Monday, March 23, 2009

Exploding networks

We are really started to exploit the power of networks for connections, learning, staying in contact. I wonder how much the down economy has contributed to this activity? I notice that Twitter is now in the top three of social networks, up from twenty-three just a few short months ago. It seems when times are tough people band together, particularly to find jobs or new sales opportunities. We will be creating a group on linkedin for our grads in the interactive program to touch base with folks in the greater Chicago Community. The guest speakers in my classes keep emphasizing the power of networking, as well as knowing your strengths and being able to describe the value you can add to a company in a thirty second/sixty second format. I always tell students to follow their passion; we had good news that a former student found a job working in radio, where it turns out they are using a lot of interactive applications so that customers interaface with the station online through a loyalty program which increases the amount of time spent listening (http://www.enticent.com/.) I encouraged this student to follow his passion and that if he wanted to work in radio he should go for it. It is better to be passionate about something when you have to go to work everyday. There is a new group on linkedin for job seekers and Melissa Giovagnoli invites job seekers to share the following: 1)your top three strengths, 2) your top four values, 3) the type of position you are looking for 4) the types of companies or a list of the top three companies you are looking to get into and 5) connections with two companies you have relationships with. http://www.networldingblog.com/ is the link to this blog.

Monday, March 2, 2009

Recent Symposium Highlights Job Search Advice for Undergrads

I attended on Friday the Okner Symposium with my students which is an update on direct and interactive marketing and also hints on the job search. Dr. Zahay has been trying to work with the students so that they know how to find a job in a tough market and it was great to see that the speakers reinterated a lot of this advice. The most important thing, whether the market for new grads is up or down, is to find out what you are interested in and can be passionate about and go for it. Make sure that you can talk about yourself in a 30 second or 60 second promotional if someone asks you what you are all about. Make statements in the promotional and on job interviews benefits-oriented. In other words, show the company what you can do for them. In this kind of market, you need to be aggressive, so start creating a list of companies for whom you would like to work. Join networking groups and try to find out who you know is at these companies. Get a contact first and call and then ask if you can send a resume. Students today rely too much online but the good jobs are not even hitting the online boards because there are so many applicants. If you are persistent and have something to contribute, as well as good underlying skills in math, writing, and presentations, you will find a job.