Kelly – Page 5 – Penn & Beyond

Joining LinkedIn to Take the Lead in Your Job Search

By Kelly Cleary

If you haven’t already, you should certainly consider joining LinkedIn, one of the most important and effective tools in your job search kit these days. I’m sure you’re at least familiar with the social network, often referred to as the professional version of Facebook, but nearly every day I talk with students and alumni who aren’t using this basically free resource to its potential so I think it’s worth another mention in this blog.

If you don’t already have an account with an up-to-date profile, you should since your LinkedIn profile is usually one of the first hits a person finds when they Google your name. And employers certainly are using social networking sites to find and check up on potential candidates (See Most Businesses Use Social Nets for Hiring from emarketer.com). Your LinkedIn profile is a great way to be proactive in creating an impressive professional presence online.

Here are a couple of tips for making the most of LinkedIn for your job search:

Finding & Making Contacts

Advanced People Search If you don’t find what you’re looking for in the Penn Alumni Career Network PACNet, you can search for alums (or even people with whom you don’t have a common affiliation) who work in the fields and/or organizations that interest you by using the Advanced People Search function. You can view profiles of professionals in your field of interest to see sample career paths and gather ideas for prospective employers.

Make It Personal If you want to “connect” with people (like “friending” on FB) you should always include a personalized message introducing yourself and explaining why you want to connect. I very rarely accept an invitation that doesn’t come with some type of note that explains why a person wants to connect with me, and I think most people who don’t fall into the friend/contact collector camp take the same approach.

Making Contact If someone is one of your contacts or is a member of one of your group affiliations, you can contact them directly through LinkedIn to ask specific career related questions or to request an informational interview. With an upgraded account you can send direct messages to people who are not your connections to ask for advice. Personally I haven’t upgraded. If I want to contact someone who is not in my list of “contacts”, I use Google searches, employer websites, and the general Penn directory to find email address of people with whom I want to connect. While this is more like cold calling, if it’s done respectfully and professionally, it can be worthwhile.

Joining Groups

There are thousands of groups in LinkedIn (i.e. alumni affiliations, specific industries, national and regional professional association etc.) where people share job postings and other career-related information, and they also serve as a forum for asking questions and gathering answers from more experienced professionals. Joining groups, both industry-related and personal history related (like joining the UPenn alumni group) is an important first step toward maximizing the benefits of using LinkedIn to advance your job search.

Want to learn more about maximizing the benefits of LinkedIn? This overview of LinkedIn will help you get started.

For more general information about networking visit our Making Contacts page.

Trophy Kids Do Well By Doing Good: The Millennial Generation and Public Interest Careers

By Kelly Cleary

Most college students today are probably well aware that they have often been labeled by educators, market researchers, and prospective employers as Millennials, Generation Y or the Next Me Generation. Older generations comparing themselves to the next crop of young adults is nothing new, but never before has a generation (in this case, those born between the early 1980’s through the early 2000’s) been scrutinized so closely as technology has made it easier to track the behavior of large numbers of people while our consumer culture has provided the motivation for marketers to gather as much information as possible about this group of young people and their purchasing power.

Millennials: Confident. Connected. Open to Change.

As a student affairs professional, I’ve sat through many conference presentations that introduce educators to this generation of students who grew up receiving trophies, regardless of the final score; a generation of students who have been connected and online ever since they can remember, not thinking twice about posting photos and very personal updates about themselves on a myriad of social networking sites; a generation of students who have been pushed to achieve and believe they are special. The Pew Research Center’s 2010 report, The Millennials: Confident. Connected. Open to Change , offers a fascinating and, I think, very positive portrait of this “self-expressive, liberal, upbeat” generation of young people who are “receptive to new ideas and ways of living.”

One of my favorite Millennial monikers is the “Next Civic Generation” referenced by Winograd and Hais, co-authors of Millennial Makeover: MySpace, YouTube, and the Future of American Politics, which proposes that the Millennials are the most civic minded generation since the 1930s and 1940s. According to Michael Brown, co-founder and CEO of City Year, “Community service is part of their DNA. It’s part of this generation to care about something larger than themselves.” (USA Today, 4/2009)

Penn students engaging locally and globally

As a career counselor at Penn, I am often humbled and inspired by the enthusiasm and commitment of so many students and alumni who work with various community service and public interest initiatives in West Philadelphia, across the nation, and around the globe. Many Penn students intern or volunteer for nonprofits and many go on to create nonprofits or to support public interest initiatives as part of their private sector careers. Clearly our students know that pursuing an internship with a nonprofit organization is one of the best ways to learn about public interest careers, build their skill set, and figure out what specific career path they eventually want to pursue.

Fortunately for Penn students who identify with the “Civic Generation” label, there are many ways for them to connect with related volunteer and internship opportunities and to talk with alumni who work in the field. Our Career Resources by Field page includes resources and tips from alumni for students interested in nonprofits, policy, international development, and government careers. And Idealist’s Guide to Nonprofit Careers for First-time Job Seekers is also a wonderful primer.

If you are interested in learn about what a nonprofit internship might involve, read the Civic House Associate Coalition’s summer internship blog. The contributors are Penn students who have received funding through Civic House programs for internships affiliated with the Penn community and beyond. I’m sure you’ll find Ankit, Estee, Allyson, Haley, and Shri’s observations, reflections, and musings interesting, insightful, and even entertaining. I loved reading about Ankit’s students Pradoop and the two Poojas.

A Little Thank You Can Go a Long Way

By Kelly Cleary

It’s graduation season and among other things (celebrations, remember-when’s and see-you-later’s, packing up dorm rooms, obsessively checking email and voicemail as you wait to hear news of interview and job offers…), it’s graduation gift time, which also means it’s THANK YOU NOTE time. If you are a procrastinator, you may simply have a mental list of aunties and old family friends to send little notes to, or your mom may be keeping that list for you. If you fall in the type-A category and you’re also still job searching, as many new grads are, then you might have cranked out those thank you notes and placed them in the post box soon after you received that copy of Dr. Seuss’s “Oh, The Places You’ll Go” and those fantastic cards accompanied by checks, because keeping on top of thank-you notes is one way to feel like you’re in control. And we all know that one of the most frustrating things about searching for a job job is that you have little control over the interview and offer process.

In the same way that sending a sweet little card that says, “Thanks for the ….., it’s just what I hoped for…” makes auntie or granny feel appreciated and reflects well on your character and generally brings on good karma, so does a short thank you note or email to follow up with professional interactions you may have with alumni, prospective employers, and others who work in your field of interest. Of course, this means you should send a thank you after an interview, but it also means you should take the time to send thank you notes to recruiters you meet at career fairs, like the Campus Philly Opportunities Fair on June 15^th, and professionals who give you job search advice at professional or social networking events, like the upcoming Penn Alumni Club of Philadelphia socials or the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Network New Member Orientation.

It’s also smart to send a little thank you to your friend’s mom who offered to introduce you to a prospective employer while you were waiting in the buffet line at a graduation party or that friendly gentleman who suggested a few good companies or job search sites while you were sitting next to each other on the train. And all the better if in a few weeks time you send them another note to share an interesting article or a little success story about how their advice helped you progress in your search. While writing thank you’s probably won’t directly speed up the interview process, appreciative follow-ups to these types of interactions will help you cultivate colleagues and mentors while building a reputation as a collegial, proactive, and respectful professional which will no doubt help you advance your career. The magic connection to the job might not happen immediately, but these exchanges and relationships frequently bring you closer to new opportunities.

Yes, we are talking about networking here. You’ll find tips and resources for networking on our Making Contacts page. And you’ll find a few sample thank you notes on our website and even more on the Quintcareers Thank You Letters Resource for Job Seekers site.

I Wish I Knew Then What I Know Now…: Job search advice from recent College alumni

By Kelly Cleary

Graduation season is a time when everyone seems to have advice for new grads. Below are some nuggets of wisdom and words of encouragement from recent alumni who graduated from the College of Arts & Sciences in the past couple of years. And if you need a study break or job search stress pick-me-up, listen to this YouTube clip of The Faces’ groovy rendition of Rod Stewart’s “Ooh La La…”

Starting Your Search After Graduation – Encouraging Words

You will probably feel like the only person who has not found a job yet and get discouraged because you didn’t do OCR but something will turn up and things work out. You are never too late in finding a job.
While many of my friends weren’t applying to jobs advertised through emails from Career Services simply because they assumed a large number of applicants for each position, I received a request for an interview for a research job that I thought was a perfect fit for me—and I got the job!
I started my job search right after graduation, and it was so easy! I got interviews and/or offers from almost everywhere I applied (and all great places) and was employed in a few weeks. I am an inspiration to anyone who gets depressed when her friends get jobs in September through OCR! (There is still hope!)

I admit, that last nugget is a little over the top—but it was true for one of our recent grads. I can’t promise the job search will be “easy” for all of you, but know that Career Services is here to help. In fact, Penn alumni have access to Penn Career Services for life.

Interning Or Temping After Graduation Can Lead To Full-Time Employment

I was offered a job after interning and was very happy to stay.
Finding a full-time job was difficult, but having internships really helped. It kept me active during my time of unemployment and gave me valuable experience. One of my internships ended up becoming my full-time job.
I started as a temporary employee and then was offered a permanent position within a month of working there.

Internships can be a great post-grad option especially for certain industries that tend to fill entry-level openings from their intern pool (for example, public relations, advertising, entertainment and some non-profits are employers that often do this.) Post-grad internships can also be a great first step for students who have minimal work experience or for students who are “career changers”– they gained experience in one field as an undergrad but then decided that they want to pursue something else. If the internship is in the field you are interested in, it wouldn’t be a diversion– it could be the key to open the door to an ideal first job! Check PennLink, iNet, and our Online Subscriptions (including internships.com and internships-usa.com for internship postings.)

Most cities have several staffing and temporary agencies; a quick internet search will help you find ones in your city or ask friends and alumni if they can recommend agencies. Also, the GoinGlobal City Guides include lists of lists of local temp agencies and staffing firms (available through our Online Subscriptions page), and legal staffing firms can be a particularly good way to find paralegal or legal assistant positions. If you are interested in a particular organization, ask if they use a particular agency. For example, Penn uses Unique Advantage to fill temporary administrative positions. And temping or a paid internship can help you pay the rent while conducting your full-time search.

Patience & Realistic Expectations Pay Off– Job Searching Takes Time & It Can Be Stressful

I did not have a job upon graduation nor any first interviews. I think that people who do NOT go through OCR don’t realize that it is almost atypical to have your full time job lined up well before graduation.
I hadn’t known how long job searching could take-in the end, it took me about 3 months to figure out where I’d be working, which I now understand is a relatively short time (I have other friends still looking). I surprised myself by taking a part time job in my field of interest rather than a full time job that I was offered at the same time- I think I will be happier & hope to be better trained as a result of the experience.
After I failed to receive any offers after OCR, I thought I was just going to have to go to grad school. But as everyone had been telling me, patience would lead me to good things. I saw a posting for a job offer on PennLink that was right up my alley and I jumped on it. It turned out great and now I’m basically work my dream job… at the least my first-year-out-of-college dream job.
It’s unrealistic to expect to have a job by graduation or even right after graduation. Be patient. Be strong.
It definitely takes patience… I don’t think I needed to worry as much as I did.

Making Contacts

I have utilized PACNet and also the English Department Career Liaison database. Both have been excellent sources of information and many kind alumni have provided me with guidance.
As it was becoming increasingly difficult to find a job I found that the best way to go about my search was through networking and contacts.
I’m really bad at networking, but the job I got was only available through professional contacts. It wasn’t listed anywhere and you just had to know someone. Use e-mail to constantly stay in contact with people who may help your career.
Find a Penn alum to help you out. That’s how I got my resume to actually be looked at.
Most interesting jobs aren’t posted– you have to find them word of mouth.

Check Career Services’ MAKING CONTACTS page for resources on connecting with alumni and other professionals in your field and http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/careerservices/college/contacts.html

Use Career Services

Career Services was very helpful. Find a counselor you like and stay in contact. Visit them often or at least email with them to have a steady contact there. Do a mock interview. Get your resume read and edited many, many times.

Many students skim through our emails and are somewhat familiar with our website, but students often overlook the benefits of sitting down with a counselor to discuss their job search strategy. A career counselor can help you brainstorm career possibilities and prospective employers, point you in the direction of more targeted job search resources, and offer tips for more effective networking.

Good luck!

Beyond the black hole of the “submit” button

By: Kelly Cleary

With graduation less than two months away, now is high time for submitting job applications— which often means hitting that submit button again and again and again without any certainty of where your resume is headed, or who, if anyone, will read it. The job search can grate on one’s self-confidence and really leave you feeling like you have little control over your future, but there are ways to target your search so your resume is more likely to be on the short list and land you an interview.

As I see it, there are two main ways that people find job openings. They look at job boards, usually online, or they regularly scour the human resources/careers website of organizations where they think they’d like to work. While Monster and CareerBuilder do list thousands of jobs, the mass market nature of those sites often means your resume is floating in a sea of hundreds of other applications from people who also quickly and easily hit “submit”. Here are a few tips to help you make your way out of the job application black hole.

The Search – Job Boards & Researching Prospective Employers

Target your search. Instead of focusing on general job boards, visit industry and region specific sites, or other websites that have a more targeted audience in mind. For example, the jobs in PennLink have been posted by employers who have expressed a specific interest in hiring Penn students and alumni. If you are looking for a marketing job, go to the American Marketing Association’s www.marketingpower.com jobs board. Better yet, if you’re interested in PR/Communications job in the Washington DC metro area, go to the Public Relation Society of America National Capital Chapter’s jobs site. You can find more information about industry specific sites on the Career Services website for each Penn School. Here is a link to the College page. You’ll find even more on our Online Subscriptions page.
Talking with people who work in the field you are interested in is a great way to discover which professional groups you should familiarize yourself with and sites you should bookmark and check regularly. Yes, I’m talking about Networking and Penn Alumni are some of the best people with whom to network. And of course, the Career Services’ email distribution lists are also a great way to hear about job openings. Check with a career counselor for your school for more information.
Actively join and use your networks. Join and participate in professional groups in the “real” and virtual worlds. In addition to the professional groups such as the ones mentioned above, LinkedIn has become an incredibly powerful job search tool. In addition to being a place where you can look up people’s profiles and find networking contacts, you can join Groups related to nearly every industry and many specific regions, as well as alumni groups. In the form of digests, people regularly send job postings, resources and tips for finding jobs in a particularly field to other group members. This site provides an overview of LinkedIn.
Be proactive and creative in the way you research employers. Read the newspaper and trade journals to learn about organizations and industries that are expanding. If you hear about a job fair that happened last month, find the list of employers who attended since it’s likely that they may still have openings. And network, network, network! If the idea of networking stresses you out, start by doing a few informational interviews. In PACNet you’ll find supportive Penn alumni who have volunteered offer career advice to students and other alumni.

The Application & Follow Up

When you apply to a position, submit a flawless resume and cover letter (always send a cover letter) that is targeted to the specific position and company. This makes a big difference to the hiring manager. Applications that are not targeted to a specific position usually go straight to the “No” pile.
Targeting the resume and cover letter includes using keywords from the job description and the organization’s “culture” since the primary goal of those documents is to demonstrate to the recruiter or hiring manager that YOU are a perfect fit for the job description that they are seeking to fill.
And speaking of the hiring manager, he or she is your intended audience. Whenever possible, even if it takes a little homework, try to send your application directly to the hiring manager. As long as the job posting doesn’t say, “No phone calls,” sometimes you can find the name of the hiring manager simply by calling the organization and asking. Your network is also one of the best ways to find this information.
Follow-up. If you haven’t received any response regarding your application two weeks or so after you apply, (unless they say no phone calls) follow up with the organization by politely saying you are writing to confirm that they received your application and wanted to reiterate your interest in the position. You might also ask if the position is still open and inquire about their timeline.
The black hole. Alas, sometimes despite your best efforts it’s not possible to find the name of the hiring manager or to get through to the Wizard of HR behind the submit button. When that happens continue capitalize on what you can control like continuing to build your network, keeping an open mind about and attentive ear to prospective opportunities, and seek advice from career counselors and experienced professionals.

For more job search tips, check the Full-Time Jobs page of the Career Services page for College students and alumni or check the specific Career Services websites for your school or academic program.

Good luck with your search!