What am I doing WRONG?! - Page 2

Rudey · #16 02-11-2005, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CarolinaDG
Yes, and they tend to want you to pay dues and I haven't done that yet. :-) Just kidding. Last time I checked, there was noone in the same field as me registered, though. But I am going to check it again. Part of it (not to make too many excuses) is that I honestly just hate doing that when it's not someone from my chapter. I feel like it's like, "Hi, I know I don't know you, and I know that there are hundreds of thousands of Delta Gammas out there, but give me a job, please. Thanks!"

Rudey, as far as the cold calling... Does it REALLY work??? I always thought that was like sending your resume' out to random places... you have a 1/100 shot in getting a job. If it does work, though, I'm all for it!

Yes cold calling really works. Cold emailing never works.

-Rudey

PsychTau2 · #17 02-11-2005, 06:18 PM

What about asking the Delta Gamma National Philanthropy (or whatever the title is)Chair if she knows anyone? Since she deals with service and non-profits, she might have some inside information.

PsychTau

sailboatgirl · #18 02-11-2005, 06:43 PM

I work for a non-profit in the development and community relations department, so here are my suggestions and thoughts:

-Try professional networking groups, such as AFP (American Fundraising Professionals); the PRSA or other public relations group; call the United Way in your community for a listing of nonprofits in your target field (I believe you said music or the arts?). A lot of these groups have local websites that have job positings

-Call an organization that you'd like to work for and offer to intern for free. I know that you said you have some fundraising experience from college events, but it may help to have some local experience volunteering or interning

-Also, most of the people that I know in non-profit community here in development come from public relations and journalism backgrounds as the "job description" for development contains a lot of those aspects, including some graphic design, writing, and LOTS of media relations.

Good luck in your search!

sailboatgirl · #19 02-11-2005, 06:43 PM

I work for a non-profit in the development and community relations department, so here are my suggestions and thoughts:

-Try professional networking groups, such as AFP (American Fundraising Professionals); the PRSA or other public relations group; call the United Way in your community for a listing of nonprofits in your target field (I believe you said music or the arts?). A lot of these groups have local websites that have job positings

-Call an organization that you'd like to work for and offer to intern for free. I know that you said you have some fundraising experience from college events, but it may help to have some local experience volunteering or interning

-Also, most of the people that I know in non-profit community here in development come from public relations and journalism backgrounds as the "job description" for development contains a lot of those aspects, including some graphic design, writing, and LOTS of media relations.

Good luck in your search!

DGMarie · #20 02-11-2005, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CarolinaDG

My degree is in music with a minor in business

What kind of music degree is it? Education? History? Performance? I don't think it is performance, right?

My honest first reaction was a non-profit entry level job for $30K in the South has got to be hard to find. My gut says you need to get a masters in either of those two fields (probably business more than music) to be competitive unless you've got a heck of a lot of experience. $30K might also be unrealistic.

Agree though on the cold calling. You need to try it at least. And if nothing else, you can get more information on how to focus your search.

As for the DG alumnae dues, it's $18 to pay your alumnae per cap. If that's all that is standing in your way to using national resources, I'll say it is money worth investing.

aphibeach · #21 02-14-2005, 01:12 PM

i'm having a hard time finding a job as well (although i have been out of school for only 2 months and job hunting for 4)...its tough but i've found that the job websites dont work for me. i've been through tons more interviews through networking than by applying online

good luck!

PSUSigKap · #22 02-14-2005, 02:42 PM

welcome to my life. i've been out of school since may and am still looking.

the cold emailing does work. i've gotten two offers from cold emailing, though i had to turn both down. they weren't offering enough money for me to move to/live in LA. i just send my cover letter and resume together in the email. it's worth a shot, the only thing you have to lose is the time it takes to send the email.

i've also had a couple of people i've emailed pass along my resume to friends they know in the industry who possibly have a position to fill.

on a side note, if anyone knows of someone looking for an assistant account executive type position in a pr firm or corporate communications department in texas, or colorado, let me know.

FSUZeta · #23 02-14-2005, 03:07 PM

while none of your alumnae sisters may work in the field you are interested in, they may know someone (or know someone, who knows someone). don't feel shy about introducing yourself and when the job topic comes up, and it will, let then know what you are looking for. they are your sisters and they will try to help you if they can.

ps- i looked on my own for my first job out of college for three months and finally threw in the towel and started enlisting everyone i knew to keep an eye and ear open for anything. within two weeks one of my uncles called a friend in banking, who called his banks personnel department and there was my first job!! for the most part it is all about networking!

Optimist Prime · #24 02-20-2005, 08:03 AM

You might not be doing anything wrong, maybe it is your market. Have you considered relocating?

Munchkin03 · #25 02-20-2005, 11:02 AM

Because I'll be starting the job search again soon, I've been going to a lot of the career-related events that my alumnae chapter sponsors. This week's was about networking--and it was moderated by two "career coaches." They mentioned that it's a complete waste to post your resume on monster.com, because there are literally hundreds of millions of resumes posted on it or other generalist sites like that. If you're going on industry-specific sites, then it's okay. Supoosedly 3% of job seekers find employment through those sites--and 80% find their jobs through networking. They explained ways to go about doing it that were really common-sense based, but it was nice to have all that information on paper in one place.

Have you joined the professional organizations in your field? If you're a current student, or have recently graduated, sometimes the fees are a little lower than they are for established professionals. Membership often grants you access to listservs that will occasionally post job listings, and you will have access to the latest thinking, salary figures, and recent work in your field. Also--the annual conferences are a good way to meet established professionals who can serve as mentors.

winneythepooh7 · #26 02-21-2005, 12:08 PM

Just another thought for those of you looking, WEDDINGS are a great source for networking. I went to my roommate from college's wedding yesterday. Besides her and one of my sorority sister's and a frat guy from college, I knew no one else. Everyone at my table though were in a similar field as me AND work for the state so they told me that I could send my resume their way if anything opens. PLUS, my friend getting married is also a Social Worker and there were a TON of Social Workers at this wedding.........I am sure the same applies for those of you in other fields too.

damasa · #27 02-21-2005, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rudey
I will give you the biggest secret out there. It's a super, duper secret.

It's called cold calling. It's embarassing and nobody likes doing it but it is the best tool ever for anything.

-Rudey

Very very very true. You will get rejected quite a bit but it's a game of stats, sooner or later someone is going to listen to you and give you a chance.

You have to sell yourself to some of these people, do what it takes to get an interview. And if you are looking at positions that require a bit of experience, do like Rudey said and get an internship or do some volunteer work while you hold down a p/t job that gets you by.

Network with everyone, sell yourself to everyone.

CarolinaDG · #28 02-21-2005, 05:31 PM

Another question. I went in for an interview on Friday, and they said that they were going to make the decision quickly, either Friday or Monday. Since I was down there on Friday, I didn't have a chance to send/compose a Thank You note, so I sent one today through e-mail. I know that people have different preferences, but was this the right thing to do? It's too late now if it's not, but I'm pretty much assuming that I didn't get the position since it's now 4:30 on Monday and I've gotten no call. Then again, maybe the other person will ask for way too much money and they'll have to come back to me. ;-)

winneythepooh7 · #29 02-21-2005, 05:35 PM

Well I don't know if I would send someone a thank-you note via email, especially with spam and all that, but remember that today is a holiday, so maybe they weren't in the office today. I'd give them a few days.

CarolinaDG · #30 02-21-2005, 05:48 PM

There were a few reasons I sent it through e-mail (I should've explained earlier):

1-She was very specific to say that they were making the decision very quickly, probably Friday but possibly Monday and there was no way the Thank You would get there before the decision was made (according to their timeline)
2-She was very specific to say that she thinks follow-ups are important (this is for a position involving following up with donors)
3-I read on a website that 81% of employers prefer e-mail thank you's because they are quicker

As far as the holiday, that's what I'm trying to act like it is, but wouldn't you think she would realize she would be on vacation on Monday? Just my thought, but I'm not sure that it's necessarily true. I'll just chalk this up to experience if I don't get it.

Also, while we're on the subject, I've heard of a few different ways that are "appropriate" or even "preferred" for sending a thank you note. One is in the standard thank you note form (a little notecard handwritten saying "thanks"), one is in a business-letter form, and one is via e-mail. I have even heard that you should send a follow-up e-mail and then a separate thank you note if you know that the hiring process is going to be a quick one. Is this overkill, though? My only concern is that part of the position is writing handwritten thank you notes to donors, so this COULD be a test. I think I'm overthinking things, though...