You’re the One That I Want
Make eye contact. Give a firm handshake. Dress appropriately. This is common advice people receive before beginning a job search. Going to an interview is nerve-racking. Waiting on the phone call or e-mail delivering the result of the interview can be even worse. Fortunately, following these tips might make the waiting less difficult.
Many students and graduates stress out over internships, networking and field experience. Most employers agree that it is necessary to have experience, but there are conflicting views when it comes to specifics.

According to James Carter, director of Human Resources at CBS Atlanta, a specifically crafted resume is a must for prospective employees. “What I recommend individuals do is to create a resume that is a mirror match for what the employer is looking for. Someone may have a lot of skills or experience, but if it doesn’t match up with the job they are looking for it doesn’t matter,” Carter said. In other words, that internship with that fashion magazine will do no good when applying for a job at an accounting firm.
However, according to Holly Getchell at The University of Georgia Career Center, impressive experience can be applicable to just about any field. “Every employer tells me they are looking for the whole package,” Getchell said. “They don’t necessarily care where you worked and what you did, they care about whether or not you can give information about the experiences you gained and how those could apply to the position you are seeking.”

Employers may not be too picky about GPAs or specific field experience as long as a prospective employee has experience that is applicable in some way, whether it be experience specific to a job or general experience of personal growth.
Getchell recommends that if a job seeker doesn’t have experiences tailored to the position they are applying for, they should spin their experience to apply in some way.
According to Getchell, this is best accomplished by doing serious research of a company, Something which employers consistently report as a weakness in job applicants from UGA. During the job search, research is important in deciding what business to actually work for, as well as in preparing for that common question: “Why do you want to work for this company?”

Kim Johnson, a 2007 UGA speech communication graduate, advises job searchers to find out everything they can about their potential employers. “Do your research on the company, and always have good questions for the interviewer—something they would have to get back to you with later on,” Johnson said. “This will show them your interest in their company and the position, as well as an excuse to follow up with them and stay connected.”

But there are also more specific things that a job searcher can do before, during and after an interview to have a better chance at landing their desired position. Jenna Schuelke, a 2009 UGA advertising graduate, recommends setting aside a certain amount of time each day in order to job search. Once a job interview is scheduled, Schuelke, now an account executive at GA Communications, advises job applicants to bring five copies of their resume and a reference list with them to the interview.

Employers often ask behavioral interview question based on the assumption that a person’s past behavior will determine their future behavior. Behavioral questions might be something like, “Can you tell me about a time you missed a deadline?”
Getchell recommends avoiding negativity in these types of situations. The question itself puts a negative spin on the circumstances, so the individual being interviewed must place the experience in a positive light. According to Getchell, the best response is to emphasize the positive actions taken in the situation and the constructive lessons gained from the experience.
Getchell also recommends that applicants send a “thank-you” note to their perspective employer. “Often it’s those candidates that actually send ‘thank-you’ notes after an interview that get that next appointment,” Getchell said. This type of gesture will help interviewers see that their time is appreciated and will help certain individuals stand out.

Even if a job seeker does everything right and gets that positive feedback from a company, they still need to seriously think about whether or not to accept the job offer. According to Schuelke, job seekers shouldn’t immediately accept the first offer that comes along. This may extend the interview and unemployment stage, but it will pay off later when they get the job they really want.
Stephanie Caldwell, a 2008 UGA religion graduate, says that it is most important that job seekers don’t get discouraged. “I wasn’t able to find work that coincided with my major for a while, but I kept a positive attitude and continued to look for a job I would really love,” Caldwell said. “I think employers can sense when a person has a good attitude and is willing to work for what they want.”

Johnson lost her job as a buyer at Macy’s but now works in Customer Relations and Inventory Management and Logistics at Ryan Michael, Inc. “I made the mistake of applying to every job on the internet,” Johnson said. “I never heard back from one of them, even though I applied to over 50 jobs online, and the only call-backs I received came from networking and through my contacts. Stay positive and something will come along.” Johnson said that she gained her present job by simply talking to people and presenting business cards that included the address of a career Web-site with her resume.
Job seekers should remember to look for those jobs for which they have experience and a genuine interest. “What I look for is someone that really has a passion for the job,” Carter said. “There is a difference between a person who just needs a job and someone who really wants to make a contribution and has a passion for the work.”

Career Assistant Sources:

• UGA Career Center 706-542-3375
• Internship Assistance at UGA Extern@uga.edu
• Career Builder www.careerbuilder.com
• LinkedIn www.linkedin.com
• Can’t Beat the Experience www.cantbeattheexperience.com
• Job related personality assessment websites
  http://careers.typefocus.com (UGA password: uga4400)
  www.focuscareer2.com/Portal/Register.cfm?SID=486
• Going Global Career Guides www.career.uga.edu
  
  
  
  
  --30--