Last weekend during the Startup Barhunt I made a new friend. Her name is Archana and she is thee most startup-savvy UT student I know. What does startup-savvy mean? She knew everything that was going on in the tech world, from gossip and people, to new technology and services.
Today she asked me to answer a survey for a project she’s working on. I had a great time answering the questions. If you want to take a stab at answering all or some of ‘em, DO IT. I’m sure it would help her out. Enjoy!
1. How did you find your current job? Online? Networking? Company website? Job fair?
Hmmmmm… I don’t have a job really – no one employees me. :-\
But! If that was the case, I would have got the job online – that’s how I found radar.net when I was in school. They had a facebook ad looking for a young, mobile savvy student. I clicked and it asked me to write them a letter about how savvy I was, how connected I was, and why I love tech…
2. Have you ever searched for jobs online? If so, how?
For sure. Don’t think I’ve looked any other way. I’ve looked at http://www.ventureloop.com and http://startupers.com/jobs/ to see what’s goin on. I’ve looked on craigslist in the past. Umm.. I looked at monster one or two times. People can find me now. Via linkedin or http://notchup.com
3. Do you have a LinkedIn account?
For sheezee.
4. What do you use in LinkedIn?
Um. Everything. Even though I’ve only asked one, I think the Q&A feature is killer. I asked a question about following money or passion over Christmas and got 30+ answers/messages. That kind of feedback was amazing.
5. How do you manage your impression online?
My outward appearance? I am who I am. I write casually like I am here. I try and post everything I do so people can get a good sense of who I am. I want people to be engaged in my life. I want to set the example for how I want others to document their life. I love knowing what’s going on with my friends and others. I have… oh, next question.
6. Have you ever altered your image online, like “untagging” photos?
Untagged, YES. But not often anymore. It was mostly pics of when I was in college and chugging tons of beers. I still have some of those, but because I don’t post that many pics on facebook anymore, it would seem I was still doing the same thing.
7. Have you ever asked or been asked by an employer about your online activity on sites such as Facebook or MySpace?
NOPE. But no one employees me. When I was working (interning) fb wasn’t that popular.
8. How do you network?
By writing people emails that make them think. And by going out to places where I can meet them. By always staying up-to-date with what’s going on in the bubble that I care about. And some other bubbles. Using Twitter.
9. Do you use business cards?
YES
10. Have you ever applied for a job that did not require any online activity? For example, you were asked to mail in your application.
NO
11. In your opinion, what is the best way to find your first job out of college?
Depends what kind of job you want. And if you want a job.
Read the book Never Send A Resume. It’s short, I read it in a Borders.
I’d say, make relationships. Go meet people, email them. Email the leaders, only start at the bottom and work your way up if you have to. Even if you do have to, keep emailing/starting conversations with people who you respect, who you can empathize with. Help them empathize with you and they will help you. Only take a job that you are going to love. You’re gonna have to look and look and look so you better start now. It will all be worth it though – think of it as your contribution to the world, this is you giving back. How does that work? If you are in a place where you are happy, the world overall will be that much happier. Your vote (happiness) counts!
