As spring graduation ceremonies draw closer, we have no doubt that a lot of almost-grads are turning their attention to The Real World—and, most importantly, the search for a dream career. If you’re about to graduate, you’ve probably spent time applying for jobs and researching companies. Yet it’s never too late to refine your job-seeking strategy—and that’s where we come in.
If you’re juggling resumes with finals prep, first things first: take a deep breath. Next? Check out the 5 job-seeking tips we’ve compiled—think of it as your job search Cliffs Notes. If you’re already doing everything on the list, you deserve a high five. If not, consider this an opportunity to shake up your search and position yourself for success.
Plant Your Digital Flag
As job seeking becomes increasingly digital, it’s more important than ever to build your personal brand online and boost your visibility. If you’re not already using LinkedIn, now’s the perfect time to create a LinkedIn profile. Don’t just copy your resume and call it done. Instead, LinkedIn is a place to tell your professional story and highlight your profile with additions like published articles, volunteer work and other pertinent professional experience that will give prospective employers a better sense of who you are and why you’d be a good fit for the company. LinkedIn profiles tend to appear higher in search results, too, so if you don’t yet have a website, creating a LinkedIn profile can be a great way to help recruiters and prospective employers find you.
Tailor Your Resume
Writing a resume may not be high on your list of favorite things to do, but it’s a document that’s crucial to your job search. And if you’re applying to several jobs at a variety of companies, consider tailoring your resume to each position. More companies today are using technological tools like resume scanners to speed up the initial review process, so take a close look at the job description and add matching keywords to your resume. You don’t want your resume to sound robotic or unnatural, but a quick customization can help you stand out in a crowd and increase your chances of landing a job interview.
Network, Network, Network
You might have heard the adage, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” And although education, skills and practical experience are all important job seeking assets, there’s no denying that a carefully built network can help you hear about job opportunities and put you in touch with prospective employers. Not sure where to start? Online networking through sites like LinkedIn is a good first step. One of the most important things to remember about LinkedIn is that it’s a social network—and that means regular sharing, conversation and participation are keys to success. In-person networking is important, too—check to see what professional organizations are in your area and keep an eye on their event calendars for luncheons and happy hours.
Try An Informational Interview
If you have a general idea of the career you’d like to pursue or a company you’d like to work for, scheduling an informational interview is a great way to learn more about a particular career and a company’s culture. Plus, considering the interview goes well, it’s an ideal way to get some face time with a current employee, which will help you better position yourself for future opportunities. Just as you’d prepare for a job interview, it’s crucial to do some prep before an informational interview, too. Compile a few key questions you want to ask so that you can maximize what will likely be a brief meeting. Do your homework on the company—are there any recent projects or news that you find especially relevant to your own professional interests? If so, those would be prime discussion topics, too. Another tip? Even though you’re not necessarily interviewing for an open position, treat an informational interview like you would a job interview. Dress professionally and be personable yet courteous—seize this opportunity to make a great first impression.
Follow Up
Whether you met someone at a networking event or had an informational or job interview, follow up is key. Write a quick note or send an email thanking an employee or recruiter for the interview opportunity. Connect with your new contact on sites like LinkedIn so that you can easily stay in touch. And if you made a connection with someone but haven’t talked in awhile, consider this an ideal opportunity to restart conversation. Schedule a catch-up coffee or lunch, or find an article that’s relevant to their company or profession and send it along with a brief note. These are quick yet effective ways to remain on someone’s radar, and they just might pay off when it comes to helping you find a job.
You’re about to start the journey of a lifetime! Congratulations on your graduation and best of luck on your job search. And speaking of—if you’re ready to dream big, we’re waiting for you! Check out our Careers page to stay up-to-date with the latest job opportunities and other career-related resources.