Successful job-search strategies that really work

Black Collegian, Oct 1998 by Campbell-Rock, C C

The good news is there are lucrative job opportunities that are yours for the taking. The not-so-good news is that there has been no significant increase in the number of job offers, meaning that the bar of expectations is higher for graduates, especially graduates of color. No need to panic, though. With the right moves, you can rise above the competition and land that dream position.

THE BLACK COLLEGIAN magazine polled several recent graduates who got the "hook-up" to their dream jobs. Here's how they did it....

Ayanna Roberts, 25, captured her dream job in June 1998, a month after graduating from North Carolina A&T State University with a master's of science degree in mechanical engineering. Roberts is a product engineer employed at the Chrysler Corporation in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

Roberts' career path was anything but easy, even though she had graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in physics from Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia in 1996. Roberts knew that in order to land the type of job she desired she needed more than her undergraduate degree. She enrolled in graduate school at North Carolina A&T State University. While working on her thesis, Roberts found her niche-the automotive side of physics. She launched her job search in the beginning of her final year in grad school.

After countless interviews, Roberts decided to take Ford and Chrysler up on their offers of second interviews. She chose Chrysler because the firm is committed to higher education and employed a lot of North Carolina A&T alumni. In fact, her fellow alumni recruited her. "They recruited me one-on-one as opposed to Ford where there were 50 other candidates being recruited at the same time."

To graduating seniors, Roberts imparts the following advice: Start the job search six months in advance. Visit your career services department for career information and literature. Practice interviewing with fellow students before the interview and before you go on the second interview. Know yourself and what you're willing to accept. Research your targeted companies. Attend recruitment information sessions. Make sure your resume is descriptive and includes internship experience and an objective. "Once you get an offer don't just look at the salary. Look for benefits and advancement opportunities before deciding," Roberts added.

Jevaughn Lennox Sterling, 24, went straight to graduate school after earning a bachelor's degree in business administration from Howard University in 1996. In hindsight, Sterling realized that in going immediately for an MBA in finance, he had created more competition for himself. He would now have to compete with MBA candidates who had acquired work experience before entering graduate school.

To make himself marketable, Sterling got involved in extracurricular activities. He participated in national business competitions; served on the graduate business student council; and formed an intramural soccer team for the MBA program, all in preparation for the job search. In the process, he received the Excellence at the Mecca Award from Howard University.

He attended the National Black MBA Association's conference, but, before going, he sent his resume to the organization. When the event rolled around he had two interviews lined up. Sterling read THE BLACK COLLEGIAN regularly and consulted career services counselors, whom he gives props to for efficiency in bringing companies to the campus. However, Sterling recalls having at least five interviews weekly, and having five in one day! By the time he graduated in May 1998, he had four offers.

Sterling chose Columbia Energy Group in Reston, Virginia. "The company allowed me to be the first to do a lot of novel things," said Sterling, who entered the company's executive training program last July.

"Place no limits on yourself," Sterling advises graduating seniors. "Gather a broad range of experiences in different functional areas while in school. Establish meaningful relationships." Sterling had fellow students taking notes while he traveled around the country interviewing and exchanged faxes and e-mail with them. "Develop transferable skills. Maintain a positive attitude." Sterling was turned down 10 times, even after second interviews, but he viewed the rejections as the companies' loss. "Draw on the resources around you. Put yourself into a leadership position."

Debra Kay Cottingham, 24, entered the hot field of environmental engineering in June 1998, a month after graduating from Howard University with a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering. She interviewed with a lot of different companies and received at least six offers by Christmas 1997. Cottingham chose Malcolm Pirnie, Inc., in White Plains, New York.

Cottingham's position puts her directly into her chosen concentration, environmental/water resources and the firm is a 12-hour drive away from her hometown of Macomb, Michigan. Malcolm Pirnie also has excellent educational benefits. "I'm going back to school next summer," Cottingham explains.