10 Ways to Turn Your Job Search Frown Upside-Down

Today’s entry-level job search is frustrating. It’s almost infuriating. You sound perfect for an open position and then you read minimum 2 years experience required. And you’re thinking, “How can I get experience without any experience?!”

Sometimes it seems impossible. Job searching is like riding a rollercoaster — it brings so many emotions with it. There are ups and downs. Knowing how to manage those emotions will help keep you on the right track in your job search. Here are some ways to overcome those negative aspects of your job search and some things you can do when you get really, really, really discouraged.

1. DON’T GIVE UP! This is the most important thing to remember when you get discouraged. If you give up on your job search, you’re only hurting yourself.

2. Know you’re not alone. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of discouraged workers was up 70 percent to about 717,000 between the first three months of 2008 and the first quarter of 2009.

3. Expand your job search. You may not be finding a job because of the area you are looking in. You may want to widen the search to statewide or to another surrounding state. You could even expand to a nationwide search. Or, perhaps consider looking in another industry altogether that you hadn’t thought of originally. This opens you up to a lot of other options.

4. Don’t just apply to job postings you find online. Some companies may be hiring but don’t post their openings other than on the company Web site — or not online at all. Get out there and network — in person. (A great resource for job postings on company Web sites: LinkUp.com.)

5. Use LinkedIn’s companies section. LinkedIn will show you if you have any contacts at the company, jobs posted, and company stats. It should also provide a link to the company Web site. Reach out for an informational interview or job shadow. You never know where the opportunity might lead!

6. Contact three prospective employers each day. Research three companies that interest you. Then, send an e-mail to the person in charge of your area at those organizations, for example the head of public relations if you’re in PR. The e-mail should be a sort of mini cover letter targeting your next job.

7. Network as often as possible. In-person or online, networking is a great way to find out about job openings. Also, networking in person gets you out of the house and can help you see your job search in a different light.

8. Be accountable to someone. Talk to someone who is interested in how your job search is going. This could be a significant other, family member, friend or peer. Talking to someone about your job search can help keep you confident because they know your skills and can help keep you motivated.

9. Participate in a job search support group. Yes, these do exist, and there a greater number more now than ever because of the struggling economy. If you don’t have one near you, you can always start your own. The members of your group will support each other and give suggestions in their job searches.

10. Start a journal. List all your fears and perceived barriers in your job search. Then, write out potential steps you can take to overcome your fears.

~ Heather Huhman, Job Search Expert, Campus Calm

Relocating For An Entry-Level Job: Why You Probably Have To, & How To Do It by Heather Huhman is a fun, quick and useful read for any college graduate because—let’s face it, those 120 credits might give you all the tools you need to succeed, but they don’t always give you the directions on what to do once you have your degree.

Huhman explains how finding an entry-level job after graduation today is nothing like how it was for our parents. Though the days of employers contacting students and paying for relocation is over, students can still find a job they enjoy in their field that pays well…if they are willing to step out of their hometowns into a city of opportunity.

Though moving to a place you’ve never been for your first big-person job might seem intimidating at first, this book breaks it down. You will find the top fifteen cities with the most entry-level jobs, what those jobs are, what the average household income is for that city, as well as the average cost of rent. If your specialization requires you to seek out a city that isn’t on the list, you have a good idea of what needs to be researched. Huhman also provides tips on how to go about getting a job, from what to write on your resume that implies you’re willing to relocate, to good questions to ask at an information interview. She also helps with how to plan financially for the move, as well as how to physically pull it off.

As someone who has done it herself, Heather Huhman is an expert on relocating in the name of a good career opportunity. It might seem tricky, risky, expensive, and any other one-word reason you might be thinking of to stick around at home, but as the book states, you will be thankful for what’s in your bank account in the end.

~ Book review by Kristen Szustakowski, Creative Direction Assistant, Campus Calm

5 Must-Have Transferable Skills for Entry-Level Job Seekers

Transferable skills have always been important during the job hunt, but I believe their importance has increased 10-fold since this recession began. For those who don’t know, transferable skills are exactly what they sound like — skills that are not job-specific but rather can be transferred and applied to most jobs.

If you’re a recent grad still looking to secure an entry-level position, here are five important transferable skills to acquire in the meantime:

1. Business writing. The ability to write well and professionally — from memos to reports to e-mails – is useful at just about any job.
2. Second language. This is something I sorely wish I had. Lucky for you, Livemocha is a free alternative to the popular Rosetta Stone. I definitely recommend you check it out!
3. Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel and other Office applications. Believe it or not, you’re going to be entering a workforce that wasn’t raised with Microsoft Office. So, having a strong knowledge of these programs can quickly make you a go-to person when it comes to charts, reports and presentations — which isn’t a bad thing! Didn’t learn Microsoft Office in college or high school? No problem — there are plenty of tutorials online.
4. Customer/client relations. Businesses that don’t make their customers/clients happy won’t make money. So, maybe that part-time job you held at a customer service desk throughout college was worth it after all!
5. Problem solving. Managers would far rather you came to them with solutions than problems. The ability to recognize a problem and then come up with one or more possible solutions to present to your boss is extremely valuable — and could save the organization money.

(A hat tip to Scot Herrick for this blog post about using transferable skills during your job search.)

What other transferable skills do you feel are incredibly important in today’s job market?

~ Heather Huhman, Job Search Expert, Campus Calm

4 ways to take responsibility for your own job search

Mark Stelzner, founder of JobAngels, made a fantastic remark at Jason Seiden’s “Super Staying Power: What You Need to Become Valuable and Resilient at Work” book signing last night: Job seekers need to take responsibility in their searches. Stelzner went on to tell a story I can unfortunately relate to about an individual who Googled him, found his home number, called him, demanded Stelzner help him find a job and then hung up on him when it sounded like “too much work.”

While no one has ever called me at home, I get e-mails like this all the time from recent graduates I don’t know expecting me to drop what I’m doing and find them a job. I’ve actually just stopped answering those e-mails because it’s my goal to give you the tools you need to land a job yourself. It’s the old “teach a man to fish” adage.

So how can you begin taking responsibility in your job search?

1. Ask for help when you believe you’ve exhausted your options and you have specific questions mentors can answer. Unless you’re paying a career coach to map out your strategy, you should come to mentors with specific questions in mind—not just “can you help me?” Understand what the missing piece might be and how this individual can help you. Be specific!

2. Make a written plan—and update it frequently. Speaking of job search strategies, I am a big believer in creating a written plan. For more details about how to do that, read “Calm your parents’ frustrations with your job search” and “Take action: 10 steps for landing an entry-level job.”

3. Attend plenty of in-person networking events. There’s something about getting out from behind your computer and meeting people face-to-face—particularly if you have to pay to attend the event—that screams you are taking responsibility for your own search. Make sure you bring business cards and have your “elevator pitch” ready to go.

4. Increase or enhance your skill set. If you feel you’re being looked over for positions because you’re lacking in one or more areas, attend a seminar, workshop or class to improve yourself! There are going to be times during your job search that you need to spend money, but that’s part of taking responsibility. (And guess what? It might be tax deductible!)

~ Heather Huhman, Job Search Expert, Campus Calm

Five-day job hunting plan

For the Class of 2009, it’s been approximately four months since graduation. Although the average time it takes to land a job these days is about six months, I’m sure you’re in a hurry to land something sooner rather than later!

I find the best way to achieve something is to set goals and outline a plan. Lucky for you, I’ve created a sample you can use!

Monday: The first day of the week should be used primarily for research. Because hiring managers are just getting back into the office after the weekend, the last thing you want to do is hit them up.

Instead, use the day to research ideal organizations, contact information at each organization and at least one networking event to attend during the week.

Also, if you don’t currently have an online portfolio, take the time to create one (or update your current one).

Tuesday: Remember those contacts you researched yesterday? Send each one an e-mail requesting an informational interview, unless you already know the organization is hiring at your level (in which case you would submit your application). Be sure to provide several times you are available the rest of the week to meet with them. Also, don’t wait until noon to send these e-mails! Get up early and make sure each one awaits the hiring managers when they sit down to review their inboxes for the morning.

Additionally, if you sent out any applications the week before, Tuesday is a great day to follow-up.

Take a mentor out to lunch as both a thank you and to update him or her on your job search.

Wednesday: Hopefully by now you’ll have landed at least one informational interview. Plan to spend the day preparing until it’s time to meet up with the hiring manager.

Also, Wednesdays are popular days to host networking events. Did you find one you plan to attend? Don’t bring copies of your résumé—bring business cards with a link to your online portfolio.

Thursday: The week is already winding down for everyone, but Thursdays are another popular networking day. Perhaps there is an evening event you can attend? Do you have another informational interview?

If you don’t already have plans for the day, set aside time to comb over your social networking profiles—and join the networks you’re not already on (LinkedIn, Twitter, Come Recommended, Facebook).

Do you have a professional blog attached to your online portfolio? If not, start one! Make sure you create a schedule that is reasonable for you to follow.

Friday: Volunteer at a local nonprofit in your area of expertise. Try to commit to volunteering every Friday, unless you have an interview or other important event to attend. This is experience you can add to your résumé so it doesn’t begin to show gaps.

*BONUS* Saturday/Sunday: Use this time to apply for positions that have been posted online. Because applying takes a large chunk of time, it’s best to do it over the weekend.

~ Heather Huhman, Job Search Expert, Campus Calm