Break the Mold, Be Innovative and Original During Your Job Search
April 1, 2011 
8 Comments
This spring, as tens of thousands of college graduates compete for scarce jobs in the recession, a college professor offers common-sense tips on landing a job.
According to Jim Parham, an adjunct lecturer at Indiana University, would-be job seekers must break the mold, be innovative and original, leaving no stone unturned in the pursuit of a professional position.
“I talk with dozens of students each semester, and definite trends emerge in their logic and behavior,” Parham said. “Most students blindly accept what a friend, family member or academic advisor tells them. Unfortunately, much of it is poor guidance.”
Parham offers 10 tips to help students deal with the harsh realities of finding a job.
- There are few, if any, rules when it comes to job searches, resumes and interviews. An unorthodox approach may be the exact way to garner the attention of would-be employers.
- There is no truth to the rule that a one-page resume is mandatory. On the contrary, please take enough space to tell your story.
- Highlight coursework that is applicable to a particular job. Customizing your resume in Word ® is so very easy.
Make sure you provide a current phone number and address on your resume. - Don’t make it hard to be found when an employer is looking for you.
- Don’t overdo the adjectives in describing your job scooping ice cream. Managed a top performing team of two in the dispensing of frozen concoctions is a bit overblown.
- Ask smart questions during an interview. They will be impressed if you ask tough questions.
- Take innovative approaches to telling your story. How about spending $20 and assembling your own website?
- Check and make sure your references will give employers fair, accurate and detailed information. It’s amazing how many references, when called, are not exactly overflowing with great accolades.
- Try at all costs to avoid simply submitting a resume online to a nebulous, no-named e-mail box. Chances are it will fall to the wayside and not be culled from the thousands received.
- Write a cover letter about the employer, not you. Everybody likes to read about themselves. The same goes for company leadership.
Source: Jim Parham
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Categories: Career Advice, College Graduates, College Students, Job Hunting Strategies, Job Market
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Never miss a good chance to shut up.
E.Don’t overdo the adjectives in describing your job scooping ice cream. Managed a top performing team of two in the dispensing of frozen concoctions is a bit overblown.
J.Write a cover letter about the employer, not you. Everybody likes to read about themselves. The same goes for company leadership.
Very good advice. However, don’t go overboard in being innovative and original. Keep good taste in mind.
The idea of a website is excellent and building a website in Word Press is very easy.
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Lol very solid advice, especially about never missing the chance to shut up!
Good tips – I’d like to add the idea of setting up “informational meetings” as well. As oppose to applying for openings on job boards (and submitting your resume into a stack of hundreds of others applicants), select a couple companies you’d like to work for, email/call and say “Hey___ – I really like your company because of XYZ. I’d like to come in and introduce myself and learn more…” This has worked unbelievably well for me in the past.