Take Your Job Search Offline

Career Counselor: Welcome to Capella University's Extreme Makeover: Job Search edition. Today we are going to be focusing on taking your job search offline. In the next scene, we'll look in on Melody while she talks with her friend, Jen, about her current job search. Jen: So, Melody, how is your job search going? Melody: Oh my gosh, it's so frustrating. I've been looking for jobs for months and haven't even got a call for a job interview yet. Jen: Well, where are you looking for job postings? Melody: Well, you know, I'm applying on all those online job boards. You know the ones I'm talking about- and I spend hours a day, and I've sent out hundreds of resumes and no luck. The only jobs I get called for are ones I really don't want anyway. And when there's a job that I really really want, I hear nothing. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. Jen: Yeah, my last job search was really frustrating too. But then everything changed when I talked with a Career Counselor at Capella while I was working on my masters degree. Melody: Oh really? What'd they say? Jen: Oh, they had a lot of great information for me. But one of the things that really stood out to me was their advice to take my job search offline and actually talk to people. And you know, I attended a workshop called 'Job Search Strategies for a Tough Economy' and in that workshop there was a great slide on networking that really helped me understand who to network with and how to connect with them. Melody: Oh really? I'd love to know more about that. Jen: Sure, I'd be happy to show it to you. Career Counselor: Now that Melody knows she should use more than one approach in her job search, let's see what happens as she talks with a former coworker about her job search. Melody: Sharon, thanks so much for taking the time to meet with me today. It's really great to see you again! Sharon: You too, I'm so glad you called. Melody: Yeah, thanks, it seems like it's been a while since we worked together at Oasis, but we had some really great times there. Sharon: That was really fun. Melody: Well I just wanted to meet with you today to let you know that I've been laid off from my position at Oasis. Sharon: Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Melody: Yeah, yeah, I was too. It was a bit unexpected, but I'm trying to be proactive and get back out there which is one of the reasons why I wanted to meet with you today. I know you've got some really great insight into the marketing opportunities in this area, as well as some other connections perhaps at your new organization and others. And I was wondering if you might be able to share any connections with me that you think might be helpful in my job search. Sharon: Sure! You know, in fact I just got an email this morning from someone who's looking for a Marketing Manager. Melody: Oh, wow- that's great! Sharon: I'll forward that to you. Melody: Sounds good. Sharon: And, I think you should talk with Steve Johnson. I met him at a conference last year and I think he would be a great connection for you. Melody: Oh, good. Thanks so much for that! That'll be great. Well I'll keep you posted on how my job search goes and how those conversations go, but in the meantime, enough about me. How are things with going with you? How are the kids? Sharon: Oh, they're good, they're good. They're really busy at school and softball ... Career Counselor: During that half hour coffee break, Melody was able to accomplish far more than she would have if she had simply been working online. She not only uncovered a hidden job opportunity, but she gained a new contact for her to be in touch with. Additionally, she connected with a former colleague and her spirits were lifted because of that interpersonal interaction. The Capella University Career Center hopes this tip makes a difference in your job search. Stay tuned for more tips and good luck!