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You can't always read between the lines
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Dear J.T. & Dale: I applied for an HR coordinator job around six months ago. I've followed up for a few weeks with a few phone calls and never got a response. Today I saw the exact same job listing. What should I think — they never hired anyone? They hired someone and it didn't work out? Should I resend my resume, or follow my instincts that this company doesn't have its act together? — Melissa
J.T.: Sometimes, especially in this economy, companies post a job, run ads, collect resumes and then something happens internally that forces them to put the job on hold. Then, months later, things get cleared up, and they repost the job.
DALE: Or, they hire someone and it doesn't work out ... or, or, or. One frustration of job-hunting is that you almost never learn why you didn't get called, and yet you want to learn from each experience, so you end up trying to read between the lines, when there are no lines. That said, Melissa, this is one time not to follow your instincts — there are plenty of reasons a good company would end up reposting the job. Get back out there and work your way in for an interview. However, you'll have to do more than send a standard letter and resume, or else you'll get the standard response ... which is, sigh, no response.
J.T.: Make your cover letter compelling. Show them how much you've researched the company and why you respect it — that's a great way to get their attention. Tell the company specifically what impresses you about it — in other words, talk more about it than about you, and they'll want to hear more from you.
Dear J.T. & Dale: I'm a high-school student, and I want to get into radio broadcasting. I consider myself a pretty entertaining guy, and think being on-air would be the ideal job. I told my dad, and he thinks it's ridiculous. He said he won't pay for college unless I study something that will give me a valuable skill. What should I do — get the degree, or pursue my passion? — Jason
DALE: Keep the dream alive, Jason. In fact, keep two alive — the one about working in a field that excites you, and the one about getting financial support from your parents so you don't leave school with so much debt that you've got to take whatever job pays the most. You don't have to major in communications to end up working in radio. (There is a hilarious book, The College Humor Guide to College, that has a satirical but relevant subtitle: "Selling Kidneys for Beer Money, Sleeping With Your Professors, Majoring in Communications, and Other Really Good Ideas.") No matter what serious "dad major" you choose, you can volunteer at the college radio station, intern at local stations in the summer and so forth.
J.T.: The day your question arrived, I had a radio interview with radio veteran and founder of Blue Funk Broadcasting, Ric Bratton. I mentioned your question to him, Jason, and like you, he knew early on what he wanted to do:
"My desire to be in broadcasting started in junior high. I actually started a low-power radio station while in high school, and in college worked in both radio and TV. I honestly can't imagine doing anything else."
Ric went on to say that breaking into the business requires being open to starting at any job, at any level, and he added that while many stations have been cutting back on staff, this actually can be a benefit to a rookie:
"Many stations who have eliminated full-time staff are adding paid interns or day hires, both excellent ways to gain experience and make an impression."
DALE: And one way to make an impression on radio people is to not be just another student majoring in broadcasting. Your courses in business, computers or engineering can make you more valuable to a radio station, all while keeping your dad happy ... and writing checks.
Jeanine "J.T." Tanner O'Donnell is a professional development specialist and founder of the consulting firm jtodonnell.com. Dale Dauten's latest book is (Great) Employees Only: How Gifted Bosses Hire and De-Hire Their Way to Success.
