If you are a student seeking for an entry-level job, part- time work, internship or summer job in the company I work for, you're in for something big. Our company offers opportunities to make use of your talent and acquire new skills that will gain you experiences which can help in your future career success. However, in the midst of fierce competition in the job market today, how would you vie for a role in which you don’t have proven credentials? Getting the job is quite challenging, but taking these strategic steps will help you get a better chance of success in your job application.
Utilize your College Career Centres and Other Resources
Before embarking on a job hunting, the first step you need to do is to take advantage of your school’s career office to help you assess your skills, values and interests, analyze career options and determine a role that matches your capabilities. Widen your network and reach out to friends and relatives to help you with your application, “One of the most effective ways to ‘get your foot in the door’ is to know someone who works at the company you want to work for —better still if they can provide you with a great recommendation,” (Jowett, 2010).
Promote your Basic Skills and Interests
You may not meet all the qualifications required for the job but it is likely that you have unique sets of attributes, strengths, and passions that jibe with a particular work . Aside from technical skills, effective collaboration, good communication skills and a positive working attitude are some of the most valuable attributes that a company is looking for in a candidate. “These ‘soft skills’ demonstrate how well an applicant will fit into the corporate culture, and give an indication of how long a new hire will stay at the company—and whether or not the individual is management material down the line,”(Schawbel, 2012). In addition, increase your level of experiences by engaging more in internships, community service and hands on business experience as this will give you a competitive edge over other candidates.
3. Focus on a Job that Blends in with your Interests
Ideally, when you think about long-term career goals, the first thing you need to consider is to determine what you intend to do and how your skills, interests and values matches with the job description. Whether you have the passion for numbers and figures or interacting with people, it is important that you find a job that could fully tap and hone your basic skills and which could inspire you to work and learn every day. There’s nothing worse than keeping a boring job just because it allows you to pay the bills.
I have worked with various companies before and had taken all sorts of jobs – from food service crew and hospitality jobs in hotels and resorts to customer service. Though I have varied interests, one thing I love most is writing blogs, poems and short stories. My break came when I was hired as a part-time blogger for the company's Marketing Communications department. I've never been happier as I finally found a job that fuels my passion and enables me to do what I really want – to write.
Most students however are still undecided on what field to pursue. In the meantime, you should consider taking jobs beyond your career fields as the learning experience will allow you to determine which skills you excel and which that you don’t. This will give you a better focus to decide what career you really want to carry out in the future. If you are interested in pursuing a management role in travel and tourism industry after graduation, you can take the hotel receptionist or room attendant job that our company offers and work your way to the top, “In many businesses, learning from the ground up will provide valuable insight into the business, customers and products and give you foundational knowledge that will help you to be promoted once you graduate,” (Jowett, 2010).
Create a Resumé that’s tailored to a Particular Job you’re Applying for
Make sure to create a resume that’s relevant to the specific role. Don’t send the same generic resume for all jobs you're applying for. A resume represents your professional identity so make it clear, brief and interesting. Don’t create boring resumes that’s limited to your academic achievements, summer jobs, internships and community services. Show off what you’ve got by highlighting your special skills as well as your personal and professional goals. Career expert Liz Ryan suggests utilizing this area “to make a stronger statement about what you want to do with your adult life,” (qtd. in Purdy). A smart statement like, “I want to start my own business someday” indicates being creative, bold and a go-getter. This can definitely give you an edge over your competitors. Along with your resume, always include a cover letter that supports your intentions and highlights your experiences and portfolios.
Make Follow- ups
Making follow-ups shows your sincere interest to get the job; however, you should do it right to avoid being annoying. After submitting your resume, give it at least a week before making a follow-up. One call or e-mail a week is acceptable. Don’t make a couple of calls within a week or it may leave a desperate impression on you. If the job posting indicates “no calls”, you must follow instructions. Don't make unwanted calls. It's a major mistake.
Equip Yourself for the Interview
Before the interview, prepare concise responses for common interview questions, like “Why should we hire you?” or “Why do you want to work for us?” Your responses should focus on what you can contribute to the company. Consider a response like, “I love interacting with people and this job matches with my interpersonal communication skills, so I believe I could deliver the task and make a valuable contribution to the team". This demonstrates a positive attitude about the job and presents an opportunity to highlight your skills. Don’t memorize your responses. Rather, develop it into a short summary.
Research the Company
Learning the nature of the company's products and services and business trends, allows you to relate and deal successfully with the interview. Your familiarity with the company’s culture shows your keen interest which can put you one step ahead from the others. Preparation is the key to success, “Doing your homework will show you care, and the employer will be impressed,” (Schawbel, 2012).
Sell Yourself
Make a positive first impression by dressing appropriately during the interview. Demonstrate sincerity and confidence. Don’t be late! Being late reduces your chances, “if you can’t get to your interview in time, what does that say about your ability to show up for work on time on a regular basis?” (Jowett, 2010). Talk about yourself and your accomplishments with enthusiasm. Sometimes, no matter how underqualified or inexperienced you are, you will get the job over the most qualified applicant if you give strategic responses.
8. Send a Post-Interview Thank-you Note
Sending a thank-you note or e-mail after an interview demonstrates professional courtesy and appreciation for the opportunity. This polite act will leave a positive impression on you. Failure to send a thank-you note implies a lack of initiative to make a greater effort to connect. Send your thank-you note within 1-2 days after the interview and make it short, no more than two to three paragraphs. Don’t apologize for any negative occurrence during the interview.
Applying for a job is a long and tedious process and even tougher for those who are underqualified and inexperienced; however, taking the right approach can make a difference. Adopting these strategies may not guarantee to get you hired, but will surely give you an edge over other candidates. There are no traditional rules for a successful job application but maintaining a positive attitude with sheer persistence and focus will definitely enable you to conquer the so-called "survival of the fittest".
And one more thing, when you get to land a job, balancing between the demands of work and school can be very difficult and stressful. You need to do some organizing, planning and maintaining self-discipline for you to be able to get through. It’s just a matter of managing your time and setting your priorities. Remember to allocate enough time to study as earning a college degree is the most important part of your journey.
Works Cited:
Jowett, C. 2010. The Dos and Don’ts Of The Summer Job Search. TalentEgg. Retrieved from
http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2010/03/26/focus-on-retail-the-dos-and-donts-of-the-summer-job-search/
Purdy, C., n.d. 10 Job Search Mistakes of New College Grads. Monster. Retrieved from
https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/ten-jobsearch-mistakes-of-new-college-grads
Schawbel, D., 2012. Somebody’s Gotta Get Hired, Right? 6 Tips to Help New Grads Land Job Offers. Time. Retrieved from
http://business.time.com/2012/05/15/somebodys-gotta-get-hired-right-6-tips-to-help-new-grads-land-job-offers/
