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Job Hunter Newsletter The Shadowing Technique Disclaimer: please note that all of the links were active as of the newsletter publication, but some may become inactive over time. -------------------- IN THIS ISSUE:
-Help Spread The Word! -Job Search Links -Free Job Search Book -Sponsor: Free Career Analysis -------------------- - Job Search Tip of the Week, by Brian Krueger, author of "College Grad Job Hunter," the #1 book for entry level job search: "The Shadowing Technique" Even if you are not able to gain specific, referencable experience in your field, you can still gain access to information about your field to assist you in making decisions about post-graduation job planning, and gain some valuable network contacts in the process. The most efficient way to do so is by the Shadowing Technique. Locate a person in your chosen field or occupation (friends, relatives, or friends of friends are best, or anyone within your personal network; or work with the Career Center or Alumni Office for additional connections) who can then connect you with someone at their company who works in your area of interest. This person will serve as your company sponsor. Please note that your sponsor does not have to be a Hiring Manager--in fact, it is usually better to work with someone at or just above the job level you are seeking. When you have found a sponsor, ask that person to designate a day or half-day that would be a good example of work in that field. It's important to communicate that it will require no extra time from the sponsor--just the opportunity for you to "shadow" them while they are working. Then show up at the company dressed as you would if you were in the position. Bring a notebook with you and take plenty of notes. If your sponsor is open to talking about the work they are doing, feel free to ask questions. If you are spending a full day, treat them to lunch--ideally in the company cafeteria, where you can get even more "touch and feel" information on the company and its people. Lunch is also an excellent time to ask the questions you have been noting throughout the morning. When the day is over, make sure you send a very personal "thank you" note to your sponsor. By using the Shadowing Technique, you will be able to gain information firsthand from someone who is actively working in the field. By seeing the inside of the company, you will get a true feel for what it is like to work there yourself. You will learn more about the job, the company, the industry, and will also develop new network contacts. The Shadowing Technique is greatly preferred over the acclaimed informational interviewing technique (which I usually do not recommend, unless early in your college career, for reasons that follow) since it not only gives you a hands-on feel for the position and company, but also requires little additional time on the part of the sponsor. The sponsor does not feel used because his or her business day is not interrupted artificially. P.S. "Take Your Daughter/Son to Work Day" is based upon this same type of shadowing. You may have already done some shadowing in your earlier years. Unfortunately, most parents bring their children to work for this day only through grade school and stop at the time it would be most meaningful. Now it is time to extend this technique to your chosen career. Next newsletter: "Informational Interviewing" -------------------- - Help Spread The Word! Do you know of someone who can benefit from the information in this newsletter? Simply forward this e-mail to them and tell them to subscribe at http://www.CollegeGrad.com/newsletter. Thanks for spreading the good word! -------------------- Job Search Links:
-------------------- - Job Search Book Online There are at least two other entry level Web sites that offer books on job searching, proclaming that they will tell you everything you need to know about entry level job search. However, there is a very important point about these books they don't mention up front: they cost money. At CollegeGrad.com, we give you two things they don't:
2. It's free. It's that simple. So don't buy the hype. Read the real information you need for FREE: Don't ever pay for books or reports or resources of lower quality when you can access the very best quality information for free. P.S. Yes, you can buy "College Grad Job Hunter" in hardcopy format as well at Amazon.com for $15 (actually, 30% off that price), but the online version is better. Why? Because the version at Amazon.com (the 2003 edition) is being continually updated at CollegeGrad.com. So the most current version of the book is actually the online, free version. -------------------- - Sponsor: Free Career Analysis Searching for the right career? Get a FREE Career Analysis using the MAPP (Motivational Appraisal of Personal Potential). This career analysis will show you the top 11-20 jobs with your greatest potential for success, including 5 free job matches: |  | |
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