We’ve gotten a lot of advice on what to do and what not to do on the job hunt. We should only have a one-page resume, with spare copies in hand. We should dress in our best clothes. We should try to stand out, but not stand out too much – we wouldn’t want to make a bad impression. We’re getting a lot of advice from a lot of different sources, so what should we believe?
http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/worklife/03/31/cb.job.search.myths/?hpt=Mid
This article on CNN.com talks about job search myths that we haven’t considered before. What do you think of what the article has to say? How does it compare with the other advice we’ve received and how will you apply it to your job search?
I think this is a good article because it is the first advice I've read that tells you to think outside the box rather than along the traditional guidelines we've been hearing. I especially like the part about putting yourself in the company's shoes, but I think it should go farther than just during negotiations. Think about if you were the one hiring for the company, who would you be looking for? What would you expect? We have talked about what we expect of the places hiring us and that we should know about the company, and that's important to keep in mind. However, it should go beyond how well researched we are and the impression we will make because of that.
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ReplyDeleteThe one "myth" that we are going to constantly battle is resume length. One page or two pages. Cover letter, no cover letter. Geez! I think right now, since most of us do not have tons of "related experience" our resumes should only be one page (as we have been told all semester). As time goes on and we have more to add I'm sure our resumes will grow; at least they should!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite is myth 7. Everything IS negotiable!
(good blog Lydia!)
I think this article just proves that there really is no right or wrong way to do things. One employer might disregard a 2-page resume. Another might not. Some might be suspicious of note taking, some might encourage it. I think articles like these are good for college students and recent grads. Oftentimes it seems we are told there is only one way to do something. But in the case of job hunting, it really comes down to the company or person doing the hiring. Everybody's different.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lydia for the blog! I think the author brings up some helpful pointers. My favorite is myth number four. I never really thought about taking notes during an interview, or I just assumed it would be considered rude. Now I think differently. Taking notes (or at least asking) shows you're detail oriented and you think what the interviewer has to say is important.
ReplyDeleteThis article has some great advice! However, Myth 3 is very interesting... we should send a thank you card to everyone involved in the interviewing process? Is this a little old fashion or do you think sending a thank you card makes you stand out more? Personally, I'm not sure if I'd send a thank you to everyone involved but I would verbally express my gratitude ("It was a pleasure meeting you. I appreciate you taking the time out from your schedule to meet with me and I look forward to hearing from you soon") and end it with a tight hand shake.
ReplyDeleteGee Dr. Silvia, would you like access to my DMV photo, too?
ReplyDeleteI like myth number 5. Coming from the restaurant biz, summer is the best time to get hired, and December is the worst. That's because they want to train their staff in the off-season, not bring people on just as the season is starting.
I like though that people are more relaxed in the summer time and more celebratory in December. This could make for a happy work environment, not to mention an employer who just wants to give someone a chance.
When I graduate this summer, I'm happy to know that I have a few prospects available to me.
I like this blog A LOT! I definitely think taking notes during an interview shows your serious about learning as much about the company as they are of learning about you. I never thought of thank you cards though, that seems to Martha Stewart-esque to me. I always loved the story of the sandwich board guy...Josh Persky..
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cnbc.com/id/28522597/6_Job_Hunting_Tips_From_the_Sandwich_Board_Guy
..I think it just shows us desperate times call for desperate measures. Being journalists or at least journalists in-training, we should have the creative edge that puts as at some kind of advantage. With catchy word training from Silvia and Dardenne and flashy design skills acquired via the Wang Adobe Boot Camp, I think we can come up with something to grab the attention of potential employers.
You're welcome for the blog... this is stuff I've been thinking a lot about.
ReplyDeleteLydia thanks for taking the time to find this article- finally, someone actually vocalizing a different viewpoint, who would of thought?!
ReplyDeleteI like that the author hit the highlights of the no-no list, i just can't help but wish she went ahead and tossed them all out the window.
It's fine to have advice and pointers, but I think it's gotten out of hand. All the generalized rules irritate me. There is no cookie cutter recipe that will work for every company, every position nor every applicant.
I say dare to be different. Do your own research. Don't rely on just one method nor one source. Pick and choose the styles and techniques that work for you and the job you are applying for.
Thanks for making a blog Lydia!
ReplyDeleteI really liked reading this article because it gave even more insight into job myths. Sometimes all of these "tips" we are given can be really confusing because they often contradict themselves. I really think applicants should keep an open mind when applying for jobs because every company/agency is different. The hiring process can be tumultuous, yet also a crucial learning experience. By keeping a broad perspective and usurping what the interviewer has to offer, applicants can not only familiarize themselves with policies and expectations, but also understand how the hiring process works.
I think this blog was helpful in reminding us that the marketplace for jobs has a wide range, and we need to prepare for anything (while maintaining professionalism).
I feel like a lot of this stuff is a matter of opinion. Like Dr. Wang thinks we should have colored resumes to make us stand out. If I was interviewing someone and they had a colored resume, I wouldn't think they stood out, I would think they shouldn't be taken seriously, but that is my opinion. I think that every situation should be taken, investigated and handled individually. Yes, there are some things that should be guidelines for us to generally follow, but a lot of how to deal with resumes, interviews and what not will not become apparent until the situation arises. Though guidelines are extremely helpful, flexibility and the ability to feel out a situation are helpful too. So, heed the good advice but as with everything keep yourself open to options.
ReplyDeleteSome of these myths have never crossed my mind. For instance, I had no idea that people saw no point in searching for jobs in the summer and in December. I always thought, if I need a job then I'm going to be searching no matter what time of year it is! So it was interesting to see that it made a list of the most common myths about job searches.
ReplyDeleteAnswers to myth #6 I thought were really interesting. The notion that the applicant who most fits into the culture of the company is most likely to get the offer. This mindset puts the emphasis on the applicant to research the company and find out if there is even a potential place at the company that would allow you to be a "happy" employee. For me anyways, this little tip suggest that sending out applications like buckshot is not necessarily the right way to finding a career. I know too many people who are at their present job because it was offered to them. Pardon my ignorance, but as for myth #4, what kind of notes should you be taking at an interview? Is this tactic just for show or do they really have an applicable use post-interview?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.csmonitor.com/Money/2009/0807/three-days-20-words-new-job
ReplyDeleteThis article fly's in the face of everything we've worked on this semester, but I think it's important to not overlook the ever increasing role of social networking sites in the present job market.
I like the advice of taking notes in an interview, especially as a journalist it shows that your always observant and thinking on your toes. Also, taking notes can prevent you from asking a dumb question later or forgetting something important that was said during that time.
ReplyDeleteMyth#1, I feel more assured now that I can have two different resumes, each different in length. I've spent so much time trying to figure what to take out of my resume to make it 1 page when i couldve been putting my time to better use. If anything, putting the most relevant information on the front of a 2-page resume could work.
Since I have more work experience than the average college grad, shouldn't I make my resume longer if I can?
You never know what an employers stance will be on either having a 1 or 2 page resume unless they specify it, which doesn't seem like something that would realistically happen.
Most of this job hunt really just boils down to doing the right research, talking to the right people, and making your own gut decision based on that.
I think this article has some good points, but I particularly agreed with number 6 when they said "It is more likely that the individual who fits into the company culture is the one who will get the offer." I'm not sure if this is true everywhere, but at my work I would say this is one of the main things we look at
ReplyDeleteA lot of people have similar degrees and experience, so I really think that personality matters a lot, and maybe even more than experience. It may not always be fair this way, but it is true. Every time I have conducted a phone screen or pre-screen for an interview, one of the first questions that managers ask me is "what about the company fit?"
First of all Lydia thank you for the blog. This article brought out some interesting points. I agree with Zach you do have to fit the culture of the company because it you don't you will be miserable and the people working with you will be miserable. its that simpple. Jess your right our resumes should be one page and they will grow as our expirence grows. Faye is right since employers are not robots yet they are all different which means what one employeer may like another one will hate so there is no right and wrong. All you can do is be yourself and hope you fit with the company. Myth 7 is completely wrong everything is negoiable within reason of course. Seasons will effect hiring in some industries but the bottom line is when you are need they will hire you when you are not needed they won't.
ReplyDeleteI posted a huge response last night, i guess it didn't stick. so annoying.
ReplyDeleteWhat I said goes something like this...
1.) Awesome article! I like that the different opinions of resumes and job-seeking in the communications field all vary, letting us take it all in and make up our own mind on how we want to put ourselves out there via resume, cover letters, etc.
2.) I like that there isn't one answer to the length of resumes. Those with less experience, one page. Those with more, it is ok to have multiple pages to display your experience.
3.) I like that it advises to take notes. I always bring my own pen and paper to an interview, because it helps me as well as show I am prepared and organized. Thanks for the article Lyds!
Myth No. 4: You shouldn't take notes during an interview
ReplyDeleteThis is very helpful because I never take notes in an interview. In an interview, lots of information is being thrown at you making it very hard to retain everything. It is very hard to remember every detail. Interviews are sometimes long which makes it difficult not to miss anything. By taking notes, you are guaranteed not to miss important information and I feel that it shows the employer organizational skills. It also shows the employer that you are serious about what they are saying as well as the job.
I also like myth #4. It would have never crossed my mind to take notes during an interview. I would have thought it to be kind of weird but like the author states, I don't have a photographic memory. Nice blog Lydia...
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