So you’re about to graduate from college! Woo-hoo! Now comes the part where—after a well-earned beach vacation and an ill-considered tattoo—the jobs start to roll in!
Maybe not.
The competition for new grads in the workplace is fierce, so the last thing you should expect is for jobs to simply fall in your lap. Those who’ve taken advantage of internships and leadership opportunities during their school years are in the best position to land a good job. But there’s plenty you can do now to improve your chances, including avoiding these common job search mistakes.
Not Having a Goal
Not having a goal at the beginning of a job search is sort of like getting into a car without really knowing where you want to go. You can’t really expect to get anywhere unless you have a destination in mind and directions on how to reach it.
The most important part of a job search is to have a strategy. Rather than blindly sending out resumes to companies, figure out a plan and make your decisions from there.
Not Knowing Your Strengths
Many new college grads make the mistake of starting a job search before figuring out what they have to offer professionally. Before you apply for any position, be sure you’re able to articulate why you’d be great for it. At the beginning of your job search, think about your strengths (and weaknesses) and how they can be put to good use. Don’t limit yourself to skills at past jobs. Any experience gained in school leadership roles, volunteering opportunities or even athletics is useful as long as it can be effectively justified.
Not Being Proactive
As stated before, having a goal leads to having a strategy. And having a strategy means action. So rather than waiting for job boards to decide your fate, directly reach out to companies where you’re interested in working, even if there are no obvious job openings. This includes scouring your network for connections to the company, asking for introductions, or emailing the appropriate managers to express interest or request an informational interview.
Being proactive also means augmenting any areas of your professional experience that need improvement. Professional development classes and education can be found at local colleges and online.
Not Customizing Your Resumes
Don’t expect to stand out with a one-size-fits-all resume. Not only does it fail to align your particular skills and qualities to the needs of each company, it also demonstrates your lack of commitment or enthusiasm for the job.
Not Being Realistic
In the black and white world of childhood we imagine that we’ll grow up one day, go to college and then immediately start working at our dream job. But in reality, this is rarely how it works. Most of the time, you reach your dream job through hard work, trial and error, and heavy doses of humility. As an entry-level worker, you shouldn’t expect to do advanced level work. Not without first paying your dues. And often this can include work that sometimes feels tedious.
Not Doing Your Homework
Hiring managers are looking for smart candidates who know something about their company and industry. Before you go on any interview, do your research. Go online and learn everything you can about the company – their goals, their successes, their brand and their standing in the industry. Be able to have an intelligent discussion about the position and have a few good questions ready.
Not Being Professional
If you want to be thought of as a professional, you have to act like a professional. This means showing up at the interview on time and dressed appropriately. No jeans, t-shirts or scuffed up sneakers. Your phone should be silenced and put away. And any professional documents should be meticulously free of spelling and grammatical errors. Greet your interviewer(s) with a firm handshake and warm smile – and thank them the same way when the interview is over.
Not Being Yourself
One of the hardest things for new grads is to simply try and relax during an interview. It’s never comfortable when you’re on the spot. But worrying too much about how you’re coming across will only backfire. Your goal is to be warm and genuine, rather than super impressive. Try to focus on the conversation and not yourself.
Not Following Up
Sending a thank you note 24-48 hours after your interview is always a must. But don’t forget to follow-up after that too. If you were smart, you asked about their timeline for filling the position. Without being pushy, check-in after a week to express your continued interest in the position. If they decided to go with someone else, at least you’re on the radar in case something else opens up in the future.
