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JOB SEARCH FOR COMMUNICATION MAJORS

JOB SEARCH FOR COMMUNICATION MAJORS. A Life & Learning Workshop Laura Godwin, Career Services November 2, 2004. GOALS FOR THIS WORKSHOP. Learn about some of your career options, and how to research them Understand the components of a successful job search

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JOB SEARCH FOR COMMUNICATION MAJORS

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  1. JOB SEARCH FOR COMMUNICATION MAJORS A Life & Learning Workshop Laura Godwin, Career Services November 2, 2004

  2. GOALS FOR THIS WORKSHOP • Learn about some of your career options, and how to research them • Understand the components of a successful job search • Learn how to market yourself effectively in a competitive entry-level job market

  3. WHAT CAN I DO WITH MY COMMUNICATION DEGREE? • Communication is a liberal arts degree. • Broad preparation for a number of career paths • You cannot rely on your degree alone to land you a job. • What do you want to do? What do you want out of a job, a career?

  4. SELF-ASSESSMENT • Values • Interests • Skills • Personality Meet with a Career Services counselor for self-exploration activities, tests, and interpretation. Check out DISCOVER - a free online assessment on the Career Services web site

  5. SOME OPTIONS FOR COMM MAJORS See handout • Most graduates pursue careers involving public/personal contact, communicating. • Common Themes: E (Enterprising), S (Social), A (Artistic) • What industry interests you? • Find something you are passionate about!

  6. HOW TO RESEARCH OCCUPATIONS • Recommended web resources: • Occupational Outlook Handbook • O*NET Online • Informational Interviewing • Your own network • Meet-a-Mentor Program

  7. WHAT ABOUT JOURNALISM AND BROADCASTING? • Communication vs. Communications • Extremely competitive! Will require: • Intense writing training • Specialized coursework not offered at UB • Internships and a professional network • More realistic entry level options: • Ad sales for a newspaper • Promotions for a radio/TV stations • Traffic assistant for magazine

  8. WHAT IF I AM ALSO CONSIDERING TEACHING? • NYS teaching requirements do not recognize Communication as an acceptable undergraduate major • Other states may be more flexible • Other options to get you started • NYC Teaching Fellows; Teach for America; private or parochial schools • Speak with UB Graduate School of Education for complete information

  9. BE AN INFORMED JOB SEEKER. KNOW YOURSELF, AND KNOW YOUR OPTIONS! Recommendation #1:

  10. HOW DO I GET A JOB? • Focus • Commit yourself 100% to your goal • Assertiveness • Opportunities don’t just fall in your lap, you need to make them happen • Realistic approach • Indispensable first steps • Receptionist, intern… • Timeline: 4-6 months (or more) is typical

  11. THREE JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES • Applying to vacancy listings • Prospecting • Networking The iceberg analogy Listings: 15% Prospecting & Networking: 85%

  12. ICEBERG ANALOGY Larger companies, large HR budgets High turnover Third party recruiters & temp agencies VISIBLE JOBS Smaller companies, small HR budget Lower turnover Represents large majority of job growth in US economy: SMALL COMPANIES HIDDEN JOB MARKET

  13. VACANCY LISTINGS • Where are they? • Newspapers, internet job sites (“classified ads”), geography specific sites • Employer web sites • Ex: government sites; large companies, small companies • Special-interest sites • Idealist.org • Riley Guide www.rileyguide.com • Employment agencies & third party recruiters • UB Career Services

  14. VACANCY LISTINGS: How it works • Submit resume and targeted cover letter to employer • You are one of many in a large stack of applications • Company contacts you IF they are interested in meeting you • Follow-up on applications not always possible • “No phone calls please” or “Fax resume to” • Not always clear who the company is!

  15. PROSPECTING • Def: targeting potential employers and contacting them directly • The idea is to get to them BEFORE they need to advertise their vacancy! • How to do it: • Directories & Chambers of Commerce • Professional organizations • CareerSearch • Business Journals

  16. PROSPECTING: How it works • Send resume & targeted cover letter via mail or email • Need to find the right contact person – it’s not always HR • Follow-up via phone or in person • Informational interviewing can give you an “in” • Continue to stay in touch with contacts (networking)

  17. NETWORKING • Def: the art of reaching out to others in the world of work for the purpose of developing/maintaining a foundation of professional contacts

  18. NETWORKING RESOURCES • Family, friends, friends of friends, etc. • Professors, guest lecturers • Alumni Associations • www.alumni.buffalo.edu • Professional Associations • http://www.rileyguide.com/union.html • UB Meet-a-Mentor program • www.ub-careers.buffalo.edu

  19. NETWORKING: How it works • Take notes on each meeting or chance contact you have • Request business cards • Send a thank-you letter within 48 hours • Establish the next step: • Will you touch base again in a few weeks? • Will they help circulate your resume? • Take a long-term view

  20. NETWORKING TIPS & TECHNIQUES • 10-second soundbite • 30-second commercial, or “elevator pitch” • Networking “law of gravity” • Make one call a day • Mini-resume business cards • Email signature • For more, see Collegegrad.com’s ‘Network Intelligence Gathering”

  21. QUESTIONS: • What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of these strategies? • Vacancy listings • Prospecting • Networking • How are you going to spend your time most effectively?

  22. KNOW HOW YOUR TIME WILL BE USED MOST EFFECTIVELY, AND STICK TO IT. Recommendation #2:

  23. SUGGESTIONS FOR YOUR RESUME • Functionalize it with unique sections that emphasize your goals and skills: • Marketing & Promotions Experience • Event Planning Experience • Public Speaking Experience • (…or at the very least, Related Experience vs. Additional Work Experience) • Use work, internships, leadership activities, class projects, volunteer work, etc.

  24. MORE RESUME SUGGESTIONS • A good set of computer skills make you more attractive. Brush up and/or learn: • MS Word, MS Excel, MS Powerpoint (basics) • MS Access (databases) • HTML programming, Dreamweaver, MS Frontpage, Flash (web design) • Adobe Pagemaker, MS Publisher (desktop publishing) • Photoshop, Illustrator (graphics) • Other software specific to your industry?

  25. COVER LETTERS • It must be well-written. • There is no such thing as a “generic cover letter.” • Customize it based on the job description, the organization itself, and your approach • Try to leave the ball in your court – and follow up when you say you will.

  26. INTERVIEWING SUGGESTIONS • Preparation is key! • Consider doing a practice interview at Career Services • Behavioral interviewing questions: • Tell me about a time when… • Give me an example of… (Situation, Task, Action, Result) • How to handle salary and benefits questions

  27. MARKET YOURSELF EFFECTIVELY AND SHOW DEDICATION IN YOUR JOB SEARCH Recommendation #3:

  28. GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN! • Questions? • Laura’s contact info: • Career Services, 259 Capen • 645.2231 • Ljgodwin@buffalo.edu • Quick question hour daily: 3-4 p.m. in Career Resource Library

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