Alumni Association

Career Network & Services

Job Search Strategies

by Dr. Wayne Strom, Ph.D., Professor of Behavioral Science, The Graziadio School of Business and Management

As a professor, I have had a unique vantage point to observe many of my current and former students in various stages of their job searches. Noted below are some job search suggestions based on my years of observations.

First, the economy is always a major factor in job search efforts and an area that must be acknowledged and researched. Economy is, of course, not the only factor and shouldn’t be a slowing point. Another, major area that I have observed is the “approach” job seekers take. How one goes about getting job interviews can be an art-form, the approach being a key element.

The primary step I recommend is to decide to be totally honest with yourself about your approach! The reasons why people have trouble getting new jobs are many and varied. To state the obvious... some of the factors involved are out of our control. It is those that are within our control that deserve focus and attention. If one needs coaching on a resume.... that is in our control. There are other, more subtle factors, that are also in our control. Sometimes job applicants are unconscious of some negative attitude that they project, but that a skilled interviewer can "smell."

Attitude projection is an important focus point. Our subtle attitudes can be like giant blind spots, and create problems without our knowledge.

Over the years, the attitudes that I have observed which most frequently "trip" people are primarily rooted in some kind of fear, usually a buried fear that the person doesn't want to acknowledge or be reminded of. Fear that I am not competent... fear that I am not as 'good' as others.... fear that I will not get a job as good as my friends.... etc. Strange as it may seem these fears come in various disguises such as a hint of "I'm a victim," or hints of arrogance, impatience, anger, or depression. The hints may be so subtle that the person expressing them may not even know what they are projecting them, but skilled interviewers will pick up.... almost literally 'smell' them... and on that basis eliminate the candidate.

For that reason, it is critical that you open yourself up to candid feedback from people who have had a chance to see you in action such as your professors.

I offer the following suggestions for anyone currently in a job search (they are also good career growth practices.)

1. Meet face-to-face with EVERY ONE of your former professors and ask for their candid feedback about things that you could improve. Invite them to comment on any subtleties in your attitude, etc. AFTER EACH CONVERSATION, SIT DOWN AND WRITE OUT DETAILED NOTES OF ANY COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS.

2. Meet with your school’s Director of Career Resources (you can reach them by going to www.pepperdine.edu/alumni/career. Even if you have met with him/her before it does not matter, go back again and ask for feedback on subtleties such as attitude. AFTER EACH CONVERSATION, SIT DOWN AND WRITE OUT DETAILED NOTES OF ANY COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS. Also, it is important to bring your resume, your written action plan, and a list of persons you have and intend to interview with to the conversation.

3. Read the current edition of What Color is Your Parachute? The author, Richard Bolles, has written a number of good books that are at least worthy of skimming.

4. Read over the two attached drafts: “Suddenly Unemployed” and "On Cueing Up the Behavior of Others”

5. When you have COMPLETED all of the above...and not before, please feel free to contact me at wk.strom@verizon.net. I will first grill you on your earlier conversations and I will be quite direct in my comments, however I will do my best to assist you. Again... that is after you have completed all the above including detailed notes.

Having observed many students and graduates struggle with the employment question, I have come away with a simple thought...

God is always with us, some of us have turned off the inner-hearing for that voice.