    Take a pragmatic view

    Don't get emotional. Use it as a learning process. Is there any discernable pattern to the rejections you are encountering that might give you some insights? Are there any stated reasons?

    Many times a rejection does not have anything to do with you or your qualifications. As companies undergo budget cuts and administration re-organization, many positions may be consolidated, eliminated, or put "on hold" until the next fiscal year. Personnel departments may advertise a position one week, only to be told to pull the listing the second week until further notice. Knowing that these internal changes may occur without much warning may help you keep a realistic perspective on the unpredictability of the job market.

    Depersonalize the issue

    The word "rejection" is loaded with connotations and perceptions. The key is to depersonalize rejection so you don't get emotionally traumatized and even paralyzed by the experience. If a recruiter says you lack specific skills for the job you want, find out what they are and try to acquire them.

    Rather than dwelling on the negative aspects of rejection, use it as an opportunity to genuinely understand what is needed to improve your skills or other qualifications to make you a better candidate.

    Learn how to reject

    Part of the experience of job hunting is to learn what type of position you do NOT want. People tend to focus on being rejected rather than doing the rejecting. You may not like what you hear when you go in for an interview, or you may feel you wouldn't fit in the company's "culture".

    Rather than ignore these messages and accept the job out of obligation or misplaced gratitude, heed what your feelings tell you and reject the offer.

    REMEMBER: Rejection is an excellent school for success. It provides you with an excuse to reassess your motives, abilities, and opportunities. Move on!

    ANSWERING WANT ADS

    WARNING: Between 50-75% of published ads only represent good-faith searches. The organization wants to solicit resumes from protected classes to show the government it is in compliance with affirmative action guidelines.

    • Mail any responses to want ads on Tuesday, not Sunday night. There will be a flood of responses on Monday, but they will have trickled off by Thursday. Hence, your resume may be read more carefully.

    • Job hunters should repeat the language of the ad in the cover letter. Say, "I understand you are looking for an X. I'm an X and here's why." The second paragraph should say, "As you will see from my resume..." and list three accomplishments. The final paragraph is either, "I look forward to hearing from you", or "I will be calling you within a week to see when we can get together."

    • Be wary of blind want ads (only a box number given), even for entry-level jobs.

    • Keep a watchful eye and get the facts. Everyone, including employers, wants to portray him/herself in the most favorable light. "Market-level salary" may be minimum wage. "Excellent working conditions" may be a dark, musty office with one light bulb. Check it out!

  7. MORE JOB SEARCH TIPS
    • Contact trade associations representing industries in which you are interested. They are a valuable source of contacts and information. Some associations even offer job services. Association directories are available in most public libraries.
    • Get listed with every job referral service you can find. Your public library should be able to provide a list.
    • Look for companies in transition (growth or problem-related). Change can mean opportunity. Read the newspaper for news items about companies. Don't rely solely on the classified ads.
    • Search for job opportunities within smaller companies. More than half the nation's new jobs are created by small companies. Many local Chambers of Commerce offices publish directories of small businesses. State and county directories are available at most public libraries.
    • Increase your value to a potential employer. The more skills you have, the more valuable you are to an employer.
    • Be willing to work part-time for companies that may offer full-time employment when the situation improves. Also, working part-time will introduce you to a new network of related companies to contact.
    • Look for a growth industry that needs employees. Trade associations can tell you if their industry is in a growth phase or not.

GOOD LUCK!

REMEMBER:

Last Edited: 10/2/2007