Question:
I HATE to look for a job! My mom wants to help me – do you think that would be ok?
Answer:
It is interesting you asked whether it is ok if your mom helps you with your job search. Coincidentally, one of our students just wrote to thank me for advising him to keep his mom’s interference regarding his job search to a minimum by scheduling a weekly call with her (no more and no less) so that she would check in with him, provide advice, hunt for job leads, etc. I very much realize that some people reading this will be thinking --- “helicopter mom” –-- but when it comes to finding a job I really don’t think one can ever have enough help or guidance. You are not alone in hating to look for a job. Many people get stressed out just thinking about the prospect of looking for a job. If your mom (dad or friend too) really want to help – maybe you would want to assign them the task of following all of the job boards. Be advised that only about 15% of openings are found through postings and the other 85% are found through networking, meetings, etc., but someone gets the “job posting jobs” so it may as well be you. You’re mom (friend or dad) will be quite busy identifying suitable postings for you. Here are some of the sources they can look at regularly:
1.Indeed.com – set up a free job search to have leads emailed to you. You type in “buzz words” such as “Politics” or “government relations” or communications, and then you type in a specified geography – “Washington, DC” and/or ___ (your home town city). You’ll get scores of postings. Indeed.com acts as a “spider” collecting job openings from a number of sites such as monster.com, The Washington Post, company websites, etc.
2.Politico.com – lots of postings for Capitol Hill, trade associations, corporations, etc.
3.Roll Call – lots of postings for Capitol Hill, trade associations, corporations, etc.
4.The Hill – lots of postings for Capitol Hill, trade associations, corporations, etc.
5.American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) – openings in trade and professional associations.
6.Public Affairs Council – openings in Corporate Washington D.C. Offices and Trade Associations.
7.USAJobs.com – U.S. Federal Government Job Openings
8.GWU/GSPM Yahoo Group – make sure to look at all of the postings we at the GSPM post every day.
9.Brad Traverse Group – this one has a slight subscription fee of $5.00 a month plus a $15 sign-up fee (Brad gets excellent leads 7 days a week).
10.Opportunities in Public Affairs – there is a charge.
11.U.S. Senate Placement Office – senate.gov/employment/po/positions.htm
12.U.S. House of Representatives –house.gov/cao-hr
13. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it – these are postings for organizations and Democratic Hill jobs.
14.Republican Jobs - http://net.gop.com/Jobs/
Tracking openings through this list of job posting sites should keep your mom (dad or friend) really busy! So, now comes your part – you need to use your time to network with as many people as you can – professors, friends, church (synagogue) members, friends of friends, alumni contacts, professional associations, etc. In short, you need to let everyone you know be aware that you’re looking for a job and ask for their help. I think once you get into the process --- you’ll find it really can be a good experience. Keep working at it until you get the job you want. If you’re having trouble – schedule a time to come in and talk with me. We’ll go over your resume and cover letter together and talk about interviewing and any other concerns you might have. If you want your mom, dad, or whomever to also contact me – that is fine. Just please give me a “heads up” about the name of the person who may be contacting me in your behalf. Good luck and go get ‘em!
