Just finished school and still can’t find a job? As a leading staffing agency, Peoplelink knows you’re certainly not alone. In fact, according to an April 2013 survey by global management consulting firm, Accenture, more than 40% of recent U.S. college graduates are underemployed or need more training to get on a career track.
The good news is that there are some actions you can take that may help you stay a step ahead of other job candidates and hopefully find a job faster. Here’s a look at three:
Get specific with your resume.
Many new graduates make the same mistake. They create one resume and submit it to every job they’re applying to. Instead, you need to tailor your resume (and your cover letter) for that matter for each and every position. This doesn’t mean a total re-write. But it does mean you’ll have to invest a little more time and effort in each application. However, it could be the difference between your resume winding up in the trash and being called in for an interview.
Practical tip: To tailor your resume, re-read the job posting and make a list of the top requirements for the job. Then think about your skills and experience and how you can meet those requirements. The more you can align your background with the employer’s needs, the more likely you’ll be to get an interview.
Only apply for jobs related to your area of expertise.
Another mistake new graduates make is to apply for every job they can in the hopes of landing something. But if you’re taking the “hey, you never know” approach to your job search, not only are you wasting a lot of time and effort, but the hiring manager will quickly be able to discern that you’re not the right fit for the job.
Practical tip: Instead, take a targeted approach to your job search. Only apply for those positions that are truly a match for your background and your area of expertise. Not matter how tempting it is to apply to as many jobs as possible, keep in mind that doing so does not garner good results.
Make sure your social media profiles represent you well.
One of the first things a hiring manager will do if they’re interested in hiring you is to Google you. If they do, what will they find? If it’s a public Facebook page with plenty of inappropriate comments and photos, then you’re not going to get hired, plain and simple.
Practical tip: Before applying for jobs, make sure you have a professional LinkedIn profile with fully updated information. Also, make sure that all your other social media profiles are set to private. Even if there’s nothing inappropriate on them, a hiring manager may view something seemingly benign you posted, which could unconsciously create a bias against you.
Need more help finding your first post-graduation job?
If you do, give Peoplelink a call. As a leading staffing agency, we can help you craft a resume that gets results, prep for interviews, and connect you with job opportunities that are a great match for your skills and experience. Contact us today if you’d like to get started.
