Getting your first job

Here's the first in a series of posts providing tips on how to get a job straight out of college. The information comes from professionals at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch who presented a session at the National College Media Association convention last fall.

ORGANIZE YOUR SEARCH
Keep a file of all the companies to which you apply. It's embarrassing to get an interview and not recall what position you're seeking.

FOR EACH RESUME YOU SEND, RECORD:

1. Company name
2. Name and description of position
3. Name, spelling and pronunciation of manager
4. Date sent
5. Dates of follow up calls and letters

Researching the company

A sampling of important elements you should know:

• History of company
• What companies are affiliated? Parent organization?
• What is the product? Get a subscription to the print or online
• Who are the competitors?
• Size of the company
• Is the company public or private?
• Challenges the company may face
• Network, if you can, with current employees