As of now, I am currently hiring for a Jr. Project Manager. It’s listed as a Jr. position, but in RIESTER terms, mid-level quality is expected. That’s not being arrogant. It’s what it takes to work with smart people who live to do their best work. Agency life isn’t for everyone.
Oh, and I’ve received resumes. Lots of them.
If you’re diligent, you have seen my email address from the job posting, Googled my name, found this blog, and atlas: are reading this post. Good job. Here’s a few pointers that will help get you an interview, not just with me, but for any job.
- Please don’t try to sound smarter than your vocabulary allows. Put your computer’s thesaurus away and write something about you that’s honest. Not a bunch of business jargon. I don’t need to sort through your adjective-stuffed run-on sentences to find out what you’re trying to say. If you’re having trouble, you can unsuck it.
- Tell me why you want this job. If you really want to be in PR and think this will be a foot in the door, please don’t submit. I want someone as passionate about making the web a better place as the people you will be project managing. Anything less is an insult. If you are a designer, tell me why you want to shift over to project management.
- Have someone proof your writing. We do it all the time for each other.
- Be honest and humble. It goes a long way. Don’t bullshit me on what you don’t know. There is so much good stuff to learn at this job.
- Content strategy? User Experience? Know what these are and the people who are recognized for them.
- What are you learning on your own? What are you reading now? The interactive world is a constantly evolving place. If you’re not learning something new, you’re not relevant.
- Don’t name the file of your resume resume.doc. It will be lost forever in my downloads folder after the first read.
- Let me see something about your personal life: Twitter, YouTube, Pintrest, etc…
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions. It shows me your thinking. (I also love my job, and like telling people about it.)
- Sweat the details. I want to see work examples that have been cared for.
- Please don’t call, especially when the posting says not to.
I was once young in my career, so I understand what you are going through. It sucks trying to get your first job. Or any job. But you are a wonderfully smart and capable person. There’s a job out there that needs you just as much as you need it.
And if all this makes sense and you want to apply, by all means, send a resume over.
Bonus points!
- A video resume? Yes please!
- Have a your own domain name and website? Nice.
- Have a blog? I would love to read it.
