A TALE OF TWO COMPANIES (AND VISITS TO NEW YORK)

After graduating college with a degree in broadcasting, in the early 1990s, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. Months of driving around Texas to various television stations left me with an empty tank of gas, little money in the bank, and a lot of rejection from news directors. Ethnic reporters were “in”, and I was just too white with too little experience and nobody willing to give me a chance. 

So, one afternoon, I wrote down a list of all the companies I wanted to work for as well as listed of all the people I knew that worked in the same city as those companies, whom I could use to network and see if they had any contacts I could, well, contact. 

Viacom, the parent company of both MTV networks and VH-1, was at the top of my list. If I wasn’t going to work as a news reporter, I could darn well work as an entertainment reporter, producer, or coffee maker in New York. The details of how I was going to afford to live there, or even where I was going to live, hadn’t entered the picture yet. I just knew I needed to move and would regret not trying!

MTV Networks

I wrote a letter to the chairman of Viacom, Sumner Redstone, who in turn passed my inquiry to Tom Freston, who in turn passed my letter to a Dwight Tierney, a VP of Marketing. His administrative assistant was a real piece of work, not the nicest person on the phone. But, in reflection, I suppose she was just protecting her boss. Or maybe she really was a real dragon. After several months of back-and-forth phone calls (I don’t think there was email back then), as well as a video audition tape, and many clever in-the-mail gifts, I decided it was better if I flew to New York to try and score an interview with Mr. Tierney. Of course, I didn’t have one when I flew to New York with my friend Suzanne, but ingenuity sometimes leads to great results.

While Suzanne was at the Metropolitan Museum of Art one afternoon, I went to Dean and Deluca, dressed in a suit, borrowed one of their aprons, bought a large glass of iced tea and a brownie, which I put into a box with my resume, cover letter, and hotel information and the bottom, and proceeded to take them to the delivery entrance of the Viacom building. 

This was before September 11, so security proceeded to assume I was a delivery man and took me to Dwight Tierney’s office, where I presented my box of goodies to his very surprised secretary. Unfortunately, he was out of the office, but a week after I returned home to Texas, I was invited to return to New York to meet with Mr. Tierney, which I did, as he was impressed by my efforts. Unfortunately, he didn’t have a job for me, despite all of my suggestions of what I could do for the company and his department, but in the end, I felt the satisfaction of knowing I tried my best, pursued every avenue, made all the necessary calls, and never gave up. You might not always get the job, but you will definitely have expanded your career network!

VH-1

A few years later, and having built up my career network, I decided to see if I could get an informational interview with the Director of Marketing for VH-1. As it turned out, my wonderful friend Kimberly, who was working as a corporate concierge in Manhattan, kindly sent me his contact information, along with the contact information for many other people she had met while at various cocktail parties and work functions. Cold calling is never easy, but I did manage get him on the phone (and not hang up). It’s always a good idea to have some sort of reason to be calling a person, and luckily he remembered Kimberly and was happy to set up a time for us to meet for half an hour to discuss his career and VH-1.

I flew to New York, with my updated resume (just in case he wanted to see it). Our conversation was informative and professional, but despite his high position, he did take the time to discuss what it took to get a job at VH-1, and other interesting facets of his career. Remember, an informational interview is always about the person you are speaking to, unless at some point they do ask to see your resume. 

After our chat, he told me to please keep in touch (there wasn’t an opening in his department), which I did for several years, until we eventually we lost touch. Did I regret going to New York twice in search of a job with Viacom? Absolutely not! Was I a bit disappointed that I didn’t get a job? Certainly, but because I did what I wanted to do, and TRIED, it gave me the courage to ask for other informational interviews, be bolder on the phone, learn better interview techniques, and allowed me to have more confidence than I’d ever had before.

Remember, keep on keeping on! 

No Luck Yet? What Now?

So you’ve done everything you can to find a job and still no luck? Not a problem. We’ve all been there.

One great idea is to work with a temp agency to get you through the tough economic times, while you continue to look for a job at a company you really want to work for. The best part is that you may end of working temporarily at a company you really like, and through networking, may be hired for a long-term contract or full time job!

The first time I used a temp agency was after I was laid off from a company that was downsizing. I’d heard through friends that Office Team (http://www.officeteam.com) was a reputable agency, so I thought I’d give them a try. At the time I was just looking for administrative/reception work, which was exactly what they needed. For most agencies, you’ll give them a call, schedule an appointment, interview, and then, hopefully, be placed in a job arranged by your agency contact. 

Here are a few tips to help you if you decide to use a temp agency:

1) You should never pay an agency to find you a job. Companies pay a large percentage of your negotiated hourly rate to the temp agency. If they ask you to pay a fee, politely decline and walk out. 

2) When asked to come in for an interview, dress in business attire (neatness counts), have several copies of your updated resume handy, and bring your list of current references!

3) Most temp agencies who place administrative staff will ask you to “test” your aptitude with different computer programs. Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are always good to know. For more creative placement agencies, Photshop and Illustrator are useful. Not sure? Just ask!

4) Many agencies offer benefits depending on how long you work for them.

5) if you’re not happy with a temp assignment, you can always let your agency rep know and they can try to find you a new opportunity. Be flexible, friendly, and open to new jobs.

6) Never accept a temp assignment if you know you won’t be happy. For instance, if you don’t like answering the phone and talking to people, a receptionist position won’t be ideal.

7) Never ask the company you’re working for if they’re hiring when you first start your temp assignment. It might rub someone the wrong way and they might ask you to not return.

Some of my temp jobs (to give you an idea of what’s out there):

1) Receptionist at a large property management company: field phone calls and emails

2) Senior Copywriter for Banana Republic: wrote men’s and women’s copy for company website

3) Executive Assistant for the president of a large hotel chain: creating PowerPoint presentations, answering phone calls, scheduling, various writing assignments, etc. 

4) Receptionist and administrative assistant at several law firms: answering phones, fielding incoming phone calls, sorting and delivering mail, typing memos, and much more!

FOLLOWING UP

So you’ve had a great job interview, and now are waiting to hear back from the hiring manager, HR representative, or other company member. Well, guess what? In most cases, you should either call or send them a polite email to check the status of the job they’re considering you for.

In many cases, after an interview, you should have some sense of the timeline for the hiring date for the position. If not, ask! Following up is a sign that you’re really interested in the position and will help you leave a positive impression for those in a position of hiring power. Mind you, I’m not saying be obnoxious about it, but one email, or one phone call will certainly do nicely. Thank the person you speak to or receive an email from. If you hear nothing, understand that they might be busy with interviews etc. and just don’t have time to follow up. Don’t take it personally. If you’re their number one candidate, you will hear from them. In the meantime, continue your job search, and if you never hear back, no worries. As my stepfather often says, “Keep on keeping on!”

Finally, you may receive a letter in the mail, phone call, or email letting you know you weren’t chosen to come in for further interviews or the position. I like to tell the hiring person that if their number one choice doesn’t work out, to please keep me in mind. In three months, check back with them to see if perhaps another opportunity has become available if it’s a company you really want to work for.

THANK YOU LETTER

Nothing says “I appreciate the time you gave me” like a well written thank you letter after an interview and especially after a job offer. Whether you send it via email or snail mail, it’s a definite must in the realm of career success. I’ve heard many stories from hiring managers who said they had two perfect candidates for one job. One candidate sent a thank you letter, the other did not. Can you guess which one got the job?

A few thank you letter tips:

1) Be brief: A short “thank you for the time you spent speaking with me about the wonderful opportunity” would suffice if you have nothing else to say.  A paragraph or less is perfect!

2) Timeframe: Send the day of or after your interview. If you don’t know the person’s email address, ask for one of their business cards at the end of your interview. If you forgot, simply call the receptionist at the company and they should be happy to provide it. If they won’t give it to you, explain you interviewed with the person the day before, and would like to send them a thank you letter/email. 

3) One thank you letter for each person you interview with. No more, no less!

4) Content: Include a brief recap of what you spoke about during your interview. Be brief, but do include a mention of why you’re the best candidate for the job. 

5) Close: A separate sentence that reads, “Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need further information. I look forward to hearing from you.”

 
Sample Thank You Letter: 

MARY HIRINGMANAGER
Their Title
Address of Company
XXXX Hire Me Drive
Dallas, Texas XXXXX

Dear Ms. Hiringmanger,

Thank you for the time you took this afternoon to discuss the management opportunity with EDS Incorporated. It was pleasure meeting you and meeting several members of your staff. I particularly enjoyed our tour, including the manufacturing area and executive suites. 

In addition to the information we discussed, I thought of another project I recently started working on which would make me a valuable member of your team. I’m currently working on an instructional design project for DG Manufacturing, one which includes a complete training for manufacturing technicians, both instructor-led and web-based training. Some of those materials are enclosed for your review. 

Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions or need further information. I look forward to hearing from you and being a part of your team. 

Sincerely,

Sam Jobseeker
xxx-xxx-xxxx
email address here

INTERVIEW ATTIRE

While what you say during an interview is very important, it’s also important to make a good impression the moment you enter the company you want to work for. Wearing the proper attire to an interview is very important. I’d often gauge what to wear by imagining what my father, a fashion plate in his own right, would say if he saw the outfit I’d chosen. 

Before I meet with a hiring manager, I sometimes will ask the the human resources professional I might speak to during my phone interview what would be appropriate to wear. It’s a good idea to ask, because if you show up to an interview in a business suit and the company is very casual, you may not get the job. Here are a few tips to help when choose what to wear, as well as some fun grooming tips:

- Shine your shoes

- Suits should be pressed, shirts ironed, and jewelry kept to a minimum

- Go easy on any cologne or perfume

- Conservative dress is better, unless you’re vying to be a deejay on MTV (or other wild and crazy place to work)

- No cell phones, pagers, or bulging wallets should be carried in pockets

- New briefcases, purses, or portfolio cases are ideal

- Comb your hair

- Tuck your shirt in, wearing a matching belt and shoes (as applicable)

- Dont’ chew gum, drink alcohol, or smoke before your interview

- Don’t wear a short-sleeve shirt with a tie. It looks tacky!

- Always dress to impress!

- Sock color should match your shoe color (as applicable). For example, if you wear brown shoes, it’s best to wear brown socks

- No sneakers or sandals! Loafers, heels, or nice flats are acceptable.

- Wear deodorant! No smelly pits, please. If you can smell yourself, the interviewer probably can too.

- If you sweat, bring a small Kleenex with you to dab with

- Muted colors are best

- No wild patterns or odd color combinations, please.

REFERENCES

When an employer wants to hire you, more than likely you’re going to have to provide them with several references from people who can attest to your abilities, strengths, and work history. Obviously, you want to provide a potential employer with people who will give positive feedback about you. Most of your references should be business contacts, and only if needed, social contacts (family or friends).

Below find some great tips about references I found on Virginia Tech’s website which does a nice job of discussing the do’s and dont’s about references:

Who should serve as your references
In selecting people to ask to serve as references for you, think about what those individuals know about you and if they can discuss your work-related qualities.
-	Past and present employers usually know about such things as your reliability, initiative, quickness to learn and take on responsibility, and your ability to work with others. This type of information is valuable, even if your employment was not career-related.
-	Faculty members may know about your academic ability, productivity, and timeliness, and perhaps have observed how you work with others.
-	Advisors and coaches may also be aware of information about you that could be relevant to a potential employer — such as maturity, initiative, interpersonal skills or leadership qualities.
-	Don’t list references who only know you in a social capacity. While family friends may have nice things to say about you, employers don’t place value on these kinds of references.
-	Obviously you do not want to offer as a reference someone who would not speak about you in positive terms or who doesn’t know you well enough to give a strong reference. If an individual is neutral or has a reservation about serving as a reference for you, look elsewhere. This is one of the critical reasons for seeking permission from potential references in advance.
Getting permission from your references
-	DO contact each individual whom you are asking to serve as your reference. Secure his/her permission IN ADVANCE.
-	DON’T ever give someone’s name as a reference without that person’s permission. It will not advance your cause of becoming employed if a prospective employer calls a person you have listed as a reference, only to find out the reference is surprised to be called. Before you give a name of a reference, make sure that person is comfortable with serving in that capacity. Don’t assume anything.
-	When you secure permission, verify all details of your references’ contact information, including spelling of names, titles, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses.
-	Give each person who agrees to serve as a reference for you a copy of your resume (or vita). This lets your references know about your interests, abilities and experiences. A faculty member may know your academic skills and an employer may know your on-the-job characteristics, but each may not be aware of the other facets of your background. Keeping your references well-informed will help them serve as better references for you.
-	Keep your references posted on your activities and progress. Tell your references the names of persons and organizations to whom you’ve given their names. When possible, give them a copy of the job description for the positions for which you are applying. This helps your references be prepared for phone calls and letters they may receive.
-	Thank each reference in writing for his/her assistance.
-	DON’T view communicating with your references as bothering them. Brief, cordial e-mail or phone messages show that you are businesslike about your job search, and that you appreciate your references. Communicating makes it easier for your references to help you.
When to give your reference list to a prospective employer
-	Provide reference information when you are asked to provide it. If you reach the interview stage and have not been asked for references, you may offer your reference list.
-	Generally do not mail reference information with your resume unless it has been specifically requested.
-	Contacting references is time-consuming, and most employers will do some initial screening of candidates — by reviewing resumes and conducting interviews — before contacting references.
-	For most undergraduates, employers will not be contacting references prior to interviewing you.
Where to list references
-	On a resume DON’T. It is unneccessary to state “References available upon request” — and is often a waste of valuable space — because most employers assume you can supply references. They expect them on separate page when requested.
-	On a curriculum vitae DO list references. It is customary practice to include your reference list on this document.
Reference page
-	DO create a reference page to list your references.
-	For each reference person, include full name, title, organization with which the person is affiliated, complete address, phone number and email address.
-	Make absolutely sure you have spelled your references’ names correctly.
-	Your name and contact information should be at the heading of the page — just like it appears on your resume.
What should references say?
If your references are not sure what to say, refer them to writing reference letters — on the faculty and staff section of our web site — which lists professional resources.
Encourage references to mention:
-	The capacity in which they know/knew you (i.e., you were a summer intern and she was your supervisor),
-	Time frame of the relationship (i.e., summer of 1995 or has known the candidate for four years), and
-	Positive qualities demonstrated in the capacity in which they knew you (i.e., trained other employees, designed floor plans on CAD, and presented proposals to clients).
What about generic letters of recommendation?
An individual might offer to write a generic letter of reference for you, perhaps addressed “To whom it may concern” or something similar. Is this useful?
-	If a potential employer requires letters of reference with your application (typical for positions in academia, for example), it is preferrable for the reference letter to be written directly to the recipient, rather than a generic “to whom it may concern” letter.
-	An individualized letter is generally taken more seriously.
-	However, if you are uncomfortable about asking a reference to write a number of personalized letters, or if your reference will be out of reach (on sabbatical, assignment abroad, etc.) during your job search, a “to whom it may concern letter” could serve your purposes.
-	Be aware that in general, employers will consult references after screening resumes and interviewing. Some potential employers prefer to call your references and speak directly with them. So while a letter written in advance by your reference, and offered to the employer by you at the time of the interview (along with your reference list), doesn’t hurt, it is not neccessary to solicit these.
Legal issues relating to references
-	Be aware that some employers have a policy of not giving references.  They may confirm dates of employment, but otherwise be unwilling to comment about a former (or current) employee for legal reasons.
-	This is due to concerns about litigation if there are any negative consequences arising from a reference statement.
-	Before you assume that a former (or current) employer will serve as a reference for you, ask.
-	If company policy prohibits a formal reference, consider if you had a supervisor or coworker with higher rank who clearly valued your contributions and work ethic. Perhaps he or she would serve as an informal reference or speak off-the-record on your behalf.
	**Courtesy of Virginia Tech**  http://www.career.vt.edu/JOBSEARC/Refguide.htm

SALARIES, SALARIES, SALARIES!

My grandmother once told me if you had enough money to pay your rent/mortgage, all of your bills, and still have money left to put into savings, you were doing just fine. Simplistic, perhaps, but very true. One of the most difficult aspects of saying “yes” to a new job is negotiating your salary, benefits, and other possible perks.

Let’s say you’ve sent a potential employer your perfect resume and cover letter, aced the phone and/or in-person interview(s), and it’s been determined you’re the best candidate for the job. Before you say yes, take the time to do your homework before accepting a first offer. This is the BEST time for you to negotiate before you begin your new job.

Typically, perhaps in your first phone call from a potential employer, they might bring up the topic of how much money you’d like to make. Let them rather than you! If you’re asked this question, defer the question as long as possible, but do have a salary range in mind:

Employer: “What sort of salary were you thinking of?

You: “After researching the current market, and with my experience, I was thinking $85,000 to $100,000 sounds about right. Does the position’s salary fall within this range?”

When you quote a range, be certain the lowest figure you mention, in this example $85,000, is the lowest figure you’re willing to accept. You’ll be able to figure this out from doing research online (www.salary.com and www.salaryexpert.com are good websites) as well as speaking with people from your job network and from informational interviews. 

If your interviewer mentions the salary you want is too high for the position, consider how much lower the actual salary might be than what you want and what perks you might be able to negotiate instead. For example, I was offered a job for a prestigious company in the Bay Area. Unfortunately, the salary was $3000 less than what I was making. The hiring manager was very nice, and mentioned that while she couldn’t match my current salary, she would be able to give me a $3000 hiring bonus to make up the difference. Other things you might try and negotiate are extra paid vacation days/weeks, medical/dental insurance starting immediately instead of after several months, paid transportation costs, stock options, etc.

Remember, if you are offered a salary which you are unhappy about, won’t meet your budget, and the employer won’t budge during negotiations, your power lies in your ability to simply walk away and politely say no to the job offer. Or, if you really want to work for the company, ask the hiring manager if you could negotiate a six-month job review, at which time you could possibly discuss a bump in your salary. Remember, it never hurts to ask for what you want!

PHONE INTERVIEWS

A phone interview is a great way for companies to speak with someone about a particular position in order to narrow down the number of candidates they’ll bring in for in-person interviews. While you’re not meeting someone in person, it’s just as important to be prepared well in advance of your phone interview to ensure you’re ready for anything.

A couple of years ago, while employed as a freelance copywriter at Banana Republic’s world headquarters in San Francisco, I decided to find something more challenging to do for work. While it was an interesting place to work, it was only a matter of time before I knew writing page after page of copy about men’s and women’s clothing was going to become dull and boring.

Luckily, I’d recently finished my certificate in technical and professional writing, and my friend Victoria, whom I went to school with, worked for a biotech company I’d been interested in working at. With some encouragement, Victoria helped me update my resume to include my technical writing abilities, and once complete, I applied for a technical writer with the company.

It helps when you know someone who already works for the company, as they can often get your resume into the hands of a hiring manager. As it turned out, that’s exactly what happened to me.

About a week after I submitted my resume, a person who turned out to be the manager I’d later work for called me to say she’d received my resume and wanted to conduct a phone interview. After scheduling the phone interview, I researched the company’s website, as well as spoke with Victoria, to get the inside scoop on company culture. 

On the appointed day and time, the hiring manager called me and we discussed:

* My Background
* Resume facts
* What I was looking for in a position
* Other questions I had regarding the position.

Tips for the Phone Interview

* Prepare! Have an updated copy of your resume in front of you during your phone interview
* Listen carefully to the questions you’re being asked
* Avoid distractions! No gum chewing, loud music, friends in the room, playing with your pet, or taking a shower, please! Your focus needs to be with the person you’re on the phone with at all times.
* Be polite and listen intently. When you’re done, ask politely what are the next steps regarding the interview process. 
* Have a list of any questions you might have for the interviewer
* Follow up with a thank you letter and/or email
* If at any point you feel the position isn’t a good match for you, simply tell the hiring manager. Honesty really is the best policy!

“BEEN AT THE SAME JOB FOR YEARS” RESUME

Last year, after many years with the same employer, my orthodontist to be specific, my mom was about to be back into the job market. The orthodontist retired, and my mom decided she needed to find another job instead of working for the orthodontist who took over her former boss’s practice. Unfortunately, she didn’t have a resume. 

No matter what your age, if you’re just entering the job market, or trying to find another job after years and years with the same employer, a great resume is always needed. In my mom’s case, she was concerned that nobody would hire her because she’d been at the same employer for so long. 

If you’ve been at the same employer for a very long time, don’t worry. As you’ll see from the enclosed resume, my mom held various job positions with the same employer. For her resume we listed each job and the responsibilities for each (bulleted) along with the dates for each position. In her case, she listed job titles in reverse chronological order, but you’re welcome to list them in any order you choose. It’s all up to you! Just be sure that your job history is clear, and, if there are any gaps between dates, and/or jobs, be certain you have an explanation for each (took some time off to raise my family, did volunteer work for the Peace Corps, etc.) during your phone/in-person interview.

So for my mom’s resume, we created the following sections, which gave a nice overview of her skills and background: 

* Heading

* Overview

* Professional Experience 

* Education

* Computer Skills

* Additional (Volunteer Work, Awards, Etc.)

Back In The Job Market Resume

THE COVER LETTER

Just like peanut butter really isn’t the same without jelly, a great resume isn’t the same without a  great cover letter. A cover letter is the perfect way for someone who is about to review your resume to quickly get an idea about you in a way that is brief, to the point, and concise.

I’ve used many different formats of cover letters over the years, either mailed or via email, so pick one that’s best for you. In general, a good cover letter should include: 

* Your address and the date at the top of the page

* The name and address of the person you’re sending your resume to: always try to get a name if a job ad doesn’t specify one by calling the company. If an ad says “no calls”, I usually call anyway to try and get a name from a receptionist if possible without giving my name. 

* Introductory Paragraph: Mention the ad/job you’re applying to and a brief reason as to why you’d make the perfect applicant for the position (which I usually call an “opportunity”) 

* Middle Paragraph(s): One or two paragraphs, your choice, mentioning the major highlights of your work/life experience and why you’re in the job market (new opportunities, interest in a new field, etc.). You might also mention why you’d be the perfect person for them to speak to if you haven’t already done so in the first paragraph. Remember, your goal is to get an in-person interview! Phone interviews are great, but some good one-on-one time with the hiring manager is even better!

* Closing Paragraph: Let people know you’re available for an interview (phone/in-person) and look forward to discussing your background as well as how you’re going to make a great member of their team. Be enthusiastic!

Don’t forget to check for spelling errors and read the cover letter a few times to ensure you’ve included everything you’d like. 

TIP: Sometimes, if I’m not sure what to put in my cover letter relating to the job I’m applying to, I simply copy and paste the qualifications and duties mentioned in the job ad into my cover letter. Of course, I’m careful to only include the ones which I do have previous experience. NEVER lie in your cover letter, however, as companies often conduct  background checks before and/or after you’re hired. If you’re caught in a lie, that may be grounds for termination (being fired).

Cover Letter Example