Job Search Overwhelming?

Sure it's been a few months more, and still I have not found that much needed job to start off my life after college. BUT, life will continue to press on and my job hunt along with it.

While browsing through the Twitter-verse today, I came across a great article with some excellent advice. Using social media has proven to be a crucial aspect to finding a job. But, people are still skeptical. How can this be?

As the article pointed out, no matter how overwhelming something may seem, it is possible. And, it will pay off. Social media may seem scary, but it's worth mastering.

"There is nothing you can't do, as long as you break it up into small and manageable parts."

So true.

The Power of Networking

Since beginning my Birmingham job search last summer, I have been through quite a lot. I have searched tons of job and employer sites, picked through hundreds of postings, searched through Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and City materials, Tweeted about my hunt, and extended my resume and portfolio to family and friends who MAY have even a tiny connection to Alabama. I've tried nearly everything.

Aside from a strike of good luck when I landed an informational interview with a local PR firm, what do you think has been the best method of searching?

You guessed it, networking with family and friends. Looking for jobs that I have NO idea about whether they exist has been the best method. Networking.

Now, you are all probably curious as to whether I've received any interviews or offers yet. To be honest, I am happy to say that I have had two informational interviews and spoken with three other connections down there.

It has been said that it takes about 6 months to find a new job. Since I began actively contacting companies, about four months have gone by. I think I've come a long way in that amount of time. Finding a job does not happen over night. Since being in contact with actual bodies - not answering machines, not emails lost in the wilderness of the web - I finally feel like I'm making progress.

For anyone else in my boat, whether you're relocating or just having trouble finding a job, keep on networking. Even the smallest connection is still a connection and can put you one step ahead of everyone else.

Chaotic Job Market

Employees and Employers Missing the Mark

As a senior at Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI, the recent economy of course has me nervous and scrambling to find a job after graduation. May is creeping up a lot faster than it seems.

Check out this article I read recently about employees not being fit for employers, and employers being unrealistic about potential employees. It makes me wonder if being a more qualified person entering the work world will actually help me find that job...If job qualifications are unrealistic, how is our economy ever going to improve?

Hopefully there's someone out there interested in me...

Unforunately our Marquette PRSSA group was unable to make it to this year's national conference in San Diego this month, so I did a little research to see what the conference entailed. I wanted to see what other students thought about the presentations they were invited to. I came across this blog posting by a senior student at Ohio Northern University:



10 Tips for Networking Etiquette



It describes some very detailed tips for networking, some that I hadn't even heard of before. In fact, they make a lot of sense. I found a couple especially interesting:

4. Ladies should extend their hand to gentlemen first, allowing them to control whether they are comfortable with the exchange.

This is a neat point because, as a lady, I never thought that men might be uncomfortable with shaking a woman's hand...or vice versa in a networking environment.

8. If the first to arrive at a table for dinner, wait behind your chair or mingle until everyone is present before sitting down.

This is a great observation, because you never want to appear as though you are unsocial (even if you are a bit uncomfortable with meeting new people). Networking events give you an easy way in to breaking your shell and getting your name out there, because everyone is expecting to talk with and meet many people. There's no pressure!

“Chaos in the world brings uneasiness, but it also allows the opportunity for creativity and growth.”
~Tom Barrett

This quote sums up the current chaos in my life. School has been pretty busy, work is hectic, and family life has been strained. But, through it all, a positive outcome will arise. There is always room for improvement. When things are chaotic, it only means there's a better way of organizing our efforts and activities. Hit the ground running and seize the opportunity for growth.

PR Writting Assignment 2: Twitter Experience

After using Twitter more agressively for about two weeks, I now have a better understanding of the uses of Twitter. Before this assignment, I did not see much of a purpose for Twitter. Especially since a lot of people tweet silly information like what they ate for breakfast or that they just brushed their teeth!...I realized that everyone can create their own purpose for Twitter based on who they follow and how they tweet. I decided that my main purpose was going to be to gain knowledge about my chosen field: Public Relations. I also vowed that my tweets would never be about the food I just ate.

I am currently following academic and professional people based on guidance from my professor. I also found organizations and people by searching for topics I was interested in learning about or being updated about. Some examples of these include student organizations like @musg and @marquetteprssa, as well as professional organizations such as @prsa and @bigshoesnetwork. I also follow local news stations/papers to get information on the latest events in Milwaukee.

Some helpful tweets I came across during this experience include:

-Work force going gray due to current state of economy
-Taking Risks to Boost Your Career
-Resume writing tips!
-Check this out students: cover letter tips!

And, tweets of pure entertainment:
-21 Funny Twitter Pick-Up Lines
-Job plan # 2.

Overall, this assignment was really interesting. I feel as though the chaotic world that I initially viewed Twitter to be is actually more insightful than I realized...

"If I was down to my last dollar, I'd spend it on Public Relations."
~Bill Gates