Critical First Job Tips: Key Job Search Advice -- #2

Q-Tips: Critical First Job Tips
Key Job Search Advice -- #2

These job and career-related tips -- for all students and recent grads searching for your first real jobs -- have been gathered from numerous sources throughout Quintessential Careers and organized here for your convenience.

If you're having difficulty finding that perfect job, consider registering with a temporary agency. Temp work can be a great way to bring in some cash while also enabling you to develop your skills, add items to your resume, and network with folks at the various companies you're assigned to.

You can find links to the major temp agencies in our Temporary Employment Jobs.

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Consider joining Toastmasters to bolster your job search. This international organization serves as far more than a venue for networking. The group helps people overcome the fear of public speaking and learn skills to enhance success. It's especially good for those who are very shy about networking. Members of Toastmasters receive constructive evaluation. It's an effective way to build confidence while building your network. Toastmaster chapters are all over the world (check you local newspaper or phone book for one near you), but if you can't find a local branch, the Toastmasters International Website tells you how to start one.

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If you want to get a job, tell a prospective employer how you can solve company problems. Explaining his assertion that workers at all levels can use this problem-solving approach to job-hunting, author Jeffrey Fox says, "Every job in every organization, regardless of the 'executive level,' from the factory floor to the boardroom, exists for one purpose: to profitably get and keep customers for the organization. In the Q&A interview he did with Quintessential Careers, Fox noted, "Every job contributes to the company's success. In job seeking the candidate must determine how the job helps the company. A company that is hiring truck-drivers wants someone who won't have accidents, get speeding tickets, or make late deliveries. The truck driver candidate needs to demonstrate that his or her safe and courteous driving reduces costs (of repairs, for example) and increases sales (by servicing customers). A company hiring a receptionist wants someone who makes a wonderful first impression on customers and suppliers and whomever else calls. The receptionist candidate will do well not to interview chewing gum or chewing tobacco. Great companies respect good company-improving ideas from anyone in the organization."

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If you're just starting your career and don't know quite what you want to do, take a look at your strengths and weaknesses. Take a look at the classes you liked in school and at the things you like doing in your spare time - hobbies, activities, etc. Also take a look at the jobs you've had. Was there anything about them that you liked? Then take a look at the classes you did not like in high school and at the jobs you've had and why you haven't liked them. From these exercises, you should have an idea of things you like and dislike doing -- and probably things you're good at and things you're not so good at.

Second, go to the Career Assessments section of Quintessential Careers. These assessments are designed to help you further discover the things you like and dislike and to suggest what types of jobs and skills sets may be best for you.

Third, reflect on these first two steps and see if you can see a direction for your next job/career search. Remember that jobs and careers are ever evolving, so any path you take is likely to change -- and the best thing you can do is keep growing, learning, preparing for that change. No choice you make today is irreversible - you have plenty of time to discover what you really want to accomplish in your life.

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One of the big myths about job-hunting is that the more general you are about what you want to do, the more opportunities you will have, noted career development therapist Janet Scarborough in the Q&A interview she did with Quintessential Careers. "In fact, it is just the opposite. Simply clarifying a specific career goal and adding a focused positioning to your resume does wonders to increase marketability for many people. Hiring managers will not take the time to determine for you what a good match should be with your interests, values, and abilities" Scarborough observes.

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If you've been job-hunting for awhile without success, maybe you lack a job-hunting strategy. It takes a coordinated effort to get a job. First, take a deep breath and relax. Stress and frustration -- even when we are doing our best to cover it -- shines like a big red blinking light that turns away employers. You need to exude confidence and a positive attitude. Take a look at our article, Ten Questions to Ask Yourself if You Still Haven't Found a Job. Second, what kind of job are you looking for? What have you done previously and gotten bored with? What skill sets do you offer potential employers? Finally, remember that looking for a job is full-time work, and there is no set timetable for how long it will take.

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There are three common mistakes that most job-seekers make, according to author Jeffrey Fox. Fox lists the three errors in the Q&A interview he did with Quintessential Careers: "Mistake #1 is using one resume for every company when all companies are different. Mistake #2 is to substitute networking for doing company research. Networking is fine, but job-seekers overly depend on this strategy. Mistake #3 is starting with the human resource or personnel department of a company. The human resource people are not the hirers (unless one is looking for a job in personnel); they are gatekeepers. The human resources people look for reasons to reject. In the book, Don't Send A Resume, several short chapters help job-seekers navigate the job seeking process, avoiding the common mistakes. Basically, every job-seeker is unique and special, and should market herself or himself in a special way."

Read our review of Don't Send a Resume.

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Ever wonder why employers require probationary periods? Not all employers require them, but many do. These periods usually last from three to six months, and are designed to legally protect the employer but can also benefit the employee. These probationary periods -- to be fair -- should apply to all new employees. Depending on the language, employers can terminate an employee during this probationary period without reason and without notice with input from human resources for up to three months. How can you avoid getting terminated during this process? Do your job! Showcase your skills and abilities and prove yourself invaluable to your supervisor and to the company. One of the benefits of most probationary policies is that you get at least one detailed evaluation -- designed to help you understand how you are doing -- and assuming the evaluation is positive, you may be able to use it to get new job responsibilities or a pay raise -- or both.

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Applicants who have the benefit of good career counseling enter the employment market seeking a "career" rather than a "job," noted author Gale Montgomery in the Q&A interview she did with Quintessential Careers. "They are more likely to know their strengths, interests and limitations and be more focused. All of which maximize the chances of a mutually beneficial work experience for both the employer and the employee," Montgomery says.

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Does it really matter what you majored in during college when looking for a job? In many cases, no. The important thing is getting the degree. So, while some jobs may be a better fit for your major, your potential job prospects are endless. If you haven't found a job that interests you, consider talking to some of your old professors. Sit down and think about what you really like doing the most. What are the aspects of your major that really excited you? What are your strengths? You can also get some ideas by going to Quintessential Careers: Career Exploration, where you can find links to some great resources about choosing a career.

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The traditional-aged student population tends to believe that they will not/cannot know what type of job they will want until they receive some offers to choose from, observed career counselor Doris Flaherty in the Q&A interview she did with Quintessential Careers. "What I try to impart is the understanding that employers aren't interested in candidates who are 'shopping around.' They want to hire candidates who have specifically sought them out, who have done the homework and already know that they want to work for that particular company doing a particular type of work. By taking part in career-planning activities before trying to conduct a job search, one can identify one or two career areas of interest and focus on those. Some may see this approach as limiting, but having a focus and the ability to effectively market yourself in conjunction with that focus will actually result in more offers than taking pot-shots at any advertised position you see," Flaherty advises.

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On a job application, don't confuse a request for your supervisor's name with a request for references. Even if you had a poor relationship with a former supervisor who you know won't say good things about you, be honest on your application and put your direct supervisor's name down. But, by all means, do not use that person as a reference if he or she is not going to say anything good about your work performance. And don't leave that part blank on your application -- that will only draw attention to the absence. Remember that job-hunting is all about marketing yourself -- you are the product and you need to put the best polish on the product. Do not offer any negative information. Your goal should be to get a job offer, so keep that focus in mind. And if, during the interview, the interviewer asks why your current boss is not one of your references, simply state that the you feel the people on your reference list can do a better job of discussing all your unique qualifications. Don't ever say that you are having problems with your current boss -- and certainly NEVER say anything negative about your current (or former) boss. Stick to the truth; don't ever lie.

Read our A Job-Seeker�s Guide to Successfully Completing Job Applications.

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"In five years it will be normal to always be job-seeking, and it will become a career-management issue how much time one will devote to fielding inquiries from prospective employers and their agents," says author Donald Asher. In the Q&A interview Asher did with Quintessential Careers, he observed that "the early 1990s saw the end of the old covenant between employer and employee, when employers rescinded on their end of the bargain. Now, this action has somewhat come home to haunt them. In the end, however, this new e-based job market is more efficient. And we know from economic theory that more efficient markets usually -- not always, but usually -- result in greater gains for both buyers and sellers. More people will be employed in their highest value capacity, which is ultimately good for us all."

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Should you refuse a job because you are waiting for an offer from an employer you like more? Be careful about making decisions too hastily or burning bridges too quickly. Too many job-seekers have been sure they would get a better offer from a better company and have turned down perfectly acceptable offers -- only to never receive another offer. So, if you're sure you would not want the first job you're offered, send a letter turning it down gracefully -- while keeping the door open for future possibilities. But, if you're not sure, try to stall for more time and/or more job offers.

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The most disturbing trend in job-hunting continues to be far too much emphasis on the "job market" rather than the individual, according to author Gale Montgomery in the Q&A interview she did with Quintessential Careers. "By placing the emphasis on the job market, job seekers tend to look for the occupations that are paying the most, gimmicks and scripts. Montgomery observes. " 'What key words should I use on my resume?' 'What should my objective say?' When you are trying to sell a product with nothing more than a script, you put yourself at a disadvantage and waste the buyer's time. By placing more emphasis on the individual and his/her gifts/talents and ambitions, it becomes considerably easier to write an objective that is meaningful and true; that objective succinctly articulated both verbally and on a resume will speak volumes about the job seeker's preparation and ethics -- more than all of the memorized key words, buzz words and interviewing scripts.

"Employers are not impressed when every applicant responds to the questions with the same scripted answers. An applicant who is genuinely interested in the position, has taken the time to link personal attributes to the needs of the organization, and responds with honesty and enthusiasm will find the right career opportunity -- not just a job," Montgomery notes.

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Interested in a career in the advertising field? The advertising industry is an exciting and dynamic industry, where lower-level employees often work long hours for lower-than-average pay. The two major paths in advertising are the creative side (art, copy-writing) or the management side (sales, account planning). You can work in advertising on the client side (the advertisers) or on the agency side.

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The biggest barrier to interpersonal effectiveness in the workplace is to make the erroneous assumption that successful people got that way through being born lucky or naturally gifted, said career development therapist Janet Scarborough in the Q&A interview she did with Quintessential Careers. "This is rarely the case, and believing it to be true sets one up to feel helpless about setting and attaining one's own career goals. Successful people are usually optimistic, persistent, and good at either working within an organization or forging an independent career path. However, in the areas in which they feel challenged or inadequate, they seek skills training or coaching to polish their abilities. The good news is that the areas that cause people the most trouble are changeable. If you find yourself fighting with your boss in every job you have held, that's a pattern that can be altered. If you keep getting passed over for the plum assignments in your department, you can learn to be a more strategic player. If every setback causes you to fall into a month-long funk, you can learn to be more resilient and hopeful. It takes time, energy, and hard work, but the rewards are well worth it," Scarborough says.

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It's that age-old job-hunting conundrum: How can you gain the "real-world" experience employers are looking for when they won't give you a job that would enable you to get the experience? College students can ward off this dilemma by working in internships or co-ops while in school. Employers are looking for college grads who not only have the academic knowledge, but also have some real-world experience. If you don't have experience directly in your preferred career field but have work, volunteer, and/or extracurricular experience, you can develop a functional resume focusing on some of your key technical and transferable skills.

Read more about how to write such a resume and use these skills in our article: Should You Consider a Functional Resume?

To get experience in your field, assuming you are supporting yourself with some kind of job, volunteer your applicable services to a local non-profit organization, such as a cultural arts center, museum, theatre company, etc. These groups never have the money to hire a professional, and you can add the experience to your resume.

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Simple misspelled words, writing mechanics and the inability to articulate the most basic thought have proven to be some of the worst nightmares with employees, noted author Gale Montgomery in the Q&A interview she did with Quintessential Careers. "I constantly stress with clients to get friends to interview them, role play. I admonish them not to wait until the interview to begin attempting to speak in grammatically correct sentences," Montgomery says.

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Here are some tips regarding reference lists:

Never put references on your resume. Make a list on a separate sheet of paper that matches your resume (and cover letter).
Never include references with your resume and cover letter, unless specifically requested the prospective employer.
Choose people who know you professionally and can speak well of your skills, abilities, and accomplishments. Always list your strongest reference first.
Make sure you ask people if they mind serving as a reference for you -- and then contact them again when you think they may be contacted by a potential employer.
Try to use people who know you professionally, but if you are a recent college graduate or are returning to the workforce, you can list a personal (character) reference.
Make sure you completely identify each reference, including name, title, company, address, phone number, e-mail address.

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"Job seekers should 'attack' the corporation of choice, not necessarily a job," advises Mark Mehler, co-author CAREERXROADS: The 2002 Directory to Job, Resume and Career Management Sites on the Web. In the Q&A interview he did with Quintessential Careers, Mehler said: "Most companies post their openings on their Web sites. Networking is still a key ingredient to the 'hunt,' so find a friend, acquaintance who will walk your information into the organization of choice. Plain vanilla resumes do not make it."

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If you were not able to gain work experience while attending college, you may need to present your college experience creatively. Review your years of school to see if you can develop a list of experiences -- they do not need to be paid experiences -- where you have used, developed, and honed skills. For example, have you done any class projects, major research studies, or reports? You will also probably want to develop a functional resume. Read Should You Consider a Functional Resume? to get more tips and advice.

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According to Phil Hey, professor of English and writing at Briar Cliff College, the most common mistake students make on their resumes and cover letters is a failure to give evidence of achievement - proof that their actions had positive, recognized results. In the Q&A interview Hey did with Quintessential Careers, he noted, "Employers don't want a dead history of education and job descriptions; they want some outcomes that show that the applicant really can produce on the job."

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To affirm whether your chosen career is right for you, consider setting up informational interviews with people in that field. What are informational interviews? They are interviews you conduct with key personnel in the field of your interest to learn more about how you can get a job in the field, what educational background is required, and more. Read much more in our Informational Interviewing Tutorial.

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Interested in a law career? According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook, the job market for lawyers over the next eight years will be very competitive. According to the report: Individuals interested in pursuing careers as lawyers or judicial workers should encounter stiff competition. The number of law school graduates is expected to continue to strain the economy's capacity to absorb them. Another good resource can be found at FindLaw.com's Website, which has numerous articles and links to other resources.

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The secret to successful job-hunting can be described in five words, according to author Gale Montgomery in the Q&A interview she did with Quintessential Careers: Have a desire to work. Montgomery says that having the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities for a job or career is certainly a must, "but I have heard employers says that they would gladly take a less qualified person to get someone who had a genuine desire to learn and do the work. Other intangible but greatly desired traits by the employer are attitude and communication - both verbally and in writing. 'Attitude' is hard to define, but if you look forward to working with one person and find creative ways to avoid working with another, the attitudes of the two people will probably have a significant impact upon your response," Montgomery says.

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Looking for a career that offers travel, good money, but also creativity? Consider consulting with a firm such as Accenture (the former Andersen Consulting), or international management. Both of these careers can offer you a travel, allow you to be creative in handling new problems, and provide a good salary.

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If you're in college, your best source for career information and contacts is the professors in your school -- and, specifically, in your major department. Most professors have contacts with local firms, and thus, using your professors to build your network is a logical move. Next best is your college's career services office. This office can help with finding potential employers and with working on your basic skills -- cover letter, resume, and interviewing.

Find even more job-search advice and tips in Critical First Job Tips: Key Job Search Advice -- #3.

Review all our Quick and Quintessential Career & Job Tips.

Maximize your career and job-search knowledge and skills! Take advantage of The Quintessential Careers Content Index, which enables site visitors to locate articles, tutorials, quizzes, and worksheets in 35 career, college, job-search topic areas.

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Q-Tips: Critical First Job Tips Key Job Search Advice -- #2

These job and career-related tips -- for all students and recent grads searching for your first real jobs -- have been gathered from numerous sources throughout Quintessential Careers and organized here for your convenience.

Review all our Quick and Quintessential Career & Job Tips.

Maximize your career and job-search knowledge and skills! Take advantage of The Quintessential Careers Content Index, which enables site visitors to locate articles, tutorials, quizzes, and worksheets in 35 career, college, job-search topic areas.

Q-Tips: Critical First Job Tips
Key Job Search Advice -- #2