Being someone who has had several jobs since the time I turned fifteen, I thought all of the college prep classes I am required to take for my marketing degree were kind of a joke. I knew the clothes to wear and what the interview process was like, but after taking these classes I realized there is so much more to landing my dream job than just wearing dress pants and answering a few questions. After talking to other students, I’ve learned that just because my university requires these classes for my major, that doesn’t mean all colleges promote the things students should be considering while still in college. So here are some tips on things you should be doing and thinking about in order to get the job you want after graduation:
1. Your professors, teaching assistants, and academic advisers are your friends.
Get to know these people. Use them to understand course materials and help you get organized, but also make connections beyond the occasional course concept question. These are the people that are going to be able to write recommendation letters for you and put in a good word for you with their contacts at the companies you want to work for. Believe it or not, these are the individuals that are going to make or break your career.
2. Start getting involved in activities related to your major now.
Everything you do will allow you to gain knowledge and skills that are applicable to your career. I think that many students take school clubs and organizations for granted simply because they do not see how those activities will bring opportunities relevant to their particular job of interest. However, getting involved in school sponsored organizations will not only help you network and improve your time management skills, but they will give you the chance to learn about yourself and the things you enjoy doing.
3. Don't be afraid to work for free.
The whole point of college is to learn so that you are able to start careers in fields that require post-secondary education; offering up your labor in exchange for nothing but experience is the best way to learn. When you volunteer with no expectation of monetary compensation, you are more likely to take the time to understand the processes and effects of the work you are providing. Volunteering will allow you to gain a deeper connection to the work, and it will shed light on some of the issues you are passionate about. Not to mention, it will make you feel good knowing you gave back to your community.
4. Constantly be updating your resume and cover letter.
Cover letters and resumes will always be relevant when searching for jobs. They are an easy and quick way to describe to potential employers what you are capable of doing. The experiences you’ve gained should be reflected on your resume, and let me tell you, it is much easier to make edits as you go along rather than trying to remember specific details about your experience several months later. In addition, submitting a cover letter in addition to your applications will help you stand out in the job market (unless the application clearly states cover letters should not be submitted). Positions being filled are limited, and finding any way to make you more memorable will help the odds of employers choosing you over other applicants.
5. Internships are always a good idea.
As mentioned before, learning and gaining experiences related to the field where you intend to work will benefit your job search. Employers will spend a great deal of money paying someone to work for them, so you have to prove to them why you’re worth the extra money. By having experience in the field you want to work in, you will be able to provide evidence to potential employers that hiring you would be a good decision for their company. Furthermore, working as an intern will give you a more hands-on approach to the work you are considering and will allow for you to decide if the work actually suits you for a career before you go through the work of finding a job in that field.
6. Talk to employees who are holding positions in the job field you want to work.
Most professionals in any field are open to discussing the positions they hold and answer any questions college students may have in regards to those roles, you simply have to make those connections. Reaching out to those individuals is another way to gain insight on whether or not the job and/or company in question would be a good fit for you. You may be surprised as to how much those people are willing to help you out once you just take the time to send an email or make a phone call to arrange a meeting.
7. Ask multiple people for help.
Take your resume and cover letter to be read by several people. Ask many different people about the interviewing process and what you should be doing to prepare. Each person you talk to will give you new insights and bring on more suggestions for improvement for you. Seriously, talk to everyone--anyone you have ever worked with, professors, academic advisers, parents, individuals holding those positions, etc. You will learn more about yourself and the jobs you are interested in with every conversation.
8. Make specific goals for yourself.
Figuring out what you want and setting realistic goals to help you achieve those things is one of the most important things you could be doing. Making goals, achieving goals, and assessing where you could improve will allow you to understand exactly what it is you want and how to get there. Contemplating these things will make it easier for you when relaying back to potential employers exactly what it is you want.
9. Remember that college is where you go to learn.
When you’re sitting in classes that you will never actually use once you’ve completed your finals, remember that the education requirements were not random. Education requirements were chosen based on research in order to provide benefit to you, even if you do not see the immediate effects. So, instead of complaining about the calculus course you have to take that you won’t actually use later in life, immerse yourself in the process of learning it.
