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But What if I Can’t Find a Job?

January 2, 2009, Kelli Matthews

So you’re prepared to be the PRo of the future. Whoop-de-freakin-do. What if you still can’t find a job?

  • Be patient: It takes time to find a job. The average time is three to six months, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it takes 2009 grads a bit longer (I know several ’08 grads who are still looking, too). Find a part-time job in the meantime doing something that’s not terribly painful – barista, retail, restaurant, or office – and just keep at it. The right job will come along.

  • Keep the End in Mind: Constantly looking for work for three, six, even nine months can be awfully discouraging. Stay motivated to reach your goal.
  • Volunteer: Especially if you’re a new grad, you have to keep your skills fresh and keep building your portfolio. Find a nonprofit that does something you’re excited about and offer to help with their PR or help build a social media plan. Even a few hours a week can help you add some good work to your resume and you’ll keep learning. And you never know who you will meet.
  • Network virtually & in person: Most jobs are not found by applying to a help wanted ad. You need to be networking! Know what kind of job you want and tell everyone you know. This post from the NYT Career Couch column has some terrific tips. A good network is not all about you. Figure out how to make it reciprocal. Participate in Twitter, have an up-to-date LinkedIn profile (with recommendations!), and clean up your Facebook page.
  • READ! READ! READ!: You must stay up to date with the goings-on in the industry in which you intend to work. Read PRWeek, subscribe to the bevy of smart PR bloggers (see my blogroll to the right for some places to get started). In addition, set Google and Twitter alerts for your dream job (company, clients, principals, industry, trends). That’ll give you something to talk about at the interview.

What tips do you have? How do you stay motivated and keep your PR brain working while you job search?

Image via Flickr from Thewmatt

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Kelli Matthews
  • Staci Stringer

    Great advice Kelli! The hardest part of graduating without a job is explaining to your parents that it will come in time, you just have to be patient. In the process make sure you don’t lose the faith. I was lucky, my job search was short, but its a roller coaster ride, and by staying involved in blogging, and social media while you’re searching will keep it fresh in your mind and keep you excited about it. As soon as you let it slip, you lose sight of what you want to do and give up.
    Stay persistent. friend potential employers and show them you’re in the social media sphere. it helps. I PROMISE! Having social media skills is something every employer is looking for now, someone to teach the old dogs the new tricks of the industry!
    Great post Kelli!