This document provides tips for job seekers on preparing for and conducting a successful job search. It recommends thoroughly researching opportunities online and leveraging connections, building an online professional profile on platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter, gaining experience through internships and freelance work, networking widely both online and in person, customizing application materials for each opportunity, and following up extensively after interviews. Key steps include researching the requirements for roles, highlighting one's strengths, addressing weaknesses, and preparing thoroughly for interviews while listening effectively and asking tough questions.

1. Preparing for success
in your job hunt
Steve Buttry
LSU SPJ
October 14, 2014
#lsuspj

2. Read more
• stevebuttry.wordpress.com (“career
advice” category)
• Check links in today’s blog post
• slideshare.net/stevebuttry
• @stevebuttry
• stephenbuttry@gmail.com or
stevebuttry@lsu.edu

4. Your job search is a story
• Research online. Thoroughly
• Work your connections
• Nail the face-to-face interview
• Be resourceful
• Try multiple approaches
• Never say no for someone else

5. Build your digital profile
• Google yourself. What do you find?
• Twitter, Facebook
• LinkedIn profile
• Google+ profile
• About.me
• Blog (when did you last post?)
• Personal site (“about me” or portfolio)

6. Build your experience
• Student media
• Internships
• Blog
• Social media
• Social Media News Challenge
• Freelancing (stringer or one-shot)
• Part-time jobs

7. Network
• Connect digitally w/ people you admire
• Especially on Twitter
• #wjchat, #dfmchat, #muckedup etc.
• Follow up (Twitter, email, handwritten)
• Comment on blogs
• IRL

9. Show, don’t tell
• Hyperlink resumé (but make sure it reads
well w/o links)
• Don’t send hard copy by snail mail unless
asked
• Video as part of résumé
• Pitch through social media
• Use digital tools (Storify, Pinterest,
timeline, map)

10. Do your reporting
• What does the job require?
• Who does similar work? What are their
strengths? What are yours?
• What strengths should you highlight?
• What are you doing to address
weaknesses?
• Research people you interview with

11. Little things are big things
• Customize your resumé
• Spell the prospective boss’s name right
• Take initiative (can you schedule your
own interview?)
• Include Twitter username on resumé

12. Interviews count, too
• Prepare thoroughly
• Listen effectively
• Answer honestly
• Ask tough questions
• Don’t fake: “I don’t know” > BS
• Follow up

13. Follow up
• Thank interviewer(s): email, card, tweet
• Elaborate on answers (send link to story
you mentioned, etc.)
• Send link(s) to notable new work
• Handwritten note
• Persistence is a job skill
• Don’t overdo it