Yikes... Networking...
 

Though I seem to have the inside track on a couple of decent job opportunities in Utah, I am trying to get myself mentally geared for anything to happen. I have a few questions for those of you who have been out there...

I'm looking at a few other companies that have posted for positions that are higher than my experience level would allow. But not by much... Does it hurt to apply for those positions, or would my application/resume just find its way into the trash? I would love to even take a lesser position with some of these companies, how would I find out? Do I contact their human resources department? Do I contact the person listed in contact information for other job opportunities?

I'm feeling a bit stripped of my current network in SoCal (plus, the base available at my school, though I'm going to be looking into any links CSULB might have for Salt Lake City) - so I'm trying to just put myself more ahead.

Bleh. Any ideas?

I do not think it hurts to apply at all. It may hot the round file, and it may not. Go for it, nothing ventured, nothing gained say I

I would at least apply. You never know. Especially in a smaller job pool there may be no one who's applying with everything they're looking for. Also just getting your name in there. I've applied for one job with a company but been called to interveiw for another. So it does happen.

Very rare has it been when I get a job I am actually qualified for (at least on paper).

Applying never hurts. Not hiring you isn't an act of personal malice and you shouldn't view the failure as a personal embarrassment. Odds are you'll never hear anything back, but that would be true if you didn't apply at all. If nothing else it is practice writing a cover letter and keeps you thinking about your resume.

If you do get an interview and are truly underqualified then even if it doesn't go well it is practice (and practice of a type that may be better than a smooth interview). I once did an interview for a job where there was a complete disconnect between me and whoever wrote the job description as to what English words mean. The first part of the interview consisted of me saying over and over again "I don't know," "I don't know anything about that stuff," "couldn't tell you" and such. But I handled it well and when we moved passed the point where it was obvious it wasn't a fit we talked a bit more and some other opportunities were mentioned that were better fits. But even if that happens, no harm, no foul.

So, the bad outcomes are still useful at the cost of postage (and these days probably not even that).

Best case, you sell them on your skills, your ability to quickly gain new skills, and get a job. The only really bad part of coming in technically under qualified is that it is always used as an excuse to bring you in on the low end of the pay range. And once with a company (especially a larger one) it is difficult to quickly adjust that upwards if you prove yourself since managers are frequently capped on raises.

I'd apply for them. The experience levels they are requesting may be more of a wish than a requirement. It all depends on the available job pool.

What sort of position are you looking for? Sorry, I'm not sure what you majored in, but I might be able to see if there's anything that fits with my company.

Apply! The worst they will do is not call you (or tell you sorry, not interested).

Slightly related to this, you may want to go through your public accounts such as MySpace, Facebook or the like, and remove any images or other material that might give a negative impression to any companies you are applying to. Either that or lock them down to friends only. A lot more companies are doing internet searches to narrow down serious candidates.

How flexible are you on the whole question of religion?

Indeed, Steph - I've moved my stuff to private and am thinking about other social networking places that might have an impact.

I am a marketing major, and my greatest challenge (for my brain, apparently) is that I'm moving. I've got quite the healthy network here in SoCal, yet it seems there's a disconnect between them and the Rocky Mountain region. I have extensive writing experience between my work experience and internships I've completed, so I am angled toward something in communications though I'm also looking to diversify my experience, so I'm up for anything.

Alex, I've given the lower wages and getting stuck thing some thought. I'm actually thinking it's a sacrifice I could make to get some more time under the ever popular job ad term "3+ years of experience in" blah blah blah.

Thanks, everyone, for your input. The funniest part is that I know all of this stuff, and it's what I would say to someone else... I probably just had a need to hear it applied to myself. Bleh. So self-centered... ;)

So, should I just apply for the job, or approach them in other ways?

LOL, Moonliner.

That's another thought. I think my agnostic a$$ will be fine, mainly because I appreciate these sorts of differences. It probably doesn't hurt that I have a few Mormon members of my own family. I should go with g-ma to a Christmas party or two and pass the word around... hehe. :)

Humm, perhaps someone should start a service to help individuals "tailor" their myspace, facebook, general online presence to reflect well on them to perspective employers....

Apply and also, might not be a bad idea to also speak with a headhunter or three to see what's out there and who will go to bat for you.

A headhunter, you say?

Easy. Just make it private and remove all photos involving drunken exhibitionism.

Besides making your MySpace profile friends only, you can make it unsearchable by name. If you use that option and an email address no one knows you're pretty well hidden (until you're found via friends lists).

Get on LinkedIn if you haven't already.

I haven't found any real use for LinkedIn.

Just tell everyone you know that you're looking and what you're looking for. You'll be totally shocked that some people you thought couldn't have cared less about you will jump up to help, and others you thought were totally in your corner will refuse to mention you to anyone. So, because you can never tell who will have a connection - you just have to tell everyone.

I agree hiding is easy. I defy anyone here to find my myspace page.



However, I was thinking more like:

Links from "friends" with loads of impressive titles gushing about your work ethic and coming to you for help.

References to your time helping poor children in Africa (complete with photos)

A list of very impressive awards you have won from very real sounding companies (with their own web pages of course).

You know. Complete Bullspit.

Come on - no one thought my "headhunter" was even a bit funny. So sad...

I believe I am on LinkedIn, thanks to a few of my friends from this very message board.

I forgot about LinkedIn.

Add that to my winter break to-do list.

Linked in basically does exactly what you said above for you. That would be the real use for it.

:cheers:

I know that's what it's supposed to do. But so far I haven't actually seen any of that happening on LinkedIn.

I can personally vouch for it. I have recruited through it and have been recruited.

THAT m'dear, is networking. And yes, you should :) Tell everyone how excited you are to be moving to Utah, and then talk about how you just graduated and are looking for ... (blah blah blah)

I guess I should update my LinkedIn with a few more connections...

I thought I was on it, but I bet I didn't fill everything out, or something. I just made a LinkedIn.

Oh, and incidentally, I came home at the same time one of my grandma's home teachers came over. She is actually in semi-retirement from being a professor at Cal State Long Beach and lives in Utah. (ahem!)

Well, LinkedIn's done diddlysquat for me.

Thanks to this thread I logged in and updated my profile. Now to update the resume even though I've decided I'm going to try to stay put at least until I graduate next December. I'll have 2.5 years of experience and a degree.

Things aren't horrible. I have some awesome bosses and we're releasing new software soon.

There is no coincidence! Network my dear!