It's that time of the year again--the time of the year where you start pissing your pants again! Last year you scrambled to get an internship that your school played absolutely no part in helping you get and now it's time to start all over again, but this time it's for real! That's right, it's time to start searching for a job and going through the strenuous application process. It will suck and will be stressful and time consuming, but fear not; here are some tips for any of you who are going through a similar process!
Remain calm
Easier said than done, right? You have to try and remain calm. There will be a lot of lulls when it comes to not finding anything, waiting for replies, interviews, or follow-ups. There will also be a lot of things that will absolutely frustrate you to no end like constantly editing your cover letter or having to answer stupid application questions. The only thing you really can do is remain calm and know that it will not be permanent. Bottom line is, if you got an internship before, you can certainly get a job for real!
Give yourself breaks
You don't have to work on searches or applications every single day for a long amount of time. Try to find the right time that works for you. It could be on the weekends, during the week, or at night or in the morning. Of course, don't take too many breaks and fall behind, but know your limits for the day, especially if you have homework or classes to go to. As long as you're starting your search months ahead of time, you can break as much as you want.
Only apply if you like the position
Sometimes we get so caught up in applying that we almost forget to make sure that we actually like the job that we are applying for. It may not matter so much if you're not so crazy about your internship since it is not permanent, but be aware that if you get the job you apply for you will be there for a long period of time. Make sure it is a position you can see yourself in and will enjoy; otherwise, your hard work will be for nothing.
Research
Researching jobs, companies, and other related things really sucks, but it is still important to do so as much as possible. You want to fully make sure you understand your requirements and what the company is all about. If you get the job or even get an interview, make sure you know a decent amount about the company. This may seem like a no brainer, but trust me, you will forget to do this if you've been so busy with other applications and the day to days of life.
Be Confident
Another easier said than done tip, but try your best to always remain confident whether it be in an interview or the general job search process. You may not find a lot of jobs that stick out. You may not hear back from a place you applied to. You might not even get the job that you want. All of these possibilities are terrifying and do put a damper on things, but as long as you're confident and keep searching you will find something and you will get that job!
I hope these tips are helpful. I'm going to need to look them over a few times these next few months myself!
