Alumni to Alumni Job Search Advice

We recently posted the following question to the Official University of Kentucky Alumni LinkedIn Group: What job search tips would you give to recent UK grads?

Here’s what UK alumna, Lisa McMichael, director of Online Communications at Mercer University and freelance consultant/contractor, had to say:

Join and actively participate in:

·      Industry groups (meet-ups, online, conferences)

·      Volunteer organizations (serve on committees and boards)

·      Your local alumni group (game watch parties and serve on committees or fundraisers)

Use LinkedIn aggressively:

·      Grow your network of credible connections

·      Research and write frequent (worthwhile) updates so that your connections will benefit from your expertise

·      Mentor: You’re never too young or inexperienced for someone else to benefit from your expertise and knowledge.

Be creative. If there is a professional in your industry you want to know, don’t be shy about approaching him/her (through LinkedIn for example) and discuss how you might collaborate on a project such as an industry-focused paper/article or speaking engagement and be willing to donate your time for the “exposure.”

Cold call prospective employers to set up informational interviews and offer to buy her/him a cup of coffee for the time.

Be exclusive about posting your resume to a job board. Recruiters are most interested in working with “exclusive” candidates, not those who have resumes on multiple job boards.

Let your friends and family “circle” know you’re looking. Keep them posted on your progress with a monthly update.

Create a support group of 1-3 people you can turn to for advice and encouragement and do the same in return.

Continue to enhance your skills and knowledge with online training and workshops, podcasts and seminars. Add to your resume as “participation” and add an update on your LI page.

Give yourself a small reward each week for being diligent in your job search. Use good judgment and don’t spend a lot of money that you may not have.

Keep a journal and use it to express yourself and remain positive.