From College News - Here’s how to land your first job.

A version of this article appears in the latest issue of College News magazine.

Graduation is near for many students and finding a “real job” will prove to be the ultimate final exam. Your job search should be given the same amount of attention and importance as any other college project you’ve had, if not more. Ultimately, you want your first job out of college to reflect all the hard work you’ve put into getting a degree. With this tough economy, your skills will definitely be put to the test. Here are nine sure-fire ways to make your job search easier according to Samantha Tringali-Howie, a recruiter at Maximum Management, a recruiting firm specializing in human resources placement in New York.

Focus Your Resume. It’s very likely that your resume will receive a 15-second glance before a recruiter or hiring manger decides whether or not to move forward. That means everything on there should be relevant, accurate and place you in the best light. Target your resume to your ideal job with a profile summary or a list of qualifications. Be sure to update and edit your resume regularly, adding any new skills you’ve learned. Did you just receive a certification or learn a new software program? Add it to your resume. Having a generic template on hand is a good idea, but make sure to customize it for each specific job.

Target your ideal company. Smart house hunters start their search with a list of must-haves in their ideal home or at least the closest thing they can get to their ideal home.  They have a preferred number of bedrooms and bathrooms, square footage and neighborhoods in mind before they start looking. You should do the same with your job search. What kind of company do you want to work for? A Fortune 500? A non-profit? Think about what you’d like in an employer and target your job search with those factors in mind. You may be willing to take anything you can get early in your career, but as your career develops and you sharpen your skills, your “must-haves” will be more defined and you’ll be closer to your dream job.

Network, Network, Network. Don’t let the idea of networking intimidate you. “It’s important to know that networking is a way to develop leads, enrich your subject knowledge, and in the long-term, build relationships that can lead to a great role,” Tringali-Howie said. “The challenge, especially for younger generations, is to grasp that networking is a long process. It doesn’t always provide the instant gratification pervasive in today’s culture.” Networking allows you to stay on top of who’s hiring and have a “pulse” on what’s going on in your industry. Building your professional contacts will always benefit your career.

Work with your career center. Your school’s career center can play a helpful role in helping you find jobs as well as sharpening your interviewing skills. Many career centers conduct mock interviews with students where you can role-play with a counselor who can guide you and provide feedback. Career counselors can connect you with alumni who are in your desired field and willing to act as mentors to recent graduates. Many times, career centers get their job leads through alumni and counselors can have a better understanding of what the employer is looking for in an ideal candidate. Career centers are also another great way to build your network.

Social media. Websites such as LinkedIn and Twitter are excellent ways to search for jobs.  “They are hugely important to today’s job seeker because most recruiters are sourcing more heavily from them rather than from job boards,” Tringali-Howie said. “Be sure to craft a profile with impact; include a brief description of both your broad knowledge and areas of expertise, or in the case of a new grad, your goals and internships you’ve had. Add keywords that will lead recruiters to you (i.e. if you are seeking a human resources internship, you’ll want to include these words in your profile).” Many recent grads have been contacted for job interviews via social media by recruiters who have seen their profiles and taken an interest.
Tringali-Howie also advises, “you should know however, that social media is a double-edged sword. While it’s an important tool, remember that it is also a way for recruiters to find information that could eliminate you. Complaining in your blog about your last boss?  Not a good idea.  Posting sassy images on your public Facebook page from your last ladies night out? Another no-no, you get the drift.  So watch your online presence carefully, regard it as your personal brand and make sure that all public content is 100 percent professional and puts forth your very best self.”

Expand your search. Job boards like Monster and Career Builder are great for perusing job postings but they are very generalized and everyone else is looking there too. Many available and competitive jobs are not advertised on these sites. Try niche sites for your specific industry. For example, search PharmaDiversityJobBoard.com for pharmaceutical jobs and MediaBistro.com for jobs in media and public relations. Get familiar with the different job boards in your industry and you’ll be 10 steps ahead of the already competitive job market.

Set realistic expectations. Job hunting for your first real job after college is a daunting task, so give yourself a realistic deadline for when you expect to have a job. Don’t beat yourself up if you’re not finding anything. The important thing is that you stay productive every day, whether it’s sending resumes, updating profile information or making some calls. By doing this you’re staying active and more importantly, you’re putting your name out there consistently.

Keep In Touch. After graduation you’ll keep in contact with all your friends, right? But what about the college itself? Be sure to sign up to your school’s newsletter to keep on top of what other students and alumni are doing and where they’re working. You never know where fellow classmates may end up; they just might be the contact you need to get your foot in the door at a major company. More than likely, they are happy to help fellow alumni advance in their career. 

By Angelica Rodriguez