job hunting tips for new grads genn global slideshare 12.09.14

JOB HUNTING TIPS FOR NEW GRADSTips, suggestions, and inspiration from GennGlobal

JOB HUNTING IS STRESSFUL

Recent grads usually stress about job hunting, and for good reason.

With student loans looming overhead and hordes of competition, job hunting can quickly become an overwhelming and stressful experience.

Therefore, learning how to effectively search for jobs is incredibly important!

JOB HUNTING TIPS

When job hunting, you’ll want to make yourself the most attractive candidate that you can. Here are a couple tips for increasing your value to potential employers: If your CV looks barren, try padding it with

volunteer experiences and internships. Remember that college experiences—

internships, jobs, relevant coursework, and projects—count as professional experiences! Don’t hesitate to include this kind of information on your CV.

BE INTERNET SAVVY

Making full use of the Internet will separate you from a lot of other job candidates.

One great place to start is to make use of websites like LinkedIn to network with your peers and targeted professionals. Growing your professional network will increase your chances of seeing a friendly face in an interview.

Another great idea is to create a professional portfolio website. Having a portfolio website gives your CV a permanent place to live, and the content acts like a second cover letter.

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!

Those helpful tips are only half the battle! It is also important to consider the job hunting process you currently have and correct any mistakes you are making.

Next we will discuss some of the most common mistakes young professionals make when job hunting shortly after graduating from university.

THING NOT TO DO

Don’t be lazy on the job hunting front. Always remember just how much competition you are facing.

One common mistake is only having one CV and using it when applying for any job. Instead, try making one “master CV” that includes all of your experiences and then create unique CVs for each job you apply for, cherry-picking relevant information from your master version.

This way, you’ll naturally have a sleeker CV and you will ensure it only has relevant information on it!

THINGS YOU SHOULD DO

Follow-up with employers you have applied at and inquire about the status of your application. This shows that you have drive, determination, and that you actually care about the job you applied for.

Set realistic expectations—you probably won’t get the first position you apply for.

Cleanse your social media presence of anything you wish your potential employers would not see. Potential employers will Google you at the very least if you are being seriously considered.