Inside the Job Search World

With a front-row seat at the race for jobs in today's economy, Willy Franzen '06 has a lot of advice for employment seekers.

A major tip from Franzen, who figures he has helped 500,000 college students and graduates in their searches for jobs and internships, involves flipping the traditional employment search formula.

"I tell people to forget about looking for a job.  Look for companies whose stories you want to be a part and problems you want to solve," said the owner-operator of One Day, One Job and One Day, One Internship.

"If you love Apple computers, go find out as much as you can about Apple.  Even if they don't have anything posted that’s right for you, you might be able to build a relationship that leads to a job that's not yet posted," he said.

Many small, entrepreneurial companies don't post jobs, said Franzen, 24.

"They find people based on who they know," the way parents hire babysitters, he said. "First, you see if you have any internal candidates (read: older children), then you ask your relatives, then ask friends, and finally ask friends if they know any responsible teens. A want ad is a last resort."

Likewise, he said, job seekers should position themselves to hear about job listings before they go public.

"Instead of waiting until picked-over jobs get posted, have someone on the inside rooting for you," he said. "It gives you a much better angle."

For job seekers who need to overhaul their job searches, Franzen has teamed up with fellow Chicagoan Jason Seiden to launch a 21-day-on-line course called Found Your Career.

In 41 lessons with titles such as "Unleashing Your Inner Extrovert" and "Awkward Conversations," it helps job seekers build confidence and skills, Franzen said.

Franzen and Seiden, a management consultant, also offer customized advice to people who sign up for the course.

Off line, there are simple ways to identify a company that's right for you, Franzen said.

"Take a notepad and walk around the city and write down everything that interests you.  Go to your computer and see who makes that product?  What does that company actually do?  Once you understand their stories, you are better qualified to apply for those jobs," he said.

If you get in the door for an interview, he said, wear a can-do attitude.

"Attitude is the number one key factor.  If you get your attitude right – and it’s not easy to do – it’s going to prime you to have the behaviors that lead to success," he said.

For those lucky enough to get a job interview, Franzen suggests taking charge of the questions, instead of asking potential employers to more fully explain.

"Someone who constantly asks for clarifications isn’t someone you want working for you.  It shows you are uncertain about your skills," he said.  "Employers want to see someone who can take the initiative and jump right in."

In the meantime, don’t be shy, talk to everybody about your job search, Franzen said.

"Prove in your conversation that you're a real person.  If you say your job search is going fine and that's it, you don’t provide an opening for a meaningful conversation," he said. "It's amazing how many people want to help you, given the opportunity." 

Applicants for positions in web software development, one of the most resilient sectors in today's economy, are faring better than most people, he said.  "You are still a hot commodity, especially if you are very good."

Candidates in most other areas are struggling, he said.

"A lot of people aren't hearing back at all" from companies to which they have applied, Franzen said.

"When they do, they are competing with more people and higher quality people.  What used to be an entry-level job, now companies are looking at people with three to five years experience," he said.

"Companies are being very picky. Even you are very good, the process is going to be a lot tougher," Franzen said.

Some companies are filling jobs with unpaid interns, he said.

Unpaid work, he said, "can provide great experience, but is that a situation you want to be in? Working for free isn’t sustainable, and it can leave you feeling as though you’re not valued."

Consider, instead, he said, "something entrepreneurial.  Start a website, start blogging, build your own business."