Here is a recent answer to a PR Week question. I thought I would share it with you here:

What are some ways junior-level candidates can stay positive during an extended job hunt?

Jadey Ryndak

April 27 2009

A positive, energetic attitude is one of the main factors to determine a candidate’s success. Companies can teach a new recruit many skills, but every employer knows that a new hire’s actual success will be highly influenced by his or her attitude. So be sure to keep your enthusiasm at the forefront during your job search.

In order to stay positive, surround yourself with people who share your passion by seeking out associations and groups, and attending face-to-face and online events.

You can also stay connected by reading articles, subscribing to RSS feeds, and participating in related events.

Break the job-search process into small steps and view the accomplishment of each step as a victory. The best way to keep rejections from being traumatic is to have lots of opportunities in the wings. Cast a wide net and never stop networking and seeking opportunities.

Create a list of the roles you want and the qualities, abilities, and skills that you can offer. Read this list regularly before interviews and networking events, or even after a disappointment.

Link

Here are some interesting news stories from this week that seem to be tipping points for your marketing and creative toolbox.

New York City TV NY1: Personal Brand
If you are looking to expand your personal brand or do some online networking to find that next great job this is a video news story from NY1 TV in New York City.

WSJ:  WPP, Google to Fund Web-Ad Research
As marketing continues to search for the most measurable results, marketing research meets Madison Ave.  Looks like Google and WPP are getting together to spend $4.6M on business analysis and psychological studies.

AdAge: Is Facebook rise a boon for Google?
The old cliche about a rising tide that lifts all boats is often true on the web. But Facebook’s traffic growth has been disproportionately good to Google, according to a recent analyst, as the social network’s success appears to be boosting the search engine’s traffic.

AdAge: The beauty of being a small agency in a big world.
“How big do we want to get?”

The following is a view into my day as an Account Manager with Paladin. While each day varies from the next when you are a recruiter, this Thursday in March 2009 was a pretty good representation of what happens on this side of the desk.

6:30am:        Coffee and local TV news

7:00am:        Wake up ‘tween daughter

7:15am:        More coffee

7:45am:        Daughter heads to school and I head for public transportation

8:05am:        Blue line train to the Loop

Check blackberry for morning messages.
Read 7 habits of Highly Successful People - Just kidding

8:30am:        Arrive at 200 W. Madison

Pick up Wall Street Journal at reception desk if first to arrive – otherwise head over to Business Development Manager, Mike Dwyer’s desk and take it from him. Read front page world events column and skim marketing news.

9:00am:        Candidate Interview

In-person interview with Information Architect for a long-term assignment for a client’s web team.

10:00am:      Candidate Search

Search Paladin database for technical writers for a global client (6 month contract assignment that can be done off-site, any geography).
Search for brand managers for CPG client. Permanent role, Chicago client. Senior level candidates with P & L responsibilities for the product.
Write up Job Postings for our Paladin website for 2 design jobs: Sr. level Web Designer and User Experience Designer.

11:00am:      Staff Meeting

12:30pm:      Client Lunch

Meeting with a former Paladin Associate who is now a Paladin client. Heads up web department at an association. Meeting to understand company structure, web team and how Paladin can help with freelance and permanent staffing needs.

1:30pm-4:00pm:

Scheduled call with direct hiring manager to get feedback on a morning interview with a candidate for Marketing Manager position.

Research interactive companies on Hoovers and create a prospective client list. Check contacts against database and LinkedIn. Make calls to connect with prospective or dormant accounts.

Research and calls result in 2 meetings for next week. One with an active client and one with a new client.

Call and email 3 candidates to remind them to submit their time-card.

Revisit search for brand manager. Database includes 500 candidates with brand management experience who live in Chicago region. Drill down search to include 10 years of CPG experience. Results narrow from 500-80 candidates.

Create and send an email blast to candidates regarding position.

4:00pm:        Client Status Call

Bi-weekly status call with client regarding feedback for first round of technical writing candidates submitted 3 days ago. Review new position for a Content Manager role and interview process that will include an editing test and 3 rounds of interviews with 3 different hiring managers in 3 different time zones.

4:30pm:        Wrap-Up

Write up meeting notes and update project timeline. Send to client lead and copy my manager.

5:45pm:        CIMA Annual Dinner

Head out to Chicago Interactive Marketing Association annual dinner. Meet with candidates and clients in the interactive marketing space.

8:20pm:        Head to the Metra for 8:40pm train home.