It’s that subject we all tend to avoid at family dinners; the nagging thought in the back of your mind as you get ready for a night out with friends. The idea that leaves you stricken after a bad grade and causes your anxiety to reach new highs as you progress from freshman to sophomore, sophomore to junior, and junior to the final frontier, senior year. You can ask any undergraduate what they fear the most, and undoubtedly, the future will rank high on that list. Living in a time where the economy is unstable and the job market is exceedingly scarce for young professionals, employers are looking for more than a college degree when hiring graduates. Whether you are a freshman adjusting to your first year, or a fifth year senior currently enjoying your victory lap, the time for action is now. By following the simple steps outlined in this article, you can work towards setting yourself a part from the competition, and ultimately, landing you the job of your dreams.
5. Social Media Cleanse
The first, and perhaps easiest step in getting ahead is something all collegiettes have been told time and time again: clean up your social media. It seems obvious, right? I think everyone can agree that posting photos of you and your friends taking flaming shots at Cancun’s (while also underage, might I add) or sprinkling the always unflattering “f-word” throughout the majority of your tweets is highly inappropriate. We all agree these social media faux pas are terrible, yet we make the same mistake in posting them time and time again. Why? Because social media is a platform through which you present yourself to others. When you see your friends, or maybe even your crushes, posting online about how they are at a party and having a good time, you immediately want to do the same. You want to be on their level of fun, so you post accordingly. The problem is that future employers don’t have the same idea of “fun”. As it turns out, “young, wild, and free” translates to “no regard for authority” in the real world. Alas, not all hope is lost. You still have time to turn things around. If you still want to post your party pictures, or freely Tweet your thoughts, simply set your social media profiles to private. This does not always insure that your content is untraceable, as everything online can ultimately be found, but it does make it difficult for future employers to view your posts. Another way to use social media to your advantage is to think of every platform as your own source of PR. You can craft your Facebook page into the perfect portfolio in minutes if you try. Post your best pictures, the photos that show who you are, like maybe some pictures from your semester abroad or snapshots from your sorority function (only sober photos from the function). If you have a great sense of humor, showcase that through your tweets. The best rule to go by with social media is: only post what you would want your mother to see.
4. Becoming AUinvolved
We can all recall our Camp War Eagle counselors chanting the mantra “AUinvolved” during the course of our two-day orientation in the sweltering Alabama heat. And maybe you did become involved on campus as a freshman, and if so, you are way ahead of the game. However, there are others (like, ahem, me) who did not apply for the plethora of leadership positions available. The truth is, some people just aren’t cut out for SGA and all that it entails, but hey, there is nothing wrong with that. The problem lies in the fact that employers are not looking for applicants who blend in with majority. Much like moths, they are drawn to the person that shines the brightest, the person who stands out from the rest. And the only way you can do that is by putting yourself out there and getting involved. The great thing about Auburn University is that there are hundreds of organizations for you to get involved with. Though you may not become president of SGA, you could easily obtain a leadership position in a smaller club, one that you are passionate about. At the end of the day, involvement can only help you.
3. Go Away
As you may have noticed, there is an underlying premise that can be found in almost every step on this list: stand out from the majority. There are infinite ways to achieve this goal, but it seems that the most impressive way of branding yourself as “different” is by traveling abroad. A recent poll held by NAFSA states that only 1% of students study abroad during the course of their college career. Let me reiterate that staggering statistic to you guys: 1%. In a time of unprecedented global connection, an applicant with international experience is going to be receiving more callbacks and job offers than a student who graduated with a 4.0. While it may not be obvious at first, going abroad instills vital skills in students that cannot be obtained while living in the states. Not only does international experience prove that you are open-minded, but it also hints at skills such as independence, patience, and the ability to overcome adversity. Having any form of international experience on your résumé, whether it be studying abroad, interning abroad, or even international mission work, is crucial. As technology has advanced through the years, the world has gotten much smaller, placing graduates with global experience at the top of every employers list.
2. Working for Free Pays Off
When it comes to securing a job these days, work experience is imperative. I am not referring to the restaurant you worked at in high school, or that cute clothing boutique you put in part-time hours at every summer. I’m talking about real work experience; a position in your desired field. This type of hands-on experience comes in the form of internships. Internships are a requirement for nearly every major these days. Countless students toil all summer long at internships for no pay at all, the only reward in the form of a new bullet to add under the “experience” section on their résumé. While working for free seems less than desirable to most undergraduates, the turnover value on an internship is priceless. Not only do you learn invaluable skills while on the job, you are able to secure key connections with others in your field. While searching for the perfect internship, be sure to strategize which placement will benefit you the most. Look for the best fit in regards to location, job functions, and the potential for hiring after your internship comes to a close. As expected, the more internships you have under your belt, the better. The harder you work before you graduate, the more likely you are to find a decent job upon entering the real world.
1. Your Résumé Is Everything
There is nothing that turns off an employer more than a poorly crafted résumé. Think of it this way, your résumé is the first impression you make on the future employer, if it doesn’t “wow” them immediately, it is going to the bottom of the pile. A great résumé should be three things: polished, chronological, and concise. No undergraduate should have a résumé that exceeds one page, and that being said, there should be no references to high school at all. You can kiss any pre-college experience goodbye, because in the eyes of hiring employers, it is irrelevant. When describing internships and such, focus on skills obtained rather that jobs completed. You can use the résumé template below for reference. There should be absolutely no spelling or grammatical errors. Nothing says “unemployable” like the improper use of “to, two, and too”. Being too wordy is the kiss of death, which can be very tragic for someone like me. Focus on using a wide variety of powerful words to describe even the most simple skill set. Essentially, you are selling yourself. Craft your résumé in a way that makes you stand out from the countless others in the stack.
In a time that has many aspiring professionals trembling in trepidation of the future, you have the chance to control your own destiny. Yes, focusing on academics is important, but you must also allot time towards making yourself a more well rounded individual. Hone in on your unique skills, and the little quirks that make you interesting. The key to getting ahead is finding yourself and what you want in life, and only then, can you find a way to get where you need to be.