WORLD'S LEADING INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Q & A with Caroline Ceniza – Levine, Recruiter and Success Coach

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What do you recommend is a great way to get your foot in the door of a major company where your resume and application for an internship or job could easily get lost in the shuffle, being one among hundreds or thousands?

Absolutely follow the process that the company provides, whether it is logging onto a website and submitting a resume online, or another process that a company has in place.  In addition, it is always beneficial if you can get your resume in the door through someone who currently works at the company.  Reach out to peoplewho may be able to get you a connection within the company and help you open some doors.Find someone who works at your target company by looking at friends, affinity groups (ethnic, religious affiliations), alumni, extra-curricular activities, etc.

When I used to do corporate recruiting at Time Inc., we would receive thousands of resumes.  When we would receive a resume from someone who works at Time Inc. (in any one of our divisions), we take that referral into account when reviewing the resume.  It is a courtesy to our employees to view the resumes and consider their recommendations.  Often our employees may know best who is fit and suitable to work within our company.  We may consider them for an interview or at least give their resume a second glance.

It seems there's a cycle in which experience is necessary to land a job and you need a job to gain experience. How do you land that first big job without much experience?

A person without much corporate experience should find otheropportunities to get experience relevant to the industry and career that he/she would like to pursue.  For example, if you are applying for a position in finance, you may engage in volunteer opportunities, for credit internships or extracurricular activities that are relevant to finance.  Whether it’s being a treasurer of an organization or raising money as a fundraiser, you need to demonstrate that you have an interest in finance and that you are proactive in honing your skills and applying your interests and passions into your life.  Your experience needs to be defined, proven and related.  These are some ways to land a corporate job, without the corporate experience. 

What advice would you give to a recent graduate that dreams of working in XYZ Industry a big city like NY, LA, or Chicago, but has no job or place to live lined-up, and few contacts?

I advise developing a plan to get to your target geography.  Perhaps it is booking a 1– to 2- week stay in the city, or several shorter trips there.  Right now the market is tight and many employers are not going to pay for travel costs. Employers are more apt to interview individuals who are currently located in the city or who are staying there for a significant amount of time.  You need to demonstrate to the employer that you are committed to landing a job and moving into the city.  You need to be able to say to a prospective employer that I am going to be in the city on such and such date.  Another plan is to make the move and get an interim job in the city to cover your basic living expenses and make yourself available to network and interview during your job search.  Another option is to save money to make the move, and to maximize the networking opportunities that you have before you move.  If you are currently in another city or town and would like to move to a big city, contact youralumni chapter, affinity groups, (see suggestions from previous question on getting your foot in the door).  Find the link and the connection that would take you from your home town to the big city that you dream of living in.  Ultimately, if this is your dream and you have maxed out all options in your current location, you may need to take a leap of faith and simply get yourself to the city.

How can I grab the attention of decision makers at a company I want to work?

A candidate needs to do the research and recognize who the decision makers are.  Answer the following questions:

• Who will be interviewing me?
• What is their position?
• Who do they work with? 
• Would this person be my direct supervisor? 
• Who is the direct supervisor’s boss? 
• Where are they in relationship to the organization?
• Who else will be involved in the hiring process?

Remember be nice and polite to everyone you meet.  Often times, an employer may ask the receptionist what his/her impression was of you.  Send thank you notes to everyone who was involved in the interview process because you can never know for sure who all the decision-makers are.

In your opinion, what are some bold moves that a young person may take to land a position within a company?

In almost any industry, a young person with enthusiasm and drive will stand out as a candidate for entry-level hire. However, enthusiasm and drive require more than expressing “I really want to work for you!”  It’s about expressing, “I really want to work for you and I understand you!”  For example, it’s important for the student who applies for a position with Time Inc. to know what magazines Time Inc. publishes, to know Time Inc’s competitors, etc.  The majority of candidates don’t ultimately know the business that they are pursuing.  Simply doing your research and expressing why you would be a great fit for the company will put you one step above other candidates. You need a genuine and authentic answer for why you want to be in that industry or job. 

I had 20 people who were interested in a position available within a company.  Out of the 20 people, I had scheduled 12 people to interview.  One of the individuals, who wasn’t scheduled for the interview wrote a heartfelt note to me that clearly stated the reasons why she wanted to work for the company.  In the note, she enumerated the relevant reasons on why she would be great fit.  This person and her actions stood out to me.  I arranged to have her seen, and she eventually was hired.  I think it was a bold move for this person, who was initially rejected to write to me and express the reasons why she would like for me to reconsider.  She was confident in herself and her knowledge of our business.  The term "bold move" implies something out of the ordinary, a flash of inspiration beyond the reach of the typical jobseeker.  But while the actions in the above example were bold, they were simple, straightforward and doable.  Anyone can go into a library or online to research industry or company in order to learn more about it.  In an appropriate manner, express your understanding of the company and how you are a fit!  This is a more conservative but very effective approach. Making a bold move just because it's bold and just to get yourself noticed can go horribly wrong.

Contact Info:
Caroline Ceniza– Levine
Recruiter and Success Coach
 212-372-0277
www.sixfigurestart.com

Six Figure Start offers free teleclasses on topics which include, job searching, networking and interviewing skills.  To sign up for the next free teleclass, please visit:  www.sixfigurestart.com