http://jobinterviewcoaching.org/2009/12/29/life-after-college-and-that-first-job-now-what/ Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:46:47 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 http://jobinterviewcoaching.org/2009/12/29/life-after-college-and-that-first-job-now-what/comment-page-1/#comment-3 Michelle Kinder Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:46:47 +0000 http://jobinterviewcoaching.org/?p=146#comment-3 I would recommend to Jane: (1) Learn the D.C. market and understand the area. (2) Prepare questions in advance with the employers. One specifically, "Do you anticipate an upswing or downswing of the business in the next 12 to 18 months?" (3) Understand the trends in Journalism – moving from paper to electronic and the way the news is being delivered. Technology has changed this field and has found fellow journalists out of work. Why? Because circulation is down and people are turning to the Internet (or even TV) for their news. I would recommend to Jane: (1) Learn the D.C. market and understand the area. (2) Prepare questions in advance with the employers. One specifically, “Do you anticipate an upswing or downswing of the business in the next 12 to 18 months?”
(3) Understand the trends in Journalism – moving from paper to electronic and the way the news is being delivered. Technology has changed this field and has found fellow journalists out of work. Why? Because circulation is down and people are turning to the Internet (or even TV) for their news.

]]> http://jobinterviewcoaching.org/2009/12/29/life-after-college-and-that-first-job-now-what/comment-page-1/#comment-2 Aaron Ziff Wed, 06 Jan 2010 01:37:57 +0000 http://jobinterviewcoaching.org/?p=146#comment-2 I would tell Jane to come up with a compelling reason for considering a move, and to speak with current employees at the two companies she applied to. Get some inside tips about the culture, what is valued by each company, and perhaps earn an employee referral (very valuable) if she makes a favorable impression. To get ready for her actual trip, she should plan to arrive early (for logistical reasons- never leave punctuality to chance- and to get together with others in the area) and set up meetings with others in the area. It makes a big difference, when visiting an unfamiliar city, to get into a routine and be able to name drop a little ("Oh! I just ate at this great cafe a couple of blocks from your office- should we meet there?", or "Do you know Jim Smith? Yeah- he's the editor of Washington Business Daily. We were having dinner the other night and she was telling me all about the big scandal in the State House that everyone's talking about"). The most important aspects of her job search now and anytime has to be networking. Even if the interviews go well, DON'T STOP. You never know what can happen and it's a great idea to have an influential group of contacts inside and outside of your industry. I would tell Jane to come up with a compelling reason for considering a move, and to speak with current employees at the two companies she applied to. Get some inside tips about the culture, what is valued by each company, and perhaps earn an employee referral (very valuable) if she makes a favorable impression. To get ready for her actual trip, she should plan to arrive early (for logistical reasons- never leave punctuality to chance- and to get together with others in the area) and set up meetings with others in the area. It makes a big difference, when visiting an unfamiliar city, to get into a routine and be able to name drop a little (“Oh! I just ate at this great cafe a couple of blocks from your office- should we meet there?”, or “Do you know Jim Smith? Yeah- he’s the editor of Washington Business Daily. We were having dinner the other night and she was telling me all about the big scandal in the State House that everyone’s talking about”). The most important aspects of her job search now and anytime has to be networking. Even if the interviews go well, DON’T STOP. You never know what can happen and it’s a great idea to have an influential group of contacts inside and outside of your industry.

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