Many of you are engaged in the daily struggles of the job search. In summer, the stress tends to intensify as it appears that a lot of companies slow down the hiring process while they vacation. Have no fear! I received my first two jobs in the summer months and found that it helps to persevere, even when feeling frazzled.
I think this article is helpful in realizing that there is much you can do to improve your prospects. Even if you think you’re putting your best foot forward, chances are you may be overlooking something. Rather than growing frustrated over a lack of employment, do something about it.
Common mistakes include sending a generic resume to each company. I’ve seen these problems among many professionals and recent graduates. If you have one resume, you can build on it to send to various companies. You may want to change your objective depending on what type of position you’re applying for. I also suggest changing your job descriptions and making sure you use ‘action’ words. Many resumes appear lackluster because the word choice is poor. If you haven’t had someone else look at your resume, try it. You can ask a trusted peer, mentor, or even a professor you liked.
I always seek the advice of people who’ve been in their field a long while. Most say that job seekers aren’t eager enough, or don’t know how to go about landing the job correctly. If you send out a myriad of resumes and don’t get any response, it’s easy to give up and assume there’s nothing you can do differently. I suggest finding a personnel manager at each company that you can contact. If you don’t want to bug that person with too many phone calls, then try sending a concise email explaining who you are. You might not get any result the first time, but at least you will know you went the extra step.
One mistake that I often see is new graduates trying to find a ‘better’ position and not wanting to settle for a job as an administrative assistant or coordinator. That’s the wrong attitude! My first job was as a communications coordinator and it’s the best year of experience I could have received. I learned how to do many things, which in turn made me more marketable. Most people don’t land a dream job right out of college or graduate school. Trust me, patience and perseverance pay off.
Have you made any of these mistakes along the way? If so, I hope you’ve learned from them. Please add a comment to describe your experience.
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