Keep Your Focus When Finding That First Job

Business Insider had a great article last week from Josh Tolan on what recent college graduates should do when looking for that first job. Some of the tips seem simple. Others will require a little thought and preparation, but could help you land a job that will set the stage for your career.

Here are Tolan’s 10 tips:

1. Update Your Personal Brand. A strong personal brand is essential to landing an interview because it distinguishes you from the other applicants. To update your personal brand, develop a brand statement that clearly defines the qualities that differentiate you from other individuals. Tell your own story. Clearly state what you do and why it’s important to the company. Be sure to update your LinkedIn profile and the privacy settings on your personal social media accounts. Need help with your brand statement, find tips from the Undercover Recruiter and from Branding for Dummies.
2. Define The Job You Want. Nothing kills job hunt momentum more quickly than not knowing what kind of job you want or where to turn. Take some time and think about what you want to do, where you want to live, and start your search. One way to help you in your search is to create a profile on 1stGig, a recruiting service that connects recent graduates with companies that are seeking new hires.
3. Write Objectives. Job search objectives should be SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound). Think carefully about what you want to achieve in your job search, then write it as on objective. An objective may be, “To compile a list of three strong job leads before Friday.” Objectives help you budget your time and efforts.
4. Ask A Professional To Be Your Job Search Mentor. A great mentor may be a former college professor who still has connections in the industry or a former internship supervisor. Email or call your mentor with your job search progress at least once a week, and ask if they have any tips or suggestions about where and how you’ve been applying.
5. Make A Schedule. Don’t overdo it when it comes to applying for jobs. Limit your time spent on applying for jobs to at least one hour and no more than three hours a day. This way you’ll stay fresh and avoid burnout or frustration if things aren’t going exactly as you’d like (sub-hint: realistic expectations also can help avoid disappointment).

See steps 6-10 on our blog.