Spring is quickly approaching, and with it, so is graduation day for many college seniors. If you are approaching the end of your formal education, you need to make sure you are ready for the big transition ahead of you. Hopefully, you have been preparing for your graduation since you started college by completing internships, and seeking other experiences that would build your resume and prepare you for the real world. As your college career winds down, make sure you are fully prepared for the reality ahead of you by completing the suggested steps we have advised below:
Tag: Job Seeker Tips
When submitting your resume and cover letter to a potential employer, the last thing you want to do is make a minor mistake that can make you appear to be careless or lazy. Check out our list below to see five of the biggest mistakes that job seekers make when applying for a position, and avoid them at all costs!
Continue reading “Five of the Biggest Mistakes Applicants Make”
When you’re unemployed, job searching can take up the majority of your free time, so it’s important you use that time wisely. Below we have included a few tips on how to make sure every second you spend on the job hunt is time well spent.
If you have recently graduated college and have not found permanent employment, you will find yourself associated with a large volume of your peers who are in the same boat. While the job market is still not what it used to be, there are plenty of things you can do to help yourself stand out amongst the crowd.
If you have been in the job market for a while, you are probably sending out several resumes every day. While you might not need to follow-up on every position you’ve applied for, we do suggest that you follow-up on positions you are particularly interested in. Before you sit down for another round of follow-up phone calls, read our advice below. A follow-up phone call is the first verbal interaction you have with a potential employer, so it’s important that you make a great impression.
Cover letters serve as an introduction to your resume. While a great cover letter can help you make a good first impression on an employer, a bad cover letter could result in an employer discarding your resume without reading further. Follow the tips below while writing your cover letters and you will be sure to impress every hiring manager you send them to.
It is a well-known fact that people are usually quick to judge. Unfortunately, this does not exclude hiring managers and potential employers. It is important to make a great first impression, whether on the phone or in person. This includes what you say, what you wear, and how you present yourself overall. Here are a few suggestions for you to consider:
Job Search Log
Searching for a job is tough – it’s exhausting, time-consuming and nerve-wracking. You’ve sent out reams of resumes, called countless companies, sent out endless emails, and joined job sites you never knew existed.
How do you know when to follow up, when to send your resume again, when to send a thank-you card??
Easy! Make a job search log!
It is always a good idea to research a company before the interview. The more you know about the company, the more confident you will be. This, in turn, will impress the prospective employer.
There are many ways to obtain company information. Some ideas may be to check local newspapers and magazines for recent articles or ask friends and family if they have heard anything about the organization. The Internet is an excellent source of information. A company’s web page usually gives a thorough description of the company’s mission, accomplishments and sometimes employee bios. Any information, statistics or current developments concerning the company that you can learn in advance will give you a competitive edge when interviewing.
Be prepared!
- Keep in touch with contacts – Following up is important. After you’ve made connections with other professionals, show your interest by staying connected. Keep the contact’s business card and make notes on the back each time you contact them.
- Maintain a positive online persona – Your profile online should reflect a positive and responsible image. Make sure your links are professional and in good taste. Many employers are now using social networking links when screening for candidates.
- Make a good impression – A positive first impression speaks volumes. Know your abilities and market yourself with those in mind.
- Listen and observe – Focus in on the people that you meet by listening to what they are saying and keeping mental notes on important information. Be a good listener.
