Holly Grande: Short and Sweet

I had a job interview this week, and my interviewer asked me an interesting question that caught me completely off guard: If I hired you and in three months Turner Broadcasting came to you with a great job offer, what would you do?

I knew why she was asking—my previous work had been for large corporations. The easy answer would have been to say that I would stay with her company, obviously, but that seemed like it would have rang false. I took a second to collect my thoughts, and figuring that there was no right answer, I told the truth: I don’t know. I would really have to look at my options and weigh the possibilities with both companies.

I told her that, right now, I want a job that I love, and I do love marketing and PR. I also want a job that I can learn from and continue to grow in. As tight as the economy is right now, money would be a secondary factor—but my industry does give me the luxury of that perspective.

I think, ultimately, I would choose the company where I had the best opportunity for growth. Hopefully, three months in, I would know where I fit in her company, and it is very likely that I would stay. But it would be dishonest of me to say that I would not consider going with Turner or that it wouldn’t be an easy choice.

In the past, hiring managers have asked me where I saw myself in five years or what I wanted to get out of the position, but I don’t think I have ever been asked what I would do if a better offer came along. It was a surprisingly tough question, and I hope I got it right.

Posted by Holly at 1:20 PM 2 comments  

Labels: career, interview, job search

Since moving back to Atlanta, I have been using local Web sites and community-based listings to aid me in my career search. Of these, craigslist has been a constant source of leads. As you are aware, the want-ad behemoth lets companies post job listings for free or for a low cost, making it an important, low-cost tool. Unfortunately, that also means not all of these leads are legitimate.

I am shocked by the sheer number of positions that claim to be entry-level public relations jobs. I have found everything from cold-calling, customer service jobs to borderline pyramid schemes masquerading as marketing jobs.

One of the biggest warning signs I've found for these jobs is the requirements. When a listing announces: ENTRY LEVEL NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY WE WILL TRAIN!, I know they aren't looking for skilled professionals. What I want to do requires four years of study, and another two training as an intern. I am the first of my family to earn a bachelors, and I am proud of my education. I don't want to learn to sell in two weeks just to make calls off a list.

Language is usually a hint, too. Promises of huge earnings in one year or commission-only compensation sets off loud alarm bells. Excitement that can only be expressed in ALL CAPS isn't something I want from a firm, nor are promises of incredible rewards.

The frequency of these posts, or a large number of openings, is another sign. It tells me that turnover is great, and if the positions were as incredible as the company is claiming, why would there be so many openings?

One last warning sign I have come across is the call for a head shot. Head shots are perfectly fine when you are auditioning for an acting job, but not for a PR professional. Why is my appearance important if I am a communicator? I want to write content and strategy, not show off my good looks. When a job asks for a head shot, it tells me that they aren't looking for communicators, they are looking for pretty girls and guys to sell sex, not their client.

I am sure that there are people who are right for these jobs, but they are not what I want to do. Weeding through the clutter has made me all the more driven to find that right position, but it's tough. What sets off your alarm bells when looking for a job?

Image copyright National Geographic.

Posted by Holly at 9:20 AM 0 comments  

Labels: career, job search

Over the past year, I have been keeping track of the positions I apply to in a spiral-bound notebook. After every query and cover letter, I would write down the date, the name of the company, the position and the person I contacted. Later, I would try to update the entry with any responses I had received or telephone interviews. The method worked, and it was a great way to keep my thoughts organized until, one day, I couldn't find my notebook.

Posted by Holly at 8:57 AM 0 comments  

Labels: career, job search

An Australian news source recently reported on gender and job requirements. According to Australian Dell executive Joe Kremer, women are more likely to pass on applying for a job because they don't think they meet all the requirements, while their male colleagues will apply even if they only meet two or three.

This is not exactly a new phenomenon. In fact, it's something my professors and peers at BU often talked about during class. Men are more likely to overestimate their abilities than women.

But is that necessarily a bad thing?

During the my job hunt over the past few months, I've started to notice a pattern in my own application process. I'm not a modest person, and I am proud of my accomplishments, but I was throwing out applications because I thought I didn't meet all the requirements. I would read through the position, thinking to myself, "Wow, I would be great at this! I already have some great ideas I'd love to implement!" As I scrolled down to the qualifications, however, my confidence would start to wane. "Three years? I only have one. A certificate in design? I only have my Web sites..."

Ultimately, I would put aside that application and start in on the next one, accepting defeat before the race even began.

But that's not me--I don't give up so easily. I am confident, driven and a little stubborn, so why doesn't my job hunt reflect this? After all, the worst that can happen is that I receive a polite but succinct e-mail from HR stating that I am not qualified for the position. Is that so bad that I won't even give myself a chance?

I am smart and talented, and I know digital PR. From now on, I am going to let HR decide if I am qualified, and I am going to stop worrying about meeting all the requirements. I am good enough, but my future employer can't know that unless I apply first.

Photo by Indigo Fish.

Posted by Holly at 7:26 PM 0 comments  

Labels: career, job search