Moving on up from dead-end jobs

DEAR JOYCE: I graduated last year with a drama degree and I'm still waitressing. We won't even talk about my student loan debt. My boyfriend, also a graduate with a master's degree, works a straight commission sales job. Several friends are in the same situation. What is the point of education if nonprofessional jobs are the result? -- T.T.

Low-end jobs share, in some combination, a mix of five characteristics: low pay, minimal benefits, wrong hours (too many or too few), low status and no obvious career path. Get out as soon as you can before you are typecast as someone who has little interest in rewards greater than those available through commercial customer loyalty programs.

Here are several thoughts for young college graduates whose careers disappoint.

--On-job treasure hunt. Watch for a main chance through on-job contacts. Without probing, you miss potential links to good jobs available through co-workers, including those who wear aprons. Don't just look at customers merely as people who put food into their mouths -- view each as a potential bridge to a job you want.

--Bulletproof networking. Networking books dissect the art of making light chit-chat to focus on your goal. Not glib? Cat keeps getting your tongue? Develop skills for online networking using social media where you can reach out and no one will know you have sweaty palms.

--Strategic choices. If you'd rather be a psychology assistant but are only receiving clerical offers, aim for employment in a psychologist's office. Finding a job in a recruiter's office or a temp-staffing company puts you at news central where you can be the first to learn about hiring activities around town. A drama-major waitress could head for a dinner theater to be on deck if theatrical opportunity arises.

Think about trying for low-end jobs only at well-regarded companies that are known for strong training and customer relations programs. Experience at a name company is far more marketable than experience at Tony's Bar and Grill.

--Search expansion. Trim your work hours, if necessary. Leave enough time for your "real" job search, which may include boosting visibility by volunteering at high-profile nonprofit agencies. Devote a minimum of 20 hours a week to your life-changing search.

DEAR JOYCE: You mentioned that recruiters check out job seekers by looking them up online through LinkedIn, Google, Facebook and other social media. Exactly what information are they going after? -- S.R.K.

According to a recent survey this year of 460 human resources professionals, most of what they look up online is pretty standard information. But quite a few are trying to uncover more controversial stuff, such as photos or what groups on Facebook a job candidate belongs to. That's the word from Todd Raphael, editorial chief of ERE Media, a major recruiting industry publisher.

In descending order by frequency of search, employers look up previous work history, education, recommendations, hobbies and interests, "likes" and activities, posted comments, group affiliations, pictures, and comments and links posted by candidates' friends.

DEAR JOYCE: What is your opinion of the "spray and pray" method of looking for a job -- that is, applying online for as many open jobs as possible? -- B.W.

The theory of "spray and pray" is that if you apply for every open job within reach, qualified or not, you're sure to land one. With today's surplus of applicants to open positions, the smart money bets on a well-qualified person being offered the job. Spray and pray is like counting on the lottery as a retirement plan.

DEAR JOYCE: I have experience in many fields but don't seem to be getting hired. Should I concentrate my search on small companies? -- P.P.M.

That's what I would do. Companies in smaller boats can't afford passengers -- everyone has to row with vigor.

Joyce Lain Kennedy is the author of the Los Angeles Times Syndicate's column CAREERS, now in its 28th year, and appearing in more than 100 newspapers.

(E-mail career questions for possible use in this column to Joyce Lain Kennedy at jlk@sunfeatures.com; use "Reader Question" for subject line. Or mail her at Box 368, Cardiff, CA 92007.)

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