You see a job that seems perfect. You tweak your resume and eagerly upload it to the company portal. Then, silence. What happened? Did they get it? Should I follow up? How do I check? I often hear these questions from students and young professionals. Sadly, resume receipt confirmation is no longer a common courtesy.…… Continue reading Resume Follow-Up: When and How?
Tag: Travis Kessel
See a Job You Want? Don’t Wait, Apply Immediately
A month ago, I mentioned an interesting job opportunity to an unemployed friend. Imagine my surprise last Thursday when she told me that she finally submitted her application. When I asked why it took her so long to apply for the job that was posted nearly four weeks earlier, my procrastinating friend explained that she…… Continue reading See a Job You Want? Don’t Wait, Apply Immediately
December Job Search Game Plan
Contrary to popular opinion, agencies and companies don’t flip a switch and turn off hiring during holidays. Yes, year-end vacations and social events can slow down the process but smart job seekers will use this time of year to implement seasonal-specific job search game plans. Recruiters confirm a year-round need to fill new jobs. Edelman SVP of recruiting Travis Kessel…… Continue reading December Job Search Game Plan
Don’t Burn Bridges in Job Acceptance Process
First the good news: There are more entry-level PR jobs than any other time in the past decade. And top graduates are receiving multiple job offers. The bad news: Some new hires are risking their future careers by mishandling job acceptance etiquette. Case in point: A recent graduate received four internship job offers, but really wanted to work for…… Continue reading Don’t Burn Bridges in Job Acceptance Process
End Debate Over ePortfolios: Just Do It!
To do, or not to do an ePortfolio? That appears to be the question facing many soon-to-graduate students as they prepare for highly competitive job searches. Unless you have a job locked up already, the answer is a no brainer. An ePortfolio can boost your employment chances unless you do a lousy job with it.…… Continue reading End Debate Over ePortfolios: Just Do It!
Reference Checks: Last Hurdle to Your Job Offer
Gone are the days when job applicants controlled the reference-checking process by providing “References Upon Request” and employers conducted formulaic interviews. Today, references can come from just about anybody–a former boss, a peer, a favorite professor or even a receptionist.
Volunteer and Real-Life Experiences Help Careers
Interns have never worked harder than they do today, but they need experiences beyond grunt work of compiling media lists and shipping new products to bloggers. Realizing all-work-and-no-play is not in the best interests of interns, many enlightened agencies are offering real-life professional and volunteer experiences for their interns. Rich Jernstedt, a great mentor and…… Continue reading Volunteer and Real-Life Experiences Help Careers
As Job Search Frustration Grows You Must Have a Plan and Keep Your Head in The Game
Reader comments help motivate bloggers since God knows we’re not doing it for the money. While negative comments sometimes sting, they also spur additional post opportunities. That’s the case today. Yesterday, I received a comment to a three-year-old post, “Breaking Into Advertising Without Experience is Tough But Possible.” Clearly frustrated with her job search, reader Kate…… Continue reading As Job Search Frustration Grows You Must Have a Plan and Keep Your Head in The Game
Ready For The Final Exam: The Job Interview
For the second year in a row, the graduate students in my PR and advertising class pretty much aced their final exam last night. One by one, students dressed in business attire entered an office where they met and presented their resumes and elevator speeches to a panel of PR and advertising recruiters who…… Continue reading Ready For The Final Exam: The Job Interview
Intern Search Season Begins Early
Unlike recent years when I encouraged students to delay pursuing internships until spring or nearer their actual availability to start to work, many agencies are actively screening applicants now in anticipation of increasing demand for entry-level talent. That’s encouraging news for many and it’s consistent with earlier predictions of a healthy increase in PR jobs during…… Continue reading Intern Search Season Begins Early