How to Stand Out When Applying For Jobs
It’s graduation time! You’ve got your gown, your hat, and your diploma. Now, it’s time to enter the working world. Are you ready for the challenge?
If you’re scared, don’t worry. Everyone is intimidated after they graduate. You’re entering a competitive workforce with many other graduating classes, up against a world of people who are all feeling the exact same way you are.
So how do you set yourself apart from the rest?
1. Look For a Mentor
This might seem unnecessary, but finding someone who is successful in the industry you’d like to join is a great way to network, learn about the industry, and figure out what you need to do to get ahead. Your mentor could be anyone, even a parent, who will provide you with sound career advice.
2. Start From the Bottom
When you graduate, you are entering an industry at the bottom. Don’t expect that you’re going to get a great position right away and earn tons of money as soon as possible. In the working world, working your way up is a part of life, so be prepared to work hard and apply to the jobs you have the right skills for.
3. Check the Posting Time
According to job search engine Monster.ca, the best time to apply for a job is within 48 hours after it’s posted. Sign up for email alerts from a variety of job posting websites to make sure you are one of the first to know when a new job goes up. Get into the routine of checking for new jobs every day, whether it’s right when you wake up or as you unwind in the evening, and never be afraid to hit that “submit” button.
4. Tailor Your Resume and Cover Letter to That Job
Always double-check your resume before you apply for a new job and make sure it’s as relevant as possible to that position. Check which skills and experience you have listed, and adjust if you can think of something else you’ve done that may be better suited for the job. Write a cover letter specifically for that position to indicate why you’re perfect for the role. Too many people cut and paste the same cover letter, and future employers know when you do this, so set yourself apart by being as personable as possible.
5. Do Some Research
Sit down and Google your industry. Read blogs, check out local companies, see who the big players are. The more you know, the more prepared you’ll be in interviews as well as for your first day when you eventually land the job.
6. Check Your Online Presence
Go through your social media accounts and Google yourself to see what comes up. Do you need to have those pictures of all the tequila shots you took on Spring Break last year on Facebook? It’s extremely common now for potential employers to do a quick social media check to see what candidates are posting online, so make sure your accounts say something great about you.
7. Be Confident
You should be proud of yourself. You’ve made it a long way from your first day of orientation week! Be confident that you are going to be great wherever you end up, and that you have the skills and personality to make it.
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References:
Bortz, D. (n.d.) How to find a job after college. Monster.ca. Retrieved from https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/how-to-find-a-job-after-college.
Burry, M. (2017). What to do in college to get a job after graduation. The Balance. Retrieved from https://www.thebalance.com/college-tips-to-get-job-after-graduation-4140204.
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