I don’t know about all you college seniors, but for me, I blinked and now I am in my final semester anxiously preparing to start the next chapter of my life and freaking out about what is to come. Over the next few months, I will be dedicating my time to job searching, with the hopes of finding the perfect job for me. I decided to share the best ways to help you prepare for your job search to ensure that you land your dream job.
1. Know what it is that you want to do
The first and most important step of any job search is to know what you want to do so you can be applying to those types of jobs. Although it’s a hard decision, by this time in your college career you should have a good grasp on what you see yourself doing. Once you decide, make sure you have experience in that field and know what skills you need to be qualified for that specific type of position.
2. Find all the best career sites that post job openings
The beauty of the Internet is that it allows us to look online for jobs openings. You can look on all company sites under their career page for openings, or even find a central hub where all jobs are posted. For example, I am looking for a job in editorial or publishing, so I go to mediabistro.com for all job postings related to those fields. Ask around and find out what career sites you should be checking out at least once a day.
3. Have the perfect resume and cover letter
It is really important to sell yourself during the job search. Utilize the career center at your school for critiques on your resume and cover letter. Both of these documents should vividly, clearly and uniquely explain all of your experiences, skills and qualifications. Make sure there are no spelling or grammatical errors. Before sending it out make sure a few sets of eyes look it over. You can also set up a mock interview to practive your interview skills before going on a real one.
4. Get yourself known
Set up plenty of informational interviews, contact people in the industry and keep in touch with your network. This is extremely important because these are the people who have the most experience and connections within the industry.
5. Learn about the company and the people who work there
You will never ever be qualified for a specific job if you do not know about the company or the people who work there. Be sure to educate yourself about the company and their employees. The more knowledge you show to have about the company in your interview, the more likely you are to get hired. LinkedIn is a great way to do this, so make sure your page is up to par.
6. Think about where you want to live, finances, etc.
A huge part of the job search is figuring out where you want to be located. Are you a city person? Would you rather work in the suburbs closer to home? My best advice is to decide where you want to be and apply for jobs specifically in that area. Along with that, make sure you are aware of what you can and can’t afford, and the salary you would potentially have if you got any of the jobs you apply for. Although money can sound scary, it’s important to be realistic so you are not regretting any decisions later on.
7. Keep track of the jobs you applied to
Keep a simple list of all the jobs you applied to and who you contacted for each of them. This will help keep everything organized and easier for you. Don’t hesisate to follow-up with potential employers about the status of your application as well.
8. Stay positive
Note from Sam: It will all work out. I promise. Good luck!