Young workers need to adapt job-hunt tactics

Although this article is addresing young workers, the advice really is for all jobseekers (even the experienced).

~by Carolyn Kepscher, New York Daily New
Monday, June 1st 2009

Twentysomething is usually a wonderful time of life — except if you have to search for a job in today’s economy.

Lindsey Pollak knows the drill. She makes a living helping twentysomethings navigate the job market and handle workplace issues.

In her book, “Getting from College to Career: 90 Things to Do Before You Join the Real World,” and on her popular blog, she offers sound advice.

We talked about how young workers can cope during the deepest recession in decades.

Q What must the up-and-coming generation do differently to prepare for a great career?

A“The trend for a while now has been for professionals to become the CEOs of their own careers because we no longer live in a world where people stay at the same company for 30 years and retire with a gold watch. This means that the most recent generation to enter the workforce, Generation Y, is much more in control of their careers, but also has to do more work to find jobs, network and stay employed.”

QWhat traits should job hunters emphasize?

A “Gen Y is known for their ease with technology, their global viewpoint, their comfort with diversity and working in teams, their self-confidence, which many older generations call entitlement, but can be very appealing in a career like fund raising or sales, and in an economy where it’s easy to become disheartened.”

QWhat do you think is the worst advice people follow?

A“The résumé blitz. So many students tell me they’ve sent out 100 résumés and nothing happened. Today, because it is so easy to e-mail a résumé with a click of a mouse, everyone sends out zillions of résumés. You have to put in much more effort to stand out to an employer. In-person networking, connecting one-on-one on a social network like LinkedIn.com or meeting potential employers at a professional association event are all much more effective than e-mailing out lots of résumés.”

QWhat’s your most important social networking advice?

A“LinkedIn has become the most popular and valuable professional social network, but it won’t work unless you work it. First, set up a complete profile including keywords a recruiter or business owner might use to find someone like you. ... Scour other people’s profiles to look for companies you may want to apply to, job titles or professions you didn’t know about, professional organizations where you might network and people with similar interests who might be willing to offer you some job search advice. Finally, use LinkedIn to help other people with suggestions, job leads and moral support — the more people you help, the more people will offer to return the favor.

“Twitter can be valuable for networking and company research if you want to find a job where Twitter has a strong presence — for example, PR, new media, technology and venture capital. ... There are also lots of people who tweet out job listings, so do a search on the term jobs to find these.”

QWhat can job seekers focus on to keep perspective?

A“It is tough out there, but there are jobs. ... Remember, this is only your first job out of many, so the most important thing is to get your career started and to make the most of any opportunity you find. The economy will turn around.”


Your Money columnist Carolyn Kepcher, author of the best-selling business book, “Carolyn 101,” is the former “Apprentice” star who thrived working for one of America’s toughest bosses. She’s now CEO of Carolyn & Company Media (carolynandco.com), an enterprise created by and for career women. For info on personal coaching, visit carolyn101.biz.