Ensure a great head start in your career by following these tips.
You’ve graduated from college and earned your degree. You’re eager to enter into the world of work. While this can be an exciting
time for most newly grads, there are many who cannot help but feel
overwhelmed, scared and unprepared to make the transition from college
to career.
This is not surprising since according to a poll
conducted in 2014 by consulting company Accenture, while 85% of the
class of 2014 is confident that they can get a job in their chosen
career, only two thirds can successfully do so. And while 69% believe
that they will get a job in less than 6 months, only 42% will actually land
their first job within that time frame. In addition, less than 60% of
the 80% who expect to make more than $25,000 per year will actually
realize their objective.
Given this bleak scenario, how can you
set yourself up for a successful career without tripping over some of
the most common career mistakes most new grads make? Here are some
suggestions that can help you accomplish your goals.
Take a more objective look at yourself.
Do a personal SWOT (strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats)
analysis to establish your strengths and use them to show potential
employers how you can be an asset to their organization. Take note of
areas that need further improvement so you can formulate a plan to
acquire these skills, and use it to further improve your chances of
landing a job right after graduation.
Get expert opinion.
Arranging a career coaching appointment with an expert can help you
refine your job search strategies. These people can also help you
customize your resume and cover letter to address the specific needs of
the hiring manager, highlight your strengths and express your genuine
interest in the opportunity.
Consider searching the job boards.
Checking the job boards and other similar sites can help you spot great
opportunities but don?t limit your job search to these online
resources. Consider expanding your job search by following companies on
Twitter and checking their Careers page on a regular basis. You should
also consider networking with colleagues and alumni to uncover hidden
markets.
Make your social media presence work for you. Check your social media presence to make sure that there is nothing that can turn potential employers off.
Know the importance of following up.
Employers give high regards to people who show genuine interest in the
opportunity. To do this, consider following up on all applications and interviews. As an added bonus, this can help demonstrate your professionalism and make you stand out from the rest of the competition.
