It's been two years of smooth sailing through college life, going to classes, having fun and going with the flow. Now it's time for the hard hitting reality check that we all need to realize is approaching: We all will need to begin looking for an internship or a job in the very near future. It's kind of a scary thing to think about and sometimes it can be hard to know where to start if you aren't so sure. Well, before you begin, I have some quick tips that I've learned along the way about what one needs to do to prepare for the search:
1. Clean up your social media. This is a big one. Employers actually will Google you and see what pops up under your name. Don't let inappropriate social media be a deciding factor in getting that interview or job offer. If you have pictures of yourself going out every weekend and drinking, then it might be a good idea to take them down, or change your privacy settings. The safer you think, the better.
2. Invest in some nice formal attire. Some good business clothes will go far. Trust me, this is probably my least favorite thing to shop for, but if you actually take the time to pick out some professional and stylish clothing, you will look and feel more put together and that will shine through in your interview or on the job.
3. Go to a career fair. I have put off checking out the career fair, but you shouldn't! It is a good idea to go see what they are like and to get a feel for what talking to employers feels like. If you prepare early, then it makes the experience a lot less stressful and more exciting.
4. Keep your options open. Don't narrow in on one specific internship or job. You don't know how many people are applying for it and no matter how great you think you are, there are probably tons of other candidates out there. Don't limit yourself. There are far too many opportunities out there for you to be so closed-minded. And always remember, you may be the juiciest and most delicious peach in the world, but there will always be someone who doesn't like peaches! Find the ones who do.
5. Be active. Sometimes getting started takes a big push, but once you do, it becomes exciting. Constantly be on the lookout for opportunities and openings on different websites and keep looking at different options for yourself. Finding a job or an internship isn't a one-and-done process, it is constant and you need to always be aware.
6. Make a LinkedIn, and actually use it. This is the nerd in me talking, but everyone should make a LinkedIn! Seriously, you might become addicted because it's actually fun once you get into it. You can learn about people, companies, opportunities, and you can network like crazy. LinkedIn could be the place where someone finds you and seeks you out for a position. So get on there and up your chances!
7. Prepare yourself and do research. The biggest mistake you could make is talking to an employer or a recruiter and sticking your foot in your mouth by flubbing what their company does or not knowing anything about them. They will think you don't care enough to learn about what they do and they won't want to interview or hire you. So don't be that guy, and go learn about the company!
8. Write a resume that reflects you in the best way possible. If you don't write a good resume, then you won't impress possible employers before they can meet you. Think hard about what you did in each position you had and the activities you were involved in. Be descriptive and use power verbs that make your descriptions stand out. Edit the heck out of it, because employers won't give you a second glance if you have a typo.
9. Don't be afraid to seek out resources. There are so many resources on your campus that you probably don't even know about. Go to the career center and have someone look over your cover letters and resume. Don't have any clue what you want to do? Go see a career advisor and have them help you because that is what they are there for. There are no excuses as to why you can't get it going.
Hopefully these tips can help you to figure out where to start when it comes time to prep for the future. If you're not quite the professional you want to be, you will get there soon with these tips. I promise!
