I found this week’s reading, chapter 15 “starting your career”, to be helpful but also a bit of a bummer. There were many helpful tips about resume writing/construction, cover letters, interviews, etc. All of this information will aid us in the search for our “perfect” job, but it’s not really a task I’m looking forward to. I wish it was possible to enjoy school all the way to graduation and then worry about this daunting task, maybe it is?
In all seriousness, It’s better to start this process early as it can take a long time and is great practice for future job searches. Being proficient in this process will enable us to find and land the jobs we want, also making it less stressful. But what is the most important part of the job searching process, the resume, the interview? I think the two most important things are your resume and networking. These two things will allow you to get your foot in the door and maybe get an interview. We all know that our resumes are briefly read, so it must be well organized, easy to find information quickly, and stand out from the others in the pile. However, printing your resume on solar yellow paper is probably not a good idea. I know when I was writing my resume I had my family and friends read it over and give me tips and point out errors I didn’t see. I found this to be the best and most rewarding method of constructing a solid resume.
Besides the resume, I think networking is the most crucial part of the job search. I’m sure all of our parents and friends know someone that, if asked, would be more than willing to pass along your resume. This leads me to one of my favorite quotes, “it’s not the grades you make, but the hands you shake.” If you think about it there is a lot of truth to this statement. Knowing the right people will allow you to obtain opportunities that would be otherwise be very difficult to find. That is why it’s important to be active meeting people, going to info sessions, and outright selling yourself because it could make the difference.
However, if this process seems too strenuous maybe getting a job isn’t for you, at least not right now. Grad school does sound nice…
Response
I agree that networking is one of the most important variables when in the market for a job. I got my internship last summer through a friend of mine in the same fraternity. Although, when he graduated I was only two years into college and we more along the lines of acquaintances. Regardless, at the career fair we recognized one another and he a significant part in pushing my resume through. In this particular example, networking was more important than what was written on paper. My friend that got me the internship had the opportunity to speak with the people responsible for hiring. In addition, he was already well credited in the company and his opinion carried a large amount of weight.
Truth and Untruth
The quote "it’s not the grades you make, but the hands you shake" does bear some truth, but I also think that it's oversimplified. Most of the chapter was aimed at creating effective job application materials, and only a small portion was concerned with networking. If you know the right people it may help you get your resume to HR, but eventually somebody else is going to review it. So if you don't have the grades, you could be shut down right there. If anything, your network should aid in your job search, but it shouldn't be the backbone. The foundation of your job search should be based on a strong resume, because even if you do get a job through your connections, how long do you think they'll hold on to you once they realize you don't know a damn thing? In constructing my own resume, I'm going to make sure that it can stand alone without the help of somebody else pushing it along, because someday I might want a job in a city or country outside of my social network.
Response
Networking and using your connections doesn’t mean you “don’t know a damn thing” it simply means that you understand how powerful of a tool it can be. It’s obvious that the people you know wouldn’t recommend you as a potential employee based on your lack of knowledge. I agree that the resume and grades are important but networking can really give you the extra push towards getting the interview/job. I have personally gotten jobs based on the fact that I knew the right people. They knew I had the skills needed and hired me without even looking at my resume. This is when I realized how important it is to look at all the options when looking for a job, not just the resume.
Getting an early start
I agree with you about getting an early start on this whole process. You never know when some opportunity could present itself and it would suck not to have anything show. Completing a resume, cover letter or portfolio early also allows you to be able to have more time to have it proofread and edited, along with tailoring multiple copies for specific audiences. I know I need to seriously get working on a cover letter and portfolio, especially now that I have read this chapter.
I also believe that personal networking is a very important part of obtaining a career, not only for opening possibly opportunities, but also for checking over documents. They have gone through the same situation as us and can have plenty of tips on how to write a resume and prepare for an interview.
Reply
I agree with that statement, "it’s not the grades you make, but the hands you shake." To me, the only purpose of a resume and cover letter is to get your foot in the door for what really matters: the interview. Having a strong network of friends and professional contacts can greatly ease (and in some cases eliminate altogether) the impression your resume has to make, and get you in the door for that interview. It was partly for this reason why I decided to join a fraternity while on campus. Being in a fraternity isn't about the boozin and the parties (ok, maybe it is), but the professional network that members get plugged into. Alumni stay connected to the house after graduation, and are constantly hooking up undergrads with internships and even helping them get full time positions.
Professional networks are important...
...but it is now quite common for multiple people and departments to screen your materials. As such, a personal contact can be a great way to get an interview or to have somebody in your corner, but particularly in large corporations your employment materials have to pass through a lot of hands, so it is important that they stand up to scrutiny. (We'll be diving into this in the coming weeks.)
However, you're spot on about the advantage of personal contacts. Use whatever you can (fraternity/sorority contacts, Facebook, LinkedIn, friends of friends, etc.). Getting through school, even with excellent grades, really doesn't set you apart from the crowd (although having Purdue on your diploma will help). Personal contacts, applicable previous experience, demonstrated ability...these are the difference makers. Work them all if you can.