Job Searches Can Have Happy Endings

I believe everyone has the potential to be excited about the place they work. Lucky for me, as the newest member of the ECPR staff, I am living proof that a job search can have a happy ending! 

While I don’t consider myself an expert on job hunting, I do have a pretty regular string of e-mails in my inbox from friends looking for tips on making their next career move a success. I’d like to think I developed this gift on my own, but it most likely comes from the myriad of jobs I’ve secured in the midst of graduate school and two cross-country moves. Over the past seven years, I’ve worked alongside extremely smart, professional communicators, and I don’t believe it’s just a coincidence. In fact, I think securing a job you’ll love requires a lot more than good luck.

Finding a job that capitalizes your expertise and your interests can start with identifying the places you’d like to volunteer. For me, the ECPR job lead came from volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Austin and Central Texas. Yes, this route does require giving up some of your spare time, but it will broaden your horizons and give you a clear perspective on the type of work you’d enjoy. In fact, I’ve found volunteering and joining professional organizations as the most helpful routes for job searching. And, time and time again, these two avenues bring opportunities faster than any other search engine. To put it plainly, if you’re involved in projects you enjoy outside of work, you’ll be more fulfilled, and eventually you’re bound to run into someone who is like-minded and willing to help identify new opportunities with you.

Another tactic is to schedule short, informational and informal meetings with companies you have an interest in order to learn more about the organization while presenting yourself in a less threatening environment than an interview. That way, when it comes time to hire, your new contact can call on you as a potential new hire, and you’ve already completed the first round of interviews. As a general rule, anytime you meet the head of an organization, treat it as an interview, because you never know where it will lead.

After you’ve found an opportunity and you are ready to apply, don’t make foolish mistakes. When applying for a job, make sure you always follow directions. If the application asks you to fax something, send in your materials in the exact format they’re requesting, even if you’ve never used a fax machine before. Also, make your cover letter a bit more personal, tell the potential employer about any connections you might have to their organization, or tell a little anecdote about yourself or your experience. If you don’t make your application stand out, the employer will never know what you have to offer.

Overall, it’s a humbling process. Outside of interviewing, there are very few times in life when putting your best foot forward isn’t always enough. But, thankfully, when the right opportunity comes along, you’ll be thrilled by the offer and motivated to do your best work. Most importantly, if things aren’t quite working out right now, be patient and persistent. In my opinion, the right job is always worth the wait!

Good luck!

Jennie Whitaker