Tips for finding a job

As I'm sure one can tell from my blog, I'm currently on the hunt for a job. One of my Mom's friends use to be a recruiter and was kind enough to write up a list of tips to make the search for employment a little more manageable as well a more successful! So, with out further adeu here it is:

Surviving the Job Search and Making the most of new opportunities

Treat the job search like a job. 

·         Have a fixed routine combination of networking

o        Example:

o        Morning.   Job applications

o        Afternoon.  Networking (informational discussions). 

o        Exercise!

o        Later Afternoon.  Follow up letters.

·         Informational interviews,

·         Formal resume submissions

·         Meetings w/ recruiters (if applicable)

·         Take time to assess what you want to do, what jobs and where are in out and what is timeframe.

·         Take the time to develop a plan

o        Example:  These are the types of jobs I would be interested in Portland, but by xx date will look outside the area, based on xx criteria.  OR, I would move but on these conditions, etc.  Have a timeframe and back up plans.  Only compromise as a very last resort, or you will compound you problem.  This is harder than you think

Maintain a contact management system. 

·         After a contact, put a placeholder in the calendar for the follow up.  I used a simple calendar program, and set out a date a few weeks from the first call.

·         Start building a list of contacts you never know what a oppty that doesn’t exist today could exist tomorrow.  Great opportunities come to those who make the most of small ones

·         Reach out to your Network.  Use them liberally.  Use LinkedIn

·         Ask everyone you meet to suggest someone else to talk to.

Looking for new opportunities

·         Indeed.com as one-stop-shop aggregator

·         Yes, Craig’s list

·         Job data banks for project mgt

·         Univ resources

·         Set up profiles for auto contacts.

Create your own jobs

·         Suggest interim solutions e.g. internships

·         Look for transferable skills e.g. project mgt.. 

·         Consider volunteering but only if it doesn’t interfere with the search and has a possible job outcome

·         Don’t volunteer as a way to avoid looking

Ride the emotional wave

·         The only decision that matters is the next decision, past is past

·         Anxiety is normal. 

·         Ignore what you read about job search challenges

·         Accept waiting game. For everyone working one week = one day.  Read this frequently

·         Know that this too will pass and that change is good.

Resume

·         Focus on what you’ve accomplished, not what you’ve done

·         Make the accomplishments specific

·         Tailor for each specific job and have decoder ring

Interviews

·         Be well prepared with practice questions and answers

Well I hope that helps any of you out there trying to find a job. I've definitely found these tips to be useful. Sometimes it's easy for us to forget things that otherwise seem like common sense. Until next time...good luck on the job hunt!

The Hunt

Graduation is a week away. With graduation so close, for the last few months the questions that I keep getting asked is "so what are your after graduation plans?" This is a great question, and the truth is, I don't know.

My plan has always been to go to Grad school. As a film major, my theory was that going to Grad school would not only provide me the opportunity to gain a wider skill set in regards to film production, but it would also be an excellent chance to network. However, after 4 years at college where I received good grades, did a number of extracurriculars, had a variety of jobs and internships Grad school does not seem to be in my future.  The first semester I spent every free minute I had working on applications but no matter how qualified I was I just didn't get in. So now the next logical step is to get a job and maybe revisit Grad school a few years from now.

Finding a job with a college degree shouldn't be too bad right? Even with the bad economy and unemployment the way it is...Wrong. Maybe for some college graduates finding a job isn't that hard, but if you are an arts major things don't fall into place that well.

Film is my passion. I always knew I wanted to do something in the arts from the time I was a little girl, and by the time I was a junior in high school I knew that I wanted a career in film.

Now that it's time to find a job I've been looking and looking for a job in either film and television production or as a social media marketer. Here is the problem I keep running into: every job that I'm applying to wants me have have at least 3-5 years experience in that particular field. This seems to be a Cath 22. How am I suppose to gain experience if all the jobs, even entry level, require me to have experience?

College is suppose to help us find our dream job. With a college degree comes success, or so we've been told. Now I'm not discounting college, I'm sure it is incredibly valuable and I know on a personal level it has been one of the best times of my life, however, I'm still waiting to reap the benefits from my higher education. Hopefully this little job hunt will prove fruitful soon!