As much as I try to deny it, I am a senior. And as much as I’d like to sit around drinking coffee all day, I actually have to put some effort into the finding of a job. Which is just as terrifying as it sounds…especially for someone like me who can’t remember anything.
There are lots of job hunt services out there (I just signed up for ApplyMate) that are designed to help those who lose their phone on an almost daily basis and can’t remember what they had for dinner the night before – AKA people like me. I haven’t used it enough to tell you how well it works, but I’ll keep you all updated.
There’s also the issue of my chosen field. I want a job in journalism…more specifically, television journalism. Even more specifically, I’d like a job as an on-air reporter, perhaps with a specialty in politics. TV is a hard enough field to get into, but with my goals being as specific as they are, I have to work a little harder. Not to mention the fact that I don’t look at all like your stereotypical television reporter. My resume tape has to be stellar – to make me stand out in the right way, as opposed to the way I currently do (because I can’t not stand out).
I don’t know, I think I can pull it off.
Anyway, there’s a whole other issue – my resume reel. Reporters have to make a tape (now a YouTube video, more likely) that shows them on-air and knowing what they’re doing. All well and good, but there’s not a particular class here that teaches one to “resume tape” effectively. I’m probably going to resort to emailing my tape draft to everyone in the business I know to get some feedback. (Internships are glorious things, people.)
And of course, the ever-present question of “what do I apply for?” “Where should I go?” “When do I apply for whatever I’ve chosen?” I’ve been told that the industry standard is applying 6 to 8 weeks before you can start, and applying in small, rural markets (e.g. I won’t be heading home to Boston any time soon.).
I mean, I’m here till May, so I guess I have time.
The Job Hunt Diaries will be published monthly as Editor-In-Chief Rachel Cisto ’15 navigates the trials and tribulations of the post-grad job market.