So you just graduated college finally and are looking for your first real entry-level job. How should you go about your job hunt? Just sit home and click away at the “submit resume” button all day? Stop what you’re doing! Find out what are the real keys to job hunting as a new grad in this economy and improve your chances out there!
1. Consistency
Ever hear the phrase “looking for a job is a job itself”? That holds true for many people. If you want to be successful in your job search, you must have a certain job hunt process you go through every day and you must carry it out, every day consistently. Now for college grads this shouldn’t be anything new; studying in college showed you that consistency brought results. Were you more confident going into a test studying at the last minute, or reviewing content every week? Here’s a little example below of a job hunt process:
• You wake up and apply for jobs online you see posted (job boards, job aggregators, corporate sites) • Spend a few hours reading articles on how to brush up your job interview skills, how to improve your resume. Maybe even do a mock interview with your family or friend.
• Later you spend an hour or so trying to figure out who you can network with (who do my friends know? Who does my family know? What about online networking sites like LinkedIn, who should I contact locally?).
This is just a small example, and by no means should you manage your time particularly like this – but what’s important is the fact that these are steps. You must be consistent and keep at what you are doing. If you don’t stay consistent during your job hunt, what happens is you see no results.
For example, say you start networking on Monday and apply to jobs, and then don’t follow up on networking the next few days and focus just on your resume. A week passes by, and you totally forgot about replying back to the people you networked with. Those people may now think you’re unorganized and already you lose any value you could present to them as an acquaintance. You have to stay consistent with what you do as a job seeker; show those people you’re on top of things and are eager to find work.
2. Focus
What is the particular job position you are looking for? What industry? Fresh graduates have a lot of trouble with this one, partly because many are not even 100% sure what job they want. Once again, coming out of College, you have experience with this: you spent 4 years trying to figure out what you want to do with your life, what to major in, so this is just another thing you have to figure out.
Two things College grads should focus on:
1. What is the job position you really want?
2. What industry do you want to work in? What companies do you find attractive?
We are in a recession and you’ll be told not to be picky, but believe it or not, sending out 50 resumes every day to 50 different jobs at 50 different companies in totally different industries will not yield the best results for your job search.
So what happens if you focus on a job and industry?
Job position: Take a look over at your resume, what duties have you performed that could be applicable to an entry-level job that you like? Fast-forward to an HR manager reading your resume, they’ll see your job duties are similar to the ones advertised in this new job opening, and you look like promising candidate now. Match your skills and strengths to particular job types as well.
Industry/Company: Get involved in an industry you’re passionate about. Join clubs and organizations and read their newsletters, magazines, and books. Most importantly keep up with the trends in the industry. Why? Let’s say you are networking with a particular person who works for a company in the entertainment industry and bring up in the conversation some trends you noticed or predictions you have. What will happen immediately is that person will be impressed that not only have you done your research as a college graduate, but you have a strong passion for that industry and it shows! Passion truly does give you motivation, and motivation is a recipe for success when you are working so remember that.
3. Change
People change, job duties change, the economy changes, so why shouldn’t your job search strategies? Set a “Point of Review” – this could be every week, two weeks, or even every month or two (we don’t suggest waiting too long).
During your Point of Review you should analyze 3 things:
1. What are your results so far? Write them down; 1 interview? 2 leads you got through networking?
2. What approach did you take that lead to those results? Did you talk about the industry trends with the person you were networking with? Did you leave out the “Career Objective” in your resume?
3. What are you going to change this time around?
During your job search (especially as a new grad) it is difficult to understand the cause and effect relationship of things you do, but sometimes some things are quite obvious. A small tweak in your resume’s language can make a huge impact. Similarly, a simple change in your body language when you go to networking events can make a huge difference. For example, take note of how you acted; were you talking too long during the interview? Did you interrupt the interviewer a few times perhaps?
What you should do is try to use your “observing ego” – this is when you essentially observe what you say and how you act, and the results that come with that. Remember how you went about things and think of what you can change - little things of course, we’re not saying you should go to your next networking event in your Halloween costume (although that would be very entertaining for the rest of us).
So that’s it, consistency, focus, and change. These are basic principles that bring great results so use them to your advantage.
Good luck on your job hunt new grads!
Retrieved May 19, 2010 from "New Grad Life"
http://newgradlife.blogspot.com/2010/02/3-golden-keys-to-job-hunting-for-new.html
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
12 Deadly Sins That Kill Your Job Search
RESUMES AND COVER LETTERS
1. Not customizing your resume for each job submittal: Each resume you submit should be tailored to the position, highlighting those dimensions of your background that are most important to the job.
2. Only using job boards to search for opportunities: The least effective way to find a job is by applying to job listings on job boards. Other, more useful tactics for identifying job opportunities include networking with colleagues, targeting specific companies, and attending professional association meetings, to name just a few.
3. Not using a cover letter: Cover letters provide a way to highlight the personal qualities and accomplishments that differentiate you from other applicants. Your cover letter also allows you to draw the reader’s attention to the parts of your background that are most applicable to the specific job.
4. Not following up on resumes and interviews: Professional follow-through on resume submittals and interviews helps set you apart, puts your name in front of the hiring authorities, and demonstrates your interest in the company and position.
5. Not taking extra copies of your resume and cover letter to each interview: Interviewers are notorious for forgetting to bring your resume to the interview, so demonstrate your preparedness by taking extra copies for them. You may also meet people who have not seen your resume before.
6. Lying on your resume or at any point in the hiring process: Lying is very high risk, both during the selection process and after you get hired. Many people have been fired for lying on their resumes, even after years of high job performance. Positive spin is good; lying is bad.
7. Putting personal information on your resume: Personal data is irrelevant to the hiring process. Companies are governed by law to not discriminate based on personal characteristics or circumstances. Listing personal information on your resume, which used to be standard, is now viewed as unprofessional.
8. Using too many fonts and text effects on your resume: A resume must be easy to read and understand. Use no more than two fonts – one is best. It’s good to highlight specific words in your resume by making them bold, but you should generally avoid underlining or heavy use of italics, which can affect scan ability.
INTERVIEWS
9. Not preparing intellectually and emotionally for interviews: The interview is the most important moment in your job search and as such, it requires solid intellectual and emotional preparation. Researching the company is just the beginning. Research the background of the people you will meet (use the corporate web site or online profiles). Practice answering the most common interview questions, and the questions you fear most. Prepare five questions you will ask during the interview. Finally, get yourself in the most resourceful and positive mood for the interview. Candidates perform their best when feeling spectacular.
10. Not sending a thank you note after interviews: Send a thank you note to every interviewer. This one technique demonstrates your professionalism and interest, and can make the difference between getting and not getting an offer.
REFERENCES and BACKGROUND
11. Disclosing unflattering data on social network profiles: Many employers check social networking sites (MySpace, Facebook, etc.) for additional data about potential employees. Review your online profiles and disclose only professional and positive information.
12. Not pre-qualifying your references: Make certain your references are absolutely comfortable providing a stellar recommendation for you.
Retrieved May 19, 2010 from "New Grad Life"
http://newgradlife.blogspot.com/2010/01/job-openings-new-jobs-job-search-job_11.html
1. Not customizing your resume for each job submittal: Each resume you submit should be tailored to the position, highlighting those dimensions of your background that are most important to the job.
2. Only using job boards to search for opportunities: The least effective way to find a job is by applying to job listings on job boards. Other, more useful tactics for identifying job opportunities include networking with colleagues, targeting specific companies, and attending professional association meetings, to name just a few.
3. Not using a cover letter: Cover letters provide a way to highlight the personal qualities and accomplishments that differentiate you from other applicants. Your cover letter also allows you to draw the reader’s attention to the parts of your background that are most applicable to the specific job.
4. Not following up on resumes and interviews: Professional follow-through on resume submittals and interviews helps set you apart, puts your name in front of the hiring authorities, and demonstrates your interest in the company and position.
5. Not taking extra copies of your resume and cover letter to each interview: Interviewers are notorious for forgetting to bring your resume to the interview, so demonstrate your preparedness by taking extra copies for them. You may also meet people who have not seen your resume before.
6. Lying on your resume or at any point in the hiring process: Lying is very high risk, both during the selection process and after you get hired. Many people have been fired for lying on their resumes, even after years of high job performance. Positive spin is good; lying is bad.
7. Putting personal information on your resume: Personal data is irrelevant to the hiring process. Companies are governed by law to not discriminate based on personal characteristics or circumstances. Listing personal information on your resume, which used to be standard, is now viewed as unprofessional.
8. Using too many fonts and text effects on your resume: A resume must be easy to read and understand. Use no more than two fonts – one is best. It’s good to highlight specific words in your resume by making them bold, but you should generally avoid underlining or heavy use of italics, which can affect scan ability.
INTERVIEWS
9. Not preparing intellectually and emotionally for interviews: The interview is the most important moment in your job search and as such, it requires solid intellectual and emotional preparation. Researching the company is just the beginning. Research the background of the people you will meet (use the corporate web site or online profiles). Practice answering the most common interview questions, and the questions you fear most. Prepare five questions you will ask during the interview. Finally, get yourself in the most resourceful and positive mood for the interview. Candidates perform their best when feeling spectacular.
10. Not sending a thank you note after interviews: Send a thank you note to every interviewer. This one technique demonstrates your professionalism and interest, and can make the difference between getting and not getting an offer.
REFERENCES and BACKGROUND
11. Disclosing unflattering data on social network profiles: Many employers check social networking sites (MySpace, Facebook, etc.) for additional data about potential employees. Review your online profiles and disclose only professional and positive information.
12. Not pre-qualifying your references: Make certain your references are absolutely comfortable providing a stellar recommendation for you.
Retrieved May 19, 2010 from "New Grad Life"
http://newgradlife.blogspot.com/2010/01/job-openings-new-jobs-job-search-job_11.html
Friday, May 14, 2010
What Counts as Experience on a College Grad's Resume
You've worked more than you think!
If you took advantage of an internship during your college years, you've already got something great to list under the Experience section of your first professional resume. Employers put a lot of weight on internships (if they're relevant) since they prove that you were interested in your career path well before you received your degree.But what if you don't have an internship to vouch for your experience? What if the only jobs you've had involved manning a cash register or serving up pizzas? Fear not! Here are a few things you can add to your resume that count as experience:
1. Relevant Coursework
Only college students can get away with coursework that qualifies as experience. You can add this as a new section heading on your resume, and list all the college courses you've taken that are at least somewhat relevant for the job you're seeking. For example: If you want a writing job, you can list any English writing and Communication courses you took that taught you something about the language, and something about communicating through media.
2. Extracurricular Activities
Sorority/Fraternity Roles
No, your medal for Most Creative Keg Stand doesn't count, but congratulations on that accomplishment! But if you served as your fraternity's treasurer and you're seeking a job in accounting, you can work that into your experience. Example: Managed cash flow of fraternity funds collected through organized fundraisers.
Student Council Involvement
Did the experience help you learn how to negotiate? Did you manage projects or work with other groups on campus? If you were elected, your communications skills are worth highlighting since you effectively convinced people to vote for you.
Academic Clubs
Did you plan events on campus for spring break? Did you organize concerts or blood drives? Did you collect tickets or pass out t-shirts at those events? Think out of the box and get creative with what qualifies as experience.
Volunteer Work
3. Irrelevant Part-Time Jobs
That's right. I just told you to put irrelevant information on your resume. Believe it! Again, only college students can get away with this. Listing your part-time jobs—such as scooping ice cream or mowing lawns—shows you have some kind of work ethic, even if it has nothing to do with the jobs you're applying to. Just create a separate resume heading titled "Work Experience" and place those items toward the bottom of your resume.
When you identify roles that qualify as experience, you can fabricate a professional title for each of them. (I'm talking about the extracurricular or volunteer roles that might not have had titles. Don't make up a title for a job you were paid to do!) Create titles that you think the roles would be called if someone actually hired you to do them.
Retrieved May 14, 2010 from "New Grad Life" http://newgradlife.blogspot.com/2010/05/what-counts-as-experience-on-college_14.html
If you took advantage of an internship during your college years, you've already got something great to list under the Experience section of your first professional resume. Employers put a lot of weight on internships (if they're relevant) since they prove that you were interested in your career path well before you received your degree.But what if you don't have an internship to vouch for your experience? What if the only jobs you've had involved manning a cash register or serving up pizzas? Fear not! Here are a few things you can add to your resume that count as experience:
1. Relevant Coursework
Only college students can get away with coursework that qualifies as experience. You can add this as a new section heading on your resume, and list all the college courses you've taken that are at least somewhat relevant for the job you're seeking. For example: If you want a writing job, you can list any English writing and Communication courses you took that taught you something about the language, and something about communicating through media.
2. Extracurricular Activities
Sorority/Fraternity Roles
No, your medal for Most Creative Keg Stand doesn't count, but congratulations on that accomplishment! But if you served as your fraternity's treasurer and you're seeking a job in accounting, you can work that into your experience. Example: Managed cash flow of fraternity funds collected through organized fundraisers.
Student Council Involvement
Did the experience help you learn how to negotiate? Did you manage projects or work with other groups on campus? If you were elected, your communications skills are worth highlighting since you effectively convinced people to vote for you.
Academic Clubs
Did you plan events on campus for spring break? Did you organize concerts or blood drives? Did you collect tickets or pass out t-shirts at those events? Think out of the box and get creative with what qualifies as experience.
Volunteer Work
3. Irrelevant Part-Time Jobs
That's right. I just told you to put irrelevant information on your resume. Believe it! Again, only college students can get away with this. Listing your part-time jobs—such as scooping ice cream or mowing lawns—shows you have some kind of work ethic, even if it has nothing to do with the jobs you're applying to. Just create a separate resume heading titled "Work Experience" and place those items toward the bottom of your resume.
When you identify roles that qualify as experience, you can fabricate a professional title for each of them. (I'm talking about the extracurricular or volunteer roles that might not have had titles. Don't make up a title for a job you were paid to do!) Create titles that you think the roles would be called if someone actually hired you to do them.
Retrieved May 14, 2010 from "New Grad Life" http://newgradlife.blogspot.com/2010/05/what-counts-as-experience-on-college_14.html
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Ever try InterviewStream?
What is InterviewStream?
Career Services InterviewStream is an excellent tool for anyone wanting to enhance their interviewing skills. It is a private and free way to practice answering the most asked interview questions. InterviewStream helps you reduce the use of filler words: Umm, Like, I Mean, and You Know. You do not need an appointment! Just stop in to Career Services during our office hours of: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
I do not have access to a webcam: Practice your interviewing skills from the Career Services kiosk location, Saint Mary's Hall, Room 136. You will be able to set-up your profile and answer up to 6 questions in 20 minutes.
I have access to a webcam: If you have your own webcam you can conduct the practice interview from home! From the Career Services Website access the InterviewStreamwebpage: http://www.smumn.edu/careerservices. Select the "InterviewStream Login Button" which will take you to the InterviewStream website. When your interview is finished you will receive an email with a link to your recorded answers. Forward your link to anyone that is qualified to critique your interview such as Career Services staff, professors, and parents.
Visit: Career Services and Internships Office
Saint Mary's Hall, Room 136
Contact Jackie Baker, Ext. 6695, jbaker@smumn.edu with questions.
Career Services InterviewStream is an excellent tool for anyone wanting to enhance their interviewing skills. It is a private and free way to practice answering the most asked interview questions. InterviewStream helps you reduce the use of filler words: Umm, Like, I Mean, and You Know. You do not need an appointment! Just stop in to Career Services during our office hours of: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
I do not have access to a webcam: Practice your interviewing skills from the Career Services kiosk location, Saint Mary's Hall, Room 136. You will be able to set-up your profile and answer up to 6 questions in 20 minutes.
I have access to a webcam: If you have your own webcam you can conduct the practice interview from home! From the Career Services Website access the InterviewStreamwebpage: http://www.smumn.edu/careerservices. Select the "InterviewStream Login Button" which will take you to the InterviewStream website. When your interview is finished you will receive an email with a link to your recorded answers. Forward your link to anyone that is qualified to critique your interview such as Career Services staff, professors, and parents.
Visit: Career Services and Internships Office
Saint Mary's Hall, Room 136
Contact Jackie Baker, Ext. 6695, jbaker@smumn.edu with questions.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)