Springtime is amazing, with green buds, flowers, and much missed sunshine. Good thing too, since it is also the time of year most of you are outside pounding the pavement. With the school year winding down you are in one of two boats: looking for a way to pay for next year or sitting with graduation looming, and the pressure of “real life.” Either way, you need a job. Here are a few helpful hints on how to get ahead, or at least get a second interview.
1 Keep your resume to one page. One would think this is common knowledge, but sadly, many a stapled resume have been turned in. Most computers have a blank template for a resume—use it!
2 Your prospective employer does not need to know every job you’ve ever had. Keep the listed jobs relevant to the job you are looking for. If you are applying for a Communications Analyst position, it isn’t important that you worked for a month at the Gap three summers ago. Unless it is relevant to the job you’re looking for, leave it out.
3 Don’t turn in a headshot. Don’t use pink paper. Don’t try the “cute“ or “different” approach. While it worked in Legally Blonde, it will only gain you ridicule behind your back when it is received in real life.
4 Be aggressive. Follow up. Make sure they know that you are interested. An application and resume can only get you so far. Let them know who you are and that you want that job. A simple phone call can go a long way.
5 When you snag the interview, come prepared. Role-play your answers, and not just by thinking about it, or saying, “I’m going to tell them…” Pretend that you are in the actual interview. This will help you be able to articulate better and will give you better recall when you are nervous in the moment
6 Have questions for them. Even if you already know the answer, it shows that you are interested and want to learn, and it can spark some good discussion with the interviewer
7 Don’t give up. Good things come to those who wait, but great things come to those who are persistent.
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