The job force can be a jungle if you are not prepared.
Searching for a job can be hard and it will not be easy if you do not put in some effort. This will require some research and work on your part.
Bringing your “A” game to the workplace from Day 1
Once you are prepared and know what you are looking for you will be able to decide what job is right for you.
Starting to work full time is exciting, especially once you get your first paycheck. Expect to not know everything about the hiring process or be expect to be perfect at everything in the interview process.
Job hunting is a process and will take some time so do not be too hard on yourself if you do not find a job right away.
Here are four things to look at when you are applying for jobs:
Networking and connections
This element of job searching is a huge one.
There are a lot of jobs that are available and some of the open positions will never even be posted on an online job site. This may seem weird but employers are looking for people that other people trust and have worked with.
There is nothing better than knowing someone in a company and having them as a reference.
Even if your connections do not have an open position they can always make great references when you are applying to other jobs. Once you have a job do not stop talking to people and connect with your coworkers.
If you want to switch jobs or change careers you will still need to have references from past employers.
The resume
First impressions matter and this is your first impression when you apply for a job.
Your resume is the first thing a hiring manager or recruiter will look at. Since there are a lot of people who are looking for jobs that means a lot of people are applying for jobs. Recruiters and hiring managers will receive a lot of resumes so you will need to make your resume stand out from other average resumes.
You can always hire someone to write your resume for you. If you do not want to spend money on writing a resume you can always look at free resume templates and do some research on what makes a resume great.
You may also need a cover letter and you can hire someone to write it for you or you can write it yourself.
The interview
Being interviewed is a skill that not everyone is born with.
Luckily, you can develop these skills with some practice and help. The chances of someone going into an interview with no preparation and getting the job is close to zero percent.
If you do not know where to start you can always start with researching interviews and what you interview skills you will need.
The best advice that anyone can give is to be authentic. You do not want to get a job and find out that you were not yourself during the interview.
Being authentic will let you know how the company’s culture works. The will then think and get a feel for if you fit into it.
If you are in college you can always go into your academic advisor or career center. They can help you figure out what you do when you are interviewed.
Feedback is also great and they will talk with you individually and let you know where you can improve.
Your first day
You are going to be nervous and maybe even a little scared which is completely normal.
If it is your first job after graduating from college you may feel a little out of place. Your job may be a new job that is with a major company.
Whatever the case you will need to have the right perspective when starting your first day. Look at your job with curiosity and excitement. You do not know everything so remain humble but not fearful of your coworkers or managers.
Ask questions when you have them and you will have a lot of questions when starting a new job. Talk to your coworkers and get to know people who work there.
What do you think? How would you start your day at your new job? Let me know by leaving your thoughts in the comment section below!
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