Endless searching

All I’ve been doing is putting in applications for jobs. It seems as though it’s a job in itself. I go through newspapers, and online job searches for a job that I can do at home or nearby home. I’ve applied to all of them. Then you come across the job databases that require a membership fee. Why do you have to pay to find a job? Or the work at home scams–you got to make a one-time fee. For some us us current college students and/or grads, we may not have this investment. So we got to keep on looking. Then when I do find a legit job, I’m not qualified enough. Of course not; I am still in college so I don’t have work-related experience. maybe if I prove myself more worthy of this job, they’ll consider me anyhow.

Temp Work

I recently started to do temp work at a local educational facility in my area due to lack of job opportunities. I score essay tests for eight hours a day. It will be a great addition to my resume, since its consistent practical experience in my field (English), but I really don’t care for it. I do, however, like the fact that I’m making money again. Hey, its work! And, according to my supervisor, I’m doing my job well. I have also managed to make connections with some of the senior staff in regards to full-time salaried positions, minus the mind-numbing boredom. The corporation designs open-response tests for standardized state testing; essentially, it’s a much-needed complement to the multiple choice exams we all know and love. 38 states are involved; right now we are grading 10th graders from Utah. The company has branches all over the country, including a large one in Denver, which also has some jobs I’m qualified and have subsequently applied for. I think I may have more luck here since the company is rapidly expanding and new jobs are becoming available nearly every week. We’ll see….

First Interview

Interview
Just a few days ago I was writing a email response to a newspaper in California about a photojournalist position when the phone rang. Suprisingly, on the other end was the editor of the paper I was writing to. He had emailed several times over the past week, questioning on more detailed information not included in my resume. I had written back detailed answers to the interview-like questions (I.e. “what makes a good reporter?”), but didn’t really think anything of it. After all, I’d been passed over many times by various companies and publications, even after a reasonably extensive correspondence with HR. Anyway, despite my shock at just receiving a call (other editors specified a date and time in which they would call) I collected my thoughts, and tried to focus on the conversation at hand.
“What are plane tickets like from Maine?” he asked.
“Ahhh….” I droned. “ I couldn’t really say, I haven’t flown to California in a couple of years at least….”
“Why don’t you have a look at flights and I’ll call you back. I don’t hire via the internet, but we’ll reimburse you for your trip.” I sat there stupidly. Was I getting an interview? In California??
Sure enough, I checked out flights and later booked one after he had called back. I’m leaving Tuesday and am landing back in Boston on Thursday morning. Its very exciting, but weird at the same time; having applied for months without even the slightest chance at an interview, and then all of the sudden getting one. And across the country, no less.
Now, however, I have to deal with the stress of a first job interview. I’m going to do all the research and have questions for him, of course, but I am going to really focus on making a good impression. I think its safe to guess that my credentials are not really an issue; he wouldn’t be taking the time to interview me if they were not. So this, I’m guessing, should be more about getting to know the publication and the people who work for it, as well as the details of the job. My approach is going to be to make it as much like a casual conversation as possible; answer a question, ask one of my own based on that question, etc. I took a class on interviewing at a job fair back in October, and (based on the presented research) building a conversation is proven to be the biggest difference between those who are offered a position and those who are not. Who knows, though; things are often different in practice than on paper. At any rate, it will a good experience, even if I don’t get the job.

Correspondence

In the midst of all this job hunting, one is bound to get rejected several times. Several dozen times, to be more exact. And this is a conservative number. Nevertheless, while I expect to struggle and fight my way into a position of any sort in the publishing world, I would like to make this request of potential employers: “If, after corresponding with me, you are indeed not interested in pursuing further communication, please say so!”
About a month or so ago, I received an email from a local newspaper (in which I published a major article a couple of years ago) responding to my query about a regular freelancing position. In her email to me, she expressed her interested in discussing the position with me due my being a longtime resident and my subsequent knowledge of the seacoast area. She also noted that while I seemed to have little experience in straight news journalism, it was probably due to my lack of opportunity being a recent graduate. This is exactly the case, and you can imagine how delighted and surprised I was at not being automatically disqualified from a position due to experience. Even though I have done little interviewing and/or reporting aside from my college and high school newspapers, she seemed to be giving me a chance.

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Follow-Ups

Not really a whole lot going on right now. I just received a response from a small paper in Michigan. I applied about two weeks ago for a General Reporter Position, and since I’d always received a response from employers within a couple of days of my inquiry, I figured it was a lost cause. However, just yesterday I received an email from the editor, saying my resume was given to her by the publisher and would I be available for an interview? She described the job in a bit more detail than in the original advertisement. I’m not really getting my hopes up, but perhaps I’ll at least get an interview out of this one.
I always send out a follow-up email a week or so after I apply, and this may have helped in this case. So, even if you are not chosen for an interview initially, follow-ups and thank you notes are a definite must. And they occasionally pay off!

All I Want For Christmas Is An Interview!!

Watching TV one night last week, I saw one of those Capitol One commercials with the Viking invaders ; you know, the ones where they are always looking for new jobs because everyone is switching to Capitol One? Anyway, the heavyset, bald Viking who is supposed to be the leader declares that, after several scenes depicting embarrassing, holiday-themed follies on the part of his men, “All we want for Christmas is our dignity!”
Like most people, the images in the advertisement were meant to cause a bit of a chuckle on the part of the audience, and I was no exception. More so, actually, since the punch line rang with a bit of truth in my case. Looking for employment is not easy, and its hard to keep one’s chin up at times. After a meager holiday season, I’m slowly depleting my savings as I look for work. Although I’ve landed some freelance projects, all have been unpaid. Which is fine; it builds the resume. But, sooner or later, we all need money.

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Internships: Are They Worth It?

A few weeks back I met up with a friend of mine, Rachael, for coffee at a local café. I was about three weeks or so into my job search, and hadn’t gotten anywhere. Companies simply weren’t responding to my inquiries, even if it was to tell me my qualifications were simply laughable! Rachael, an employed teacher at one of the local middle schools, had been in my position a year and a half previous, and I was keen on absorbing whatever information I could beg, borrow or steal from her.
“You know what helped me the most in terms of marketable experience when was looking for my first job? My internship.” Rachael said, munching a crumpet as she continued. “When they (her employers) saw that I already had six months worth of experience, it pushed me that much farther up their list of candidates. I think everyone should have to do an internship, regardless of what their field is.”

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Intro/Relocation

My name is Matt, and I’m a new blogger here on CollegeRecruiter.com. I’m here to discuss a variety of topics that have been important and or influential to me during my ongoing search for an entry-level job after college. When browsing for jobs, the second most important thing other than the actual position (yes, more important than salary), is location. Which brings up an interesting topic/problem for the potential first-time employee: relocation
By the time college commencement ceremonies come around, a phenomenon seems to take place. Many grads decide they need a change of scenery, a fresh start, and the shift from protégé to professional seems like a logical moment to once again start fresh amidst a new social backdrop. And as a new grad, I’m no different; I’m also looking to get away. Namely, far away.
Like I said before, I’m looking for an entry-level writing job, and am pretty open in terms of what I’m willing to go for. Essentially, I’ll take any salary (as long as I can eat and pay rent off it) in any job related to the above positions in any part of the US with the exception of where I am right now: Maine. I’ve lived in Maine for my entire life, and while it’s a great place overall, I’m pretty sick of it and the whole small-town atmosphere for which it is known for. You know, that whole “Vacation Land” thing (if you don’t know what I’m talking about, keep and eye out for a Maine plate next time your cruising the highway and all will become clear). I’ve traveled around enough to know that a nice, bustling city would be ideal at this point in my life. Which works out nice, since most of the types of jobs I’m looking for seem to be concentrated in the NYC and Washington DC areas. But, since such scenes are hard to break into without contacts or networking, I’m willing to settle for anywhere I can find a job, as long as its not here. Pretty inviting to the potential employer, right?

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