Is My Degree Hurting My Job Search?

There’s nothing worse than frustration. That feeling that you have hit a wall and you’re fresh out of ways to knock it down. Jill, a new grad, recently sent me a note:
I have a degree in creative writing. I have applied to so many places, places that might have at least something to do with my degree and also places that have positions that aren’t on my lists of hopeful jobs. I search the internet all the time, apply to jobs in the newspaper, and apply to places that aren’t even hiring, but no such luck so far. Most of the places I apply to, only say to send my resume. Should I be sending a cover letter and references too? I would love to tell potential employers my story, that they should choose me, but I hardly get called for interviews. I even call the companies that I applied to tell them that I’m still interested in the job, and it doesn’t seem to matter. What should I do?
Jill asks some really good questions—ones that I hear again and again–but also ones that have answers. Here’s the deal.
If you cast a wide net, and apply to anything and everything the recruiters are going to see that and wonder “If she has a degree in writing, why is she applying for a clerical job?” I fully understand the need to make ends meet but a college degree is supposed to help you avoid that stressor. So here are some tips to bring Jill, and you, some immediate relief:
1) Your resume is a commercial–tailor it to the audience
If your degree in writing is from the College of Communciations, say so instead, That appeals to a broader audience. Don’t lie on your resume, but do cater it to the reader. If you’re not applying for creative writing jobs, that degree may be an immediate turnoff. Is is worthless? Absolutely not.
2) Go for quality instead of quantity
Stop applying and sending the same resume to hundreds of jobs. In the same amount of time, you can tailor your resume to address the points a job description is asking for and send it to five or ten. You have to make it easy for the reader to see you’re the one for the job. If your resume doesn’t support 70-80% of what the job description asks for, don’t apply. Plus, if you only apply to five or ten jobs that really fit your background, you can take more time to follow-up, ask for feedback, find contacts at that company etc.
3) Start creating a path to your desired position instead of waiting for one to appear.
Don’t just send resumes and sit back and wait. Structure your search with company or industry targets and start a path to your desired job by meeting with contacts at those companies or in those industries. Through informational interviews and networking (see #4) you can ask the contact what their company is looking for and get feedback on your resume. The contact can also serve as an advocate for you internally. Just make sure you’re a good reflection on them and you prepare, behave and act appropriately.
4) Find out who the people you know, know.
In my new book, The Right Job Right Now, one thing I recommend is to send an email to everyone you know indicating the types of companies and contacts you’re interested in. Use the replies to set up those networking contacts and informational interviews.
5) Treat your job search like a project
Two tools I highy recommend are JibberJobber and Linked In. JibberJobber helps you manage your search–from postions applied for to the contacts you have–so you can treat your search like a project and track, response, follow-up and next steps. Linked In is a tool to leverage the contacts of your contacts. Like I said in #4 above, your friends, family, former work colleagues etc. may know people who can be helpful in your search. But you have to investigate and ask to find out.
Job searching can be frustrating, that’s for sure. But if putting yourself in a product mindset and thinking of your resume as a sales tool (like I mentioned the other day in the Baltimore Sun newspaper) may be the first step in changing your attitude about the way the whole process can work in your favor.