Focus your search
Sorting through all the possible industries, companies, and departments
you could apply for can leave you feeling pretty confused. Narrow your search
to a few industries, and within each of those, a handful of companies.
This
will make the entire search process less overwhelming, and give you the time
you need to research the companies you’re applying to.
Tap into your existing network of friends and family
Okay, so maybe you only have a few dozen connections on LinkedIn, most
of whom are your fellow classmates. Don’t be discouraged: You probably have a
much bigger network of relationships that you can leverage than you even
realize.
Start with those you know best — your family and close friends — and
see if they can introduce you to people they know. Don’t expect them to step up
and offer to introduce you to their contacts, though (not that they won’t want
to help you). You’ll need to take the initiative and reach out for help.
You don’t know who they know, either. When you start to plug into their
networks, you might find that you’re just one or two connections removed from
someone who works at one of your target companies and is either in a position
to hire you, or can introduce you to the one who can.
Identify your two strongest skills and show how you might apply
them to the job
You can strengthen your application and gain visibility with recruiters
by identifying your two or three strongest skills and explaining in your cover
letter how you can put them to use at their firm. Recruiting managers sort
through stacks of cover letters and resumes every day, so make yours stand out
by explaining why you think they should hire you.
Research the company and get familiar with what they do
It’s tempting to send a generic cover letter and resume to dozens of
companies. It’ll save you time, that’s for sure. But imagine what a recruiter
on the receiving end of such a generic letter is likely to think (and do) when
they see an un-customized form letter land in their inbox.
Take some time to understand the company and the role you’re applying
for, and make that visible in your cover letter. That extra homework you do
could set your application apart from the pack.
Don’t be afraid to ask
Looking for a job when your resume is empty and you don’t have a lot of
self-confidence can be a daunting experience. But I’ve found that the students
who end up finding a job are generally the ones who had the courage to ask. So
don’t be afraid to ask.
Be persistent
Recruiters get a lot of email every day, the bulk of which is related
to the full-time positions they’re seeking to fill. If you want to get noticed,
don’t give up the first time you reach out and fail to get a response. Wait a
few days or weeks, and then try again.
While sheer persistence may not land you a job, you might be increasing
your chances of getting your application noticed. It also signals to the
recruiter your level of interest in the company and the role.
Develop a tolerance for rejection
It’s tough to face rejection just as you’re starting out. But get used
to it, and don’t take it personally. Job searches can be a hit and miss
game — and there will be a lot of misses early on. And that’s okay—we’ve all
been there before.
Don’t burn bridges
When you do get rejected, remain calm and stay professional, and thank
the person for their time. Don’t rant about it on social media, either. A
company might keep your resume on file and reach out to you when an opportunity
does open up. Or you may want to re-apply at another time, maybe even for a
full-time position.
But it’s also a challenge for you, the one looking for a job. Identify
your strengths, do your research, reach out for help, and don’t give up.
Good luck with your search!
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