I had lunch last week with a recent business school graduate to get an update on how his job search is proceeding, and the specific challenges he is facing. While this individual is certainly well qualified, and has skills and experience that most employers would drool over, he is struggling with ways to advance discussions with hiring managers past the cursory phone interviews, or more importantly, the first round of in-person interviews. As our conversation progressed, it became apparent to me that this professional, even with his strong academic background and expertise, was generating solid interest from employers and securing initial interviews. However, his progress is being stalled because he is not truly differentiating himself in a compelling fashion, vis a vis other candidates, once he entered the interview process. That is extremely frustrating for any professional, but the good news is that there several easy ways to overcome these obstacles.

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I’m leaving a stranger in charge of PR Studies next week. Am I crazy? Isn’t this like handing my house keys to someone I don’t know with the instruction to entertain my friends if they call by?

Well, we’re all learning and there has to be a first time for everything. Amy Golledge is in charge - a graduating (and job-seeking) student from my university’s PR class of 2006. Please welcome her to the conversation.

She’s completing her degree program but I’ve never taught her (with some 500 students majoring in public relations, this can happen). We met for the first time yesterday. Yet we’re connected by shared networks. One of these is blogging: she’s noted what I’ve been writing; I’ve become aware of her through her new blog. Another link is through the people we both know (colleagues and students, one of whom recommended Amy to me).

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