Networking Isn't Painful. If You Do It Right.

Simple truth: networking is the most effective way to land a job. In fact, sixty percent of jobs are found through networking

Sadly, most people would rather blindly send their resume to a complete stranger than introduce themselves to someone who may be the key to landing their next job.

The killer is, networking isn't that hard. All it takes is a slight attitude change and a few easy steps.

First for the attitude change: Don't think of it as "networking" (whatever the hell that really means). You're meeting new people. Making friends. It's that simple.

The best way to do that? Go to industry events.

The easiest people to approach are the ones in charge of putting on the event. For instance, you can easily pick out board members at AAF or AIGA or IABC events by their name tags (they usually have plastic badges, while everyone else has paper tags). Start with them. Part of their job is to talk to new people and to introduce people to each other. Take advantage of that. If one of them doesn't do that for you, move on to another. Really want their attention? Ask about membership. That always kicks them into gear.

Next, look for people who, like you, appear to be there by themselves. They'll be happy to have someone come talk to them. Then work together and approach other individuals or small groups. After awhile, you'll have your own group going. Be welcoming to anyone who approaches or is near you. After awhile, break off from that group and start over. Later in the event go back around and re-engage with the people you met earlier.

Also, this may sound obvious, but talk to the person standing next to you. In line. At the bar. In the middle of the room. (But not in the bathroom. That's just creepy.)

Okay, that's great. But what do I talk to them about?

Them.

Ask if they are are involved in the organization; how they got involved; where they work;

did they enjoy the speaker/event/food; did they see the game last night; how long have they lived in the city; what made them move here; whatever. Just get a conversation going. The more you try it, the better you'll get at it.

Okay, now I've introduced myself to people. How do I get them to remember me?

Clearly introduce yourself at the beginning AND the end of your conversation. Hand them a business card (make your own). It will ensure they know your name and can remember it later. Also, ask for their card. If they don't have one, jot down their name on a piece of paper you have stashed in your pocket (along with a pen). You can always look them up later on LinkedIn or Facebook for contact information. AND make a point of bumping it to them again later at the event. No need for a long conversation. Just a "Hi, nice to see you again." This will again help them remember you later.

Then follow up. Send an e-mail the next day telling them it was nice meeting them (it takes several contacts for people to remember you). Make sure to reference part of your conversation with them to jog their memory.

A few days after that, follow up on LinkedIn or Facebook letting them know you would like to connect with them. This will be your fourth interaction. There's a good chance they will now remember you the next time you meet.

Continue going to events. Reconnect with the people you met before. After a while, they will "know" you and introduce you to other people.

I've tried all that, but I'm not having success. Now what?

Stick to it. Networking is about regular contact -- over the long term. To be effective, you have to keep at it. I can't tell you how many people I've met at one or two events and then never seen again. I can't tell you because I've forgotten them. They didn't stick at it long enough to develop a relationship or make a lasting impression. That takes time. And persistence.

But what about asking about job openings? You've said nothing about that.

There's a reason for that. If you ask about a job upfront, then you are not developing a relationship. A relationship has to be equal give and take. You are trying to start the relationship by taking. That never works. And the person will quickly duck out of the conversation.

It's okay to let them know you are job hunting, but don't ask them for something. It's all about timing. It's like meeting someone you are attracted to and asking him/her if they are looking to get married. How fast do you think that person will run away?

You can ask about job openings after you've connected again. People are much more likely to be receptive and helpful if they feel they know you.

After all, friends are all about helping friends.

Why Aren't Employers Calling Me?

Last week I posted a question to job seekers: "What is the most frustrating part of the job search?"

A common response: "Waiting to hear from potential employers."

The harsh truth: You're not going to hear from most of them. And you just have to expect that.

I applied for a job that was posted on a job board // You have almost zero chance of hearing from them unless they want to interview you. As I mentioned in last week's post, we had almost 200 people apply for one job (many of them were unqualified "carpet bombers" who apply for everything because "you never know"). This is not an uncommon number for a job board posting. The only people who heard from us were those we interviewed. We don't have the people to respond to 200 applicants (remember, we're looking to add someone, so we're already short-handed). That's how it is everywhere.

I sent in a blind resume // See above.

I applied to a job posting on their website // You might hear from them. But most likely it will be a generic "We received your application" auto response.

I sent in a resume because I heard they had an opening // Again, you might hear from them.

No point in being frustrated. You can't change the fact you aren't hearing back from them when they aren't interested. But here's my question to you: why aren't they interested?

• Did you apply for something you were highly (not just slightly) qualified for?
• Did you tailor your resume to the job description?
• Did you write a resume that makes you stand out?
• Did you list only relevant experience? (We're looking for quality, not quantity.)
• Did you make sure there were no mistakes in your cover letter and resume?
• Did you follow all their instructions for submitting an application?
• Did you send it in on time?
• Did you sound professional?

Lastly, if you are only applying for jobs that have been posted, that's a big part of the problem. Most jobs are found through networking. We'll talk about that more next time.

The reality is you'll seldom hear back from places you've applied. Just expect that. Let's face it: you only want to hear back from them if they are interested in you anyway.

So make sure they will be interested.

Next time: How to network.

How to Stand Out Among Hundreds of Resumes

(Sorry I've been away so long. Work, ya know. I figured with all the upcoming graduations, now was the time to jump back into regular posting.)

Almost 200 resumes. That's how many resumes we received for a recent job posting.

Among that many resumes, imagine how easy it is to get lost in the pile. Of those 200 resumes, only half made it to my desk. I then eliminated 75% of them after only about 20-30 seconds with each.

That took us down to 25. Which we quickly whittled to 12. That means we eliminated 95% of the resumes without too much trouble (even though it took several hours to get through all of them).

How did those 12 people continue to make the cut and get the all-important phone interview? Simple. They followed these guidelines:

• Qualified // I know this sounds obvious, but the first 50% were eliminated because they weren't even close to qualified. They were carpet-bombers. They sent out their resume to anything out there. They wasted their time – and ours. Which also means they didn't spend enough time focusing on jobs they were qualified for – and may have missed out on landing.
• Relevant information // All the information on the resume was relevant to the job we were looking to fill. They left out their coffee shop job, their sorority "responsibilities" and the bullshit info that career services always tells you to put on your resume.
• Concise, yet specific // Made it easy for the reviewers to find the most important information on their resume. If reviewers have to wade through a bunch of crap to get to what they want, they are likely to bail out of the resume. Remove all extraneous information. Think and rethink every word on your resume.
• Followed directions // Simple, right? You'd be amazed at how many people didn't follow even the simplest directions. We asked each candidate to answer a few quick questions. There were a few very qualified people who failed to do what we asked. They were eliminated from consideration. It told us they didn't pay attention – which meant they weren't right for the job. Stupid way to miss out on a job.
• Made us believe // Lastly, they made us believe they were specifically interested in the job we were looking to fill – not just any old job. Their resume was geared towards the job. Their cover letter was specific and not just a template. And they followed all the above steps.

Amazingly, standing out among 200 resumes is easier than you think. You just have to do a few simple things.

Good luck in your search.

Surviving a Long Job Search

Michael Wells, my former intern, started his first job in December after an 18-month search. Here's his take on what kept him going during his long search. (I'll return soon with a new batch of posts. Send your questions my way.)

So, you just graduated, or perhaps graduated a while ago, and you're looking for the first company that will take a chance on you. The bills are piling up. The six-month grace period on your loans is coming – or gone. You're looking for a spark of life on the internet – anything that will give you direction or hope.

I spent a year and a half looking for my first job. And the most important thing I learned? Perseverance. The ability to keep moving forward, in spite of difficulties, obstacles or discouragement.

These are the things that kept me moving forward and may help you:

1. Find an unpaid internship. The experience is worth more than money.
2. Set up informational interviews. (Don't roll your eyes.) It's a great way to build your network.
3. Know the top ten places you want to work. And know them inside and out.
4. Network, network, network. When you think you've networked enough, network some more.
5. Keep in touch with your contacts.
6. Find things that draw you closer to what you ultimately want to do. Subscribe to Ad Age, Communications Arts, etc.; join the local American Advertising Federation chapter or other local industry associations; get involved in charity work; take more classes; read industry books.)
7. Form a virtual agency. I did. Gather together people in the same boat as you and find a pro bono client to create work for.
8. Start freelancing.
9. Work social media. You'll be amazed at the number of positions posted through LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook that you won't see anywhere else.

In the end, you've got to love this business. And be willing to work through all the crap that is between you and your first job. Remember, at any moment, your first job is right around the corner. Keep moving forward and you'll find it.

Happy hunting!

Michael Wells

Practice and Polish to Get Hired

Guest post from Kathryn Lorenzen, Principal/Career Development Coach with AfterSchool Career Workshops (Much of what I write about, I learned from Kathryn.)

If you’re a soon-to-graduate senior, I don’t mean to scare you, but…the unemployment rate among young college graduates is the highest in the overall population (as high as 18% in some areas), the highest it’s been since the government started counting in 1948. And because so many firms are deferring hires of entry-level talent, a high percentage of graduates are not finding jobs in their chosen fields.

What that means is that you must be as competitive as you can possibly be in order to get hired. You must be smart in your research, how you organize yourself, how you network and communicate, how you interview, and how you build your support system.

The most successful job-seekers, those who get an offer for the job they want, have practiced and drilled and mastered the basic, building-block skills. They have crafted their own personal marketing statements, they can introduce themselves and initiate effective networking conversations, they can tailor a resume and cover letter for target companies, they can present themselves professionally in an interview, and they know how to negotiate an offer. Hiring managers look not only for competence, but also for polished communication and confidence.

These are skills that can be practiced in classrooms and workshops, and with mentors, counselors, and peers. There is no substitute for practice! The most important things to practice include: what you say about yourself; how you describe what you’re looking for; how you ask others to help you; what you say in dialogue with an interviewer; and how you follow up after the interview.

Here is some good news. There’s a whole new way for you to prepare to compete effectively for the job you want. Lisa Correu and I have created AfterSchool Career Workshops, which kick off next week. Each workshop is a self-contained, one-day session which covers all the bases and equips you to leave with a game plan and all the tactics you need to make it happen. We’ve had lots of terrific support in putting this together, including our logo design courtesy of Springboard Creative (thanks, Kevin!), and we’ve poured our collective experience as recruiters and hiring managers into giving you intensive coaching and guidance.

Our first sessions will take place next week, on December 9 and December 12 in Kansas City, MO. If you’d like to be our guest as we bring this training to the market, we’d like to give you an opportunity to attend free! (We will be charging $125+ after January 1^st.) In return, we’ll ask you to provide us some video feedback on the content during the final half hour.

If you’re interested in attending free (this is a one-time-only opportunity), visit our website and email us through the Contact Us button before Monday, December 7. While you’re there, be sure to read the list of everything you’ll learn, check out our blog (tips galore), and help yourself to the free downloads.

Let’s get new graduates hired!

Show, Don't Tell

I review a lot of student portfolios. Right up front, I ask students what they want to do for a living.

"I want to be in advertising."

And then I don't see a single ad.

"I want to be a magazine designer."

And I see nothing but logos and posters.

If you want to be in advertising, your portfolio better be full of concepts. If you want to be a magazine designer, you need to show editorial work. Etc., etc., etc.

I'm not going to take your word for it that you can create ads, write taglines, design logos, animate videos or anything else. You have to show me.

Don't have the kind of work in your portfolio you would like to do? Simple. Create it.

Your portfolio doesn't have to be full of graded student projects. It doesn't matter if it was for class or not. I just want proof you can do the work. And do it well.

Show me that, and you might get the job.

Don't Derail Your Job Search With This Mistake

There's one consistent mistake I see that completely derails a person's job search. And I'm seeing it more and more.

Disappearing.

I don't know if people get frustrated, embarrassed or just lose their desire, but I'm seeing way too many job seekers drop out of sight. As important as networking is in any job search, disappearing (for even a little while) will ensure that your chances of getting a job will come to a screeching halt.

I know quite a few people looking for work (happens when you write a career blog). However, if I hear of a job opening, maybe a quarter of those people will come to mind. I have no idea if the rest are still looking (I assume they are) because I haven't heard from them in months. Which means they may miss out on a great opportunity.

Keep yourself visible. Go to industry events. Volunteer. Post regularly on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn. Let people know you are out there. If you disappear, you effectively end your chances of finding out about available jobs. Because, if you are counting solely on job boards, you are, to put it bluntly, screwed.

I've mentioned before that finding a job is your full-time job. So set aside a part of everyday to follow up with a set number of people. Don't be afraid to let them know you are actively seeking employment. And remember, at the end of every conversation, ask "Do you know anyone else I should be talking to?"

How will people know you are looking for a job if you don't tell them?

------------------------------------

Writer's Note: Funny I should write about disappearing after having disappeared from this blog for the past six weeks. Sorry about that. Anything you want me to write about? Just post a comment with a question and I'll be sure to cover it, or get back to you.

And You Are... ?

Last night I attended a great Art+Copy Club event.

My favorite part of those events is the networking (and, no, not for the beer). I love talking to old friends and meeting new people. In fact, I'm the guy who goes around the room and tries to talk to everyone.

It's not uncommon for people to come up to me at these events. What throws me is when we're a minute or two into conversation and the person makes a comment that makes me realize we've met before. I then spend the next few minutes trying to remember where.

Sometimes it's someone who's heard me speak. Or someone who's portfolio I've reviewed. Or someone I talked to at the last event.

When you approach someone at an event like this, reintroduce yourself and remind them how you met ("You reviewed my portfolio last spring."). Usually that reminder will do the trick and they'll remember you. It's rare that I just don't remember someone.

That little memory trigger will keep them engaged in your conversation instead of trying to remember where you met before.

It also allows them to introduce you to other people. The whole point of networking.

The Best Pay for an Intern Isn't Always Cash

When looking for a job, connections are more valuable than money.

And the best way to make those connections is through an internship. Even if you've already graduated.

Many of the best internships don't pay a dime. They pay in connections, opportunities and experience. And during a job search, those are far more valuable than cash.

Look at small agencies, especially one-, two-, or three-person shops. They might not be able to pay you. But they can give you better opportunities and are more likely to assist you in your search.

At a large agency, you're just another intern. At a small shop, you can become an important part of the team.

How do you find a post-graduate internship? Approach the owner at a small shop. Volunteer to go in and help with anything. Tell them you don't need money, you just want the experience of working with them. Who knows? Someone who isn't considering an intern may take you on.

Sound simple? Not really. Here's the catch: it has to be someone you have a relationship with. A small shop isn't likely to take on someone they don't know.

So, do what you can to develop strong relationships. I have several recent grads doing that with me right now. When my current intern lands a job, I'll look to bring in one of them.

How I (like other small shops) pay interns: access to my connections, a strong referral, feedback on resume and portfolio, use of my studio and its equipment, as well as active assistance from me in the job search.

And that's worth quite a bit.

(Side note: Normally I don't advise working for free. But in unusual times you have to do whatever is going to help you out in the long run.)

Prepare for the Rebound

When I graduated from college, desktop computers had just entered ad agencies – which meant fewer people were needed to do the same work. It took me months to find my first job.

What you’re experiencing is unmatched. 

However, the rebound is on its way. It might not happen next week or next month, but it is coming. You need to be prepared in order to land a job. 

Build your skills // If you don’t have interactive skills, stop reading right now and sign up for interactive training (that includes you writers). You can register at your local community college. Many have two-day or one-week intensive courses. Just make sure it gives you a good foundation. And then dive in and learn, learn, learn. The people who are going to get hired have an understanding of interactive. If you don’t have that knowledge, you will likely end up in the “no” pile when companies are reviewing resumes. Print isn't dead, but it has all the people it needs. It’s simple. Want a job? Know interactive.

Create a team // My intern Mike is putting together a team of creatives to do pro bono work for an acquaintance. It shows initiative. It shows leadership. It shows well on his resume. He and the rest of the group are sharpening their creative skills and proving their ability to work as part of a team. Plus, they’ll get a nice portfolio piece out of it.

Be fearless // Introduce yourself to people. Follow up. Ask people if they know of openings. What’s the worst thing that can happen? They don’t respond. Big deal. Move on to the next person. If you don’t try, you don’t stand a chance.

The rebound is coming. Are you prepared? 

Have a question? Post a comment and I’ll be happy to respond.

There Are Jobs Out There

Seriously. There are jobs out there.

Last night I heard about two job openings at an AAF-KC after hours event. The day before I heard about two others.

However, these openings are not widely known. Many hiring companies now keep openings to themselves. They don't want to be inundated with resumes and phone calls. And, with the load of talent out there, companies are being very picky about who they talk to, let alone hire.

Depressing? A little. But now that you know, you can work it to your advantage.

• As I mentioned in my last post, keep in touch with people. What may look like lucky timing is usually consistent follow-up.
• Attend industry events. It's the best place to meet people who can tell you about job openings. But, you have to do this over time. You can't expect to pick up job leads your first time there. People share leads with people they know. You have to attend consistently.
• Follow agencies or people you've met on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn. You'll learn when they land clients, which means they may be hiring. They may even post job openings.
• Be sure to update anyone who provides you with a lead. Let them know if the lead turned into something or even if nothing happened. They are more likely to help you again. If I give you a lead and you don't let me know how it worked out, I'm very unlikely to provide you another.

It isn't easy. But remember, these rules apply to everyone. And now you've got a leg up on the competition. Because you know there are jobs out there – and how to root them out.

The KEY to developing your network.

Stay in touch.

Swear to God, it's that simple.

Just because you've met someone doesn't mean they are part of your network. You have to develop a relationship with them. 

Drop them an e-mail once in a while. Or make a quick phone call. But always have a reason for contacting them. And, this is key, the reason should be about them. Not you. A relationship is a two-way street. It can't just be about what they can do for you. They have to get something out of it as well.

An example: Anyone who knows anything about me knows I moved into a new studio recently. I've written about it on Twitter, Facebook, etc. This is the perfect opening for a conversation. 

In fact, here's an e-mail I received:

How's the studio? I know, not a catchy line, but you start to run out of ideas after awhile. How's everything going? Has the transition been smooth? If you need help with anything, let me know. Mike.

I've known Mike awhile now. He's kept in regular contact with me. And it's always relationship-building. Never "Do you know where I can get a job?"

He asked questions. That encourages dialogue. Dialogue builds relationships. He also volunteered to help me out. And, he kept it short. He did everything right.

I called Mike that day and offered him an internship at Springboard Creative. Not because he asked for one (he didn't). But because, after all this time, I felt I knew him well. As part of that internship, I'll be helping him find a job.

And it was all because he kept in contact.

Don't Facebook Yourself Out of a Job

"I'm trying to keep this on the down low, but ..."

So started a post from one of my Facebook connections. He thought of it as a private conversation between him and a friend. Unfortunately, he broadcast it to everyone connected to either of them.

Never, ever, ever, and I mean ever post something on Facebook, MySpace, etc. that you don't want everyone to know. Especially prospective employers.

I've written on the career dangers of this before. Just about anyone who is in a hiring position (within our industry anyway) is on Facebook and all the other social network sites. And they will check your page out. Do you feel comfortable with what they'll read or see?

Visit your own page with the mindset of a potential employer. Would you hire you based on your page?

Clean it up. Delete embarrassing photos (and remove tags from other people's photos). Remove unflattering comments. Rework you profile page. Start over if necessary. If they don't like what they see, this may be the only "contact" you have with them.

And making your page private will not solve your problems. There are easy ways around that.

Don't miss out on a great opportunity because you think your social pages are private. They're not.

Expand Your Network with One Simple Question

"Do you know anyone else I should be talking to?"

End every conversation you have with that one simple question.

The beauty of the question is that not only do you get a name or two to contact, you get a name to use when making contact.

"Hi. Kevin Fullerton said I should talk to you. I'm a writer ..."

People are much more likely to talk to you, and more importantly listen to you, when you've been sent to them by someone they know. They're also more likely to be helpful.

Even if they don't have a job opening, they may know someone who does. In any event, after thanking them for their time, ask:

"Do you know anyone else I should be talking to?"

Do I Send My Portfolio to an Agency?

Kevin – Is a physical book something you bring to an interview, or is it something you send off to agency? I've noticed most agencies have a stack of books that were sent to them. And if you do send your book off, do you get it back or do you have multiple copies? – Hudson

Your book/portfolio will be viewed in two ways:

• During an interview // After reviewing your resume, the agency will determine they want to meet you and view your portfolio at the same time. In fact, viewing and discussing your portfolio will be the majority of the interview. You will usually leave with your portfolio in hand. Occasionally the interviewer will ask you to leave it behind (especially if they want someone else to see it). Ask them when you can return to pick it up. A day or two is the longest they should hold it.
  
• Pre-interview // An agency may ask you to send in your portfolio to determine if they want to interview you. They'll call in several portfolios at once so they can narrow down their interview pool. They should hold it no longer than a week. Again, ask them when you can return to pick it up.

Since you may have to leave your portfolio with an agency for a few days, it is best to have more than one copy of your portfolio. The last thing you want is to have someone call you in when you are sans portfolio.

Also, don't be afraid to ask if you can send it to them electronically instead (just be positive it works perfectly on any computer). This gives them what they need and doesn't leave you minus your portfolio. If fact, for interviews, carry a copy of your portfolio on a CD as a leave-behind. 

Lastly, if they don't understand you can't be without your portfolio for more than a few days, run the other direction. You don't want to work there. 

Any interviewers out there have other recommendations?

"Why Can't I Get a Job?"

I've been hearing that question a lot lately.

For each person, it's a different reason. Right now, it's mostly the economy. However, some people immediately take themselves out of the running by bone-headed moves.

So I posted the following question on Twitter and Facebook: "What mistakes do you see from recent grads during the search/interview process?"

Loads of people responded. Most of their responses fell under the following seven mistakes:

• Don't know what they want to do // "I could do account service or creative." No. No you can't. If I'm hiring a writer, and it's between a writer and someone who could do whatever, who do you think I'm hiring? 
  
• Don't stand out // Boring resume? Generic cover letter? No interview for you. If you can't effectively market yourself, why would I hire you to market my client?
  
• Irrelevant information // Unless one of my clients is HyVee, I don't care that you worked for HyVee. You only have about 20 seconds to capture my attention with your resume. Don't waste it on things I don't care about.
  
• Mistakes // As my friend David so eloquently said "Proof. Proof. Proog. Oops." 
  
• Not prepared // "So annoying when students come in for an interview and don't know a flipping thing about my company." Why would you want to annoy the interviewer?
  
• Following bad advice // This comes from a recruiter: "Following really bad advice from a parent or relative. Like asking for upper 30s for a first job in advertising." Make sure you're getting advice from people who know what they're talking about.
  
• No follow up // "A thank you note afterwards is a nice touch. Hardly anyone does it anymore and it can really make you stand out." And when she says note, she mean handwritten.
  

I'm sure you've heard most, if not all, of these before. However, these are the common mistakes recent grads continue to make. Want to have a chance at getting that job? Make sure you don't do any of the above.

Good luck.

Hire Yourself

Nothing out there? No one returning your calls? No job in the foreseeable future?

Hire yourself.

"You must be on drugs. In this economy, and with my lack of experience, you want me to start a business?"

Well ... yes.

Many of the best companies started in crappy economic conditions (including loads of great, small companies). In fact, I believe conditions like these are great for starting your own business.

Here's the thing – maybe it works out, maybe it doesn't. But you'll learn, grow and gain valuable experience.

My most valuable learning experience happens to be my greatest failure. (I affectionately refer to it as "my bobsled ride to hell.") I was part of a start-up company that lasted only a year. We did everything wrong. And I learned more in that one year than all other years combined. It also set me up for the career I have now.

Several students/recent grads I know have started businesses. Check out Brendan's Love Sick Clothing, Chases' Wicked Threadz and Tosha's TYPOGRFX. Whether these businesses succeed or fail, the people will definitely succeed. Because they have that entrepreneurial mindset. 

I'm not telling you to stop your job search. I'm telling you to take control of your career. The business may grow into something big, or become a nice side project once you are employed, or may be that glorious failure that propels you to something bigger.

Plus, it will give you the answer to the interview question "What have you been doing since graduation?"

And saying "I started my own business" is a great answer.

Your Full-Time Job Is Finding a Job

Congratulations on graduation and the start of your new full-time job – finding a job.

Yes.

Your. Full. Time. Job.

Responsibilities include:

• Researching possible employers // Find the firms who do what you want to do.
  
• Targeting possible employers // Your cover letter, resume and all other communications should be specific to that employer. Don't just replace one name with another.
• Constant networking // Keep yourself top-of-mind. You want people talking about you. And remember, for it to be true networking, you have to give back as much as you get.
  
• Creating new portfolio pieces // Never stop improving your work. Always aim to knock the weakest piece out of your portfolio.
  
• Keeping up with industry news // Know who's hiring, who's firing and who's the right fit for you.
  
• Attending industry events // Best way to meet people. And make sure they know you.
• Following up with contacts // See previous post for importance of this.
• Finding a pro bono client // Gives you a professional reference, another piece for your portfolio and keeps your skills sharp.
• Other duties as required // In other words, whatever it takes.

Hours: 9:00 to 5:00, minimum. Some evenings and weekends required.

Qualifications: tenacity, tenacity and, did I mention, tenacity.

Pay: your first professional job.

So, welcome to your new job. Let me know how it goes.

Follow Up, Follow Up, Follow Up

Large or small, your network of contacts is only as effective as the work you put into it.

Regular follow up is an important part of that.

Did someone give you a lead? Let them know how it turns out.

Did you meet someone at an industry event? Get their card and send them a quick e-mail telling them you enjoyed meeting them.

Did someone review your portfolio or resume for you? Let them know what changes you made on the basis of their advice.

You get the idea.

And it's not just about thanking them (which you should do). It's also about keeping yourself top-of-mind so they think of you when they hear of an opening.

Even now I regularly hear about job openings. If I haven't heard from someone in a while, I assume they found something and don't pass on their name. Or, if I've only had contact with them once or twice, I may not even think of them.

So follow up on a regular basis with your contacts. It can be a short e-mail, a quick phone call or a hand-written note (wow, that would stand out). It's all about developing an ongoing relationship.

People are more likely to help someone they know than some stranger off the street – which is what you'll be if you don't maintain contact.

Plus, you never know who may give you the lead or advice that helps you land that job.

Samples Can Help Land You the Job

Over 100 people applied for an entry-level job opening I had several years ago.

Each resume initially received about 20 seconds of my time before it was relegated to either the Yes pile or the No pile. The resumes in the Yes pile would be closely reviewed later to determine who would be brought in for an interview. Only about 15 resumes made it into that pile.

One resume was about to be placed in the No pile when I noticed an attached page. The attachment showed three samples of the designer's work. The work was impressive, so the resume went from its original position in the No pile to the Yes pile.

The resume was a No pile candidate because the candidate had no experience as a designer – no internship, no related clubs or activities, no freelance work, nothing. (I later learned it was because he had to work for his way through school. However, that's still no excuse.)

But, he was smart. He knew he didn't have the resume materials, so he sent samples of his work. That's all it took to move him from the No pile to the Yes pile.

Which lead to an interview.

And then the job.

Remember, the only point of the resume is to get you an interview. If you don't have the resume for that, then send a few samples of your work as well. When it comes down to it, we're more interested in the quality of your work than we are your experience.

It worked for one designer.