Tips for Landing That First Job

[lightbox link=”http://survivingthecollegeapplicationprocess.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/findjob2-1.jpg” thumb=”http://survivingthecollegeapplicationprocess.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/findjob2-1-199×300.jpg” width=”199″ align=”left” title=”findjob2-1″ frame=”true” icon=”image” caption=””]I heard  [button color=”red” link=”http://hawthornesearch.com/our-team/jenny-ciappa/” size=”default” target=”_self” block=”false”]Jenny-Lynn Ciappa [/button] , a Senior Vice President at Hawthorne Search, speak about the job search process. She identified six key tips for landing a job (whether you have just graduated college or are looking for a career transition).

Identify your transferable talents. Many new applicants have a difficult time figuring out what their unique talents are and how those talents or skills can be transferable to multiple situations. If you are a good writer and researcher, you can parlay those skills into a job in marketing or advertising. If you have a way with people and are a good listener and problem solver, why not think of a career in sales? Because listening to a client’s needs and coming up with a solution is a big part of success in sales. If you’re a coder, well that one’s easy!

Broadcast your search. As a prospective applicant, it’s important to let everyone you know what you ultimately want to do. Ciappa says, “don’t be afraid to have a big mouth when it comes to your job search.” Putting yourself out there and attending as many networking events or opportunities is key to finding a potential job.

Come clean with weaknesses. Most people are afraid to share a weakness and try to hide it, but getting it out in the open humanizes you. If you can speak with frankness about what you learned from a mistake or how you have gotten around your weakness, a prospective employer (or college) will see you as a real person with good self-insight.

It’s not about what you did, but what you accomplished. When it comes to your resume (for work or college), focus on concrete accomplishments with measurable results. Did you increase sales (or membership to a club) by a certain percentage? Did you have an impact on the company’s bottom line? By how much? Did you implement a new training program? What were the results?

Articulate what you studied and what is your passion. Recent college grads may not have a lot of work experience, but what they lack in experience they can make up in passion. Be prepared to talk about what you studied and what fascinates you about the field. Prospective employers want employees that are likable and articulate They also want to know that you are capable, accomplished and open to opportunities. Gregory Brown and Mitchell Moffit turned their love of science and research into an incredibly successful YouTube Channel [button color=”default” link=”https://www.youtube.com/user/AsapSCIENCE/featured” size=”default” target=”_self” block=”false” title=”landing first job”]ASAP Science[/button].

Use Social Media Wisely. Yes to LinkedIn.com and Indeed.com; essential tools in the job search market. LinkedIn allows you to present your online profile and Indeed.com lets you connect directly with employers looking to fill positions. No to posting inappropriate photos on Facebook, Instagram or other sites. Employers cast a wide net to research future employees before they make an offer.

And of course paid internships throughout college help!