the best job for you - hofstra university · the best job for you ... –-woody allen, filmmaker...
TRANSCRIPT
The Best Job for You
Developing a Game Plan forWinning the Job of Your Choice
Senior Boot CampApril 22, 2005The Hofstra University Career Center
Presented by: Marvin Reed
Created by The Hofstra Career Center
Dream Big Dreams . . .
o “to be nobody butyourself—in a worldwhich is doing it’s bestnight and day to makeyou like somebody else—means to fight thehardest battle which anyhuman being can fight...”e. e. cummings, poet
o “Money is better thanpoverty, but only forfinancial reasons.”–-Woody Allen, filmmaker
o “The real secret ofsuccess is enthusiasm.”--Walter P. Chrysler,automotive entrepreneur
o Your chances of successare directly proportionalto the degree of pleasureyou derive from what youdo.—Michael Korda
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. . .But Make A Strategic PlanFor Successo “first the vision, then
the action!” -anon.
o “if your goal is tohave your own life,don’t lean up againsta wall waiting forsomeone torecognize you.” –Andrew Shue, actor
o “Always have a planB and a plan C.”
o “When I told myfather I was going tobe an actor, he said,‘Fine, but studywelding just in case.’”
--Robin Williams,actor
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Job Search: Key Concepts I
o Have a VISION.o Know yourself.o Identify your MOTIVATED skills. Then identify
careers “where they will PAY you TO BE YOU!”o Think beyond your major! Employers are
interested in ALL your dimensions.o “Research” your chosen field to discover where
your skills & motivations may fit.o Focus on the CONTENT OF THE WORK AND
ON THE “PEOPLE ENVIRONMENT.”
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Job Search: Key Concepts II
o AND WHETHER THEY FIT YOU, more than onjob titles and/or the prestige of the employer.THE WRONG JOB IN ‘A GREAT COMPANY’IS STILL THE WRONG JOB!
o Capture YOURSELF in your resume!o Be able to explain YOURSELF.o Use many job search methods.o Get organized. Plan on an extended campaign.
Job search skills are skills for a lifetime!
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Job Search: Key Concepts III
o Make job search A FULL-TIME JOB!o Don’t get in a job-hunting rut! Use MANY methods!o Follow your chosen field as avidly as you follow your
favorite sport, ‘reality’ show, actor or hobby.o Don’t underestimate the value of persistence and
determination!o VIEW AN INTERVIEW AS AN OPPORTUNITY (!), NOT
AS AN INQUISITION.o BE NICE to everyone you meet in your job search!o TALK TO EVERYONE YOU MEET ABOUT YOUR JOB
SEARCH. It simply is not possible to speak to too manypeople about your job search.
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Use The Career Center!
o Employers seeking new college graduatesfocus their energies on college career centers!
o The Career Center receives thousands ofpostings every year.
o It’s not too late to add your e-mail address tothe list for The Career Center’s e-mail jobannouncements for graduating students(announcements will continue through June andinto at least early July).
o Help is always available—throughout thissummer and throughout your career!
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Applying to Posted Positions
o Cover letter andresume.
o Write your letter to a“real” person.
o Write clearly & with aspark of personality.
o E-mail yourapplication whenthat’s an option(it’s fast!).
o Then, follow up youronline applicationwith a hard copycover letter andresume.
o And, if you reallywant the job, followup with a phone call!
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Use the Internet In YourSearcho The Internet offers
the largest and mosteasily searched“classifieds” inhistory.
o But the Internet ismerely a tool. Don’texpect instant resultsor miracle results.
o According to onenoted authority, onlyabout 4% of jobseekers using theInternet in their jobsearch find a job thatway!
o So use the Internetto find out what’s ‘outthere’ and as ONLYONE of your jobsearch methods.
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Don’t Use ONLY Monster.com!
o Did you know that theowners of Monster.comDON’T RECOMMEND ITto new college grads?
o They also ownMonsterTrak.com, whichis for new grads. On TheCareer Center’s web site,this is called ‘Hofstra JobConnection.’
o Don’t merely “post yourresume to the Internet.”
o Explore a couple of newjob search sites everyweek.
o Use the Internet toresearch career paths,company cultures,salaries and more.
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Discover Internet Job SearchSites That Focus On Your Field
o www.hofstra.edu/career then click on “careerand internship websites”
o www.artjob.orgo www.Analyticrecruiting.como www.jobsinthemoney.como www.findcreative.como www.mediabistro.como www.showbizjobs.como www.writejobs.como www.tvjobs.com
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More specific career websites
owww.usajobs.opm.govowww.studentaffairs.comowww.bioview.comowww.DICE.com (info systems jobs)owww.onlinesports.comowww.H1visajobs.comowww.idealist.org
Created by The Hofstra Career Center
APPLY ONLINE DIRECTLYTO EMPLOYER WEBSITESo Almost every employer these days has a website!o Many, but not all, include information about career tracks,
list specific current openings and provide for online jobapplication directly to the employer.
o “But I don’t know the web address!”o Try a “google search” by your name for the employer.o Also do “google searches” for phrases such as “largest
employers on Long Island,” “NYC’s leading firms,”“healthcare employers on LI,” “engineering jobs.”
o Consider your online application as only a FIRST STEPin landing a position with your targeted employer.
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Make Networking a Habit
o In the US and among newHofstra graduates, morepeople find their jobsthrough referrals from otherpeople than any other way!
o Many people, incontemplating the possibilityof networking, say “but Idon’t KNOW anyone.”
o It’s NOT about “who youknow.” It’s really about “whoyou can arrange to meet!”
o “Six degrees of separation”
o Where do you find people?:friends of family, neighbors,friends of college friends,people you encounter whereyou work, or where youvacation, plus directorylistings, newspaperclippings, and more!
o Make a commitment andkeep score: how manypeople will I see eachweek?
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KEY CONCEPTS FORNETWORKINGo Ask for advice; NOT for a
job interview.o MEAN IT, when you say
it!o If possible, make job
search a FULL TIMEJOB!
o Weekends and eveningsare for researching andbuilding your list ofdesired contacts, as wellas for online, fax and mailjob applications.
o Monday for telephoningo Tuesday-Friday 9-5 for
“informationinterviewing.”
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MORE ON NETWORKING
o Learn to introduce your background and goalsin two or three pleasant sentences.
o Always be on the lookout for prospects.o You cannot speak to too many people about
your job search!o Value information for itself.o If you arrange a conversation, be ready to ask
questions that reveal that you’re seriouslyinterested (meaning “informed”) about the field.
o Be prepared, in answering questions, todemonstrate not only your eagerness, but alsothat you have real qualifications for the field.
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Additional Job SearchMethodso Broadcast Application—but keep in mind that,
according to some studies, only one of every1500 unsolicited resumes in the mail leads to ajob!
o Employment Agencies/Search Firms—workbest for experienced workers—are of limitedusefulness for most new grads and can leadyou to lower your expectations!
o WALK IN to the building and talk to the firstperson you meet! Try it; you may be amazed!
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Tips For Getting Organized
o Schedule time for job search EVERYweek.
oCreate a log or notebook to track yourprogress.
o Set interim goals to keep you motivated.oNote the date of every application you
make, so you’ll know when to:o Follow-up on your applicationso Send thank-you notes after interviews
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Learn to Handle Rejection!
o Almost every job search goes like this:oNo, no, no, get out of here, no—never!,
no, no, no, no, you must be kidding!, no,no, no, no, no, no, no, no. . .YES!
o SO, learn to think of every “no” youreceive while job hunting as taking youone step closer to the ultimate “YES.”
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For Inspiration
o Patrick Combs, Major In Success: MakeCollege Easier, Fire Up Your Dreamsand Get a Very Good Job.
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Additional Resources ForLearning More About Your Field
o Career Center Library: WetFeet guides andVault Guides to many fields, particularly inbusiness, and varied guides to many otherfields of work.
o www.WetFeet.com features career profiles,industry profiles and ‘real people’ profiles
o Occupational Outlook Handbook, publishedannually by US Department of Labor—availableonline at http://www.bls.gov/oco/
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Selected Career Guide Titles
o Advertising CareerDirectory
o Breaking Into Filmo WetFeet Insider
Guide To Careers InInvestment Banking
o Vault Career GuideTo InvestmentManagement
o Vault Career GuideTo Sales andTrading
o 100 Best CareersFor Artists andWriters
o 100 Jobs In SocialChange
o 100 Jobs in Wordso Liberal Arts Jobs
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And Still More Titles
o How To Put Your Book Together and Get a JobIn Advertising
o 50 Coolest Jobs In Sportso Harvard Guide To Careers In Mass Mediao Environmental Careers In the 21st Centuryo Choosing A Career In the Lawo 100 Best Careers in Crimefightingo Harvard College Guide To Careers In
Government and Politics
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Resources on Networking and‘Information Interviewing’o A Foot In the Door, by Katherine
Hansen.o The Complete Job Search Handbook, by
Howard Figler.o (out of print but can be found in libraries
or through used book services:)Guerrilla Tactics In the New Job Market,by Tom Jackson.
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Resources On Internet JobSearchingowww.Rileyguide.como In book form, look for the truly
outstanding, Margaret Riley Dikel,Guide To Internet Job Searching.
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ENJOY YOUR JOB SEARCH!
o Plan to work hard at searching, but look forwardto meeting many interesting people.
o Stay focused and work on job search everyweek.
o Measure the success of your job search by thenumber of NEW face-to-face contacts youmake every week, and NOT by the number ofresumes sent out!
o Remember: the skills you develop this time willserve you well for the rest of your life!