It is crazy to think of what will happen in a month!  I am not scared of graduating or getting out into the “real world.”  But what is ridiculous is that in a month, my life will completely change.  I do not know what to expect.  I have the life of an average college student right now – I go to class, go to work, do homework and hang out with my friends when I get the chance.  I have an apartment with two roommates, and I’m broke like everyone else.  I am no different than every other college student.  But, what happens when I am no longer a college student?

In less than one month, I graduate college.  I will be leaving Emporia State - a place I feel like I just stepped foot on yesterday.  After 18 years of education, I won’t be in a classroom anymore.  After three years in the same apartment here in Emporia, I will be moving out.  I am 22 years old and leaving my average college life to be a grown-up.  It’s not that I’m scared…it’s that I just don’t want to.  But on the other hand, I do.  It is liberating to know that all I have to do everyday is go to work.  No more homework, no more 8 a.m. class, no more balancing homework, work and a social life.  Sometimes, though, I think that what I am about to do will be way more work!  I will be graduating college, making the transition to a “professional” career that I do not have yet, moving to Wichita to an apartment I do not have yet and what will I be doing with my life come June 1?  I don’t know that either.

In everything I’ve ever done, I always knew what was coming next.  I knew in 3rd grade that next year, I’d be in 4th grade.  I knew when I graduated high school that I was going to college.  I knew my summer job for the longest time consisted of mowing lots of grass, and that I would start the day school got out.  But, what happens when I graduate college?  I don’t know and it’s pretty discomforting. 

I know I am just rambling, but it’s a crazy feeling.  I know I’ll probably get a good job and I’ll probably do alright.  I am confident in what I know and what I know I can do.  Emporia State has prepared me well for that.  I just wish I could make employers recognize that.  I need an interview first.  But, I need to find a place that is hiring before that.  Which means I need to get busy with that job search…the count down is on!

You know, there comes a time in the job search process when you have to sacrifice something.  I have chosen to sacrifice sleep tonight in order to expand the possibility of getting a job!  I have been on the internet for the past two hours cruising through company websites, finding contacts and sending emails in hopes of getting some sort of response.

On a whim, I decided to look for a list of advertising and public relations companies in Wichita.  I found one posted on the internet that ended up being five pages long!!  That’s encouraging, considering I had only heard of three advertising firms in Wichita prior to this list.  Granted, some of the places listed are graphic design firms, printing companies and individuals trying to get work, but most of the places are looking like real chances!  They are small firms that do some great work, while seeming to maintain a high level of quality and ethics.  That is exactly the type of place I am looking for.  I want to be apart of a great company, because who you work with and what they do is sometimes more important than the salary they offer.  Going through these companies, it is interesting to see the logos of some famous companies having been designed by that particular firm.

When I took on my internship last summer, it all started with a simple and random email asking about any openings.  I’m hoping to strike it rich with the same technique this time around.  What’s the worst that can happen??  Are they going to tell me no?  It’s not going to be the last time I hear that in this job search!

I think I have had enough for tonight, so I’m going to head to bed, but I thought I would update everyone!!  Does anyone have any advice or suggestions?  Have a great week!

Brett

The job search is at a stand-still right now, which is really frustrating because I’m looking for openings but cannot find any, and I have sent a few resumes, but they have yielded nothing!  So, I’m going to keep looking and following up on the ones I have sent out!

I was on Yahoo! today and found an interesting article some of you may be interested in.  In my first meeting with Dave in Career Services, we discussed creative ways to be noticed by employers.  Some things like a personal logo or other creative touches might be a great way to set yourself apart.  There are people, though, that take this advice WAY too far, like the people mentioned in this article:

http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-articles-wacky_job_seeker_stunts-362

Lets hope none of you put pineapple scratch-and-sniff stickers on your resume like the person mentioned in this article…

Have a great week!

Brett

As you may have read in Becky’s latest blog entry, I had another meeting with David in Career Services, and once again I was blown away with some great information.  I first discussed my portfolio with him.  A portfolio is a great thing to have, and it gets major points in an interview…but is not something everyone needs.  Generally, if you are going into an area that requires creative thinking, a portfolio should be compiled of your best work.  Sitting in an interview, the employer is not going to be able to judge what you are thinking…but being able to show them exactly what you have done in a neat and professional manner is a great way to gain some extra credit.

My portfolio consists of a three-ring binder with clear plastic sleeves to protect the individual pages of my work.  While a great start, David said there was room for a lot of improvements.  First of all, the three-ring binder is not professional enough.  A leather-bound folder or something similar is a better way to go.  These can be found at any office supply store.  Next, a table of contents matching color-coded tabs for individual sections should be made so someone can easily thumb from one project area to the next.  After the table of contents, a copy of your resume should be placed, along with a reference page for easy review.  Finally, each item should be properly labeled describing the project, where it was displayed/published and other relevant information.

An interesting point to remember with your portfolios was told to me by my former manager for my internship.  She said to never leave your portfolio with an employer, because if, for example, you had a portfolio with logo design concepts, it would be really easy for that employer to make copies and replicate them as their own.  Now, if an employer is really interested in your work and wants to take a further look at your portfolio, whether or not to leave it there is up to you and it might make for an akward situation if you tell them no, but it is something to keep in mind. 

The next thing we talked about, and something that Becky touched on in her blog, is posting your resume on job search sites.  To many seniors, any and all channels you can use to get your name out there to employers seem like a great idea.  But this is not always the case.  Employers want candidates who know what they want and are serious and passionate about their job.  Posting a resume on a job search website shows the employer that you are looking for any position that comes open.  And, according to David, employers will research you name.  He said more and more employers are looking up candidate’s names on job sites.  If they find your name, it tells them you are just looking for a job…not a specific career, which means your resume has a good chance of getting tossed.  Now, posting your resume on these sites does not mean you will not get calls, job offers and interviews…but it may be for a position vaguely related to your major and something that does not relate to your interests.  To find the job you really want, you have to go get it yourself and not wait on someone to find you!

If you go after the companies you want to work for on your own accord, there is not always a chance they will have open positions.  A great way to get noticed is a prospecting letter.  This is similar to a cover letter, except this letter describes your interest in the company, career field, qualifications and acknowledges there may not be any openings, but that the company should keep you in mind.  This shows the company you are proactive in your job search and career-oriented.  It may pay huge dividends towards the career you really want!

As far as my own job search goes, there is really nothing new to report.  I am finding out that my job search has already started WAY too late.  It is uncomfortable to know that in a month I will be graduating and I have no idea where I’ll be after that!  I had looked into some internship programs as a back-up plan, but the deadline for application on all of them was sometime in March.  I have sent my resume off after making some much needed changes to some prospective jobs and I need to send it to a few more places, and then I can start making follow-up calls.  I need to make those changes to my portfolio in preparation for interviews (hopefully!).  Until next time…good luck to all seniors, and I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Now, this is not only meant to be a blog, but a forum for discussion on how that job search is going!  Does anyone have any stories or experiences to share?  Any comments or questions you would like me to look in to and write about?  Let me know what’s up!!

Brett

• DO NOT use a resume template through your word processor- This is something I have not used on my resume, but it’s a technique a lot of people use.  This could demonstrate to prospective employers that you like to cut corners and you have a lack of creativity…and that’s something I don’t want to demonstrate as someone looking for a job in advertising.
• ALWAYS put your education information first- I chose to put mine last, because I felt my internship was my strong point, so I put it first.  Employers are most likely to want education information first to determine whether you are qualified.  I had also listed my high school diploma under my college degree, which should not be done.  Finally, if you have a 3.0 GPA or above, it should be listed on your resume.  If you don’t list it, employers could assume you weren’t able to achieve a GPA above that.  Also, you could list the GPA of your major classes, but employers could assume the rest of your GPA was below the 3.0 mark.
• It IS acceptable to have more than one page if necessary- If you have relevant experience that could help you get that extra edge over the competition, include it!  You should aim for short and to the point, but there is no reason to leave important information out for the sake of keeping your resume to one page.
• If you have more than one page, keep the layout CONSISTENT- Your resume should always have a heading, including your name and relevant contact information.  If you choose to have a two-page resume or just have additional pages, such as a references page or a cover letter, that heading should be at the top of every page.  It is very possible for an employer to get hundreds of resumes.  If your cover letter gets separated from your resume, and there is no way to easily match them up…consider yours trashed.
• Do not be afraid to be CREATIVE-If you come up with a creative way to market yourself, do it!  Come up with a personal logo or header design to set yourself apart.  This needs to be done with a certain amount of reason though.  A huge logo, brightly colored fonts or clip art pictures are going to get your resumes a one-way ticket to the trash, or worse:  the breakroom bulletin board!  Simple and neat is always the way to go.
• Your resume should catch the attention of a quick glance- My assumption was that a potential employer takes 30 seconds to a minute to look at a single resume.  I was wrong.  The average employer looks at a resume for less than 20 seconds.  That means your resume should be simple, easy to read and eye-catching.  Important information should always be at the top so as to give someone a good idea of who you are in a matter of seconds.
• Make your Facebook or Myspace PG rated-One of the most interesting facts I learned is that 40% of employers looked up potential hires on Facebook in the past year, and that number will only grow higher!  Now, it is totally understandable that your Facebook page is a way to express yourself, but when it comes time to send out resumes…is it really worth the risk to post those pictures of you at that party??  The best solution is to use the privacy controls…or follow this simple rule:  If there is something you wouldn’t want your grandma to see, its probably best that an employer doesn’t see it either…so keep it off Facebook!

A resume is one of the most important factors in getting that job you’ve always wanted.  It is a quick profile that tells people who you are and how you could be a valuable part of that company.  Make your resume shine, and you are a step above the rest!

That’s all for now.  I need to update my resume so I can get it sent off to my first prospective job!  A very special thanks goes out to David Milford, Assistant Director of Career Services, who reviewed mine and Becky’s resumes and provided us with these great tips.  I hope everyone has a great weekend!

 Brett

This past summer, I was lucky enough to be hired on as an intern in the Marketing and Communications Department for the Greater Wichita Convention and Visitors Bureau.  It was an amazing experience in which I learned so much!  The reason I bring that up is to stress the importance of finding an internship in your respective field. 

While I felt confident in what I learned from Emporia State when I started my internship, it really culminated together once I was able to apply that knowledge to real world situations and see the reaction to those projects.  One thing that really stuck out in my mind was assisting in designing a billboard for the visitors bureau and driving back from Emporia one day and seeing that billboard along the turnpike.  It was experiences like this that stick with me and help me realize how much that internship will help me in finding a future career.  Another beneficial thing is the amount of contacts you meet.  Going through the Wichita Business Journal awhile back, I counted numerous people I had met or names I had heard.  While everyone’s internship experience will be different, I definitely wasn’t designated as the errand boy intern, and the experience I had was one I’m very thankful for.

Now, the reason I bring all this up is because I just received a job offer!!  A person I worked in close contact with during my internship has since taken another position with a non-profit organization in Wichita.  She told me their department is looking to expand and is adding between one and three entry-level positions, depending on their budget.  She asked that I send her my resume, and it is all subject to whether I get an offer for an interview, but it is definitely a step in the right direction!!!!

One of the biggest pieces of advice I can give to anyone:  Once you decide on what career you want, DO NOT wait until you’ve graduated to look for jobs in that respective area.  If you’re a freshman and you decide you want to be an elementary teacher, get a job with a day care.  If you’re a physical education major, get a part-time job at a gym or athletic club.  If you are a business major, customer servce positions are a great way to go.  If you are a graduating senior, it is never too late to start.  An internship is probably going to be easier to come by because there are not many entry-level positions out there.  Not only will an internship help you decide if that’s what you truly want to do, but it will give you valuable work experience, you will establish contacts in that field and it will help you to build your resume.

Since I will be sending my resume to my first prospective job, I want to make sure it is in perfect shape!  Career services on campus will do a wide array of things for students looking for a job, and they will be the first place I go.  They review and edit resumes, counseling for careers and mock interviews among many other things.  To see all they do, visit:  http://www.emporia.edu/careerservices/

This week, I will be setting up an appointment with them to help me out, and you’ll be coming along for the ride.  Stay tuned!!  As always, any advice is very helpful!

Brett

 I found two news stories released this week that are very encouraging.  A story by USA Today revealed that in a survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, companies are planning to hire 16% more 2008 graduates than they did a year ago.  Nearly 54% of these employers said they would use signing bonuses to make the deal even better for new hires.  Finally, the average starting salary for these new hires will be about 4% greater than for winter 2007 graduates.  The whole story can be found here:  http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2008-03-09-good-job-prospects_N.htm

The second encouraging news item I found was an article discussing the top 5 cities to find a job in the coming year.  To my surprise, Wichita, KS was the #2 city!  This is great news for me, as Wichita is where I hope to find a job at after graduation.  That article is here:  http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/TakeControlOfYourLife/story?id=4419714&page=1

 So, if you think there is no hope for finding a career out there…think again!  These two articles will definitely get your hopes up!  Now, if only the job would just come to me…

My question to you, the reader, is:  This is encouraging news, but will it make the job search any easier for someone preparing to graduate?  I’m happy employers are hiring more college graduates, but I’m confused as to why they are.  Is there a negative side to this for a new graduate?  Let me know what you guys think!

Brett

 Please enjoy!!