When it comes time to start looking for a job in the “real world,” it seems like there is so much to do! But, if you take the time to break it down into small, manageable pieces, you’ll be able to focus clearly on your work and land a great job!
Use EU’s career service office
Did you know that EU has a career service office that is dedicated to making sure students find jobs?
Use this office to your advantage to help get you job hunt started. They will help you put together a résumé and cover letter, and even have resources to run mock interviews. Give them a visit if you’re feeling stuck or don’t know where to begin.
Create and update your résumé
If you’re want to be noticed in your field, you need a résumé. It’s the first thing a potential employer will look at when filling a job.
When creating your résumé, make sure you add in the following elements:
- ObjectiveThis is a summary that defines you as a professional. It should be a couple of sentences that shows off who you are as an individual.
- Education
- Sometimes, where you went to school matters. Be sure to put where you received – or are getting – your degree, and any academic honors you have.
- Work Experience
- List the most recent experience you have and work backward from there. Include all experience, regardless of how small you think it is. This experience can show a wide variety of skills that could be beneficial to your applied job.
- Skills
- List your technical and personal skills. Technical skills include things you can do (photography, building presentations, etc.). Personal skills are things that are a part of your personality (oral communication, teamwork, etc.)
When including references, it’s really up to you and your potential employer’s requirements.
Also, it’s best to try and keep your résumé to one page. But with most people reading on a screen, two pages isn’t always a deal breaker.
Write a cover letter
A cover letter is a great way to showcase your personality and work ethic before you step foot in the door.
A well-written cover letter includes an address to your potential employer, a paragraph stating for which job you are applying and a few paragraphs about your work history/ability to do the job.
Be sure to keep to one page to avoid repetition, and have a few people read it before you hit that apply button!
Start the job search
Now that you have a résumé and cover letter, it’s time to start actually looking for jobs!
The best way to do this with a job right out of college is to use a three-tiered approach.
The top tier is where you put your dream jobs. These are what you would love to do if given the opportunity. Within this tier, write down potential companies that are offering these jobs for later.
The second tier is where you put jobs that are within your field, but not quite at dream-job status. Think of it as the tier of jobs that you’d be okay with doing, but with the plan to move on down the road. Again, list companies within this tier that are offering these jobs.
The bottom tier is the jobs that aren’t really in your field, but you’d be okay with working in for a few years. This is where you can put the backups of the backups. Find companies that are offering these jobs and get ready for the next step!
Contact the businesses
Take a look at your tiers. Do you meet the qualifications for the dream job? If yes, apply for it right away!
But, if you don’t meet the qualifications right now, it’s okay. Reach out to businesses within your second tier to schedule an informational meeting. This is not you officially applying, though!
Let them know that you are interested in applying, but want to learn more about the company first. Most potential employers will at least talk with you over the phone to answer any questions you may have.
Run mock interviews
After you’ve gotten questions answered from potential employers, be sure to apply as soon as you can to get in the pool of applicants. Apply for more than one job as well!
Sooner or later, one company will reach out to schedule an interview. Once you set a time, get together with someone you trust to run a few mock interviews.
These will help get some of the nerves out of your system and make you feel more prepared as you walk through the door.
Relax and be yourself
The important thing to remember is to be yourself. They’re looking at you as an individual and whether you’ll mesh well with the company culture.
Relax and let your accomplishments and work shine. You’ve got this!