Outside the Box: 6 Ways to get a jump on getting that job

From marketwatch By Buford Barr

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (MarketWatch) — Anticipating graduating this spring and entering a very tough job market, college seniors are concerned about getting an internship or job, especially at this time of year. 

Here are a few things you can do to hit the ground running in 2012:

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1. Google yourself and see what comes up. Develop a detailed LinkedIn page. Make your profile your resume. Secure three references. Focus on accomplishments and an articulate statement of your personal brand and brand value. A brand-value statement tells potential employers about you and why they should hire you. Describe what you are looking for in a career, and make sure this is reflected clearly in your LinkedIn profile. Review your Facebook account. Make sure it doesn’t have anything that you wouldn’t want a prospective employer to see. Clean it up. Google yourself again. Does it show you off in a positive and professional way?

2. Decide where you want to live and work. What industries are you interested in? What function do you aspire to? Do some research and develop a hit list of companies. Don’t forget agencies of all types and non-profits, at least large ones. With a list of targeted companies you can take the initiative to find a good job or internship. Go to each company’s website; learn about them. Find out who their senior managers are. For agencies, learn who their clients are, what the agency has accomplished in new accounts, creative awards and other recognition.

3. Begin networking. From the list of senior managers, check their bios, most are available online. See if you or any member in your cadre of family, friends and close connections has anything in common with the manager. Look for any connection to any senior member of your targeted company like other companies they’ve worked for, schools they attended, people they know in common; really most anything. Chronicle all of this information for future reference.

4. Follow key individuals in the company and industry on Twitter and LinkedIn, and pay special attention to high-visibility bloggers. Respond or re-tweet with a comment using “@your name.” Actively demonstrate your intellect, insight and understanding of social media communication. Develop your own website and blog. Make it meaningful in demonstrating your brand value and insights into the industries you are targeting. Commit to this; it will take time. Don’t start and then drop it. That is a kiss of death, but if you do this well, people will notice you.

5. Use established sources of jobs and internships, including the website of your targeted companies. The best jobs are never posted; they are kept under wraps until the right person comes around. But if a company is looking for engineers, for example, they are probably also in need of support and marketing personnel. If an agency lands a new account, they most assuredly will be looking for staff. Some professional sites include www.4marketeers.com; www.doostang.com; and www.marketingmanager.com to name a few. Also use your school sources: faculty, career center, and special speakers who come to your class. DON’T forget about your classmates and alumni. Alumni of any university or college are one of your greatest assets. Use them.

6. Contact each company and agency on your hit list. Go through channels because it is what they want you to do. Use your network connections and individuals you’ve identified through your research to begin a personal email program. Make the subject line count or it won’t be opened. Make your connections and selling message short and to the point. Keep at it until you land the job you want or one that is at least satisfactory for the moment.

This approach is a lot of work, but it works! OK now get going! And enjoy the holidays with family and friends.

Buford Barr teaches marketing and communication at Santa Clara University. He has been teaching at the undergraduate level for 20 years and has 30 years of experience in high-tech marketing, branding, advertising, and public relations.