7 JOB HUNTING MISTAKES
NEW GRADUATES SHOULD AVOID
7 JOB HUNTING MISTAKES
NEW GRADUATES SHOULD AVOID
7 JOB HUNTING MISTAKES
NEW GRADUATES SHOULD AVOID
7 JOB HUNTING MISTAKES
NEW GRADUATES SHOULD AVOID
For new college graduates, entering the workforce is uncharted territory—after all, college may have taught you everything you need to know except how to get a job. Undoubtedly, you will most likely go through a trial and error process before you find your path in the job market.
2 out of 3 college grads struggle
to launch their career
2 out of 3 college grads struggle to launch their career
While there's no "right way" to land your first job, here are 7 common job search pitfalls to avoid as a new college graduate:
While there's no "right way" to land your first job, here are
7 common job search pitfalls to avoid as a new college graduate:
1
NOT BEING OPEN TO OPPORTUNITIES
1
NOT BEING OPEN TO OPPORTUNITIES
1
NOT BEING OPEN TO OPPORTUNITIES
1
NOT BEING OPEN TO OPPORTUNITIES
When you've spent so long working toward a degree, you may have an idea of what your career will look like, but the truth is that many professionals end up taking a much different path than they originally expected. While there is a lot of hard work ahead of you on the way to a rewarding career, staying open to opportunities that come your way can open up doors you never thought were possible. Try to remain open to options like:
trying something
outside of your major
volunteering
trying temporary work
taking a different position to get a foot
in the door
taking a different position
to get a foot in the door
trying something
outside of your major
volunteering
trying temporary work
taking a different position to get a foot
in the door
taking a different position
to get a foot in the door
2
NOT NETWORKING
2
NOT NETWORKING
As a new graduate, getting a foot in the door within your industry is a crucial step in building a network of people who can advocate for you and ultimately help you land that first job.
When you attend local networking events and go outside of your comfort zone to meet likeminded professionals, it can open up a lot of doors in your career.
80% of jobs are
not posted online
80% of jobs are
not posted online
80% of jobs are
not posted online
3
NOT TAILORING YOUR APPLICATIONS
3
NOT TAILORING YOUR APPLICATIONS
3
NOT TAILORING YOUR APPLICATIONS
When applying for your first job, remember that quality is more important than quantity. Rather than submitting several applications quickly, focus on tailoring each resume and cover letter to the specific job description and organization.
To effectively tailor your applications, highlight these items differently on your resume and cover letter based on the company and job description:
EXPERIENCE
As a new grad, you may be applying for a variety of different roles that don't necessarily fit into the same mold. As a result, you may want to highlight a different experience based on the specific position. For example, you may have had two internships, one where you gained more administrative experience, and one where you gained more sales experience. Depending on the role, you may want to place one above the other on your resume.
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Carefully review the job description for any technical skills the employer may be looking for. Based on that, you may want to add, remove, or re-order your list of technical skills on your resume
RELEVANT WINS
When reviewing the job description, keep your own experiences in mind, and highlight relevant "wins" in your resume and cover letter. For example, if the employer is looking for someone who has strong organizational skills, you might want to highlight that you successfully increased productivity by streamlining the workflow processes at your last internship.
SOFT SKILLS
Keep in mind that your soft skills—like critical thinking, communication, and adaptability—are often what will give you an edge up on your competition. As a result, you'll want to emphasize the most relevant soft skills throughout your application. For example, if the employer is looking for someone with leadership potential, you may want to highlight any leadership roles you held during college.
4
NOT CLEANING UP YOUR SOCIAL PROFILES
4
NOT CLEANING UP YOUR SOCIAL PROFILES
Have you googled yourself lately? As our world becomes increasingly digital, your online presence can be a deciding factor when applying for jobs.
As a result, be sure to comb through your social media profiles and search results to delete irrelevant or unprofessional content.
5
NOT PREPARING FOR YOUR INTERVIEWS
5
NOT PREPARING FOR YOUR INTERVIEWS
As a new graduate, you'll likely go on several interviews before landing an offer, and preparation is key to standing out as a quality candidate. To get prepared, don't leave out any of these items:
Copies of your resume
It is a common courtesy to have copies of your resume available for your interviewers—especially if you are meeting with multiple people. While they may have printed this in advance, you can prove that you are prepared and detail-oriented with this simple act.
Common interview answers
Your interview performance will mostly be judged on how you answer questions. While you can't prepare for every question that comes your way, there are still several common questions you can prepare for in advance.
Company research
Before an interview, be sure to conduct thorough research on your potential employer, including checking out the website, social media, company mission and values, company culture, and competition landscape.
HAVING LITTLE OR NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE COMPANY
IS THE MOST COMMON MISTAKE
JOB SEEKERS MAKE DURING INTERVIEWS
Industry news & trends
When you're entering any field, it is important that you're able to showcase your knowledge of current events and trends that are affecting that industry. For example, a recent technological dvelopment may have altered the capabilities available or the competition landscape, which could potentially be critical to know.
2
NOT NETWORKING
2
NOT NETWORKING
As a new graduate, getting a foot in the door within your industry is a crucial step in building a network of people who can advocate for you and ultimately help you land that first job.
When you attend local networking events and go outside of your comfort zone to meet likeminded professionals, it can open up a lot of doors in your career.
3
NOT TAILORING YOUR APPLICATIONS
3
NOT TAILORING YOUR APPLICATIONS
When applying for your first job, remember that quality is more important than quantity. Rather than submitting several applications quickly, focus on tailoring each resume and cover letter to the specific job description and organization.
To effectively tailor your applications, highlight these items differently on your resume and cover letter based on the company and job description:
EXPERIENCE
As a new grad, you may be applying for a variety of different roles that don't necessarily fit into the same mold. As a result, you may want to highlight a different experience based on the specific position. For example, you may have had two internships, one where you gained more administrative experience, and one where you gained more sales experience. Depending on the role, you may want to place one above the other on your resume.
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Carefully review the job description for any technical skills the employer may be looking for. Based on that, you may want to add, remove, or re-order your list of technical skills on your resume
RELEVANT WINS
When reviewing the job description, keep your own experiences in mind, and highlight relevant "wins" in your resume and cover letter. For example, if the employer is looking for someone who has strong organizational skills, you might want to highlight that you successfully increased productivity by streamlining the workflow processes at your last internship.
SOFT SKILLS
Keep in mind that your soft skills—like critical thinking, communication, and adaptability—are often what will give you an edge up on your competition. As a result, you'll want to emphasize the most relevant soft skills throughout your application. For example, if the employer is looking for someone with leadership potential, you may want to highlight any leadership roles you held during college.
4
NOT CLEANING UP YOUR SOCIAL PROFILES
4
NOT CLEANING UP YOUR SOCIAL PROFILES
Have you googled yourself lately? As our world becomes increasingly digital, your online presence can be a deciding factor when applying for jobs.
As a result, be sure to comb through your social media profiles and search results to delete irrelevant or unprofessional content.
5
NOT PREPARING FOR YOUR INTERVIEWS
5
NOT PREPARING FOR YOUR INTERVIEWS
As a new graduate, you'll likely go on several interviews before landing an offer, and preparation is key to standing out as a quality candidate. To get prepared, don't leave out any of these items:
Copies of your resume
It is a common courtesy to have copies of your resume available for your interviewers—especially if you are meeting with multiple people. While they may have printed this in advance, you can prove that you are prepared and detail-oriented with this simple act.
Common interview answers
Your interview performance will mostly be judged on how you answer questions. While you can't prepare for every question that comes your way, there are still several common questions you can prepare for in advance.
Company research
Before an interview, be sure to conduct thorough research on your potential employer, including checking out the website, social media, company mission and values, company culture, and competition landscape.
HAVING LITTLE OR NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE COMPANY
IS THE MOST COMMON MISTAKE
JOB SEEKERS MAKE DURING INTERVIEWS
Industry news & trends
When you're entering any field, it is important that you're able to showcase your knowledge of current events and trends that are affecting that industry. For example, a recent technological dvelopment may have altered the capabilities available or the competition landscape, which could potentially be critical to know.
6
NOT ASKING QUESTIONS IN THE INTERVIEW
6
NOT ASKING QUESTIONS IN THE INTERVIEW
6
NOT ASKING QUESTIONS IN THE INTERVIEW
6
NOT ASKING QUESTIONS IN THE INTERVIEW
Many first-time job seekers often don't realize that a job interview is a two-way street; in addition to the employer evaluating you, you should also be evaluating the employer to decide if it is a good fit. For example, you may want to ask questions regarding:
company
culture
day-to-day
operations
employee
turnover
departmental
goals
growth
potential
company
culture
day-to-day
operations
employee
turnover
departmental
goals
growth
potential
7
NOT FOLLOWING UP
7
NOT FOLLOWING UP
When you leave the interview, your job isn't over! In order to stay top of mind and give yourself a competitive edge, be sure to send a thank you note within 24 hours of your interview.
Plus, as a new graduate, you'll want to take the opportunity after the interview to ask for feedback. Whether or not you get the job, this constructive criticism can help you improve for the next interview.
Only 41% of candidates have
received interview feedback
Only 41% of candidates have
received interview feedback
Only 41% of candidates have
received interview feedback
7
NOT FOLLOWING UP
7
NOT FOLLOWING UP
When you leave the interview, your job isn't over! In order to stay top of mind and give yourself a competitive edge, be sure to send a thank you note within 24 hours of your interview.
Plus, as a new graduate, you'll want to take the opportunity after the interview to ask for feedback. Whether or not you get the job, this constructive criticism can help you improve for the next interview.