Collegiate Times

Tom Dezell is a professional career adviser and certified professional resume writer who currently works for the Maryland Department of Workforce Development.

The program he works for provides professional assistance to unemployed professional, executive, technical and managerial candidates.

COLLEGIATE TIMES:

What interested you to become a career adviser?

TOM DEZELL:

I tumble-weeded into this field of work. I worked with a criminal justice degree from Northeastern University as a caseworker at work-release centers for a number of years.
I enjoyed the aspect of working with clients on how to go out, start applying for jobs, making yourself job ready, interviews and making yourself marketable. I worked with a clerical training program and doing placements in Job Training Partnership Act, funded programs where I worked with injured workers and helping them find new employment. Then I went to work for the Maryland Department of Workforce Development. I’ve worked there for 9 years, but it’s been over 25 years since I’ve been a career type specialist worker.

CT:

What does your book, “Networking for the Novice, Nervous or Naive Job Seeker,” aim to do for those graduating soon or recent college graduates?

DEZELL:

I think if new graduates learn earlier about good job-searching techniques, when the time comes to start looking for jobs it will be a lot easier to start. Over the years as I’ve been advising people on how to find jobs, the most effective method is networking. Unfortunately, networking is also the most difficult aspect since this is the only time they would have to do that and if they’re generally not comfortable in reaching out to people, it becomes all the more difficult for them when they are looking for jobs. What I’m trying to preach is that you’re going to have to look for jobs regularly.
The “10-year tenure” for jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor statistics, is now only four years. Given that, you must think about how long you think you’re going to be working. Networking is the most effective tool; time and time again it has been statistically proven. You must be on an ongoing basis continually building contact with the people around you. Networking is mutually beneficial and you should exchange information knowing which direction or field you want to go to.

CT:

What do you think is the hardest step in the job search for recent grads that they need to overcome?

DEZELL

: This involves doing a lot more reaching out and often not getting an immediate result. Sometimes you have to reach out, talk to people and keep in contact with them in certain ways. They might find someone they want to introduce you to. A fairly common mistake is when they start looking for jobs, they start calling people about job openings, but if that’s all they’re asking that’s all they’re gonna find. You should start out saying something like, “I’m a recent graduate with a degree in this specialty and I’m starting my career search and really want to talk to as many people about the labor market in this area.”
You want to hear them out about what places they recommend to talk or look to. If you do a good introduction, summarize different areas of skill you have and make a good impression you will find out about any job opportunities where that person works. Even if they don’t have any openings, they will still be able to refer you to some that can help you.

CT:

In the current economic situation and job market, what advice do you have for students and future grads?

DEZELL:

It’s going to be tougher from the indications now. Some of the things that are happening are looking up. Companies have reported growth. Companies want more strong quarters before bringing in new employees. Employment is a lagging economy indicator.
People do find things and face more intense competition and what a lot of people do realize and what I stress in my book is you can become a better candidate after the more people you talk to about particular field. It’s been shown that 80 percent of job openings don’t make it on job boards and a maximum of 20 percent of job openings get posted.

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