Finding A Job Right Out of College

Finding A Job Right Out of College

by | Sep 30, 2013 | september2013, This Issue's FEATURE

degreeSo you’ve got that handy paper in hand with your name on it that says you are fully competent in your field. You’ve spent long hours researching and studying for test after test, and now, you are ready to enter the workforce. The question is, “Now what?” You have been told, for the longest, that once you have a degree, it will make it easier to find work. That is a Yes and No statement. Yes, having a degree is going to open doors for you that would otherwise be closed. However, those doors are also opened to everyone else who graduated the same time you did, after you, and before you.

It’s a great time in our country education-wise. There are so many students who have access to educational opportunities. The trick is to find employment opportunities, once you are finished with school.  It’s a new time. You used to be able to get a job by just going in and interviewing. You didn’t need a resume.  Now, you need an electronic resume that you can send out online, or maybe even a video resume that you can forward to employers. There are so many options out there for you that we’ve outlined some of the basic things to help you get yourself out there and noticed!

Resume: 

resumeA paper resume should be no longer then 2 pages, unless it is a curriculum vitae at which it’s expected to be 45 pages worth of information. If you have a third page at all, it should be your references. No staples, your name should be at the top of each page, and it should be printed on resume paper with a watermark.

An electronic resume is either a scanned or pdf version of your resume that you can send out online through e-mails or other job sites that ask you to upload a resume. It should have all of your pertinent contact information, so that employers can reach you.

Video Resume:

video-resumeA Video Resume is something that is a little controversial for no real reason. It’s a 1 to 3 minute short video of you talking about yourself, your qualifications and what you can do. Make sure that you are smiling and dressed for an interview when you film. This can be done on your computer from home or through an agency that will coach you through what to do. Act natural and be pleasant. You want your personality to shine through. Treat the video resume as if you are speaking directly to an employer and you will be just fine.

Searching For The Right Job:

Job vs. Career. Assuming that you went to school for that very thing that you wanted to do most in the world, then, you have a pretty good idea of what it is that you want to do with the rest of your life. For others, it’s not that straightforward. Some students chose general degrees that would allow them to diversify, if needed. Both approaches are good ones. Those with special skill sets have a chance of great job security by being the only one who can do a certain job whereas, those who chose a general route would be able to fit into many different companies at once. The trick to both is making sure that when you apply, you apply to places that will make you happy working there for a long time. Sometimes, we take a job just to take one and later, find out that upon losing that job, we weren’t really upset about it because we really didn’t love working there. Taking a job to pay the bills is fine. Finding a job that you enjoy waking up to every morning is the goal.

There is more to consider than just money. When you’re in high school, you’re told about all of these jobs that will pay a lot of money. You’re told to be a doctor, a lawyer, maybe a senator, or a basketball player. The problem is you can’t stand the sight of blood, you don’t care for the judicial process, you barely like to vote, and you have two left feet. Jobs that earn a lot of money are fine, but the only way to make a lot of money doing them is if whether you enjoy doing it or not. If you don’t like basketball, then, you’re not going to make the NBA. If you don’t like speaking in front of a crowd, then, being a lawyer or senator is probably not in your future. Choose a job that you love to do. If you could do anything for free and not worry about making money, what would it be? Traveling? Be a tour guide? Helping people? Try being a caseworker or counselor. Don’t just go for a job just because there are dollar signs there.

Another thing to consider other than money are benefits. If you apply for a job that you hate because you sick childcan make 80k a year, but the job paying 45k a year has a 401k, a pension plan, and medical benefits, then, you need to think about what you really need. Do you have a sick child? Maybe you want to save up for retirement comfortably. Maybe you want that extra cushion for future endeavors. 80 grand may sound spectacular, but once the IRS takes their cut, you’ve paid bills, gotten sick, spent long hours to earn it, and taken your child to the orthodontist, you will feel like you’ve never seen that money. Not to mention personal satisfaction. If you don’t get up in the morning loving what you do, you won’t keep that high paying job for long. Stress is a killer and 10 or 15 years is a long time to work somewhere, just because of money.

Interview:

Got your resume? Figured out what it is you want to do for the next 10 years? Great, now it’s time to get cracking on the interview! In a survey done with over 100 employers, it was discovered that the interviewees displayed the following problems:

• Lack of eye contact

• Fidgeting

• Bad posture

• Showing up late

• Checking their phone or texting

• Not being friendly

These things may sound like no-brainers of what not to do for you, but for others, it’s a problem. You should be able to confidently walk into an interview to discuss your skills without sounding arrogant. You should be able to smile and look your future employer right in the eye. You should know where you are going to interview and what time and date you should be there.

Research should be done on the company you have applied to before you even apply or step in the door for the interview. You should know where the interview is, what the companies does, or at least have a good idea of what you will be doing. You should know the name of the person you are going to interview with and the name of the company. You would be surprised at how often someone just saw the base salary, clicked their heels together and said they would do it with no thought on the who, what, where, why’s and whens.

 

We hope that we have given you some things to think about when preparing for your interview. Whether you are a seasoned job vet, getting back into the workforce, or just graduated, these are all things to consider when looking for your next job. △

COVER LETTERS

by | Sep 30, 2013 | september2013, This Issue's FEATURE

By Sheena Williams

Being in the business that we are in, one of the things that we get asked about a lot is “Do I really need a cover letter?”

Point blank, a cover letter is something that is personal to each individual writer. We can’t make a cover letter for you. We can give you suggestions on what should be in it, but a cover letter is used to let your personality shine through. So, in an effort to help everyone get their cover letter together, we’ve compiled a short list of things that each cover letter should have.

Less Is More. A cover letter should not be more than one page. It’s an introduction, not a life story or sonnet. Most are not more than 3 or 4 paragraphs in length.

Your first paragraph should be about letting the reader know who you are. As a matter of fact, your first sentence should capture the attention of the employer. Make it known that you know about their company and that you know about the position they have posted. You should always create enough interest in your opening which will compel the employer to continue reading.

 I am writing to apply for the position of Engineer with your company. I have read that your company is held to the highest standards to more effectively contribute to a better world. This is exactly the type of company that interests me.

The 2nd  and 3rd paragraph is most likely discussing your background and why you are interested in this particular company.

I attended the University of Texas and earned my Master’s Degree in Architectural Engineering and for the past 10 years, I have worked with ABC Company expanding my knowledge and experience by participating in various training programs. My accomplishments have received recognition in the form of awards and certificates. Your company has all the qualities and specifications that I am seeking in an employer. I believe I am the right fit for your position and I will be able to handle the responsibilities that come with bringing about great results for the company.

In the 4th and final paragraph, wrap it up and request for the opportunity to interview with them. Mention your resume that you have enclosed for their review. You are not trying to impress them with your writing; you are trying to explain why you are an awesome candidate for the job that they have posted. Make sure that you indicate you are at their disposal. Thank the employer for taking the time to read your letter and review your resume.

Please accept my enclosed resume and it is with great anticipation that I welcome the opportunity to personally discuss my qualifications and experience with you, at your convenience. Please contact me at (555) 555-5555. I will call your office to find out if an interview can be arranged. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to read my letter and review my resume. I look forward to hearing from you.

Keep The Reader Reading. If your cover letter doesn’t spark the interest of the reader right away, then it’s not worth the paper it’s printed on. You may be an excellent writer, however, sometimes being too wordy can be a hinderance. Try to find that balance of being well spoken on paper, and not too verbose. Employers don’t have a lot of time to read letters and review resumes, so you need to start out strong and get the point across within the first few sentences.

Personalizing Your Cover Letter. A cover letter isn’t always one size fits all. Sometimes you will need to cater the cover letter to fit the job you are applying for. Research where you are going to work, and make sure that you mention anyone you know there who might prove helpful and get you noticed. For instance, you spoke with “so and so” and they recommended that you send in the application.

Explain Why You Want To Work For Them. “I want to make a boat load of money” is not a good reason to give in wanting to work for a company. “I want to utilize my talents in a field where I can grow and learn” is a very good statement.  “I want to work here because your medical benefits rock” is also NOT a good reason. “I would love to work for your company because I feel that I would be a good fit and I would work well with your staff” is another good statement.

Selling Yourself Is A Must. If you aren’t going to sell yourself, why bother with the letter? Brag about yourself a little. This is the time that you can brag, so do it. If you know that you are the only one in a hundred miles who can do the type of coding, building, paperwork, etc., make sure you mention that. You want to ensure that they know what they are getting and that you are a prize! Show them why you are worth hiring.

Getting The Interview Is The End Goal Of The Cover Letter. Your resume should give them the meat and potatoes of what you can do. The letter is just to get them to read your resume. The last paragraph should be how the employer can contact you if they are interested. When you mention that you will follow up, try not to make it sound like a threat. There is a fine line between following up and stalking.

Hope this helps with the cover letter process. Most importantly, just remember to relax when you are writing it.  You are already awesome. You’re just letting others in on the info! △