REO New Grad Tips for Landing a Job
Standing out as a new candidate in a competitive job market can feel daunting to recent college graduates. Lack of experience and transferable skills are facts for newbies. Here are some tactics from REO to help new grads land their first position.
- Clean up all social media accounts before applying. Recruiters and hiring managers DO check!
-- Bulk up your resume by showing off extracurricular activities that show leadership, Greek life, committees and social events, volunteer work, internships, projects, and senior class work that emphasize applicable work skills.
-- Build your LinkedIn presence: grow your network and connect with friends, colleagues, and professors. Include your resume and showcase skills. Join trade associations connected to your major and field. Repost articles associated with your job of interest.
-- Craft your resume and cover letter to each individual job – make it personal and professional. Use AI for ideas only - do not use it to write your documents (recruiters will know!).
-- After applying for a position, contact the hiring manager and express your interest. This greatly improves the chance of your application being given a second look.
-- Sharpen interviewing skills by practicing essential questions and know how to present your elevator pitch seamlessly. An interviewer will most likely start the conversation with, “tell me about yourself”.
-- Write a personal thank you email after every interview. The message should be concise and personal to your conversation. Ask for next steps in the interview process to show continued interest in the role.
-- Attend career fairs, join job sites and network with friends, neighbors, family members and more. A LinkedIn study from 2016 showed that 70% of people land a job through a connection that is in place.
-- Keep your chin up, approach every step as a learning opportunity, and keep an open mind. Doors will open as your search gains momentum!
#newgrad
CEO, REO Consulting, LLC
4moGreat article on how part-time positions could be a key in growing an organization and retention in top talent!