Forum - Ask the Hiring Manager

Ask the Hiring Manager is an online career forum designed specifically for college students and recent grads, with answers to many common job search questions provided by Brian Krueger, author of the book College Grad Job Hunter.

If you don't see an answer to a question you would like to see answered here in this forum, please submit your own question direct to Brian.

• Career Planning/Preparation/Selection
   
• What is the difference between the following terminologies: internship, experiential learning, co-op, service learning, field study, community service, and volunteer intern?
   
• I can't decide on which path to take. I am very ambitions and extremely competitive, but I don't know what career I want to choose.
   
• Does the college that a person attends affect the number of job opportunities that will be available when he/she graduates?
   
• Of what value is advice/informational interviewing?
   
• Is it okay to contact and set up informational interviews prior to his second interview with three of the departments that would be reporting to the potential new boss?
   
• Should I pursue a Masters in Child life/Rec.Therapy or pursue an avenue of experience first?
   
• I want to go to grad school in a year, but I need to work for the next year to survive. Where do I go from here?
   
• I did a co-op in a field I'm no longer interested in. Should I try to do another co-op before I graduate? Or just look for entry level jobs?
   
• Is it best to go on for my Master's degree full-time or should I begin working and pursue my M.S. part-time in the evenings? Which option is better?
   
• What are the factors that contribute to overall job satisfaction, and how do they rank? How should I go about interviewing current employees of a prospective employer?
   
• I have questions about what it takes to be successful in a sales/marketing job. I can't seem to find any information about this. How can I track down more information on this topic?
   
• I am interested in fashion buying or fashion marketing. I need to find out more information about these jobs and possible internships.
   
• I am taking classes to get my M.S. in Human Resources, but I can't get a job. Is my degree worth it?
   
• I will be completing my undergraduate degree and leaving the military soon. Will I have to compete at the entry level with all the other college grads? What can I do to prepare?
   
• What type of career would be appropriate for someone that enjoys taking high levels of risk?
   
• Where can I go to find out more information about specific careers?
   
• When career counselors and publications indicate that recent graduates should have "realistic expectations" what does that mean? What sort of salaries are reasonable?
   
• Is it worth being out of the job market for a few years, since I am in my thirties, to pursue a college degree? Is it worth pursuing ANY degree at all at my age?
   
• When should I begin shifting my focus from looking for my "ideal" job to just finding a job?
   
• What type of jobs should I pursue while in college to best prepare me for getting a job after graduation?
   
• Job Search Prep
   
• If a student changes universities several times for legitimate reasons, will it affect their job prospects?
   
• Are there situations in which grads do internships or pre-professional jobs after graduation?
   
• How do you find a job in a creative field when jobs are scarce?
   
• How long should a job campaign take? (I have heard anywhere from 90 days to 9 months as estimates)...
   
• What is a reasonable amount of time to search for a job locally before beginning to look nationally?
   
• How early prior to gratuating is a good time to start sending out resumes. Like me for instance, I graduate in December. When should I start sending out resumes?
   
• How does the fact that employers are looking to fill a position ASAP go with the fact that I will graduate in 4 months and won't be able to start working until then??
   
• After teaching for two years I realize that I do not want to teach. How do I emphasize my teaching experience as a benefit to employers in other areas?
   
• Are there any specialized job search techniques for breaking into the science field?
   
• I'm approaching my senior year and need to begin searching for a job. Where do I start?
   
• I'm only a student with limited experience, while most jobs require x years of experience. Would an internship be appropriate--paid or even unpaid?
   
• Do you have any specific advice on how to tailor my job search to a public service position?
   
• compared to experience in regards to entry level positions?
   
• I have completed three degree programs in five years. What obstacles can I expect about the amount of time I spent in the university?
   
• At age 35, I am switching to a new career at the entry level. How can I use my previous experience as a plus rather than a negative?
   
• How does an older student leverage their past experience, when the companies coming to campus are looking to hire entry-level people?
   
• How can I best land a health-related job that would get my feet wet, given that I will have a bachelor's degree without any health/medical training?
   
• I'm a December grad and I haven't found a job yet because of my low GPA. Any suggestions?
   
• Internet Job Search
   
• I'm wondering about posting my resume on my homepage--is this a good idea for job possibilities after college?
   
• How can I get access to the newsgroup misc.jobs.resumes?
   
• I am a new Internet user. What is ASCII format or HTML format used for resume posting? Where can I find those specifications?
   
• American Airlines had a position listed on their Web site that I really want, but I can't get a through to anyone at the company. How do I do this?
   
• How do I attach my MS Word resume in ASCII format to an e-mail message. Any follow-up required?
   
• I'm having trouble attaching my HTML resume to an E-mail message. What can I do to fix this?
   
• I found a company thru a Web site and I was wondering if I should contact them by phone or e-mail first?
   
• Resumes and Cover Letters
   
• What is the proper format for developing my resume and cover letter?
   
• How do I write an objective that is general enough for a variety of jobs?
   
• Can I list my cumulative GPA on my resume for both schools I attended or should I just list my GPA for my current school?
   
• Should I list my GPA if it is just under a 3.0?
   
• Do most employers actually call the registrar to check the actual GPA? If they don't, should I just inflate it on my resume to make it look better?
   
• I have work experience, but it is not directly related to my major. What do I do with the "Experience" section of my resume?
   
• I had a series of short duration jobs I did for others that were all valuable experience, but short duration. How do I list these on my resume?
   
• How do I list my double major on my resume? And should I continue to get a second degree?
   
• How can I list the descriptions of the jobs I have held with various companies while indicating that they were attained through a temporary agency?
   
• I discovered a typo in my cover letter after sending it to an employer. What should I do?
   
• If a job posting says to send a resume, should I send a cover letter as well?
   
• Should I be addressing my cover letters to my contact (in sales for me) or to the HR director?
   
• How do I narrow down the experience that I list on my resume to only include the most important experience?
   
• Whom should I address the cover letter if I just have the Human Resources address?
   
• It has taken nine years for me to complete my degree. In addition, I have had a variety of short jobs during this time. How do I list this on my resume?
   
• When sending resumes to employment agencies, should a cover letter be sent as well? And if so to whom should it be addressed to as one cannot tell which company it will be sent to?
   
• I had a family emergency after graduation, during which I had to stay at home taking care of a family member. How do I account for this on my resume?
   
• Is it necessary to bring a cover letter with your resume if you're attending a job fair?
   
• Employer Research
   
• How do you get past Human Resources to obtain information about the company you are interested in working with?
   
• What are the best sources for searching for company information non-electronically?
   
• What types of companies (large, small, startups, etc.) are looking for recent college graduates?
   
• How do I find out more information about small public relations firms in my area?
   
• Can you recommend any resources for finding jobs in government or non-profits?
   
• I have made many contacts through research and headhunters and research, yet I have not found the right opportunity. Are there other contacts or companies that I'm overlooking?
   
• Would you have any information or tips on accessing the hidden job market?
   
• I'm having trouble finding jobs in wildlife conservation field. Any suggestions?
   
• What types of companies (large, small, startups, etc.) are looking for recent college graduates?
   
• I am trying to get a job with the airlines, but having trouble getting in the door. Any suggestions?
• Initial Contact/Getting the Interview
   
• Is it best to send my resume directly to employers through their Web site, e-mail or mail?
   
• How do you get your foot in the door when others with more experience are applying for positions?
   
• Who do you address a cover letter to when no contact person is given?
   
• What do you provide employers who request a "salary history" since I am entry level and don't really have a salary history? And what about requests for salary requirements?
   
• How can I get a better chance at getting a job for a company when I don't know anybody there?
   
• How should I respond to job postings where the employer is hiring now, but I won't be graduating for another 7 months?
   
• How do you get past the "experience wall" where employers block you out unless you meet their magical criteria?
   
• Does internship experience count as real experience when applying for a position?
   
• Should I call the employer before or after I send my resume?
   
• I am targeting a specific consulting firm--should I apply for their professional, entry level, or internship positions to get in the door?
   
• After I graduated I sent my resume to most of the big companies. So far I keep getting rejection letters. Any tips on what should do next?
   
• How can I target a specific department to really impress upon them that they are my first choice for an employer?
   
• I received a response letter that makes it sound as if they will be contacting me in the future. Should I wait for them to call?
   
• Just what do human resource directors screening engineering candidates want?
   
• Which job markets--geographically speaking--are hot spots?
   
• Tough Interview Questions and Interviewing Techniques
   
• How do you answer the question - "What salary are you expecting?"
   
• At my final interview I will be meeting several managers in informal, non-interview settings. How do I respond to their "what are you looking for..." questions?
   
• I have been asked to provide a writing sample. What do I give them?
   
• My GPA was lower when I first started and now is much higher. How can I present this higher ending GPA to potential employers?
   
• Do you have any advice on how to calm nerves before making an important phone call to a potential employer?
   
• I have a speech impediment--stuttering. What can/should I do to make this not a factor in the hiring/interviewing process?
   
• I have to wear baggy jeans due to a medical condition that has swollen my right leg. How do I dress for an interview given this condition?
   
• Do you have any advise for hearing impaired, college graduate job hunters?
   
• I have to take a personality test. How does this test effect my chances of being hired if at all and what is the purpose in using this test?
   
• After a successful interview, I was asked to write a brief essay on what I can offer to the company, or why I would be qualified for this position. can you help me answer that question??
   
• Getting the Offer
   
• I have a question about references. Is it best to ask people first before listing them as a reference?
   
• An employer was initially interested in me, but now I cannot get them to return calls. Why is this happening?
   
• I've had the door slammed shut on me after all of my first 9 interviews. How can I find out what I'm doing wrong before my next interview?
   
• I recently just missed out on getting a job. I'm getting frustrated and thinking of going into the Air Force. Any advice?
   
• Can I call my interviewer to ask my status? Is it ethical? If not, how would I know when I can get the answear?
   
• Should I send a thank-you note to the employer after the interview?
   
• I have a question about thank you notes to send after an interview. What should they say? Could you give me an example?
   
• Would it be appropriate to call the interviewee to follow-up on a response on when the position would be filled?
   
• I blew my interview with my ideal company for a summer internship. What should I do now?
   
• Offer Negotiation and Acceptance
   
• I just received an offer from a company that I really like. However, another company just called and would like to do a phone interview. Any suggestions?
   
• I will likely be receiving an offer from the company I interned for, but other companies haven't yet begun interviewing on campus. How do I respond to this offer?
   
• I received a verbal job offer from a big company, but I still haven't received a formal letter a month later. Is it normal for the process to take this long?
   
• I got an offer from the company I worked for as an intern. Am I in a position to negotiate salary? Or should I just take what was offered?
   
• How do you negotiate an offer that is unacceptable in its present form?
   
• My second choice employer will likely make an offer a week before my final interview with my first choice employer. How do I handle this?
   
• I have an offer with a company that requires a drug test, but I'm also waiting for an offer from another company. By scheduling the drug test for the 1st offer, will I be automatically accepting the 1st offer?
   
• I've turned down two job offers because it's not exactly what I want--should I keep looking or just take what's being offered?
   
• What can a new hire expect when negotiating a relocation package?
   
• Why am I getting paid less than my boyfriend's sister, who has no college education and is working in a clerical position?
   
• Several things were committed to me verbally when the offer was made. Can I capture that information as part of my acceptance letter?
   
• Relocation and Visa Issues
   
• I am interested in out of state jobs. Is there a right way and or a wrong way to search for positions out of state?
   
• I want to move to The Netherlands, but I just blew the phone interview with a Dutch company. What do I do now?
   
• Do I need to be employed to apply for a green card? And also what is the best way for an international student like me to get a job here?
   
• I would like to move to London to work for a year, but my parents would like me to go to grad school right away. What do you think?
   
• I would like to look for a job in Spain, but my parents want me to stay in the U.S. Suggestions?
   
• Is there an advantage to being an international student, because I can speak 2 languages, and I have a cross-educational background and multicultural perspective?
   
• I am holding a Practical Training Visa which lasts only one year and having problem getting permanent employment because of this. Do you have any suggestions?
   
• I am relocating to a different city, where I don't have many contacts. What is the best way to make contacts in a city where I hardly know anyone?
   
• I would especialy like to work abroad prior to graduate school. How can I find out if there are jobs available abroad?
   
• I will be moving back to my home country overseas after graduation. How do I get in touch with U.S. multinational companies?
   
• Do you have any tips on working abroad?
   
• I live in England and would very much like to work in America. What can I do to get a job there?
   
• Managing Your Career
   
• I was laid off after only three months at my first job. What do I need to do to recover to look for a new job?
   
• I want to send an updated resume to all the companies that have my old resume from after graduation, since I now have more experience. What is the appropriate way to do this?
   
• When is the right time to make a professional career move?
   
• Would I be jumping ship if I left my current position to take a different one with better pay and better hours?