Laryssa Wirstiuk of Too Shy To Stop was interviewed on Connecting Women, May 9th. Go to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/connectingwomen to listen to Laryssa's interview.
Given the state of our economy, finding any job is a challenge. Entry-level jobs are few and far between, yet hundreds of thousands of new graduates are seeking work. Landing an entry-level job in media, a currently-very-confused industry, is an even greater struggle.
Thomas Edison once said, "Everything comes to [s]he who hustles while [s]he waits." I can’t stand it when my peers whine about their unemployment, complaining that no one wants them. Trust me: as long as you don’t give up, someone will eventually want you. However, you need to be prepared for that moment.
I am currently seeking my first real job in media, which means I’m by no means an expert in job-hunting. However, I do know how to hustle. How do you hustle and, like Edison, hustle while you wait? Make sure you’ve sent your resumes and cover letters; then, tackle one or more of the following items:
Volunteer – If you’re really passionate about working in media, you would do it for free, right? Everyone has to pay the bills, but you can volunteer an hour or two a week in exchange for relevant work experience. Show your future employer that you love what you do so much that you’d sacrifice a Saturday.
Write outreach materials for a non-profit
Send letters to the editor of your local paper
Offer to contribute to a website that you frequent
Freelance – If you feel really ambitious, and you have the time, approach local business owners and ask them if they need any writing or marketing assistance. Think about the type of media job that you want and find a way to create it for yourself. You may not get benefits and a steady paycheck, but you’ll display an entrepreneurial spirit and drive.
Place a classified ad that describes your services
Tactfully demonstrate to a business owner how you can improve their business with your writing or marketing skills
Familiarize yourself with freelance job boards and websites
Keep a journal – Media is rapidly changing and evolving, and very few people can really keep abreast of the issues. Keep a journal of your thoughts about media or maintain a folder of news clippings/digital bookmarks that catch your eye. When the time comes to interview for a media job, you’ll be opinionated and well-informed.
Start a blog and encourage yourself to post on a daily basis
Visit industry websites (Mediabistro, Ad Age)
Query your social networks
Collaborate – Many young people are in the same boat! Gather friends who seeking similar jobs; practice viewing them as potential collaborators rather than as competitors. With two or more heads together, maybe you will come up with an idea that blow everyone out of the water!
Begin an online community and share your thoughts about media
E-mail news articles to your contacts and encourage them to share too
Don’t be shy about networking
Hustle while you wait. By the time you get to the interview, you will have so many interesting things to share. We will eventually find our dream jobs in media!
Guest Post by Laryssa Wirstiuk of Too Shy To Stop.
Setting yourself manageable job search targets on a daily or weekly basis, and even scoring yourself to make sure that you stay on track, helps to make you feel in control of an area of life which might otherwise begin to feel totally unmanageable.
ReplyDeleteThose are great tips. It is important to feel in control when you are job searching.
ReplyDelete