Instructor Blog #2: Getting a Job
Submitted by eplough on Sat, 06/07/2008 - 15:06.
Getting a job is not an exact science, so concrete thinking will only take you so far. In order to land a good job these days, you've got to approach the task with a considerable amount of abstract thinking. There are so many factors to consider that listing them all would not only be tedious but also impossible. I will go through a few of the major ones, however, and the first major project in this course, the Employment Project, will help you figure out how to navigate the treacherous waters of job application, so get ready to work hard.
The idea of a 'Meritocracy' is very American. If you work hard and achieve high quality results, then you should be rewarded accordingly. In a Meritocracy, the best rewards go to the people who deserve them the most. The concept of a 'Meritocracy' is somewhat synonymous with the American Dream, and the promise of prosperity has ensured a steady flow of hopeful new citizens to our country since its birth. However, the concept of a Meritocracy is a lofty ideal that we have not achieved completely yet. Many college students operate under the illusion that their hard work and their degree from a world-class University guarantees them their dream job. This is unrealistic and causes bright-eyed graduates to become depressed when they get out into the work force and they suddenly realize that getting a job is way more difficult than they thought. As you apply for jobs, you will quickly realize that your personal merit is only one factor that will help you get a job. You will also discover that while you are more qualified than other applicants, there will always be applicants more qualified than you. However, random elements will give you the edge over these people, such as extra-curricular activities like clubs, sports, and hobbies. They can sometimes be just as valuable as your more 'legitimate' qualifications.
For example, a colleague of mine - let's call him 'Joe,' interviewed for a full-time position at a major University last Spring. Having already seen Joe's resume and materials, the interviewer just needed to get a 'feel' for who Joe was personally and professionally (ethos). Joe noticed some baseball memorabilia in the interviewer's office and decided to ask about it. For the remainder of the interview, Joe and the interviewer talked about baseball. Only a small amount of the interview was actually dedicated to 'legitimate' concerns. In case you're wondering, Joe got the job. Though another applicant may have been better qualified, Joe's capacity for abstract thinking gave him the edge.
Just in case you think I'm making this stuff up, I'll tell you a personal anecdote to talk about another element that will help you get a job: networking. It is more likely that you'll get jobs through people that you know than through generic job search engines or want ads. Since I am not embarrassed easily, I don't mind telling you that my first job was being Chuck E. Cheese. That's right, not a waiter or anything like that - the mascot. I was 16 and I dressed up as a rat for money! At any rate, the weirdest part of the story is that I got the job because a friend of mine was a waiter there! I had to use my networking skills to get a job as Chuck E. Cheese!
The final element that will help you get a job is plain old luck. A recent Reader's Digest story tells how a boss, in a rush to hire someone, ordered his secretary to throw away 200 of 250 resumes without reading them. When the secretary protested, the boss said "Well, I don't want to hire anybody who's that unlucky." This is a far cry from a Meritocracy. The Employment Project is designed to help you get the edge on your competition. In other words, you can create your own good luck if you work at it. When this project is finished, you will be an expert at composing resumes and cover letters. You will also learn valuable interviewing skills.
If you learn nothing else from the Employment Project, I would like you to learn this: There is no such thing as the perfect resume. Sometimes students come to this class hoping that they will be able to construct a single resume that they can send out to any job that they ever apply for. Students also have come to my class with a resume that has previously gotten them a job, so they figure it is an automatic A+. Finally, some students have noticed that Microsoft Word has a resume template, and have used the reasoning that if Microsoft says that the template is good, that it is.
These are all unproductive attitudes and will not result in a great grade on the Employment project.
Templates are generic, and generic is the opposite of unique. To get a job, you must show that you are unique - different than the other applicant who is just as qualified as you, if not more. Please resist the temptation to use templates in English 420Y and in your professional life. I am pretty familiar with Microsoft's templates, which is a bummer for anyone who is trying to cut corners. If you learn how to design your own personalized resume, you WILL be glad you did. As for the student who relies on their previously successful resume to shine in English 420Y, think again. I wrote that "there is no such thing as the perfect resume" because every time you apply for a job, you will need to tailor your resume to THAT job. Your membership in Purdue's "Sailing Club" may be of high value for one job but completely irrelevant for another. It will be up to you to consider your audience and context - the rhetorical situation.
So, how do you go about considering the rhetorical situation? Research! The more you know about the company you are applying for, the higher your odds of getting an interview with them is (I say "interview" because it is crucial to know that the purpose of a resume is usually to get an interview for a job. The purpose of the interview is to get the job. This is important to know that you don't have to say everything in the resume - just the most important stuff. You can tell them the rest in the interview!). Visit the company's website and read through their materials. This is a tedious step that several applicants skip over because it is inconvenient. However, researching the company can yield very real results.
For example, consider using keywords in the objective statement section of your resume. If the job application says that they are looking for someone who is "proactive," consider that to be a keyword and use it in your resume (even if you hate that word like I do!). In order to drive this point home, consider that most online job applications use a filter system to weed through resumes before human eyes ever see them. One filter that many systems use is this keyword idea. In other words, the computer will search for all resumes that use the word "proactive" (for example) and delete all resumes that do not have that word! Research pays off!
Finally, a word about this assignment. You are not required to actually apply for the jobs that you are selecting, but some have. In fact, several of my students from previous semesters have gotten jobs and internships from this project! Regardless, you must pick realistic job applications for this project. In other words, if a job application requires 5 years experience in the field, you may not use it for this project (unless you've got 5 years experience in that field). If the job is located in Boston, and you are not willing to move to Boston, you may not use the job ad. You get the point. Keep it realistic. You'll be glad you did, since you will benefit from the experience.
The next few weeks will prepare you for the highly competitive job market in ways that will benefit you for the next few decades, so work hard and do it right. Please feel free to post questions to the FAQ or email me if you have any questions or concerns. (Thanks to Ryan Weber for content)
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Response to Blog
I think that this is a very good overview of the employment project which we will soon be starting. This post explains how getting a job is not so clear cut and that you need to do research and be a little flexible. For example, you can not use the same resume for each job you are applying for (talked about above). This post also gives you tips about how to get jobs, for example, networking is key, and being able to relate to the interviewer. By relating to them this will help you stand out and increase your chances of getting the job.
The explanation of the employment project was helpful because it gives a better idea of what your looking for and reiterates how to go about doing the project, such as being creative and not using templates.
Employment Project
After reading this blog, I feel very comfortable and ready to start the Employment Project. This blog explains elements that will aid in obtaining a job. Three main elements that were discussed included plain luck, random elements and networking, which is key. Another part of the blog discussed how their is never a perfect resume. I believe this statement to be true since you can not use the same resume for every job that you apply for. Research is also something that is very important when applying for jobs. It gives you the extra knowledge another applicant may not have because they thought this tedious step was inconvenient. This explanation of the project has been really helpful and I hope to get better at resumes, cover letters and acquire better interviewing skills by completing this project.
Response to Instructor Blog No. 2
Getting a job is certainly not an exact science. In my experience with trying to get jobs through Purdue, it seems as if you have to talk to 30 companies, from there maybe get around 6 interviews, and from there get no job offers. You definitely have to be persistent and not be afraid of being let down. One thing I always do before an interview is peruse the company's website, which is something you mentioned. I have found it very helpful in knowing what key points to mention to get the interviewer's attention. From this though, I have never actually changed up my resume. Altering your resume to each company is a new idea for me, but it sounds very advantageous. It makes sense that they would filter out resumes using some sort of software. Something I will now do in the future is try to make my objective line of my resume unique to each employer.
I agree with you that there will always be a better qualified person for the job than yourself; however, I find it very hard to agree with you that having a few extra-curricular activities on your resume will give you the edge over the better qualified person. This might be field particular, but in my major, BCM, work experience and how you present yourself in front of them (confident, driven, nervous, hesitant) seems to give people the edge. It is true in every sense of the word that networking is key in any job search. I have gotten most of my jobs through networking. That is another reason I favor the BCM program because we have 150 companies come to Purdue campus each semester looking for students and even if you don't find a job, it is a great way to get your name out there.
Ryan L. Ross
The extra-curricular edge
You disagreed with me??? YOU FAIL!!!
Just kidding. Actually, I also find it hard to believe that extra-curriculars will give you the edge over a better qualified person.
In fact, I should have worded this sentence better:
The word "will" was probably too definite. I should have said:
It isn't a sure thing, but, as in "Joe's" example (I swear this example is real), you never know. At any rate, Ryan is quite right to point out that you had better have more substance than relevant extra-curriculars on your resume if you expect results.
Guide to Getting a Job - Response to Instructor Blog #2
After I read this blog, I thought about my previous experiences with trying to find a job and internship. I feel that the information presented is very accurate and a good representation on the path to finding a job. For instance, I applied for an internship in February and was sure to research the company through their website and by talking to the student who held the intern position the previous summer. After I was selected for an interview, I made sure to do even more research on the company and I even thought of possible questions that the interviewer might ask me. I also had one of my roommates go through a mock interview with me to help me feel more prepared. By going through various questions, I was able to think of certain situations and examples in my previous jobs and activities that would qualify me for different characteristics the company was looking for. I feel that going through possible interview questions and practicing responses is a tool that helps me prepare for interviews because I am not the best at thinking of answers to difficult questions on the spot. During the interview I mentioned that I had a discussion with the previous intern and I also discussed my interest in a current program that they were promoting. After finishing the business part of the interview, we started discussing our interest in traveling, especially to Washington D.C. When I was reading the blog posted by the instructor and read the section about abstract thinking, I immediately thought of this interview I had. Also, just like "Joe," I landed the internship position and am happily participating in the internship this summer. Even though I might not have been the most qualified, the interviewer chose me for the position, possibly because of our common interest that may have given me the edge over other candidates.
Nicole VanDeLeest
Response to instructor blog #2
There are two interesting points that you pointed out in this blog. Firstly, you can read my mind by saying, "Students also have come to my class with a resume that has previously gotten them a job, so they figure it is an automatic A+." Secondly, I agree that research about the company I am applying for is very useful. Before I did an interview, I always spend some time to research about their latest product or project, and that always works! So far, I find that applying for an internship is not that hard, I just need to consider rhetorical conditions, just as what you said. Moreover, considering rhetorical conditions in writing resume is a new fascinating idea for me. I should try that next time. Finally, I feel so lucky to take this course in summer, since I will need to start applying for a full-time job soon.
GC
I can read minds!
I'm glad that this hit home with you. In previous semesters, students thought they were on easy street with the Employment Project because their resume was previously successful. As a result, they neglected to do a significant amount of work of the project. I encourage you all to avoid this pitfall - go back to the drawing board with your resume - you'll be glad you did!
Response to Blog
I find this very interesting and very true. In many of my sales classes that I have taken many times the thing that gets you a sale isn't the fact that your product is cheaper or better than someone else's it's the fact that you find a way to create a personal relationship with the person who you are trying to make your client. Many people are willing to sacrifice hiring someone with a lower GPA or less extracurriculars if they like them better as a person. I'm not saying this is always fair but that it is the way the world works. I also like how this blog talked about creating your own luck. I know it is lame but I do believe luck is when preparation meets opportunity. Very few people just have good things happen to them just out of sheer happen stance. I also really liked how he spoke about tailoring your resume to whom you are applying. I have had my resume critiqued and gone to job fairs but if you don't research a company and go out of your way to make yourself look as good as possible to each company then why should they take their time to call you in for an interview. Unfortunately I don't think there is any way to cut corners in this situation. You actually have to go online and find out specifics about each company that you want to become involved with .
employment project
Getting a job is mixture of talent,willingness and how you put these two together to achieve your goals. Getting a job is very important because you enter a professional world and start earning money. I agree with Mr plough's points about 'Networking' and 'Abstract Thinking'.With my personal experience, I can say that they work wonders. Although your 'legitimate' qualifications are important, putting them on a piece of paper in form of a resume is also equally important.When I interned for a big construction company , a bit of networking,a bit of abstract thinking and a bit of qualifications got me through.This post is really very important for understanding what this project is going to be about.
Blog #2: Getting a Job Response
Upon review of Instructor Blog #2: Getting a Job, I find myself agreeing to the information and ideas presented. I feel very strongly that it isn’t always who you are, but who you know which allows opportunity to arise in the job market. Think about it for a second. If you know someone who is in the position to grant an interview or fill a job it can be very indicative of whether you get the job or not. In other words it is more likely that you will get the job because you are already known by the employer. You have in a sense already interviewed, several times in fact! With the same token, I am also aware that the element of luck should not be underestimated. Timing is everything in the job market. Due to all kinds of restrictions (i.e. budgets), it matters when you apply. This is wear knowing someone can help. This person on the inside can let you know when to apply and the best way to do so.
I like how you pointed out that there is no perfect resume. I feel the same way, because like many things in life there is no cure-all. It is important to keep this fact in mind due to all the variables involved in landing a job. You might have succeeding in getting a job because a more qualified and interesting individual missed the bus. I realize that it probably happens all the time, but I have a hard time finding why applicants wouldn’t research the company to which they have applied. If you don’t put a little effort into discovering who they are as a company, then why should they spend the resources trying to discover who you are? I believe that compiling my resume through this class will help me to “cover the spread”, meaning that I can present my information in the best light possible.
Starting from scratch
I really enjoyed reading this blog, a lot of the ideas really hit home for me. I myself as I have previously mentioned, and am now ashamed to say, used a Microsoft template for my current resume. However, I must add, other than filling out an application at Subway, I have never applied for a job! The past few summers I have had an amazing job teaching swimming lessons, but I never had to submit a resume or even fill out an application. The supervisor had been my high school physical education teacher and she walked up to me and offered me the job in the waiting room of the dentist office! Netwroking in that situation really paid off. Nonetheless, there will come a day when I will need to submit a resume in order to get a job. And when that day comes, I do not want my resume to rhetoric lacking, generic resume saved on my hard drive. I want my resume to be one step ahead of the competitions and this project will clearly help make that possible.
Getting a Job
I have learned from the very few internships I have applied for more often than not its who you know not what you know. I applied for a number of internship and got called back on a couple and two were internships where I knew someone in the company. I ended up with two internship offers and they were both from the companies where I knew someone. I don't know if I would have had interviews with either company had I not known someone because like you said theres always someone more qualified.
Response to Instructor Blog #2
I found this article very interesting. There were a lot of things that I agreed with and there were things that I have never really thought about when applying for jobs.
I agree with you when you stated, "Many college students operate under the illusion that their hard work and their degree from a world-class University guarantees them their dream job." I have a friend who thinks this way. He will be graduating in December and he hasn’t even thought about what he will do after he graduates. He told me that he's not going to worry about getting a job till the time comes because with a degree he should have no problem.
I also liked the part of this article that talks about networking. I think that networking is so critical. To give an example, I have a friend who was looking for an internship. At the time I already had one with BMW Constructors. One day I met with the Human Resource manager and he asked me if I knew anyone who is still looking for a summer internship so I told him about my friend. To make a long story short, my friend went to one interview and was offered the job shortly afterward. This goes to show you that by knowing the right people you can almost always get a job somewhere. Almost all of the jobs that I have had were because I knew someone inside.
There was one other thing in this article that really intrigued me and hit home. Before this article I never really thought about tailoring my resume to a specific job that I am applying for. In the past I have always had one resume that I used for everything. I can see how it would be really helpful to tailor it to a company. I often research a company so after I do that it would be very easy for me to tailor my resume to what I just learned about that company. I thought the tailoring a resume advise was great advice.
Over all I think that the employment project will be a very good experience. I look forward to improving my resume and cover letter as well as preparing myself for the "real world" after college.
Instructor Blogs #2 - Finding the Right Job
After I read this blog, I feel a little more comfortable about our first project. For one class I had two years ago I had to make my resume. It did not have to be perfect to get a good grade. I am excited that I get to learn how to better make my resume for certain jobs. Earlier this year I was to turn in a copy of my resume for an award I received. My roommate helped me to fix my resume to have past job experiences and extracurricular activities that were closely related to my award. At the time I did not know why she had me do this, but now I understand. Out of all of the jobs I have held in the past, I was not competing for a position with other people. I got the job automatically because they needed someone to work. I wish could have had the opportunity to try and beat out other people for my jobs. Networking is something that I know is important and have used. When I was in high school I needed an after school job. There was an opening at a local grocery store for a cashier. One of my friends was already working there and another friend was the one who left the job. The owner of the store talked to both of them and they helped me to earn the position. Networking is definitely going to help me in my future career and with applying and getting into graduate school.
Research about a company is very important, I do agree with that idea. I have researched companies in past classes where I would be interested in working. At the time I thought it was a boring assignment. Now, I understand why my professor had the class do that assignment. It will be hard to find that job at that company that I will want to research but it will be good practice for the future.
Julia
Response to Instructor Blog #2
At first, when i was reading the summary of what this project would entail, I was under the impression that it was going to be alot of tedious work. However, after I read this blog, I am actually excited to start this project. I have always heard the phrase, "its all about who you know" when it comes to landing that dream job, and I fully agree with the idea that networking is key when it comes to finding a job. Also, I look foward to making my resume look more unique and stand out from other applicants, because as of right now it is pretty standard. The example of "Joe" was also a very helpful tip to me because it shows how abstract thinking can go a long way and something as simple as finding a hobby that you both have in common can put you above other potential candidates seeking your same position. I look foward to starting this project and hope to be like some of the other students and possibly apply/get the job that I research.
Response to Instructors Blog #2
Now I understand how hard it is looking for a summer job/internship. This summer I must have applied to twenty different jobs, hoping and praying that someone would call me back. I thought the employers would be impressed by my already-existing resume, which I had created for a class. My resume was edited by someone in the English Department at Purdue, so I thought I had the perfect resume. I thought one resume and general cover letter would be acceptable to send to different companies. I now know that isn’t the case. Reading through the Instructor’s Blog: Getting the Job, I understand that your resume must be specific to the job you are applying and be exceptional in order to stand out to the potential employer. It must demonstrate that you are the most qualified based on your skills and extra curricular activities.
I also understand the importance of networking. I was able to get my current job through one of my friends. He was able to give me information about the company, specific qualifications they are seeking, and helped me revise my resume to better fit their job requirements. It was amazing the transformation my cover letter and resume had with the help of doing more background research.
The Employment Project will help me better understand what companies are looking for and the best way to relate my skills to the qualifications of the job.
Getting a job
This blog does a great job in summing up how to get a good job. It covers all of the bases from resumes and how they should vary depending on the job you are applying for, to thinking abstractly in interviews. The baseball example does a great job of expressing how the interviewer is just a normal person and that he or she has regular interests. Thinking out of the box and being unique is a big thing for me and i wish i was better at it. This blog showed me that there is no substitute for research and showing initiative. I also learned from this blog that what works for one company may not work for another. Resumes must be as unique as the job at the company you are applying for. Even after you have dealt all your cards and have played them to the best of your ability, luck still has a say. I think I am ready to start on the Employment Project as this blog has given me great insight as to what employers might look for.
Response to Instructor Blog #2
Growing up with parents who chose not to attend a college or University, I lack guidance in many areas when searching for a profession. My mother and father support my decisions and strengthen my confidence, but they are not knowledgeable when asked about the corporate world. Furthermore, I greatly desire to attain knowledge on proper interviewing and the composition of a resume. This is beyond any course I have ever taken, and I'm ecstatic to develop my skills and self-being. I enjoyed reading the paragraph about Joe's interview. Developing a strong ethos and being able to think abstractly would give me an edge on my competition.
Networking is truly a crucial part of employment. Even though one doesn't have to network to land a job, it is beneficial to land the one that may be desired. It never hurts to ask many questions and start conversations with people in the employment area one hopes to achieve. Filters are commonly used to save time in resume reviews. I know this to be true, because my father is the owner of a Ford dealership. Applicants are expected to be well-acquainted with the company, along with what exactly would be expected of him or her if chosen to attend an interview. Knowing an abundance of information is much better than lacking it.
To be honest, I believed that a resume could be created once and only altered when an update was needed. Feeling naive, I learned how much knowledge I lack in the interviewing process, which is why I am very excited to begin the Employment Project.
(No subject)
response to instructor blog #2
After I graduated from high school I was under the impression that if you graduated from college you were guaranteed a good job. After my first year of college my thinking changed. In that first year I learned a college degree guaranteed me nothing after college. I was friends with several upper classmen and I saw how hard it was for them to find jobs. I had friends going on multiple interviews and attending several job fairs, yet still not being able to find a job. I wasn’t until this past fall I realized how hard it was to find a job. In March I think I sent over 50 people my resume trying to obtain a summer internship. The majority of the individuals I emailed never contacted me. I had two face to face interviews and one phone interview. In the end I was able to obtain a really good internship, but the road was stressful.
I enjoyed the section of the blog that talked about how there is no perfect resume. A few years ago I turned in my resume for a class assignment in two different classes. In one class I got a good grade on my resume, and I did not get a good grade in the other class. This let me know that was impressive to one person may not be impressive to another. I think that the employment project will allow me to improve my resume because I will definitely be using it starting this fall. I have been told in the past that I have a good resume, but I really don not know if that is true. When I revamped my resume I used a template I got from a friend. I enjoy the fact that I will actually be able to take something away from this class that I will be able to put to good use in the fall.
response to instructor blog #2
After I graduated from high school I was under the impression that if you graduated from college you were guaranteed a good job. After my first year of college my thinking changed. In that first year I learned a college degree guaranteed me nothing after college. I was friends with several upper classmen and I saw how hard it was for them to find jobs. I had friends going on multiple interviews and attending several job fairs, yet still not being able to find a job. I wasn’t until this past fall I realized how hard it was to find a job. In March I think I sent over 50 people my resume trying to obtain a summer internship. The majority of the individuals I emailed never contacted me. I had two face to face interviews and one phone interview. In the end I was able to obtain a really good internship, but the road was stressful.
I enjoyed the section of the blog that talked about how there is no perfect resume. A few years ago I turned in my resume for a class assignment in two different classes. In one class I got a good grade on my resume, and I did not get a good grade in the other class. This let me know that was impressive to one person may not be impressive to another. I think that the employment project will allow me to improve my resume because I will definitely be using it starting this fall. I have been told in the past that I have a good resume, but I really don not know if that is true. When I revamped my resume I used a template I got from a friend. I enjoy the fact that I will actually be able to take something away from this class that I will be able to put to good use in the fall.
Response to Getting a Job
I wholeheartedly agree with the fact that, in order to get a job, you must show that you are unique. From my own experiences, I have found that having a unique resume and being myself during an interview has opened the door for many opportunities. I find that the most important aspect of acing an interview isn’t necessarily answering a question the way you may think an interviewer may want it to be answered. It is being able to answer questions using your own unique experiences. I am in a major where even finding an internship is extremely competitive. Everyone is intelligent and we all take the same courses. I may not get the best grades, but I have probably had the most call backs, second round interviews, or job offers out of anyone I know of. Like ‘Joe’, I too ask abstract questions during interviews. I really like to show the employers who I am as a person and who I can be as an employee. I find that most employers are not only looking for someone who can do the job right. They most often are looking for someone they would enjoy working with, who can do the job just as well. It’s all about your ethos.
I definitely agree with you
I definitely agree with you that these days everything can seen competitive and hard to find, so with a unique ethos you're sure to ace an interview. Being able to show yourself in a light that is both appealing in the sense of friendship in the workplace as well as showing you can get the job done will surely place you above the rest.
"Getting a Job" Blog Response
I definitely believe in the power of networking and who you know to get you the job you want. Every single one of my past jobs Ive had, I got through a reference from someone I knew who works or worked there or by someone that knew someone that needed a job and screened my resume to those who needed to see it. For example, this internship I'm doing right now in Los Angeles for Epic Records I got because I knew the guy who had the internship last year and he gave my resume to his friend who is now in charge of hiring interns. That sort of connection I think really increased my chances in actually getting the gig. Yes I had the qualifications they were looking for but like you stated in your blog, many people have the same ones and many people look the same on paper. I got the advantage of the connection I had to score an interview and then the ethos aspect I suppose sealed the deal, where as it would have been much harder to do if I just randomly applied through the system. It is also so true about tweaking your resume depending on what job you are applying for. With the internship I have now, I had to change alot to my resume to appeal mainly to the audience that was going to be reading it. I took away some of my experiences that weren't relevant and moved around the more relevant to the top and so on. I am looking forward to the employment project because I thin it will even FURTHER prepare me for future jobs and internships!