The pressures of finding a job after college are becoming real as my college career becomes condensed to weeks. As a public relations major, the communications world can be so broad that finding the perfect job seems like an unrealistic expectation. As a 22-year-old college student, it's hard to say exactly what I want to do with the rest of my life, and I've finally come to terms with the fact that my first job will allow me to gain experience and grow in the professional world.
Preparing for the real world is something that I'm still learning to do and I know that the obstacles are still yet to come. However, in applying for jobs and prepping myself for interviews and the different people I'll meet along the way, there are a few things I've found pretty helpful when it comes to the job search.
1. Perfect Your Resume to Your Satisfaction.
Your resume is the first impression that a future employer has of you. Making it look clean and presentable is arguably just as important as the content it displays. Our previous experiences are important to employers and they want to know that we have the skills it takes for our entry-level positions. A resume is not for the modest, so squeezing in solid detail about our formers internships in a condensed way is key.
2. Dress For the Job You Want, Not the Job You Have.
This is one of the most important pieces of advice I took from a former employer. Even if the office dress is casual, it's important to always maintain a sense of professional attire. Even in the event of a Skype interview, it's important to be dressed from head to toe in business attire. I've heard stories of interviewers who have asked interviewees to stand up on the opposite end of the camera so they can ensure they're wearing a full suit, despite the Skype interview. You can never be too prepared when it comes to interviews.
3. "Thank You"
No matter what the communication is with a potential employer, I've found that a simple “thank you" can go a long way. Whether it's a follow up email thanking someone for taking the time to speak with you, or even a personalized hand written note, “thank yous" are very telling. People appreciate that you've taken the time to acknowledge them setting aside the time to dedicate it to your future. Snail mail is not a thing of the best in this instance, in fact, it's probably your best bet.
4. Internships.
Most of us who are entering the real world and looking for entry-level job positions have had internships in the past. If you're an underclassman, internships are the most productive use of your time during the summers especially and help you gain the best experience by simply doing. Internships allow us to gain real world experience and employers understand that we're learning and probably doing most of our tasks for the first time. Not to mention, future employers turn to your previous experiences when setting expectations for your work.
5. Maintain Realistic Expectations.
This is probably one of the most important things I've realized when it comes to my job search. Coming into the real world, I've found myself competing with people who have more experiences, more internships, more resume boosters and so on…than myself. I've come to terms with the fact that I'm applying for entry-level job positions and ultimately I just have to hope that some place will see a spot for me within its company. It's easy to get discouraged when you apply to 25 companies and hear back from maybe one or two places, if you're lucky. However, persistence is key and maintaining a mind sight that no job is a bad job can get you far.
