Re: Re: How do you differentiate yourself (UserFriendly)

["Bill Swallow" <techcommdood -at- gmail -dot- com>]

> That's because they don't. The old rules no longer apply -- except when
> they do. As for myself, I adhere to the old rules because that's what I
> grew up with. But I have asked many of those -- yeah, younger than me --
> about how they hunt for work, and it is astounding. I am a dinosaur, I
> think.

There's a big disconnect between mentality and reality in younger job
seekers from my perspective (and this is coming from someone at the
ripe old age of 33). I've been helping several of my younger
fraternity brothers in their job hunts (recent grads, ages from 21 to
about 25), and I was initially shocked at their attitudes. At first I
thought it was personality, but it seems they ALL think the same way -
they all EXPECT to get a job, like they're entitled to it. Working
with them was very difficult at first ("Why do I need a cover letter?"
"You mean I can't just use the same one?" "This is too much work, I
just want a job!"). I let them try it their way at first (post their
resume on the Almighty Intertoobs and wait), and then when that didn't
work they were more interested in my advice. ;)

> Most people I have asked have shrugged off thank you notes, saying they
> easily get jobs without them, so why bother. I send them, no matter
> what.

They're rare to receive from kids' birthday parties as well. I'd say
that less than 50% of kids these days send thank-yous to their party
guests. It's a cultural shift, but that doesn't mean the shift is
justified or correct. People remember courtesies that are extended. If
you want to be remembered well, send a thank-you. It takes under 10
minutes to write and at most the price of a stamp to send (and yes,
physical mail is far more effective, though slower to deliver).

> One person said he gets his jobs through word-of-mouth referrals
> (networking) and doesn't even have a paper resume. Good grief.

I am a strong proponent of networking, but never without a resume.

-- 
Bill Swallow
HATT List Owner
WWP-Users List Owner
Senior Member STC, TechValley Chapter
STC Single-Sourcing SIG Manager
http://techcommdood.blogspot.com
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