Black Collegian Career Center

Knowledge is power---that’s why you opted to go to college isn’t it? Financial power, professional power, and power to get the job you want. But even though you’ll have a degree and the job market is in your favor, there’re still some things you need to know to get a job by commencement. Despite the presumed tediousness of self-exploration it can’t be worse than being in a job you don’t like. So buckle down and get to know yourself before you go any further. Although it may sound simplistic, conducting a thorough self-assessment now, will pay off later. 

Take a close look at your values, interests, skills, and personality. Most school career centers administer assessment instruments like Career Values Card Sorts, the Strong Interest Inventory, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), and others to help you determine where to start. Next, based upon what you learn or confirm about yourself, decide, commit to and write down at least one career goal and job objective, neither of which has to be written in stone. Mary Spencer, (right) associate director of Placement at the Milwaukee School of Engineering, suggests using the career life plan assessment tool to help develop short and long-term goals and the steps you need to take to accomplish them.

Explore the world of work by experiencing it.  “This can be accomplished through internships, doing volunteer work and getting involved in student chapters of professional organizations,” notes Spencer. The results? You can learn first-hand whether the field is right for you and gain networking contacts. Furthermore, whether you decide to stick with or make adjustments in your career goals and job objectives, you will still have valuable work experience for your resume. Remember, it’s as important to decide what you don’t want to do, as it is to decide what you do want to do. But, it all begins with getting to know yourself.

Know Your Market

In addition to knowing what you want, it is critical to understand different aspects of the job market and how its conditions will affect your job search. Effective research will help you uncover what employers really want, and thus enable you to market yourself more effectively. Ultimately, you will be in the position to make satisfying career decisions, if you know what you’re up against. For example, today’s dynamic work force presents challenges as well as opportunities for the well informed. In general, current reports show an abundance of job openings and a low unemployment rate. Specifically for 2001 African-American college graduates, the market is excellent, yet extremely competitive.

 “Employers are aggressively seeking to develop a diverse work force. Many are concerned about not being able to meet their hiring needs with enough qualified minority candidates, therefore multiple offers are possible,” predicts Spencer. “But, remember graduates, no matter how good the job market is or how great the employer need, they are still being selective in who they hire,” she warns. So, how will you know what specific employers are looking for? Again, research is the key. Employer Web sites have annual reports, press releases, job descriptions and salary ranges, which can give you insight on how to market yourself for that particular work place. Then, tailor your resume to demonstrate how well you fit their needs.

Jovon Smith, a June 2000 graduate of Santa Clara University, relocated to Los Angeles from Pennsylvania because her market research uncovered a multitude of job opportunities for marketing majors there. The tons of job listings on the Internet indicated which skills to highlight on her resume and how much employers were willing to pay for them. Based on those criteria and the cost of living in LA, (which she also learned about through market research) she applied only for those jobs that would compensate her fairly.

Efficiency Doesn’t Happen by Accident

Just like professors write out syllabi and students outline research papers, job hunters must have a plan. Using a job search plan ensures that you will cover everything you want to cover and make the best use of your time. “Planning, organizing and time management are extremely important considering you will be doing your job search while completing the final requirements for your degree. You’ll need to balance school, research, and onsite company visits,” says Spencer.

Career experts recommend that a well-thought out plan should include a pre-determined amount of time you will spend on job search activities weekly. And, since timing is everything, go one step further and schedule the best times to perform each activity. For example, schedule telephone calls during the business day along with informational interviews and visits to HR departments at potential work sites. Evenings, late night hours and weekends should be used for Internet work, such as research, submitting electronic resumes and scouring the want ads. And most importantly, leave room to handle unexpected interviews or phone calls and to take a break from the job search.

Once you get organized, stay organized. Reserve time to prepare a ‘to do’ list for the next time you sit down instead of shuffling papers to figure out what you are going to do next. Use logs to record activities like telephone calls, resumes mailed, follow-up activities, etc., and don’t forget to keep copies of everything you submit to employers.

There is no one best way to keep track of all your activities, just do what works best for you. Once you’ve done all the work of developing a plan and putting it in writing, you are on your way to actively seeking and getting employment.

Use a Combination of Resources for Job Searching

“The key strategy to job hunting is to not use any one strategy for obtaining employment. Job seekers should use a number of different avenues until the right opportunity becomes available,” advises Desmond Murray, (right) assistant director of Field Experience at Marist College in New York. “First and foremost, student job seekers should utilize their college’s career development office. Many of them offer job fairs, on-campus recruitment programs and alumni networks—Use them!” he urges. Some employers have staff dedicated to visiting and recruiting students on campuses; it’s a great loss not to take advantage of that.

Permanent and temporary staffing agencies are becoming increasingly popular. They give you a chance to “try out” different employers, jobs and work environments. They also can result in full-time and part-time permanent jobs, excellent networking contacts and valuable work experience. Another useful source of vacancies is federal, state, county and city government employment offices. In addition to advertising vacant positions they often have continuous recruiting for selected positions. This means they always accept applications for them. Therefore, by submitting one application, you may be considered for employment several times with no additional work.

 The most traditional source of vacancies, the want ads, has gone high-tech. Previously in print only, they are now available online. Go to newspapers.com to find the local newspaper for where you want to work. You can check out the costs of living by perusing apartment rentals, find out what companies are located there, and get an idea of what local business is like. Regarding job search tools, the Internet gives you 24-7 connection to the world of work. You can apply for jobs electronically, post your resume online for employers to review, use a personal “search agent,” read career management articles and visit professional associations online, all at the click of a button. Sites that effectively feature these tools are THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Online (www.black-collegian.com), IMDiversity.com (www.imdiversity.com) and www.jobs.com.

Know the Rules of Networking

Rule one: Just ask. Most of us have been taught that no question is a dumb question and when we want to know something, just ask.

Rule two: Articulate exactly what information you want from others so they can give it to you. Ask open-ended questions, rather than ones that can be answered with a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ and always probe for more information. For example, instead of asking: Do you belong to any professional organizations? Ask: What are some of the associations for people in this field? Probe: How might memberships help my career management?

Rule three: Put yourself in a position as often as possible to talk with people who are connected to your intended field. Attend career fairs and professional association events, but never appear to be “working the room.” This behavior is a quick turn-off to professionals who value their vocation and what they have to offer.

Rule four: Practice, practice, practice. Unexpected networking situations can turn into wonderful opportunities, if you are well prepared. Practice talking about your career interests and asking probing questions whenever possible. Clear communication almost always results in accurate information and referrals that bring you closer to your career goals.

Rule five: Listen. If you are doing all the talking, you can’t be getting any information. Networking is a two-way street. Express your willingness to help others with their goals and make sure your contacts understand how you can do so.

Rule six: Never ask for a job. Ask for information. No one has a job to give you, but they can give you a name, a phone number, a job description, job search advice, etc.

Final rule: Thank everyone with whom you come in contact (even if they did not “give” you anything, thank them for the interesting conversation) and keep your network informed of your progress.

Finish What You Start

Believe it or not, your ability to ‘close the loop’ can make the difference in your being a job seeker and an employee. When all is said and done, and all else is equal between candidates, deciding factors might include: who made follow-up calls, who was most courteous to the receptionist, or who inquired about future hiring plans. Here are some important points of which you should remember to ‘close the loop:’

When networking-make and return phone calls promptly. Even if casually told to ‘Give me a call sometime next week,’ do so. This will demonstrate your professionalism and people will be more likely to help you. Ask for referrals to other networking contacts and make sure it’s ok to use their name when you make the calls.

When applying for jobs- “Call to make sure they received your resume and cover letter. There may be a hundred other applicants and every resume may not get reviewed. However, if you call, you are creating an awareness of your resume---a part of selling yourself, says Smith, a marketing assistant for Heller, Ehrman, White & McAuliffe, LLP.

After interviewing- Send a thank you note within 24-48 hours. Handwritten (if legible) and personally addressed, the note should mention something from the interview and re-iterate your interest in the position.

“Even if you are rejected later, the thank you note keeps the contact going just in case the new hire backs out,” suggests Hobson Hamilton, (right) career specialist at Kent State University. Closing the loop on follow-up, Hamilton and colleague Carla Owens advise, “Successful candidates inquire about future hiring plans or what time frames may be appropriate for them to continue their search. Ask if you can stay in touch with the manager over time or if she or he might give you names of other managers or companies that may be hiring.”

Tips to Make Contacts Count

On Paper

1. Have an experienced professional critique your resume for its content.

2. Have several people proofread your resume.

3. Distribute professional looking resumes.

4. Send hard copies via postal mail to follow-up faxed or e-mailed resumes since formatting can sometimes get distorted.

5. Use good quality paper and laser printing for resumes and cover letters.

6. Tailor each resume and cover letter to the job for which you are applying.

7. Find out who should be receiving your cover letter and the correct spelling of his/her name. Avoid using generic salutations.

8. Sell yourself in the top one-third of the cover letter.

9. Use strong action verbs in the past tense. Quantify and qualify your accomplishments.

1. Dress professionally and comfortably. How you feel will affect your appearance.

2. Check the details: hair, nails, loose strings, shoes, etc.

3. Stay abreast of current events, industry news and trends.

4. Have “business cards” with your name and telephone number made to circulate in professional settings. You may want to include your college major or career interest in a single line.

5. Practice speaking the part: do mock interviews, compose and rehearse 30-90 second introductions, and simulate networking conversations with peers.

6. Be confident, not cocky when discussing brief, succinct examples of your competencies.

7. Display a positive attitude, genuine interest and enthusiasm.

Pamela M. McBride is a regular contributing writer for THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Magazine. She has over 10 years experience in career counseling, managing career centers and implementing career development programs.