How to Get a Job Without a Resume

Ever felt frustrated by not being able to get work experience because no one will hire you without having prior experience? Ever try any of these things, like, stuffing your face with marshmallows?....[crickets]...... No? Ok I guess it's just me then......

Go to isaadney.com/howtogetajobwithoutaresume to get your FREE ebook (releases 8/5/2013)! :D

What to do when you fail a class

From the #AskIsa inbox:

Dear Isa,

I am worried and scared because I think I just failed a class this semester. I know, I shouldn't have failed a class for any reason but it happened. So, I need some advice on what to do now.

I am aware of the impact it will have on my GPA and I know I will have to retake the course. Is there something I can do to not make it look so terrible (when in fact it is) for when I do transfer? This is so strange for me because I've never failed a class..

Sincerely,

Failed

Dear Failed,

Thank so much for reaching out. I'm so sorry about your failed class - that must be so difficult to deal with. But fear not - failing a class can be overcome.

Below are a few things that I hope will help:

1) Check out The Chatty Professor's blog and book - she shares a lot of content about failing classes and how to talk to professors. 

2) Set an appointment to talk with your professor immediately. Take ownership of why you failed and ask the professor for advice on what you can do differently next time.Try to uncover why this happened and do your best to learn and grow from this experience. 

3) When it comes to transferring, many college (and scholarship) applications give you a small space to explain any special circumstances or discrepancies on your transcript. Use what you learned from your professor and write about how you were able to learn from failure, continue moving towards your goals, and stop it from happening again.

If an application doesn't offer this space, think about how you can incorporate this failure experience into one of the essays. 

The most successful people are often the ones with the most failures. They learned from their mistakes, changed, grew, and kept on going. Your ability to overcome this failure, stop it from happening again, and then become able to communicate it in a positive way will set you up for success in your future college and career journey. 

Sincerely,

Isa

How to make it in LA: First Job Profile of Pivot Producer

This summer I connected with some amazing professionals who were willing to share their wisdom. Each profile features how their first job out of college led to their amazing careers today, as well as their advice to help you do the same. 

From my favorite movie, The Help, to my favorite documentary, Waiting for Superman, I'm a huge fan of the work of Participant Media. They use media to tell a story and create awareness that can change the world. And since they're launching a new network just for millennials called Pivot, I thought it'd be great to learn some career tips from the new network's senior producer, Adam:

First Job Profile: Adam Sumner, Senior Producer of Pivot at Participant Media 

1) What was your first job out of college and how did you get it? 

 My first job out of college was working for a commercial producer in Charleston, SC. I got the job through my video production teacher. 

I was eager to get into the business and sought the first place that might help me, and I guess I got lucky in that my first avenue opened for me. We produced and edited mainly regional commercials, but it was a great first step in the right direction. 

2) What was the most important thing you learned from your first job? 

I think you have to be eager to learn. You need to bring some practical knowledge with you, but don't act like you know everything, especially in this business. 

There are ways to say things and set etiquette that can only be taught by watching seasoned veterans. The most important thing I learned was listening and watching, but also being eager to act and help. 

3) What did you to leverage your first job to help you get where you are today? 

I managed to use my previous experience as an assistant producer to get on the documentary crew for the Bonnaroo music festival. I was very persistent to get that job and I think having that little bit of experience helped me land the gig. 

This job would change my life forever and still stands as one of the most incredible events in my life. Everyone on the crew was from New York or LA, and they'd say "where do you live in LA?" ... and I'd respond, "I'm from South Carolina."

I was a little bit out of place you might say, but again I was ready to listen and learn. I made some incredible friends and lasting relationships and from there I got the courage to make the move to LA and give this a real shot. I had nothing to lose. 

4) What advice do you have for a recent graduate who is struggling to find their first job after college? 

As I said above, you have nothing to lose. If you are young and free from serious attachments, shoot for the moon. Go for it. You can always move back in your parents basement. 

You also need to build on personal relationships. Searching the internet for job postings is like a shot in the dark. It really is about who you know - hit the streets, really get eager and annoying for what you really want.

-----

I second all of that!  Great advice - thank you Adam!

5 ways to jumpstart your creativity

I invented the smart phone in second grade.  

Okay, so, I knew nothing about how to create a smart phone, but I envisioned one. 

It was part of a special project in second grade where we were tasked with creating a blueprint and model for an invention that we presented at an inventor's fair. 

I created an all-in-one watch-phone that strapped onto your wrist and acted as a fully functional computer, telephone, and video-game system. (The model screen had a hand-drawn picture of Sonic the Hedgehog)

I remembered the invention (and the awesome white lab coat I wore to the fair) a few days ago with a chuckle. It made me think about how much fun I had in elementary school, how I "created" with abandon.

Kids never say "I'm not creative."

How often do we hear adults say it (or have said it ourselves)?

I used to say it all the time. Until a few years ago when I realized being creative doesn't mean being able to draw well. 

Which is a good thing, because being creative is a required skill in today's marketplace, where the "next big thing" could be invented tomorrow (and maybe by a second grader who actually knows how a micro chip works...because admittedly I never did and still don't).

Your creativity can manifest itself as simply as an afternoon redecorating a favorite space, or as life changing as coming up with a new way to solve an old problem you've been facing. Who knows, your creativity could even solve a problem for an entire community - even the world. 

You are more creative then you realize. 

Below are a few simple ways to get your creative juices flowing this summer!

1. Browse the children's section of a bookstore for your favorite childhood books. Revel in the memories, and think about buying one for inspiration. I recently ordered a hardcopy of my favorite childhood book and set it up as office decor - it serves as a reminder for me to continue to approach the world with childlike wonder. 
2. Pick out a journal that inspires you and commit to writing in it (or sketching in it) every day for a few minutes every morning or evening. Make it a habit, even if you only write one sentence per day. 
3. Do something that relaxes you like going for a walk or taking a bath. Most creative ideas happen when you're relaxed. 
4. Grab some old magazines and a poster board and make a collage of things that inspire you and put it up on your wall. 
5. Read about and engage with people from industries outside your own. For example, Disney has always inspired me. I once met with a Disney animator who'd worked on some of my favorite movies, like The Lion King. I wasn't looking to learn his craft, but I wanted to know him. I just had a feeling I'd be inspired, and I sure was.  

So put on your metaphorical white lab coat and create a smart phone inspired by your desire to play Sonic the Hedgehog at school. Remember the child you once were - the one who knew that you didn't need to understand everything about the world in order to dream.  

How to access the hidden job market

Check out the newest episode of The SKiNNY on College Success to learn how to access the hidden job market and get a great job now and after college! :)