By Penny Ortega
While it may seem like the days of undergraduate and graduate school are the longest of your life, graduation is right around the corner. Whether you graduate this fall or next spring, it is never too early to start preparing yourself for a career. From writing the perfect resume to crushing that interview, here are some helpful tips to land the job of your dreams.
Resume Writing Tips
Always be on the lookout for jobs on online posting sites, such as Monster, Indeed, and ZipRecruiter. There are a wide variety of positions and you can even post your resume for prospective employers to view.
Make it clear and simple to read.
Know what keywords to look for and include in your resume for your career of choice. Study different resume styles to see how yours can stand out and appeal to potential employers.
Be professional.
Comic Sans on bright pink paper will likely have your resume placed at the bottom of the pile. Use 12 pt Times New Roman or Arial font, and be aware of whitespace, as too much blank space can make your resume look bare. Toss the silly yahoo account from your youth and ensure your email address is one that your employer would have no problem emailing.
Be truthful, look relevant and important. Keep your resume brief but be sure to state all relevant information, such as prior work experience, accomplishments, skills and education. Using active language helps you stand out against other resumes; use words, such as accomplished and achieved to show your accomplishments.
Proofread, edit and update as necessary. Have a colleague or friend review your resume, as they may see errors you may have missed. Be critical of your product and ask yourself if you’d hire someone with that resume. Do I appear qualified for this position? Did I make them remember me if I’m up against several candidates?
Keeping a polished and well-written resume updated will be handy when you are called in for an interview. Below are a few tips to have a great interview.
Interview Tips
Having a refined resume is great but leaving a memorable impression after an interview is next to amazing. The proverb, “a first impression is a lasting impression,” is accurate, as your prospective employer will start to determine if you are the right fit the moment you walk into your interview. Presenting yourself professionally will get you on the right track.
Research, research, research! You may feel like you know about the company you’re applying for, however, there are things you do not know your employer looks for. Read their mission statement and learn the values of the company. Research the position you’re interested in and find out what type of experience it requires. Before you go into your interview, think about why you want the job and why you’re interested in the company. Interviewers appreciate when the person they are interviewing is prepared.
Practice makes perfect. Enlist a trusted friend to practice interview questions with and be familiar with your resume. Think of questions to ask your interviewer such as: Can you explain some of the day-to-day responsibilities this job entails? What can you tell me about the position that isn’t in the job description? How will you judge my success? What will need to happen in the first six months for me to know I have met your expectations?
Dress to impress and prove your worth. Gather your interview attire the day before and ensure it fits well and is pressed. Do not show up in ripped jeans or wrinkled clothes and be punctual, arriving at your interview at least 10-15 minutes early. Bring your resume, a notebook and a pen; leave your phone in the car. The last thing you would want is your phone to go off during the interview. Be respectful to EVERYONE. Your interview starts as soon as you enter the parking lot. Shake the interviewer’s hand with a firm grip but not one that will crush their hand.
Be human. Be genuine and answer questions with sincerity, not just to be hired. Be focused but relaxed and do not bad mouth your past employers but be honest about why you left. A reference call will be conducted so the last thing you would want is to be caught in a lie. After the interview is over, always thank them for and shake their hand. Send a thank you letter for the interview and be patient for feedback but don’t look desperate.
These are just a few tips to help you land a job/career that you want. Practice always makes perfect and do not get discouraged if you do not get hired after an interview. Work on polishing your resume and interview skills. Keep trying until they know the moment they meet you that you are exactly what they have been missing at their company.
