Start Work Before the Interview: MSU Student Jon Wiita’s Success Story

Jon Wiita (pictured, ‘10), an applied engineering major with cognates in supply chain management and connected learning, was interviewed by job search expert Kevin Donlin. This interview was used on Donlin’s website because he thought job hunters of all ages could learn from Wiita’s job search tactics. Spartan students are doing great things to take their job search to the next level, using the same resources that are available to you. Learn from Wiita’s creative approach, and check back for the interview of another smart Spartan student. (more…)

Here is an excerpt from an article from ABC News that illustrates the WORST attitude to have in this job market.

Triple major Jody Ellsworth has had a full-time job for four years, working as much as 60 hours a week to pay her way through school.

All that came to end with graduation today because she doesn’t have a job. “It’s gonna go from waking up at 5:30 to go to work to run to class to run to meetings and then back to work to waking up whenever I feel like it,” said Ellsworth. “Being a couch potato laying around on my parents’ sofa. I’m not looking forward to that.”

Worst of all, six months from now when her student loans come due, she’ll be $30,000 in debt. “What I will do now … is anything. Absolutely anything. Any crap job that I can get I’m gonna take. Babysitting, working on cars. Whatever it takes.”

No matter how frustrating this job market is, you NEVER want to come off as desperate. It’s why job hunting is often compared to dating—desperation is unattractive both to potential employers and potential suitors. “He’ll date anything that breathes” is equivalent to “She’ll take any job that comes with a paycheck.” Neither are compliments.

What may be even worse is Ellsworth’s superior attitude. She says she’ll take “any crap job” and even mentions a couple of examples. Just think how the owner of her local auto shop would react to her calling “working on cars” a “crap job.” The owner puts tons of time and energy into that shop and likely wouldn’t hire someone who considered the work beneath her.

It doesn’t help that Ellsworth plans on getting a job by being a “couch potato.”

It’s a reality that many graduates are going to have to settle for jobs that aren’t their ideal. The best way to think of the job is as an experience booster, an opportunity to network, a chance to find out what you like and don’t like on the job (even if your job has mostly qualities you don’t like, if you think through WHY you don’t like them it will help you in your next job search)—overall, it will be time well-spent if you make use of your situation so that it helps you accomplish your long-term goals. Most companies hire recent graduates because they want a fresh face and new ideas. Give them what they want and you may end up with a glowing recommendation that helps you land your dream job.

You use Facebook to connect with friends from high school, keep track of what people in your network are doing, and creep on your cafeteria crush. Why not put some of that connecting (and creeping) to use?

There is a social networking site dedicated to helping you connect with former co-workers, keeping track of current colleagues if you go through a job change, or expanding your network by linking with your contacts’ contacts. It’s called LinkedIn, and if you’re not on it yet, you should be (this article explains why and offers some best practice tips). Recent grads: check out the LinkedIn ‘09 Grad Guide. See 5 Top Tips for LinkedIn for more information.

The second best tool for digital networking is Facebook itself. The site is increasing in size every day and most of its new members are over 35 (read “Why Facebook Is for Old Fogies”). Not only does this mean that Mom and Dad are getting on Facebook, it means employers, colleagues, and recruiters are getting on, too. This does NOT mean that you should delete your Facebook account. Clean up your digital dirt (perhaps by making two separate profiles: one personal, one professional) and start using the site to your advantage. Join groups affiliated with your professional interests and friend professors, classmates, and co-workers. Facebook isn’t just a great way to organize a bar crawl; it can also be used to maintain a dialogue with someone who just may be able to offer you a job in the future.

Third, there is Twitter. Twitter has been all over the news lately. In case you haven’t heard, it is essentially a site dedicated to Facebook status updates—you have 140 characters to convey your message. You can follow the updates of whomever you want (Ashton Kutcher was the first Twitterer to reach 1 million followers), and others can follow yours. Some say it’s the next big thing on the web and may even ultimately replace Facebook, while other sources claim its fifteen minutes of fame are over. Twitter’s ability to help you network may be limited, but it can help you in your job search. For example, you can follow leaders in the industries that you are interested in to get an idea of what they do, or help pass along messages of people you want to connect with by “retweeting”—placing “RT” in front of their message in your status update. Experiment with the technology and see if you can get it to work for you! Also, Twitter Job Search is a search engine that sorts through tweets to find job postings, based on job titles designated by you, the searcher.

This article is part of a new series. The tough economic times are a concern for everyone, but the job market can be especially intimidating for inexperienced college students. That’s why the Career Services Network asked students what their top concerns were and then directed the questions to career experts both within and outside of the network. Each article has a student question with three expert answers. Read on for the third installment.

Student Question:

“How do you sell the ‘I’m just out of school’ thing when there are other people on the job market who have your same skill set but more experience?”

Jim Jansen, Professional Writing & Mandarin Chinese, Class of 2009

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Expert Answers:

1) Identify transferable skills

“As a new college graduate with a strong background of volunteering, great internship experiences, and innovative technology skills, you will be able to tout your advantages. Your relevant experiences will give you the competitive edge. Bringing fresh, new ideas to a company is a competitive advantage; use this skill in your interview to add value as a candidate.

The secret is to identify your transferable skills. This requires you to first fully understand the requirements of the position, as well as the scope of the business. Once you understand these elements of the organization, review your recent experiences on your resume for a match that demonstrates your skills in these essential areas. Did you volunteer for a non-profit that allowed you to develop a great website? Did you play a key role in managing an event for your student organization that was a roaring success?

Provide the interviewer with concrete evidence of your successes. You can do this by quantifying the results, showing samples of your work, or by presenting press releases of the events and activities that support your contributions. The most important skill is your ability to articulate your advantages and convey this to the interviewer in a persuasive manner.”

Theda Rudd; Associate Director, Career Services @ the Stadium; ruddt@csp.msu.edu

2) More than work experience

“Experience is only one qualification employers seek, and it is much broader than work experience. Experience also refers to the ability to effectively solve problems, manage projects, lead teams, drive process improvements, influence others, and much more. The key is to effectively market these transferable skills gained from classroom projects, internships, student organizations, and other experiences on your resume. In other words, relate what you have done to the company and role you are seeking. Being more successful at networking is another way to gain an advantage.”

Brent Funk (MSU ‘06, ‘08); Lead Recruiter, Leadership Development Programs; Whirlpool Corporation

3) Passion and persistence

“Passion and persistence will take you much further in a job search than experience. Experience could potentially work against you as it could pigeon hole you into a specific market within your field, or even cause an employer to feel you are set in your ways and aren’t as moldable as a recent college graduate

1. Passion. If two people are competing for a job and one has more experience but the other demonstrates more passion for the field and employer, the person with passion will receive the offer, hands down. Employers know that passion is not merely a skill you can train an employee on but it is something that will bring forth hard work, company dedication and loyalty and new ideas; all of the qualities any organization can benefit from. This is even more important in a challenging job market as employers need to be confident that when they do hire someone, that individual will continue to move their organization forward even when times are tough.

Having a positive attitude goes hand in hand with passion, regardless of your level of experience. I have met individuals that have wonderful experience but are having a tough time finding a job. It is clear that their attitude, not their experience, is holding them back. Employers want to see that you will remain upbeat even when budgets are cut.

2. Persistence. When you’re applying for a job, know the company from the inside-out rather than from the outside-in. Make use of social networks (LinkedIn, professors, professional organizations) and do your research. Ask for informational interviews and job shadows using MSU alumni throughout the globe (there are over 400,000!) and demonstrate that you have the perseverance to do what it takes to land the job. Follow up after each interaction- it makes a difference. Data indicates that only a third of applicants actually send thank yous! Use your job search to show the potential employer you will be as persistent on the job as you are while trying to land it!”

Karin Hanson; Field Career Consultant in the College of Communication Arts & Sciences; hanson39@csp.msu.edu

Take action: Do you have a question about how the economy affects your job search? Email it to aldric39@msu.edu with “Career Economy Question” as the subject. If you have a specific, individual question, set up an appointment with a career advisor.

Kelley Bishop,executive director of Career Services, was recently interviewed on the MSU Today show on Impact Radio. The interview focused on the economy and its affects on the job market. Click here for a summary and a link to the podcast.

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