By Matthew Hibdon

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Mary Beth Asbury, professor and chair of the Department of Communication Studies at Middle Tennessee State University, understands the impact of communication and the role it can play when a person is looking to make a career change, land their dream job or level up to the next opportunity.

Asbury says the first step before landing an interview is to do your research, including researching yourself online and then start researching the companies you want to work for.

“A lot of people think that researching a job stops with researching the company, but since the advent of social media, we also need to make sure we research ourselves and what is on the Internet. Even if we have our social media set to ‘private,’ friends of friends can access it, and you never know who those people are connected to,” she explained.

You can watch the segment, part of the station’s Local on 2 programming, with program co-host and producer Laura Schweizer and co-host Stephanie Langston below.

Once landing an interview, Asbury said it’s important to prepare for the different types of interviews, including phone, virtual and in-person.

“Always ask about the interviewing format. Will it be virtual or in-person? If it is in-person, you need to ask about parking and how to best get to the location of the interview. Also, ask who will be in the interview or how many will be there, as it can be a shock to expect to talk to one person and walk into a committee. You want to set yourself up for success, and knowing these things can put you more at ease,” she said.

Lastly, Asbury said she always encourages everyone to use four tips as a guideline when searching for a new job opportunity.

• Be open to jobs that aren’t in your exact field.
• Don’t use the same resume and cover letter for every job application.
• Use resources available to you, including the MTSU Career Development Center, which is available to all MTSU alums, and seek advice from friends and family.
• Don’t be afraid to say thank you.

“Remember that a college degree is not just training for a specific job; it’s about learning skills that you can use in any field. All fields need critical thinkers, creative problem-solvers, and good communicators. Don’t sell yourself short with opportunities because your degree is not in that exact field,” she said.

To learn more about the undergraduate programs offered in the MTSU Department of Communication Studies in the College of Liberal Arts, please visit https://communication.mtsu.edu/. 

— Matthew Hibdon (matthew.hibdon@mtsu.edu)
— DeAnn Hays (deann.hays@mtsu.edu)