Your final year in college or university can be a stressful time, especially with so many things going on — the looming deadlines, the final exams, the major projects — and the added challenge of job searching on top of it all!
However, being proactive is key to navigating the job search successfully. By starting your search early, having a plan, and writing a compelling resume objective for entry level positions, you’ll have an advantage over your classmates and increase your chances of landing your first job.
In this article, we’ll highlight some things you can do in order to stand out during the job search, impress interviewers, and kickstart your career.
Create an Eye-Catching Resume
The absolute first thing you should do before starting your job search is to create a well-crafted resume. A resume will be the interviewer’s first impression of you, which is why it’s essential to get it right.
To make your resume stand out, focus on showcasing your skills and achievements. Be sure to highlight impactful projects you’ve completed during your studies, internships, or volunteer work, along with concrete statistics if possible (i.e. exceeded sales goals by 15% as a sales intern at XYZ Company).
Another useful tip that many professional job seekers do is to tailor your resume for each company you apply to, emphasizing the qualities and experiences that align best with the company’s specific needs.
Likewise, don’t be afraid to note what makes you unique and sets you apart from your colleagues, whether that’s a niche area of expertise, a specialization, or a genuine passion.
Develop Your Online Presence
After creating the perfect resume, it’s time to take your job search to the next level.
Maximize your visibility and attract the attention of recruiters by showing your skills and experience on LinkedIn. Create a compelling profile, upload your polished resume, and consider adding a portfolio of your best work (if you have relevant projects).
Want to go the extra mile? You can also design a sleek business card or website that has a link to your LinkedIn profile.
Ask for Help
During your job search, consider seeking help from career counselors. One of the most under-utilized resources (fewer than 20% of undergraduate students reach out to their school’s career centers!), career counselors are an absolute goldmine of information and help.
They can help you fine-tune your resume, prepare you for interviews, suggest new job opportunities, and even advise you on salary negotiations.
Some career centers will even hold job fairs, where employers visit the university in search of new talent.
Attend Networking Events
While looking for jobs, don’t forget to tap into the power of networking!
Attending networking events offers a unique chance to engage with professionals in your field, make valuable connections that could lead to future opportunities, and gain helpful insights into the latest industry trends and developments.
You might even connect directly with company representatives who are actively hiring – your dream job could be just one conversation away!
Get Real-Life Experience
While theoretical knowledge is essential, hands-on experience will give you a serious edge in the job market. But how can you get work experience before a job?
There are plenty of opportunities, including volunteering, internships, job shadowing, and even freelancing in your spare time. You’ll gain valuable portfolio pieces and practical experience that will make you stand out to potential employers.
Continually Improve Your Knowledge
While your classes give you a strong foundation, that doesn’t mean you have to stop once you graduate!
Identify areas where you could further develop yourself, whether that’s soft skills (i.e. time management, communication, organization, etc.) or job-specific skills and certificates, and get training.
There are plenty of resources to do so, such as online courses on Udemy or Coursera; extra classes at your college or university; or industry-specific workshops.
As a nice bonus, this will also show potential employers your dedication to growth and personal development!
Prepare For Your Interview
Once you have an interview lined up, it’s time to show off your skills.
To prepare ahead of time, thoroughly research the company, learn more about its mission and values, and make a note of how you can tailor your answers to align with their needs. Think about your experience and skills that could be useful to the company, and prepare examples of work that illustrate your abilities and achievements.
Another great idea is to check the company’s Glassdoor profile, which will tell you their reviews (written by current and former employees), typical pay range, workplace culture, and more.
Finally, the best way to prepare is to put on a mock interview. Find a list of the most common interview questions (such as ‘Tell us about yourself?’ or ‘why do you want to work for us?’) and rehearse your answers out loud or with friends. This will help you feel more confident and ready to ace your interview.
Author Bio:
Susan Noel is an experienced content writer. She is associated with many renowned business and technology blogs as a guest author where she shares her valuable articles with the audience.