Start Spreading The News -- About Your Job Search

The opening line of Frank Sinatra's famous "New York, New York" contain valuable advice for all first time job seekers: "Start spreading the news."

One of the most common mistakes people make in the job search is not letting people know you are looking for work. This is an especially egregious error in today's society. With sites like Facebook and Twitter playing big roles in peoples' lives, it's imperative you let all of your followers know that you would appreciate any leads they have.

There are some job seekers who have the mistaken belief that asking for help from your contacts comes off as desperate. This is only true if you make it sound desperate. Here's an example of how not to let people know you need help:

"Ugh, this job search is terrible! It's so frustrating. Somebody help me find some work?!"

 This is a bad post for a number of reasons. First, it just sounds whiny. We all know the job search can be immensely frustrating but people generally won't want to help someone who sounds like they are just complaining. Another issues is that it sounds more like a demand than a polite request. If you write something like this as a Facebook status, chances are you won't even get a single "like," let alone a response.

Here's what you should write:

"Just wanted to let everyone know that I am currently looking for work. If anybody happens to have any leads in the nonprofit sector, could you please contact me? I appreciate any help I can get!"

Notice how this example politely states what you need without sounding desperate? It's also very specific, so you will be almost guaranteed to get responses that are relevant to the specific field in which you are looking.

The job search is a tough assignment for anybody, so don't make the mistake of going it alone. There's no shame in asking for help as long as you are polite about it.

Job Search Tips For College Graduates

College graduation is quickly approaching for most students. In fact, some have already gone through the pomp and circumstance of the ceremonies. Once the excitement of finishing those four long years fades, the reality will finally set in that it's time to really work on the job search.

The most prepared college graduates are the ones that already started building their network the moment they picked a major. It's not impossible to find a job if you don't do this, but it certainly makes it a lot harder. Not that anything is truly easy in these tough economic times. It's because of this difficult job market that college grads need to have a solid plan when searching for work.

Being prepared means being extremely organized. Consider creating a spreadsheet that keeps track of all of the jobs you have applied for. Organizations will often post their open positions on multiple job boards, so it's important to make sure you aren't applying to the same job twice. This is not only a waste of your time but also could disqualify your initial application.

Another important thing to do is to have realistic expectations about the work you need to do. Just because you have the most impressive resume in the world doesn't mean you don't have to put any effort into your hunt. With the amount of competition that is out there, you will need to be vigilant to ensure that you get the job that you want.

These are just some of the tips that will help ease the job search for college graduates. If you have any others, feel free to share them. Best of luck to all of the future members of the work force!

College Graduates: Avoid These Job Search Mistakes

College graduates entering the "real world" face an improving but still difficult job market. Yet they have one thing that gives them an advantage compared to other job seekers: Youth.

Nonprofits are always looking to get a fresh infusion of youth. Some people say that youth is wasted on the young, but college grads tend to have a lot of enthusiasm and energy that organizations need to advance their missions. Youthful energy and a charming smile won't get you anywhere if you don't conduct your job search properly. Here are some common mistakes made by college graduates that you should make sure to avoid:

• Not Taking Advantage of the College Career Center: These offices are here for a reason, so make sure you visit them. They can help connect you with alumni currently working in the field.
• Not Preparing Enough: It can be tough to focus on the job search while also completing your schoolwork, but you shouldn't wait until after graduation to start preparing. You should start making networking contacts once you choose your major.
• Only Using the Internet: Online job boards are great, but they shouldn't be your only source. Make effective use of traditional methods like attending career fairs.
• Setting the Bar Too High: Ambition can be a good thing, but don't let it stand in the way of getting a good job. The first job you get out of college should be all about building up your skills so you can eventually get that dream job.
• Not Following Up Quickly: Don't wait more than a week to follow up with the employer after you send in your resume. You don't want to seem like a pest, but you don't want to appear disinterested, either.

The Job Search In Your 20s

We've already seen what the job search is like for people who have a wealth of experience, but what's in store for those who are much younger?  For job seekers in their 20s, it's all about taking risks.

Recent college graduates generally don't have a lot to stand on when it comes to previous work experience.  But just because there isn't much time for actual work doesn't mean the job search should wait until college is done.  A college student should begin their hunt the moment they declare a major.  This work should start with building a professional network.  There are plenty of people out there who are willing to help, whether they are professors or family friends.

College students can also use their time to try out different career paths until they find one that fits.  It's not a good idea to graduate without having a career in mind.  That's why students should be on the lookout for opportunities during summer or winter break.  Organizations are always looking for volunteers or interns, and these opportunities will help build experience for post-college life.  Working for free isn't exactly an appealing choice, but all of that hard work will be worth it when it comes time to put together a resume.

What other advice would you have for college job seekers?  Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.

Tips For Student Job Seekers

Student job seekers have been dealt a pretty bad hand by the economy.  Despite this, there is some good news.  According to the August Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report, the unemployment rate for college graduates is only 4.3 percent.  That is much lower than the national rate of 9.1 percent.  This doesn't mean college students shouldn't just sit back and relax.  There is a lot of work they can do to make sure they are all set when they get their degrees.

Procrastination is a bad habit that many college students know very well.  These same students usually find out that this habit leads to inferior results.  This same rule applies to the job search.  Just because you are still a year or two away from graduation doesn't mean there aren't things you can do to get ready.  On the contrary, there are plenty of things college students can do to enhance their standing come graduation:

• Take up an internship in addition to your courses: There is no substitution for experience.  You are going to need something to put on your resume, and listing the classes you took isn't going to be enough.  There are plenty of internships that provide college credit, so you can gain valuable work experience and speed up your graduation at the same time.
• Network, network, network: Networking can be the most difficult task in the job hunt, so many students avoid it all together.  This is a mistake.  The sooner you start building solid connections in the career you are interested in, the better chance you have of getting into that field.
• Get involved in extracurricular activities: Look for on-campus groups or clubs that are relevant to the kind of job you want.  These activities can be just as useful as internships for gaining experience.
• Use your college's career center: Campus career centers are an extremely valuable resource: Make sure you take advantage of it.  I have written extensively on this subject, so make sure to read my post to find out why these programs are so useful.
• Think seriously about your career goals: What do you really want to do for a career?  This is a hard enough question to answer and, quite frankly, it's hard to know what your true passion is immediately.  That doesn't mean you shouldn't start thinking now.  Don't be afraid to try out things you aren't initially excited about.  You never know when it will all start to click.

Taking Advantage Of College Job Placement Programs

We've already established that getting a job is hard these days, but the group that has had the most trouble are college graduates.  Their resumes do not often contain much work experience, so companies will often turn to candidates who are more seasoned.  This paints a grim picture for this large group, but there are some resources that graduates can use to get their first job out of college.

One of these resources is available in the university.  College graduates should not hesitate to take advantage of their school's job placement programs.  These programs often have connections with organizations that have employed alumni in the past, giving students a pretty good advantage.  They can also help with developing a first cover letter and resume, something that can be very stressful for first time job seekers.

I can't stress how important it is for graduates to use this important resource. It's hard enough getting your first job by yourself, and the worst mistake a college student can make is thinking they can do it all by themselves.  There's no shame in asking for a little help!

Nonprofit Career Round-Up: 5/2/2011

As I'm sure you have all heard by now, Osama bin Laden was killed yesterday, marking the end of the line for the leader of the Al Qaeda terrorist network, and one of the masterminds behind the horrific 9/11 attacks. It's hard to say for sure whether the families of 9/11 victims will find closure in this news all these years later.  Before I get to today's nonprofit job links, I'd like to link you to this story just posted by The NonProfit Times; it's about how 9/11 charities will fair after the death of bin Laden.  It's definitely an interesting read.  Anyway, on with the normal routine...

• Here is yet another great post by Job-Hunt.org.  This one shows a sample resume and lists things that are wrong with it.  If you are having trouble with your nonprofit resume, I highly recommend reading this post.
• Not to toot my own horn here, but I would like to direct you to this post I wrote on our nonprofit job board.  It's about how to use Twitter to your advantage during your job search.  Yeah, I know: shameless self-promotion.
• 'Interview Tips for College Students'-The title says it all, really.  I've already written a lot about college graduates, so I thought this would be an appropriate article to share.

College Graduates and the Great Recession

The recent Great Recession hit all job seekers, but it might have hit recent college graduates the hardest of all.  At the height of the Recession, it was very hard for even the brightest of college grads to get a paid position.  Things have improved, however, and now 24% of college grads have a job waiting for them after graduation (this according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers).  Despite this, however, things are still hard for graduates.  Nonprofit jobs are especially popular amongst this demographic, as they provide an opportunity to make real changes in communities.  With all of this in mind, here are are some steps that college students can take to get their first step into the nonprofit sector:

• Look for volunteer or internship opportunities at nonprofits:  While a paid position is obviously ideal for post-college jobseekers, any chance you can get to get started in the nonprofit field should be jumped upon.  By voluntarily applying to these types of positions, it will show the employers that you are truly dedicated to the cause they champion.  And with a  little hard work, it is very likely that you will be kept on for a permanent position at the company.
• Go traveling: This might seem like an odd suggestion for somebody looking to get work, but going abroad on your own shows employers that you are capable of working independently.  Plus, the knowledge you gain from your travels will help you to be a more well rounded individual, which is very attractive to nonprofit organizations.
• Get involved in local clubs/events: This is especially helpful if you can get a position doing planning or any kind of role that involves organization.  This will allow you to gain first hand knowledge of the kind of work you might be doing at a nonprofit.  Also, it will allow you to do some valuable networking, which is one of the most important things a recent college graduate can do.  Speaking of which....
• Network, network, network: This can’t be stressed enough.  While it’s possible to get a job in the nonprofit sector without contacts, it’s extremely difficult without them.  Search for nonprofit career fairs on the web, or attend local job meet-ups and events.  These are the places you should frequent as often as possible.  You might not immediately get the results you want from networking (and networking is most definitely not the most fun thing to do) but with a little patience, you will find that it will be your best path into the nonprofit world.

 These are the tips we find the most helpful for college grads.  Feel free to share your own ideas as well.