Tips & Tricks for Recent College Grads

So, you graduated in May and are still trying to figure out what you want to be when you grow up. Certainly, every situation is different. However, the number one most common problem for recent grads is that they do not know what to do with their degree. The following tricks and tips are intended to ease the pain of finding a new job…especially in this economy.

• Make smart career choices. Do your homework on the jobs you are considering. Some industries are growing. Others are shrinking. Do online research. Talk with people such as alumni, parents, professors, and your college career office. Use these sources to help you understand as much as possible about your future career.
• Be creative. There are, after all, other ways to search for a job besides the Internet. Even though search engines can help you find jobs in the comfort of your own home, it’s not the only alternative available to you. The number one way to find a job is to get out of your house and network. Talk to as many people as possible – ideally those in your field.
• Do not box yourself into only working for a huge, international company. These large firms receive tons of resumes each day and yours could easily get lost in the maze of paperwork. Consider applying for positions at smaller companies with fewer than 100 employees. This strategy might at least get your foot in the door for an interview.
• Proofread! Resumes with mistakes are absolutely unacceptable – and 99% of the time they end up in the “circular file.”
• Make sure your resume reaches the right person. If possible, avoid sending your resume to a general human resource addresses. Instead, find out the name of the hiring manager and send your resume directly to her.
• Be prepared for that all-important interview. Research the company. Learn as much as you can about the competition. Expect and prepare for all questions. Mind your manners. And, bring extra resumes.
• Be choosy. Even though your main objective is to find a job, you must ultimately choose the position that’s best for you. Carefully weigh your career goals and how the position you’re considering can help you attain them. If you determine that the job will help you gain the experience that you need to move to the top, then go for it.

Above all, be patient. There is a lot of competition out there, and not nearly as many good jobs as there used to be. But with some perseverance and hard work, you’ll eventually land on your feet. Good luck!

Labels: getting noticed, graduation, interview preparation, job search, resume writing tips

Posted by Seymour Jobs on 8/28/2009 09:49:00 AM
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Collect Diploma, Next Step: Paycheck

Applying for your first post-graduation job can be an exciting and intense time. You may seek out multiple positions in a variety of fields, or prioritize one main job and look for the right company fit.

Some things to keep in mind as you go out into the applicant pool include maintaining a positive attitude, allowing your skills to shine both in person and on your resume and consider the old adage: if at first you don't succeed, try, try again.

There's nothing wrong with not getting a follow-up interview on your first try. Many graduates lack experience with interviewing for full-time positions and struggle to stand out the first time around. Just keep at it and know that you will end up at a company not only that you work for, but that works for you!

Labels: career prep, interview preparation, job search

Posted by Amanda on 3/26/2009 11:08:00 PM
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Why Your Mom Shouldn't Be a Professional Reference

Yes, it’s true… when selecting a job reference; you definitely want someone who will sing your praises to a potential employer! Who better to do the job than your dear old mom… dad… or even your favorite Aunt Sue?

Here’s the catch: you may be every bit as wonderful as your mom claims but let’s face it; she’s your mom and she’s biologically-obligated to feel that way! Same goes for any family member, college roommate or best friend. While they could give you a great reference, employers really don’t want to know that you are a true friend, a reliable designated driver or that you always make your bed!

What you really want in a reference is someone who can account for your work-related qualities. Of course your first choice should be past and present employers since they can account for reliability, initiative, time management and your ability to work with others. Remember that even if your job experience was not career-related, it is still valuable! So, go ahead and ask the director of the camp where you worked last summer, the manager of the restaurant where you worked during college, or the head lifeguard at local pool where you worked in high school—they’re all are great resources!

Ok, so the store you worked at every summer closed down and you didn’t “friend” your old manager on Facebook. Where else can you find a reference? Teachers or college professors can be great references. They have worked closely with you and know about your academic ability, productivity, and timeliness. Others, such as advisors, group leaders and coaches, can also provide information about you, which could be relevant to a potential employer. So, take some time to really think about people who have worked, coached or taught you in the past. Those are the people who are able to offer a good picture of who you are to a potential employer.

Once you have a list of people who you want to represent you, it is important to make sure you ask them if they would be willing to be a reference. Once they have agreed, keep them up-to-date about your job search, provide them with your current resume, the names of the companies you are seeking employment, the types of jobs you are applying for and if possible, even the job descriptions. This type of information will help prepare them to give you the best recommendation possible. And, although they may not know you as well as your mother—they will still be able to give you the glowing reference that you need to get the job. Good luck!

Labels: interview preparation, jobs after college, references, resume tips

Posted by Seymour Jobs on 3/02/2009 09:18:00 AM
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Job Fairs: How to Stand Out From the Crowd

Job fairs are critical venues to finding your first job. They are a great way to practice your interview skills and professional presence. But job fairs can make you feel like a small fish in a very big pool of applicants. So how do you stand out from the crowd and impress potential employers?

It’s important to make sure you do your homework. Find out ahead of time which companies are going to be at the event and then map out which ones you are most interested working for. Conduct research through traditional (corporate web sites and news articles) and non-traditional (blogs, social networking) outlets to gain a well-rounded understanding of the company.

Limit the number and be specific about the companies you intend on visiting at the career fair. Interviews can be exhausting and too many during one day can diminish your alertness and keep you from being a good interview. So don’t overload yourself with so many appointments you can’t perform at your best, or even forget which companies you interviewed with.

It might also be tempting to go to a career fair with a friend to feel more comfortable, but I would recommend going alone. Not only will you be more focused on the task of finding a career, but it will show that you are independent and serious about starting your career.

As always, be professional by dressing corporate and bringing copies of your resume and any work examples that may be valid to share with potential employers. Following the event, don’t forget to get the names or business cards of those you met with and send a thank you note.

Be confident and good luck!

Labels: career fair, career prep, interview preparation, job fair

Posted by Seymour Jobs on 1/16/2009 10:24:00 AM
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Prepare for the Inquisition!

That's why it is utterly vital to prepare for an interview using the tips that Seymour mentioned.  There is nothing worse than leaving an interview with a knot in your stomach because you weren't ready for the tough questions, or didn't plan ahead for traffic to hold you up.  YOU are the only one that is responsible for your end of the bargain, so be sure to study up and keep your eyes on the prize... you just may end up with a [job] offer you can't refuse!

Labels: interview preparation, Interview skills, interviewing process

Posted by Amanda on 12/31/2008 02:52:00 AM
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Interview Skills: Showing Confidence Without Looking Arrogant.

All of your hard work has finally paid off-- you got the call back for an interview! Your resume has made an impression and a potential employer thinks that YOU might be the right person for the job. This is exactly what you’ve been waiting for, but what do you do now? Get through the interview with class, confidence, and most importantly, prove to your potential employer that you are a competent worker and the perfect person for the job. There are a number of things that can be done to ensure that you make the most out of your interview, but the key is to utilize all of them.

Come prepared--Do your research!
It is much easier to have confidence when you actually know what you are talking about. Find as much information as you can on the company you are interviewing for. This can help you to cater your answers to that companies wants and needs. You can easily determine the skills you possess that can add to the productivity of the company. You can use the information you’ve found to show your interest in the company. It can never hinder you to go into the interview fully briefed on the company and it’s policies. It is also a good idea to bring a copy of your resume with you to the interview. If your potential employer doesn’t already have a copy in front of them, then this will serve as a nice reminder of your talents and skills.

Dress to impress.
The right choice of clothing can give you that boost of confidence you may need on the day of the interview. Regardless of the companies’ dress code, it is always better to be overdressed for an interview than it is to wear clothes that may be considered too casual. Wear conservative, professional attire and make sure that your clothes fit you well—they aren’t too loose or too tight. Choosing clothing that is too colorful and ornate may be to your disadvantage, as it can detract attention from your qualifications. Your clothing should show that you are professional and are there for only one purpose: getting the job.

Don’t be late!
In fact, arrive a couple minutes early to the interview. This would give you time to fill out any necessary paperwork or time to just relax and collect your thoughts before going into the interview. Showing up to the interview late will do nothing but hurt you. To an employer, when you are late to an interview the chances are high that you will be late to other important meetings or deadlines in the future. To avoid any complications, know where you are going beforehand and make sure you give yourself enough time to get there—don’t forget to factor in traffic time!

Leave a lasting impression…
Turn OFF your cell phone before arriving for the interview. It would be unprofessional and embarrassing if your phone happened to go off during the interview. In order to save yourself from any embarrassment turn your cell phone completely off. When called into the interview greet your potential employer with a nice firm handshake, eye contact and a smile. Make sure your smile is friendly and not creepy. Creepy smiles and penetrating eye contact could give your potential employer the wrong idea about you. Never feel too comfortable—always sit up straight and use proper language (NO SLANG!). Be sure to emphasize your strengths and call upon as many details of the company as you can. You must make sure that you don’t over do it with the facts, however. Remember that your potential employer already works for the company and already knows most of the details. Your main goal is to show how your strengths work with the company’s wants and needs. When the interview is over make sure you thank your interviewer by name and end the meeting with a nice firm handshake, eye contact and a smile.

If you follow all of these steps it should be easy for you to walk into any interview with the confidence and charisma that could land you the job. Good luck!

Labels: interview dress code, interview preparation, Interview skills, job search tool

Posted by Seymour Jobs on 12/24/2008 11:44:00 AM
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Ready, Set, Interview!

Two of the questions that Seymour mentioned really hit home for me, those being: "What are the day-to-day responsibilities of the job?" and "How many steps are there in the interview process?"

Both of these questions are ones that at some point or another, I have asked during an interview... or wish I had asked. As for inquiring about the day-to-day tasks, that is something that any prospective employee should be aware of, to make sure that the job they are seeking is the one that they want. I applied for a position at one company that defined "sales associate" as cleaning the restroom and scraping gum off the floor... in addition to selling the product. Now, I don't mean to demean janitorial work as a whole, however I was surprised to learn that it was part of a job description at a high end retail store.

In addition, there have been times I wish I had known how many steps the company had in its interview process, because landing a second interview can be monumental or just a small piece of the puzzle, depending on the company. Many corporate offices have days of training in which they assess prospective employees in the job setting and see how many different tasks and obstacles they can handle. That retail interview I went on? I had to find six outfits for an [albeit, imaginary] affluent customer in one minute's time. And had I known what to expect, I may have been able to put together better ensembles.

Interviewing confidence comes with experience, but it's best to prepare yourself beforheand to the challenges you may face. Knowing more about the specific job you are seeking is an excellent start to gaining that confidence and truly believing that you are the best for the position.

Labels: interview preparation, interview questions, interviewing skills

Posted by Amanda on 12/18/2008 02:13:00 AM
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Interviewing for a Job is a Two-Way Street

After spending days, weeks or months job searching, you just landed an interview with that company you’ve been coveting. You have picked out your best “dress for success” interview attire, practiced interview questions and researched the company website. But did you remember to prepare your own questions? Remember, interviewing for a job is two-way street!

Asking the right questions of your interviewer will help you to determine if your new boss and/or employer are the best fit for you. Not to mention, you’ll impress your interviewer. For example, inquiring about a company’s long term objectives indicates you’re committed for the long-term. Questions posed about training tell your prospective employer that you want to grow and develop with them, and whether they plan to invest in you as an employee.

A few words to the wise, some of your questions may be answered in the course of the interview or on the company website so be careful not to ask something that’s already been addressed. Also, make sure to keep your questions relevant to the job and the company you are interviewing with. You probably want to know about salary and benefits, but you should let the employer raise this subject first or wait until a second interview.

Questions you should consider asking are:

• What is the company’s organizational structure and how does this department fit in?
• Can you describe your corporate culture?
• What type of training do you offer, and are there ongoing training or continuing education classes available?
• What kind of advancement opportunities exist within the company?
• What are the day-to-day responsibilities of the job?
• What is the management style and how do you approach problem solving?
• Can you describe your ideal employee?
• Is there any other information I can provide you?
• How many steps are there in the interview process?
• When do you expect to reach a decision?

By asking the right questions, you can be sure to leave the interview with a good sense of whether you’d fit in well, with both the job and the company overall. Good luck!

Labels: interview preparation, interview questions, interviewing process

Posted by Seymour Jobs on 12/15/2008 09:57:00 AM
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