Your Career and You: Job Search Bungee-Jumping

I was struck the other day by the conservative (aka: safe) approach that some of my students (both Curry College, where I teach undergrad communication courses, and Regis College, where I teach graduate communication courses) take in their job and internship efforts.

This post is sort of a continuation of last week's "goldfish bowl" musing, but I've had two different conversations in the past few days that tell me to talk more.

Not only do you have to think outside your familiar and safe boundaries, both geographical and professional; you have to be willing to dive headlong into unfamiliar territory, exploring new industries, and considering different entry points into your career.

One of my grad students was talking with me about her search for a field experience opportunity. Apparently she had gotten some email addresses from another professor, but nothing more for contact information.

My sense was that she had done nothing more than simply fire off a "To Whom It May Concern" email and was now sitting and waiting for a response.

One of her classmates, as we were chatting, offered some very viable suggestions on other places to look. The first student basically blew off the recommendations as they weren't exactly what and where she wanted.

I then offered to do some address-book-diving to see if I knew someone at any of the institutions she was interested in. I told her that my contacts would be the public relations people, but they certainly would be able to provide her with names, etc., for the areas in which she was interested.

Ditto.

As I was driving home after that class, I thought about the sequence of events and realized that this particular student, anxious as she was to find something, was not going to take the risk of following a circuitous route to her goal.

So be it. We're not all cut out for the often nerve-wracking ordeal of diving into unclear career waters...and I'm certainly not suggesting that you must. But...you have to be open to taking some risks.

It's terrifying, and it's exhilarating. And you learn something about yourself...your capacity for risk-taking...your openness to new ideas...your willingness to adapt.

The goal is for you to get a toehold on your future, and if the standard avenues aren't working, you might have to try something different...some job search bungee-jumping.

"It is only by risking our persons from one hour to another that we live at all. And often enough our faith beforehand in an uncertified result is the only thing that makes the result come true." William James, "The Will to Believe [1897]. Is Life Worth Living?"

Your Career and You: "Changing Fishbowls"

Conversations with a variety of current and former students over the past couple of weeks gave me cause to think about just how we tend to stick within the real or imagined walls of our "universe."

I was reminded of the time we bought a new aquarium for our goldfish...the equivalent for the fish of moving from a studio apartment to a three-bedroom penthouse with roofdeck.

The guys totally freaked.

For the first week, they wouldn't venture beyond what they remembered as the boundaries of their old "apartment." They would be chasing each other (playing, I hope) and, when they reached what used to be the side...screech!!! A dead stop.

Took nearly two weeks for them to figure out that they actually could explore "outside the walls." (One of them...not the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree...knocked himself senseless once, apparently figuring that, since the original wall was no longer there, no walls were there! He only did this once, but it was a lesson painfully learned!)

Which brings me back to the students' plights...all job-search related.

It's not that they haven't been looking. It's just that they've been looking right around their familiar stomping grounds. Those who live south of Boston are looking south of Boston. Ditto for north and west.

I understand the natural urge to stay close to home, and some of them have real reasons for doing so. But...

Common sense (and a quick conversation with their former professor) should help them realize that the odds are stacked against them... after all, I'm the guy who has lived and worked in five states and two foreign countries...and that's not counting internships and training in three other states.

If you've been looking for a job for a year or so and nothing has come up for which you had a shot, maybe it's time to change your fishbowl...broaden your search horizons.

Just because you move away for a few years doesn't mean that you've forsaken family and friends. It should be...and they should realize this...a sign that you've grown up and are making grown-up decisions!!

This isn't to say that searching elsewhere is the magic potion...that it's going to be the solution to your dilemma. But at least, at the end of the day, you can say to yourself and to others, "I took full advantage of the opportunities that were available to me in my job search."

And you don't have to be alone as you venture into those uncharted waters. Think back on the things I've mentioned/ urged you to do/preached about over the years...

1. Expand your network...Use LinkedIn, Facebook, Happo, Brazen Careerist, and the dozens of other social networking sites to make connections, establish new relationships, and ferret out job opportunities.

For my Public Relations students, I remind them constantly of the value of professional organizations like the Public Relations Society of America, the International Association of Business Communicators, the American Marketing Association, and others.

2. Call on others for advice...Even at Curry College, a small private college just south of Boston, faculty are from all over the place...and have contacts all over the place. Talk to them; find out who they know where and what they know about various cities around the country (or world, for that matter).

This is a start, and you will build on your resource base as you move forward. But first, you have to take that one step that moves you out of your "same ol'-same ol'" routine. You have to change your fishbowl!

"Nature--that is, biological evolution--has not fitted man to any specific environment...His imagination, his reason, his emotional subtlety and toughness, make it possible for him not to accept the environment, but to change it." Jacob Bronowski, "The Ascent of Man" [1973]

Your Career and You: "Read Between the Lines...and TALK"

As usual, I was having an interesting conversation with a couple of my Communication students at Curry College last week.

One of them is a Public Relations concentration disciple; the other is Theatre. Both are bright, driven, and full of optimism when it comes to their respective futures.

We were talking about internships, and the subject of "internship scams" came up. Seems both of them were singed...they caught on before getting burned...by less-than-forthright "internship" ads.

Both had conducted their own searches for internships, just as we encourage them to do. The idea is to promote self-sufficiency, with the knowledge that you can always come back to us...Career Services... faculty advisors...professors with industry connections...for more guidance.

Both had come across what sounded like the most amazing internship on earth! Not only would they "gain valuable marketing experience"; they would "earn while learning!"

I'm salivating myself as I read these words!!

But...as my version of the old adage goes: "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't!"

To both these young future professionals' credit, they decided to do a quick online "background check" on their respective companies. And, in both cases, the first ten or so hits were warnings to beware the scammer.

Now I would love to get on my white horse and crusade throughout the land chastising those companies that prey on unsuspecting young college students and others.

Since that isn't going to happen, though, I take the alternate route of making sure that our Career Services folks are fully aware of the scammer and that each and every one of my own advisees (academic AND internship) is aware of the potential risks.

So what to do, you ask? Simple...TALK!

> Tell your advisor/professor/Career Services rep what company you're looking at.
> Ask what he or she knows about the company or if he or she has heard anything about it.
> Look online to see what others may have said, positively OR negatively, about the company and their own experience.
> Keep a record of your search results and share them so that others won't be scammed.

Internships, as well as entry-level jobs, are opportunities for you to learn or to perfect the skills that you need to succeed in your chosen career field. Unfortunately, there are those who see you as "cheap labor" and will take advantage of your perceived innocence.

The good news is that you have a network of resources (mentioned above) that you can turn to. Use them...use them all.

The goal is for you to learn...both in the classroom and the workplace... and not be taken advantage of in either. You already check out your professors pretty thoroughly...do the same with your potential intern-ships or jobs!

It's all a learning experience. And the more you experience, the more you will learn.

To repeat one of my favorite lines from Charles Lutwidge Dodgson's (aka Lewis Carroll) Alice's Adventures in Wonderland:

"That's the reason they're called lessons," the Gryphon remarked: "because they lessen from day to day." [Turtle's Story, p. 145]

Your Career and You: Have a Reason to Connect

I just "inherited" another follower on Twitter...checked her feeds and didn't find anything obscene (I won't get into the gazillion typos I found in her tweets), so didn't block her.

The occurrence sparked the idea for this week's post, though...along with a chat that I've been following on LinkedIn about "introductions."

When I get notice of a new follower on Twitter, or a friend request on Facebook, or an invitation to connect on LinkedIn, I always ask a simple question: "Why me?"

I'd like to pamper myself with the notion that perhaps my thoughts are regarded as interesting or worthwhile by these folks. But I'm not convinced...in fact, kinda doubt it most of the time.

I'm nowhere near as erudite as my colleague Todd Defren at SHIFT, who writes a great blog on topics near and dear to my PR-prone heart. Nor do my topics have as great a significance for senior management as those addressed by Dr. Leslie Gaines-Ross at Weber Shandwick.

So why do you want to follow/friend/connect with me? The answer to that little question seems to be where the real connection isn't being made.

At first I was grateful that someone wanted to share a common social media link with me...until I checked up on a few and found some "interesting" photos or comments...blocked and reported those puppies immediately!

Now I'm more cautious. If I don't recognize your name, I'm going to do some quick sleuthing. Who are you? And what common connection do we have in our backgrounds?

So, to speed up the process and increase your chances of my complying with your request, tell me why you're reaching out!

What mutual friend recommended that you connect with me?

What  organization do we both belong to?

What job are you applying for that I have some connection with?

Tell me!!

This applies in all aspects of your job search. Don't assume that I'm going to do your homework and find out who you are.

And this applies equally to your resume and cover letter. When I've been part of search committees over the years tasked with slogging through piles of resumes from everyone from highly-qualified communication professionals to laid-off cab drivers, the most annoying part of the process has been reading the cover letter and resume of someone who assumed that I was going to know what he or she wanted to do.

We always had three piles: (1) definitely talk to this person ASAP; (2) hmmm, let's think about this one, and (3) naah.

Want to guess where the ones that I was just talking about wound up? Without being read fully and discussed??

Especially in my world of public relations, the ability to communicate is paramount. And if you can't make your case right up front in your initial introduction, your chances have gotten way smaller.

So back to reasons. Here are a few that I used in my job search in Hawaii:

1. Before moving from Massachusetts to Hawaii..."I'm writing as a fellow member of the Public Relations Society of America..."

2. After relocating..."We met at a recent meeting of the PRSA/Hawaii Chapter..."
or

3. "I'm writing at the suggestion of XXXX at the Bank of Hawaii who, after chatting with me about job opportunities, thought that my background and experience might be just what you're looking for to fill your open XXXX position..."

Three short but clear reasons/connections, all of which resulted in informational or job-specific interviews. No guesswork involved.

I'm constantly reminding my Communication students at Curry College, especially my Public Relations concentration disciples, as well as my graduate Communications students at Regis College, of the importance of results-oriented communication with target audiences.

Your target audience in this case is someone who either can point you in the direction of a job opportunity or might consider you for a specific job. Give him or her a reason to connect!

"A man always has two reasons for what he does - a good one, and the real one."
John Pierpont Morgan, "From OWEN WISTER, Roosevelt: The Story of Friendship" [1930]

Your Career and You: "Brand Who? Brand YOU!!"

I attended an event yesterday for seniors at Curry College...resume review, interview advice, job search tips...designed to help them get a leg up on the competition that faces them as graduation inches closer and closer.

An audience of nearly 100 sat in rapt attention, nodding in agreement and jotting down thoughts, as keynote speaker and Curry alum Matt Winkler shared his insights on the critical issue of personal branding as it relates to looking for a job.

Matt's comments got me thinking about the job search challenge and how you can best prepare yourself to dive headlong into the rushing waters of "life."

Finely crafted resumes and cover letters are crucial. Networking and subsequent interviews, both informational and job-specific, are vital. But how you present yourself...who you are...what impression you leave on those with whom you meet...is the "make-or-break" factor.

Branding is a lot of stuff that goes into making you who you are in the eyes of others.

What do others think about the way you dress? How do you present yourself both in writing, in your speech, and in your appearance?

As I like to describe it...and say often in my Communication classes at Curry...especially my Public Relations classes...what's the "take-away"? Once you've walked out my door, and I'm left with your resume and the aroma of your perfume or aftershave...what do I remember?

I helped a client a few years ago conduct a job search to fill a senior publications position in her organization...a very conservative healthcare trade association. This individual would interact with other high-level staff members as well as members of the association who were highly educated, serious professionals.

We winnowed the applicants down to a half dozen and set about conducting interviews. The first few were good but not spectacular, but we were encouraged because we had one scheduled whose experience was exactly what we were looking for.

But there were some problems with this one already. First...remember this was a senior publications position...the ink on the resume and cover letter and resume smudged when you touched the paper. And, the printing cracked in areas that were folded. Hmmm.

We decided we had to see this fellow if only to confirm our suspicions.

And in he walked. Dressed reasonably nicely. Clean and neat. But his ears gave us a problem.

We concluded the interview and escorted him out thanking him for his time. Then we practically dashed back to the interview room to compare notes.

She: "How many holes did you count on your side?"

Me: "Three. And you?"

She: "Two."

Observation: The fellow had taken the five rings that he normally wore in his earlobes out for the interview.

Conclusion: Not a match for the brand that is our association.

"Dear Mr. XXX, Thank you very much for meeting with us today. While we were impressed with your background and experience, I'm sorry to inform you that we have identified another candidate whose qualifications are more closely aligned with the mission of our association...Sincerely, XXX"

It's a small detail, but an important one. The problem was that, while he had the talents that we really wanted for this position, we were concerned that his appearance would be a distraction both to our own staff and to association members with whom he would inevitably have to meet.

Not saying he was wrong. Just saying that his brand was wrong for us.

So take a close and serious look at yourself. Who are you? How do you present yourself? How do you express yourself? How do you impress others?

My late Father once made an irritated, negative comment about the way I laughed. I had never noticed. I did then...I don't laugh like that any more! (Note: Still laugh, and laugh a lot...just not the way that annoyed my Father!)

A tip or two...start making either mental or literal notes.

What impresses you most about those people you really admire? Your peers, your family members, others with whom you come in contact?

What about them makes you say to yourself, "I wish I were like that."

Or conversely, what really turns you off about someone? Now...ask yourself and ask others: "Am I like that?"

Your personal brand is your flag...it identifies you as who you are, who you represent, who you wish to be remembered as. It gives a hint as to what you're capable of accomplishing. And it indicates what you're not.

Inventory time.

Stand in front of a mirror and look at what's looking back at you (assuming you're not a vampire and have no image at all!).

Round up your best friend and ask him or her to critique you. (Note: Friends will lie to you to remain your friend; best friends will tell you if your breath smells like day-old sardines.)

Then go to work on fine-tuning and polishing your appearance, your way of speaking, all the aspects of you that leave an impression on others. When you feel that you've made any changes that are needed... and you're comfortable with those changes...you have the start of your "brand."

"It's this simple: You are a brand. You are in charge of your brand. There is no single path to success. And there is no one right way to create the brand called You. Except this: Start today. Or else."
Tom Peters, "The Brand Called You" [Fast Company, August 31, 1997]

Your Career and You: "The Power of One"

Being snowed in for a couple of days gave me a chance to think about career moves and job searches...basically, I was bored out of my gourd, had solved every available crossword and Sudoku puzzle in the house, and was thinking about writing my "memoirs."

THAT was the proverbial "straw"! First, I don't feel I've accomplished very much thus far. And, second, I feel like there's so much more I need to do!

Started feeling a bit overwhelmed. THEN I recalled conversations I've had with friends/students both at Curry College, where I oversee the undergrad public relations concentration, and at Regis College, where I teach graduate-level communications courses.

Some of these folks were feeling a bit overwhelmed as well. And, as we chatted about everything that they were doing both academically and elsewhere, I understood their feeling of being swamped.

And that led to the thought for this post..."The Power of One."

It's so easy to sit down and draw up ginormous lists of things we have to do in "X" amount of time. The problem with this exercise, though, is that we often wind up feeling discouraged...that we can't possibly accomplish all this and maintain some semblance of sanity.

So here's a thought.

Start off easy. Decide on ONE thing that you are going to accomplish in the coming week as part of your job search.

Maybe it's to schedule an informational interview. Or to revise your resume. Or to attend a networking event.

Whatever you decide...settle on that one thing...and DO it!

Some critics will no doubt say, "You're setting the bar too low, Kirk."

And I will counter with, "A job search is like exercising. You have to limber up first, or you'll wind up hurting yourself and not wanting to continue."

So "warm up" with one job search activity. Then, when that starts feeling comfortable, increase the "reps"...slowly and carefully.

Soon you'll find yourself in a regular pattern of activity...networking, interviews...that will greatly increase your chances of landing that way cool job that you've always wanted.

There you have it. Now put on your mental workout clothes and hit the job search gym with "one"...one day devoted to finetuning your resume...one networking event with business cards in hand...one informational interview with resume AND business cards.

You can do it...it's the "Power of One!"

"You cannot conceive the many without the one."
Plato, "Dialogues, Parmenides" [129]

Your Career and You: "Three-Two-One...Job Hunt!"

For several of my PR superstars at Curry College, we're now in the countdown phase of their education.

Courses required for the Public Relations concentration are out of the way as well as most other courses. We've managed their studies so that they can devote as much time as possible this semester to a final internship and the serious beginnings of their job search.

A few are farther along than others...back-to-back internships at a leading PR firm in the hopes of that developing into a full-time job offer...more frequent attendance at PR-related events in the area as part of their nascent networking initiatives...frantic and frequent meetings with me (and others) to fine-tune resumes and cover letters.

So here's a little "countdown" advice as you either get started (a smidge late, if you are) or are revving up the activity.

Number Three...Resume and Cover Letter. It's now or never...you want people to actually look at your stuff, don't you? Well, you gotta' get their attention first! And you do that by presenting a professionally crafted and professional looking set of introductory materials.

Get others' opinions. Show the pieces to your parents, to a professor whose opinion you value, to your Career Services professionals. Get more than one person's opinion.

If two or more people agree that everything looks good...and there are no grammatical or other errors...you're close to ready.

If you get different feedback from everyone you talk to, there's probably something wrong with the way you're presenting yourself. You need to (a) figure out what it is and (b) fix it.

Number Two...Networking. As I said in a recent blog for SMartPR, nearly three-quarters of all job openings are never posted. They're filled through referrals..."someone who knows someone."

And before you go stomping off muttering "That is SO not fair!", get over it. In your eyes, it's unfair; in the eyes of the person filling the position, it's a time-saver and assurance of finding the right "fit" for the job.

Referrals come with built-in initial reference checks...when I refer someone for a particular position, I do so because I know that person and have confidence in his or her ability to succeed. I'm putting my professional reputation on the line with the referral, so I'm not going to play games in the process. And that takes a little of the burden off the hiring manager.

Number One...Informational Interviews. The more you know...the more you know.

Although I had worked for a gazillion years in industries ranging from federal government to high tech to service sector, I really had no clue what it was going to be like working in Hawaii. So I scheduled and went on more than 100 informational interviews immediately after moving to Honolulu.

Picked up some valuable tips on "Hawaiian-style" worklife, social life, professional relations, and everything else that goes into creating a society.

Conversely, when I moved back to Boston and jumped into the jobsearch stream using those skills that I had perfected in Hawaii...hit a wall and had to start all over. I had to re-learn how to act in the Boston business world...very different!! And it took a while to find the right opportunity.

It's been said time and time again..."Looking for a job is a job in itself."

It is.

But if you are serious about wanting to find a great entry-level (or other) position where you can make the most of your education, your interests, your skills, and your desire to succeed, you have no choice. The Tooth Fairy isn't going to leave a job under your pillow. You're going to have to find it yourself.

So start your countdown now...pull out your resume and your cover letter and get to work! Then move on and out!

"The beginning is the most important part of the work."
Plato, "The Republic," bk. I, 377-B