As we all know, this time of year can definitely begin to feel hectic. Work is starting to pile up in classes, papers need to be written, and this weather certainly isn’t helping. One of the most stressful parts of this time of year is the daunting task of application processes. Although this process can be really tiresome, here are some easy ways to make it more manageable!
Be prepared
The first step to staying calm during any application process is to be prepared. One way to do this is to make sure that you will be ready on short notice. Keep an interview-appropriate outfit ironed and hung up in your closet, print up-to-date resumes, and research companies that interest you. That way, if you have the opportunity to meet someone, you know you’ll be ready to put your best foot forward.
Know your deadlines
As soon as you can, go online and look up what the deadlines are for what you want to do. When are applications due? When can you schedule an interview? It can also be helpful to know when you should hear back from them with a decision, so that you’re not in a pinch if things don’t go the way you planned. I suggest writing all of these things down in both a planner and a calendar. That way, when you are planning your week or looking ahead, you will have a little reminder.
Ask for help
No one expects you to be an expert at everything. If you have a question or concern, reach out for help. Talk to the career center about your resume or LinkedIn account. Ask a trusted advisor to proofread a cover letter. You could even try to think about scheduling a mock interview, whether that is with a faculty member or friend. If there’s anything you’re unsure of, take a chance and ask for help. You never know – it could be the determining factor between being hired or not.
Practice and proofread
These are two very critical steps, both of which can be pretty easy to overlook. We all know the feeling after you’ve spent hours pouring over an application and just want to send it in already, but don’t. Although it can be annoying, giving your application one final proofread is always a good idea. Better yet, if you can have someone else to look it over, definitely do that. You would hate to have a typo reflect poorly on you and give off the impression that you don’t really care about the job. On that same note, consider practicing for an interview, whether that is informally or formally. This is especially overlooked for career fairs, but that is when it can be most helpful. If you have a short, sweet and concise plug telling a scout why you are the best for the job, you can make a great first impression.
Keep an open mind
Unfortunately, no matter how prepared you are, sometimes things don’t work out the way you planned. Although this can be tough, try not to get discouraged. Having a bad attitude could hurt your chances of getting other jobs. Instead, try to have a few backup plans, and be sure to focus on the positives of that. Everything happens for a reason.
Although application processes will never be fun, that doesn’t mean you need to pull out your hair over it. Staying organized, prepared and positive can go a long way. So whether you’re a senior applying for real life jobs, or just looking for a summer internship, keep these tips in mind to help the process go smoothly!
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