Strategies for Helping You Transition into Your Career
You’ve been working hard for the last four years and you’re almost there. It’s just a couple months until you graduate from college. Now the real work begins…not just the actual day-to-day in your chosen profession, but the simple process of getting a job. Let’s look at some ways that you can improve your chances of landing on your feet.
Networking is Essential
It’s been a buzzword for decades, but it really works. Did you know that nearly three of every four jobs are never advertised publicly—the openings are shared by word of mouth. Furthermore, an estimated 85% of all hirings come through some form of networking. That networking can take many different forms, from professional organizations to family members to social occasions and acquaintances. Be willing to tell people you are looking for a job and what you would like to do.
Know the Job Market
Don’t go into a job search without taking the time to learn as much as you can about your potential prospects. What are the different jobs that are available? What are the industries that are doing the most hiring? Are there specific locations or industries where the job market is tight, limited or non-existent. Focus your energies where you can produce the most fruit.
Take Initiative
Getting the right job is rarely about applying and getting hired. Particularly for jobs that require a college degree, it’s typical for there to be some give and take, multiple interactions with a potential employer, and many qualified candidates for the position. If there’s a job that you really want, be willing to do follow up with the company. If you apply for a job online, look for a way to directly contact the company to let the hiring manager know who you are and that you’ve applied. Employers like employees who take initiative.
Carefully Prepare Your Resume
In many instances, this will be your first communication with the hiring manager and with the company. First and foremost, make certain it doesn’t contain errors or typos. That’s a red flag for almost any employer. To the extent possible, make it representative of your personality. While it’s important to communicate your qualifications to a potential employer, what you’re really promoting is yourself. It’s okay to tailor individual resumes to different jobs, as long as you don’t include any contradictory information. You may want to emphasize some skills or experience more for one prospective job than another, but your resume should always tell the same basic story.
