Job Tip Series #8: Securing Your Dream Job
This is the final article in the Capstrat series, Getting Your First Job. We enjoyed meeting everyone who came out to our third annual Networking Night.We hope you find these job tips useful and wish current graduates the best of luck!
Find Your Passion
You've just spent the last four years immersed in your major, and now you are equipped with the knowledge and the ability to get a job in that industry. Graduation is around the corner, and the panic starts to set in. Don't worry, this is par for the course, and you are not the first, or the last, to go through this process.
The first thing you need to determine is what you are passionate about with regard to the field that you have chosen. Figure out your desired work environment and what you hope to learn. Hopefully, you have interned at a few companies and you have a point of reference on which to base your decision. Narrowing your scope will allow you to focus on positions where you will be able to make a contribution as well as learn as much as possible. Tailor Your Resume
It may be tempting to send a blanket cover letter and resume for every position that you apply for, but you should reconsider. Your resume should reflect the skills and education that support your ability to perform the duties well. Take the time to tailor your cover letter and resume - highlighting what makes you the best candidate for the job. While reviewing the job function and requirements, identify specific aspects about your education, background or experience that relay your ability to serve that function. A minor detail sometimes forgotten is ensuring that your resume is free of grammatical errors.
Research Your Prospects
Once you have been selected for an interview, do your research. Go to the company's Web site and learn about their mission, vision, culture, employees and clients. Determine how you would fit in, and be prepared to articulate that point during the interview. Conduct a Google search on the company for any recent news or articles that give you insight about the organization. Ask who you will be meeting with and search for information about those individuals as well.
Be Prepared
The interview is not just an opportunity for the company to get to know you; it is also an opportunity for you to get to know the company. Be prepared to ask intelligent questions. Ask what a typical work day entails for the position that you are applying for. Ask about the perceived challenges associated with the position. Ask what the company does to help employees achieve work-life balance. Inquire about the traits necessary for a person to be successful in the position. Inquire about their hiring process and next steps so that you know what to expect after the interview.
Follow-up
Once the interview is over, do your due diligence. You should send a thank you note to each person that you met with and reiterate your enthusiasm and interest in the position.
Even after following these steps, there is a chance that you might not get the job. Don't worry; don't fret. Simply pick yourself up, dust yourself off and go after the next opportunity. Each interview is an exercise for you to become more comfortable talking about your skills and abilities, and it will get easier. Be memorable, be bright, be confident...but most importantly, be yourself.
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