With graduations impending this month, recent graduates will be on the hunt for new jobs and internships. Listed below are some points from LinkedIn on how to be successful during your search.
1. Update Your LinkedIn Consistently
If you don’t have a LinkedIn yet, it may be wise to get one. LinkedIn is a networking website that allows you to display your resume and extra information, which you may not always include on your resume. Statistics show that 85% of people are employed through networking.
When updating your LinkedIn, consider using a catchy headline and stay away from one’s that everyone else may be using, such as, “student” or “recent grad.” Tell them what program you graduated from, what you specialize in, and what you can do for them. Otherwise, what separates you from thousands of other potential candidates?
2. Follow Companies That Interest You
This one doesn’t have to just be a practice you use over LinkedIn either. It’s always a good habit to be informed about a company you’re interested in working for prior to the interview process. Read up on the company and check up on recent news or changes frequently. The more informed you are, the better. Being informed means that you’re well prepared.
3. Promote Yourself
You don’t have to have an Ivy League education; you just have to be able to sell yourself. Companies love to see what you can offer them and how you can contribute to their growth. While seeing “customer service” and “sales” on a resume is great, reword it to really entice the recruiter. Tell them your sales goals, if you reached them, and by how much. You can use this tactic for any skill beyond sales as well.
4. Present Yourself Professionally on all Platforms
These days, it’s easy for a recruiter to find out a lot about you by the things you post or share via social media. While it’s important to stay true to you, also keep in mind that many recruiters won’t hire an applicant based on posts they saw over their social media. This process is called “screening” and 60% of hiring managers use it. In addition, 49% of hiring managers have stated that they won’t hire a potential candidate based on information they’ve found.
5. Be Persistent and Curious
Having the right attitude can go a long way during your search to start the perfect career. Former Google CEO, Eric Schmidt, said that the two most important characteristics to look for in applicants are how persistent and motivated they happen to be as well as their curiosity about their job and improving – those are the characteristics that measure success.
6. “Stay humble. Stay hungry.”
SAP Co-CEO, Bill McDermott’s “Stay humble. Stay hungry,” quote is one of my favorites and one that he attributes to his own success. It’s important to remain modest and know where you rank but it’s just as important to remain eager to learn and grow professionally as well as individually. Even if you’ve already got numerous successes under your belt before you graduate, don’t turn down opportunities because you believe you’re above them. Saying yes to different, unlikely, positions could present you with so many different opportunities to learn, grow, and inspire.
7. Enhance Your Resume and Refine Your Skills
A tactic that has always provided me with more motivation is educating myself by reading job qualifications for my field and refining the skills that the employer is looking for. If you’re lacking a qualification, don’t give up on what you want to do, just look to improve yourself. Get certified, finish your degree, gain more experience, hone in on your skills, or whatever it may be. All it takes is some effort and practice to enhance your resume to produce the results the employer wants.
I myself am no expert. However, I have been following these helpful tips for years and I’ve achieved the short-term successes I’ve wanted because of them. The key take away to remember is to develop your own personal brand, determine what you wish to gain from it, and be your own public relations team. Everyone achieves success differently but one thing that always remains the same is motivation, hard work, and dedication. If you have a positive attitude and you persist, you’ll always come out on top.
