May 2016 - Job Hunt Solutions

What Career Path is Right for You?

May 29 2016 nfougere Career Path 0 comments Tags: Bag the Job, Career Path, Job Assessment Tests

There tends to be three types of job seekers: those who know exactly what they want to do, those who are so overwhelmed by the choices that are available to them that they don’t know where to begin, and those who are underwhelmed by the choices available that they wonder if they will ever find something that will pique their interest. If you fall into one of the latter two categories, then you know how difficult it is to even begin your job search. There are questions you can ask yourself, however, that should help point you in the right direction.

Career Path Discovery

To begin, ask yourself these questions:
1. If you won the lottery and money weren’t an issue, how would you spend your time? Why? Many of us dream of winning the lottery and buying our dream car, dream home, or travelling the world. What I’m talking about here is what you would do once you’ve enjoyed your winnings. Would you want to open your own business? If so, doing what? Is there an educational pursuit you would like to accomplish? The key here is to ask the ‘why’ behind this question. What is it about opening a particular business or studying a particular subject that interests you?
2. When were you the happiest at work (or school)? What was the project/subject? What, specifically, kept you engaged?
3. Do my friends have an interesting career path? What is it about this career path that is interesting? As an example, say that you have a friend who is a firefighter and you think that is an interesting career. What is it about being a firefighter that intrigues you? Is it helping people? Being seen as a noble member of the community? Are you a thrill-seeker?
4. Have your friends or family members said that they think you would be good in a particular profession? What reason did they give? As an example, my father often told me that I would make a good teacher because he thinks that I have a keen ability to break down complex ideas and translate it to a diverse audience. (Thanks, dad!)
5. What do you want to be known for? For this question, picture your retirement party. Who would be there and what would they say about you. Examples would be that you pioneered a medical breakthrough, that you were an inspiration to entrepreneurs, or that you helped others achieve their goals through your coaching or guidance.

Once you have thought through these questions, see if you can start to pick out any themes. For example, are you more driven by helping others, solving problems, conducting research, or debating?

Reality Check

It is important to include a healthy dose of reality in the mix. Some of the questions you should ask yourself include:
1. Do you have the qualifications required for the career path of interest? What would it take to get the qualifications? Are you in a position to invest the time and money to get qualified? For example, if you are a marketer who is interested in becoming a lawyer, you will likely have to go back to school to get your law degree, and then pass the bar – a thought that strikes fear into the hearts and minds of most soon-to-be lawyers. If getting such qualifications is not possible (for whatever reason), what elements of the interesting career path could you infuse into your current career? In our example, is it debating a case, conducting research, or advising others of their rights?
2. Can you make a living from the interesting career path? You can always search job boards to see if/how many opportunities exist in this field, and what qualifications are sought. As an example, during my undergraduate degree, I was interested in the field of health care ethics. When thinking through the opportunities available in this field at the time, they were extremely limited. This made my decision to pursue other interests much easier. In addition to the availability of opportunities, you need to think about the earning potential you would have and if it will allow you to support yourself and the lifestyle you have or want.
3. Will this career path fit with my current lifestyle? You may need to consider the overall lifestyle required for the career and if this is viable for you. As an example, if you are interested in a career as a consultant, you may need to travel and spend extended periods of time away from your home and family. Would this fit with your family or lifestyle needs?

Try Before you Decide

Once you have a few ideas of interesting career paths, try to find opportunities to explore the career path:
1. Volunteer – not only will volunteering help you discover if this is a career path you would want to explore, you can gain valuable experience and make meaningful network connections, all while giving back to your community.
2. Take it up as a hobby – this would be a great idea if you are interested in changing careers to something artistic like baking, or being a painter. It is also a great way to explore activities like yoga or fitness instruction.
3. Freelance – you can try working in an unexplored field, such as writing, on a part-time, freelance basis. This is another great way to gain experience and to discover if this is a career path that you like and at which you can earn a living.
4. Interest Interview – leverage your network and speak with people you know, or that people in your network know, to learn more about the career path of interest. People generally like to share their experience with others, and can inform you of both the pros and cons of their job.
5. Mentor – similar to the interest interviews seek out the advice of a mentor. Mentors can sometimes provide you with key insights or ask you additional questions that you could consider while making your decision.
6. Job Shadow – if you are currently employed, seek opportunities to job shadow in roles that you wish to explore.

Pulling it all Together

As you are exploring the various options available to you, you should be able to see themes emerge. You can take some of these themes and categorize them by a) your likes, b) your abilities, and c) your values. The Venn diagram below illustrates how these categories overlap:

Career path venn

The closer your list of possible career paths checks all three of these categories, the closer you are to finding a career path that you will love.

Final Thoughts

In addition to going through this exercise there are several books that you can read to help you on your quest:

Finally, there are several self-assessment tests that you can try to help point you in the right direction. One free test you can use is the MAPP self-assessment test. There is a paid option, but the free version is an excellent start. This assessment test is aimed specifically at helping you uncover careers that would align to your personality and interests.

Knowing what you are looking for is the first step in finding your dream job. As I’ve said before if you don’t know what you are looking for then how will you ever know that you’ve found it? For some, this can be a long journey, but like most things in life, the more you put into this self-discovery journey the more you will get out of it.

If you have any questions about this or any other job search topic, please feel free to leave them in the comments below. If you have any questions, video ideas, or would like to collaborate, please feel free to contact me directly. For personalized advice, check out the services section of this site.

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How to Tailor your Resume

May 26 2016 nfougere Resume Writing 0 comments Tags: resume writing, Resume Writing Tips, Tailor your Resume

As a best practice, you should tailor your resume to each role for which you apply. One critical area of a resume that I see get overlooked time and time again is the professional summary, which usually appears at the top of a resume.

There is a marketing concept called above the fold. Think of a newspaper. Newspapers consist of very large sheets of paper which are neatly put together and then folded in half. The headline for the newspaper – which is the “hook” and what compels readers to buy the newspaper – is found at the top of the front page of the newspaper. In other words, it is found above the fold. Using this analogy, think of your resume in the same way. The top ½ – ⅔ of your resume is the most important piece of real estate on your resume. This is the above the fold section. As such, the information found here, such as your Professional Summary, must be tailored to the role.

It is important to include keywords from the job description truthfully throughout your resume, as discussed in a previous blog post. That said, if your relevant experience doesn’t appear until the second page of your resume, then likely it will be overlooked. As an example, say that you are a Human Resources professional and you have experience in both unionized and non-unionized environments. You are applying to two roles – one in a union and one in a non-union environment. If your professional profile doesn’t highlight your union environment experience and your unionized experience doesn’t appear until the second page of your resume, then it may get overlooked for the union role. It won’t likely make a difference for the non-union role. On the other hand, if your professional profile highlights your union experience, then it will be great for the union role, but it may not make a difference for the non-union role. You also run the risk of not optimizing your ‘above the fold’ space for the non-union role.

For most roles, a recruiter will receive anywhere from 250 – 500 resumes (or more) for each role they manage. The recruiter will try to speak with the top 10-15 candidates (maximum) – or top 2-5%. The chances that 10 other, equally qualified candidates will have their resume optimized (and in some cases professionally written) for the role you’re applying to is very high. If your resume isn’t optimized, then it may not get a second look.

In the meantime: Happy Hunting!

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Top Free Resources for Your Job Search Journey

May 22 2016 nfougere Job Search 0 comments Tags: Free Job Search Resources

In last week’s blog post, “How to Conduct Company Research for your Job Search,” I provided a number of free resources for conducting your research. There are several other resources that should prove helpful for each step in your job search journey:

Twello.com – social media is a great way to both conduct company research and to expand your network. If you are a user of (or are considering using) Twitter, then Twellow is a great resource for finding people on Twitter in your city, industry, and profession. Twellow can be thought of as the “yellow pages” of Twitter.
FillPerfect.com – this is a downloadable add-on to Internet Explorer which auto-fills and tracks your online application forms. It comes with a 14-day free trial, and the regular price is $34.95 US.
Grammarly.com – if you need extra support in proofreading your resume, cover letter, or thank you letters, Grammarly is a great solution. Not only is this compatible with the Chrome and Safari browsers, it is a great add-on for MS Word. There is both a free version and a premium version. If you’ve relied on the spell check and grammar check in MS Word, you’ve probably noticed that it sometimes misses some errors such as the misuse of homonyms (i.e. there and their). Grammarly catches the errors that the MS Word checks miss.
Visualize.me – this is a great tool for building an Infographic resume. Although it is not recommended to use an infographic resume when applying to company’s online applicant tracking systems, you may want to bring an infographic resume to your job interview – especially if you are interviewing for a creative role. Keep in mind, although it is free to create your infographic resume with this tool, there is a fee for downloading it. As a side note, be sure to use your judgement when deciding if it is appropriate to use an Infographic resume.
Cover Letter template – in another previous blog post, “When and How to Write a Cover Letter,” I provided a link to a free downloadable template. This template includes the key elements of a cover letter, including how your unique background can address the key pain points for the role or organization. To access this free template, click here.
Thank You and Follow-Up Letter templates – a key way to stand out as a candidate is to send a thank-you letter after your interview. In addition, while you wait for feedback, you may also need to send a follow-up email. I have developed templates for both, which can be found in one downloadable file (for free) by clicking here.

If you have any other recommended resources, please feel free to leave them in the comments below. For personalized advice, check out the services section by clicking here.

In the meantime: Happy Hunting!

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Questions to Avoid

Before diving into examples of questions you could ask, let’s take a look at the questions you should avoid, namely salary, benefits, and vacation. When you ask about salary and benefits, you could give the impression that you care more about the money and benefits than the role or company. In terms of vacation, you could give the impression that you are already planning a vacation before you’ve started.

That said, you can ask about salary, benefits, and vacation during a follow-up conversation after your 2^nd or 3^rd round interview (ideally with the recruiter or Human Resources representative). Alternately, if the interviewer broaches this topic, then you should engage in an open conversation.

Questions to Ask

There are three main categories of questions that you can ask: organizational questions, department (or team) questions, and role questions. Let’s take a look at each.

Questions about the Organization
- Use your research – this is the perfect opportunity to showcase the research you would have conducted. As an example, if a recent news article noted a merger or acquisition, you can ask how this might impact the organization or department.
- Charitable work – most large organizations donate time and money to charitable causes and will highlight this on their website. If the organization you are interviewing with is a good corporate citizen, ask about their involvement in the causes they list on their website or other causes that are important to you.
Department:
- The leader – if you are interviewing with someone other than the person the role reports to, ask about that person. For example: “Can you tell me more about the manager for this role?”
- Size of team – you may want to ask about the size of the team you could be potentially joining, and follow up with questions about the experience and tenure of other team members. For example: “Can you tell me a bit more about the team?” “How many people are on the team currently?” “Has this team worked together for a long time?” You may gain insight on the amount of turnover the team has experienced.
- Other teams – many roles will provide the opportunity for teams from various departments to collaborate. You can ask questions like: “Does this role or team work on cross-functional projects?” “How often would this role interact with other teams?”
Role
- Reason for the opening – in most cases you will know whether or not a role is new or existing. If it is not clear by the end of your interview, it is a good idea to ask “is this a new or existing position?” If it is an existing role, you can ask “why is the role currently vacant?” This could provide you with insight on internal mobility or promotional opportunities within the organization.
- Measures of success – unless this has been covered in your interview, you may want to ask: “How is success measured in this role?”
- Expectations for the successful person – a great question to ask in your interview is “What are the expectations of the person in this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?”

Having a list of questions is a key component of preparing for your job interview. Having well thought out questions could make you stand out among the competition.

If you have any other recommended questions to ask in an interview, please feel free to leave them in the comments below. If you have any questions, video ideas, or would like to collaborate, please feel free to contact me directly. For personalized advice, check out the services section here.

In the meantime: Happy Hunting!

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How to Conduct Company Research for your Job Search

May 15 2016 nfougere Job Search 0 comments Tags: Interview Strategies, Job Interview Research, Job Search

Conducting company research is a critical step along your job search journey. With a plethora of information available online, it can be an overwhelming task. Here are my tips to help ensure that you don’t miss any key information while sifting through the volumes of information available to you.

Company Research

There are a variety of resources available so you can gather key pieces of information on your target company.

Company Website – Most organizations have a dedicated company website and it is a great place to start with your research. Here are a few pages you should review:
1. About Us – in this section, many companies will provide information about their history, Mission, Vison, and Values. Similarly, this information may also be found on a company’s careers section.
2. News – this page is typically dedicated for recent (and archived) news articles with highlight key company milestones and accomplishments. Companies tend to showcase those news articles that they themselves deem particularly important.
3. Investor Relations – if the company is publicly traded, they will likely have an Investor Relations page where you will be able to find information on company financials as well as their annual and quarterly reports. It is a good idea to browse through these reports, not only to gather any key financial insight, but also to glean information on key company investments and developments.
4. Our Team – In this section, you will likely find information about the leaders within an organization, such as the CEO, executive team, and possibly the board of directors. It is usually a good idea to know who the CEO of an organization is before going into an interview.
Social Media – you can gain many key insights on an organization based on their social media presence. Here are a few places you should turn to for this part of your research:
1. Twitter – take note of the types of tweets a company sends out as well as the tweets from its key people, such as the CEO or executive team.
2. Facebook – another resource to see what information the organization is sharing with its fans.
3. LinkedIn – be sure to follow the company on LinkedIn to receive updates on various postings they feel is important enough to share on this platform.
Network – while researching LinkedIn, be sure to look up any key people within the organization as well as the people with whom you will be interviewing. See if you have any connections in common and be sure to reach out to those people for any insights they may be able to share with you. In addition, you can search your LinkedIn connections to see if there is anyone you know who is a current or former employee of your target company.
Review Sites – Sites such as GlassDoor.com provides candidate and employee reviews of a variety of companies. In addition, forums on job boards and Salary.com may also have similar employee or interviewee reviews. Take this information with a grain of salt as sometimes there are far more negative reviews than positive reviews. That said, it is a good idea to take note of any potential “red flags.”
Google – especially Google News. Set alerts to ensure you are receiving up to date information on the organization.
Job Interview – your research doesn’t stop the minute you go to an interview, in fact, the job interview is a perfect opportunity to conduct research on the corporate culture. Take note of how you are greeted upon arrival as well as how the employees interact with each other. Is the overall atmosphere cordial, formal, friendly, or a combination of these? Finally, is this the type of organization in which you can see yourself?

Other Research

Competitors – by quickly reviewing competitor’s websites, take note of how they position themselves in the competitive landscape, taking note of any key competitor developments and investments.
Industry Research – researching an industry can take a lot of time, but it could be worth it. This is especially true if you are targeting several organizations within a particular industry. Here are a few resources for conducting industry research:
1. Association sites – a quick web search for the industry in question will likely return a number of industry association websites. These are great resources for information on industry trends and overall competitive landscape.
2. Government sites – most government websites will have industry statistic data and data on various industries based on NOC (National Occupation Code) data.
3. Mergent Online database – most post-secondary institutions will provide access to the Mergent Online database via the university or college library. In other cases, your local library may provide access to this database as well. The Mergent Online database has a wealth of information on various organizations and industries.
4. MarketResearch.com – This is another great website with a volume of industry, company and country information.

Pulling it all Together

Now that you have all of this information, it is important to organize it in a way that you can analyze the target company, maintaining a balanced view. One of my favorite tools to do this is a SWOT analysis. SWOT is an acronym that stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. The figure below illustrates how a SWOT Analysis works.

SWOT

In addition, another great resource is SlideShare.com. Not only could SlideShare.com be a great resource for company research, you might also find completed SWOT analysis on your target company, their competitors, and possibly industry analysis. Keep in mind, these analyses may not encompass all of the research you would have conducted, but it may be a good starting point.

Final Thoughts

As much as you might want to highlight all of your hard work and research, it is important to stay positive in your interview. As an example, if the company in question has recently sold off one of their divisions, instead of saying: “I noticed that you have sold ABC division. What’s up with that?” You may want to say: “I noticed that you have recently sold ABC division. This is intriguing to me. Can you tell me how you came to that decision?” The first approach would immediately put the interviewer on the defensive, whereas the second approach is a great way to showcase your research and your interest in the organization.

Finally, be sure not to sound overly keen to demonstrate the research you would have conducted on the interviewers. Doing so may make you come across as desperate and potentially intrusive.

The interview is your prime opportunity to showcase the best version of you. Conducting company research and staying positive and respectful in your interview will go a long way in doing just that!

If you have any other recommended research resources, please feel free to leave them in the comments below. If you have any questions, video ideas, or would like to collaborate, please feel free to contact me directly.

In the meantime: Happy Hunting!

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The Truth Behind Functional Resumes

May 12 2016 nfougere Resume Writing 0 comments Tags: Chronological Resume, Functional Resume, resume writing, Resume Writing Tips

I have received a number of questions and comments about how to write a functional resume and if one should be used when applying for jobs. To begin, let’s look at different resume formats.

Resume Formats

The most common resume format is chronological. As many of us are aware, a chronological resume would outline your professional profile or summary at the top, followed by a chronological listing of the positions you’ve held, companies with which you’ve worked, when you worked there, your duties, and your achievements. The emphasis of the chronological resume is on your experience and achievements.

The functional resume, on the other hand, would highlight your professional profile or summary at the top, followed by more detail around your relevant skills, then a detailed list of your relevant key accomplishments. The bottom of the functional resume is where your list of previous roles and companies would be found. The emphasis of the functional resume is on your transferrable skills as opposed to your experience. As such, they are more commonly used by people who:

Have large gaps in employment,
Have made frequent job changes,
Are changing careers, or
Are new to the job market.

Which Resume Format Should I Use?

Functional resumes were very popular when I started recruiting in the 1990’s but have since fallen out of fashion – mainly because they are ineffective in landing an interview. There are 3 key reasons for this:

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are unable to read and assimilate the information on functional resumes. With the prevalence of ATS systems, it is critical that you have a resume that is in a readable format. If the ATS can’t read your resume, it will not rank well among the other applications. For more information on how these systems work, you can view my previous blog here.
Functional resumes raise doubt. Because chronological resumes are so prevalent, when an employer sees a functional resume it raises suspicion. Employers are well aware of the common uses of a functional resume, and as such, a red flag tends to go up when they see one.
Functional resumes are harder to read. The layout of a chronological resume provides the employer with a greater sense of how you have progressed and grown throughout your career. A functional resume requires the employer to figure out your career story on their own. In the time-strapped world that we live in, the employer is unlikely to work that hard to determine whether or not you are the best fit – especially when there are hundreds of other resumes and candidates from which they can choose.

As an alternative, I would recommend using a hybrid or combination resume. The combination resume would have the same layout as a chronological resume, but instead of focusing on your job duties you would highlight your skills and accomplishments. You can add more context around how your skills positively impacted the organization, department, or your team. If you have gaps in employment, you can include the volunteer positions you’ve held and the skills you developed in those positions. Perhaps you were a stay at home parent for an extended period of time. You can highlight your budgeting, organization, and conflict resolution skills that you would have developed.

In extreme cases (such as extended illness), you can use your functional resume. You may need to rely more heavily on leveraging other job search strategies (such as networking and working with recruitment agencies) to increase your chances of being considered.

Final Thoughts

I recommend using a chronological resume when applying to jobs. If a chronological resume does not fully capture your skills, however, try using a combination resume. By blending the transferrable skills emphasis of a functional resume with the layout of a chronological resume, you will be better able to position your skills in a way that is palatable for the employer (and their ATS systems).

Your resume is a key piece of your marketing material for your job search. This is the first impression that an employer will have of you and your skills, and as the saying goes: “You never get a second chance to make a good first impression.”

If you have any additional insights on using a functional resume or have any other questions, please leave a comment below. Also, if you would like personalized advice, please feel free to contact me directly.

Happy Hunting!

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When and How to Write a Cover Letter

May 08 2016 nfougere Job Screening, Job Search 0 comments Tags: Cover Letter, Employment Application, Job Application

There is a lot of literature out there suggesting that cover letters are out-dated and are rarely read by recruiters, Human Resources managers, and hiring managers. For the most part, I would agree with this. Personally, I rarely (if ever) read cover letters.

That said, there are times when a cover letter is a necessary part of your job application package. Specifically, if a job posting clearly states that you must apply with both a resume and cover letter, you must ensure that you include a cover letter with your application. Sometimes a cover letter is sought for roles where written communication is a key skill set for the role, and is used as a way to assess a job applicant’s written communication skills.

For those times where a cover letter is necessary, I have a free template available, which you can access here.

Elements of a Cover Letter

Salutation – if possible, address your cover letter to a specific person. If you do not have the hiring manager’s name, try to look them up on LinkedIn. If you’re still having a difficult time finding the specific person, you can use “to whom it may concern.”

Paragraph 1 – this is your introduction paragraph where you would mention your generic job title, the job title of the role to which you are applying, and name your top 1-2 strengths as it relates to the role.

Paragraph 2 – here is where you should highlight your interpersonal skills and accomplishments. You can use the top 2-3 accomplishments from your resume and add in a bit more context – things like the people who may have been involved or company decisions that were made as a result of your accomplishment.

Paragraph 3 – as mentioned in previous posts, research is a critical part of your job search strategy. In this paragraph, make mention of a notable research finding that would impact the organization in the short-term (i.e. recent acquisition, or company merger, etc.). Then mention how your skills will help the organization through their transition period.

Paragraph 4 – close your letter with your key strengths and a call to action, such as inviting the employer to contact you directly to discuss your background further.

Although a cover letter isn’t always a necessary part of your job application, there are times where it is essential. Specifically, if a job advertisement asks for both a resume and cover letter, be sure to tailor your cover letter to the role and company.

If you have any other suggestions on what to include in the cover letter, please feel free to add your suggestions in the comment section. For personalized advice, please feel free to contact me directly!

Happy Hunting!

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The Meaning behind Recruiter Questions

May 05 2016 nfougere Interviews 0 comments Tags: Ace the Interview, interview questions, job interview questions, recruiter questions

I have received a number of questions and comments about a misconception many job seekers have regarding two key recruitment questions: salary expectations, and availability to start.

There is a great deal of literature out there to suggest that these questions are key indicators that a company is interested in hiring you. For the most part, I would agree. The one caveat to this, however, is timing. When asked about your salary expectations and availability to start during a 2^nd or 3^rd round of interviews, it could be a good sign that the organization is seriously considering you as a potential hire. That said, if a recruiter asks you these questions during an initial telephone interview, the recruiter is merely gathering information.

The important thing to remember is that there is no hidden meaning behind the recruiter question during your initial telephone conversation, and recruiters don’t intend to mislead. That said, it is helpful if job seekers recognize the purpose of the initial recruiter telephone conversation. In the wonderful world of recruitment, this is considered a pre-screen stage wherein recruiters are gathering information to help the company decide on which candidate(s) they wish to invite in for an in-person interview.

As someone who has been in recruitment for nearly 20 years, I found this question to be a great reminder that recruiters should endeavour to make it clear to candidates the intention of their pre-screen questions. We recruiters may think that it goes without saying, but it actually doesn’t. Being clear about your intentions will help to manage candidate expectations, and in the long run, will make your job that much easier.

Final Thoughts

Another term I hear job seekers use to describe job opportunities they are presented is “job offer.” Technically speaking, a job offer (in the recruitment world) means an offer of employment or an employment contract. The job conversations that recruiters have with job seekers are job opportunities. I realize that this may seem like fussy semantics, but there is a difference. For example, a recruiter may ask you if you are considering other options. If you respond by saying that ABC company has approached you about a job offer, the recruiter may think that you have (or are expecting to have) a job offer in hand. As such, the recruiter may well decide that you are soon to be off the market and choose to invite someone else to an in-person interview.

As a result, it is important that both job seekers and recruiters are clear in the language we use and intentions of our questions to ensure the most effective communication. As we all know, communication is key in building strong relationships!

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Top 10 New Grad Job Search Tips

May 01 2016 nfougere Job Search 0 comments Tags: Job Search Tips, Life after graduating, New Grad Job Search

This is the time of year when many university and college students leave the world of academia to pursue their dream jobs – the one they have been training for while in school. Congratulations to all of the new grads on a job well done! Another congratulations to those of you who have successfully landed a job after graduation.

There are still many people with freshly minted degrees and diplomas, however, who have not yet found a suitable role. Here are my top 10 tips for finding your first job after graduation!

Know what you want

Although this may sound like common sense, it is still important that you do the self-reflection needed to help you narrow down your strengths and interests. In doing so, you can look for opportunities that match your background. In addition, you should think about the types of organizations for which you want to work. For example, do you want to work for a large or small organization? A well-established firm or start-up? A for-profit or not-for-profit organization? This will help you to focus your job search efforts.

Create a Pitch

Once you have completed your self-reflection, you are now ready to craft your elevator pitch. If you are not sure how to craft an elevator pitch, or you’re not sure what an elevator pitch is, click here to see my last blog on writing one.

Create a Target Company List

While going through the exercise in step 1, think about which companies would have the attributes that are important to you and employ the skills and experience you have. Having a top 10 target company list will streamline your research, networking, and job search efforts. As a result, you will be able to make efficient use of your job search time.

Network

Make sure you cast a wide net when you are networking. If you’re not sure where to begin, you can start with family and friends – and even close family friends. Friends of your parents, your professors, team coaches, etc., are all great potential resources. In addition, if you already have your elevator pitch and top 10 target company list, your network will have a greater chance of pointing you in the right direction. Click here for a copy of my networking guide.

Go Online

Although many organizations have a presence on Twitter and Facebook, remember that LinkedIn is the largest online professional networking site out there. As such, it is important that you have an up-to-date profile and use LinkedIn as part of your job search efforts. Not only is it a wonderful resource for researching organizations, but it can also help you identify people within your target organizations with whom you may wish to network. As a final note, remember that employers may check your online profiles, so it is important that your online presence is professional.

Apply to the right jobs

If you have done the work in step 1 and are able to articulate your skills and interests, coupled with your target company list, make sure that you are only applying to those roles that fit your background. It is a best practice to customize your resume for the specific roles to which you are applying, so being selective in these roles will help. As tempting as it may be to apply to any job that you come across, if you “spam” the company with your resume, the recruiters will see this and will be left with the impression that you are too desperate. As a result, you may be passed over for any role within the organization.

Interview Professionally

Make sure you are professional in your approach to the interview. This includes the way you dress, speak, and act in the interview. For more insight on this, feel free to refer to my previous blog post with my top interview tips by clicking here.

Follow-up

This is a key step in your recruitment journey. Throughout my nearly 20-year recruitment career, it stood out to me when a person followed up appropriately. For more information on how and when to follow up after your job interview, you can see my previous blog post here.

Use your Career Center

The campus career center at your school is a wonderful resource for most of your job search needs. Many campus career centers will have volumes of information to help you with your industry and company research, networking tips, resume writing assistance, and interview preparation sessions. In addition, these services are funded by your university and college fees, so you might as well make the most of these services!

Relax

Although searching for a job is a full-time job, and a stressful one at that, it is important to stay calm and focused. Otherwise, it will show through when it comes time to interview. You may appear to be overly nervous, which in turn may give the interviewing company the wrong impression of how talented you truly are.

I hope you found these tips helpful. If you have any other tips on new grad job searching, please feel free to leave a comment below!

Congratulations on graduating with your diploma or degree. It takes a lot of hard work and determination, but you did it. All the best in your job search journey!