College graduates
9 posts
Lindsey Pollak
Best-selling author, millennial career expert, and spokesperson for The Hartfordâs My Tomorrow campaign.
POST: Graduates: Plan Ahead To Protect Your Potential
Ryan Kahn
Founder of The Hired Group, star of Hired on MTV, and author of Hired! The Guide for the Recent Grad.
POST: 5 Secrets To Landing A Job After Graduation
Lauren Berger
CEO & founder of InternQueen.com.
POST: Recent Grads: Put On Your Boxing Gloves
Alexandra Levit
Co-founder and board member of DeVry Universityâs Career Advisory Board. Author of They Donât Teach Corporate in College: A Twenty-Somethingâs Guide to the Business World.
POST: The Secret To Success In The âReal Worldâ
Gala Jackson
Millennial expert, resume writer, career consultant, and owner of InterviewSnob.
POST: How To Activate Your Network As A Recent Grad
Kate White
Former editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan magazine and NYT best-selling author/career expert/keynote speaker.
POST: Smart Job Interview Advice No One Ever Tells You
Victoria LoCascio
Certified resume writer and president of The Aces Company.
POST: How Recent Grads Can Leverage LinkedIn To Get A Job
Crystal Washington
Social media marketing strategist, international speaker, and the author of The Social Media WHY.
POST: A Gradâs Most Valuable ResourceâA Viable Network
Christie Mims
CEO of Revolutionary Club.
POST: This Trick Will Make New Grads Lots Of Money
Marianne Grady
Certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), and president of Rise Above Resources.
POST: 3 Things All Recent Grads Need To Do When Job Searching
Dani Monroe
Internationally known thought leader, speaker, and author of Untapped Talent: Unleashing the Power of the Hidden Workforce.
POST: 3 Ways To 'Use Your Time Wisely' After College
Amanda Haddaway
Author of Destination Real World: Success after Graduation and Interviewer Success.
POST: New Grads: Be The Employee You Would Hire
Rochelle Moulton
Chief branding officer at Be Unforgettable Media, Inc.
POST: Why Grads Should Continue Learning After College
Pamela Paterson
College instructor, consultant, and author of the Amazon bestseller Get the Job: Optimize Your Resume for the Online Job Search.
POST: Why Personal Branding Is Essential For Getting A Job
Krystal Hicks
Associate director of employer outreach and career support at the University of New Hampshire.
POST: How Recent Grads Can Become Seasoned Competitors
Ryan Niessen
Co-creator of The Gateway Method.
POST: How An Obvious Idea Guaranteed A Studentâs Success
Erica Tew
Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) for the state of CT and administrator of the blog CT Career Guidance.
POST: How To Effectively Expand Your Network For Job Search Success
Jenny Yerrick Martin
Entertainment career expert, veteran hiring executive, and founder of YourIndustryInsider.com.
POST: The Secret To Being The 'Right Fit' For A Job
Teddy Burriss
Social networking coach, author, public speaker, and Certified Career Transition Coach (CCTC).
POST: Why 'Never Talk To Strangers' Is Bad Advice For Grads
Crista Tharp
Award-winning event planner, author, and speaker.POST: Graduates: DARE To Live An Extraordinary Life
Fred Cook
CEO of the award-winning public relations firm GolinHarris.
POST: Why Happy Grads Need To Be Brave Grads
Angela Jones
TORI award-winning resume writer.
POST: 6 Skills That Help Recent Grads Win Over Hiring Managers
Steven Steinfeld
Career and job search coach to students, recent grads, and professionals. Author of 3 Steps to Your Best Job Ever! and 3 Steps to Your Job in the USA.
POST: Why The Job Search Process Is Similar To Dating
Dorothy Tannahill Moran
Leadership & management career coach.
POST: Donât Leave School Without THIS
Deborah Shane
Award-winning Top 100 Small Business Champion, Top 100 Small Business Podcast, and Top Small Business Book by SmallBizTrends.com.
POST: How To Build An Effective 'Marketing Yourself Plan'
Elisa Sheftic
President & managing partner at Right Executive Search LLC.
POST: How A 'One-Upper Mindset' Can Help Recent Grads Stand Out
Sandy Demarest
Certified Job and Career Transition Coach (JCTC).
POST: #1 Job Search Strategy All Recent Grads Should Use
Sheila Curran
CEO of Curran Consulting Group, and a career consultant and author.POST: For Career Success In 2014, Think Like An Employer
Damien Butler
Leadership coach & mentor.
POST: Why Itâs Important For Grads To Have Core Values
Lisa Adams
Career coach, management trainer, workshop speaker.
POST: How Mentors Can Help Grads Get Their Dream Job
Mary Sherwood Sevinsky
Career expert & author.
POST: What My First Client Taught Me About Career Happiness
I've heard many of my Gen Z members and followers talk about how difficult it is to apply for jobs when every company seems to require two or more years of experience for entry-level positions, the types of jobs Gen Z, the youngest demographic in the workforce, shouldn't have any problems getting.
The idea that you can't apply for a job that requires "years of experience" because you're a new grad is a myth, and I'm going to tell you exactly what to do instead.
You Don't Necessarily Need Years Of Experience, But You Do Need A Connection Story.Â
@j.t.odonnell Replying to @millers0620 Gen Z Job Search Episode 1: The Years Of Experience MYTH #genzjobsearch ##genzjobs #genz #jobsearchtips #jobs #job #jobsearch ⬠original sound - J.T. O'Donnell
First, I want you to understand the reason they say a job requires "two years of experience" is that they want to make sure you've worked at some point in your life. Hopefully, you've had an internship, maybe in college or while you were in grad school, but you do have some sort of work experience.
The second thing you need to know is that you have a secret weapon, and it's called your connection story. What you lack in experience you can make up for with enthusiasm and by sharing how you feel motivated to work for a company.
So, how do you write a connection story?
Step 1: Ask yourself, "Why do I respect and admire this company?" and "What taught me that they were worthy of this respect and admiration?"
Step 2: Think about your own life. What's making you feel connected to them as an employer?
Step 3: Put your connection story together in a disruptive cover letter. Unlike a traditional cover letter, a disruptive cover letter is a storytelling cover letter.
Step 4: Once you've written your disruptive cover letter, reach out to the recruiter, hiring manager, and/or people who work at the company and say...
"Hey, enclosed is the story of why I feel so connected to your company. I'd love to learn what it might take to earn the opportunity to interview or be considered for the XYZ position."
When you say there's a story, that piques their interest. And when you say you want to earn the opportunity, you don't have to point out that you don't have the exact experience. What you're trying to do is to get them to see that you have the intrinsic motivation to do the job.
They can teach you the experience. What they need is somebody who understands why they want to work there. That's what they're looking for, and that's what you need to share with them.
I see this every single day. In fact, I'll tell you a story.
I worked with a young man named Seth. He was a senior in college. He wanted to get a job in recruiting. It required five years of experience. But with this technique, he shared his connection story with the recruiters that were recruiting for the position. And he got the job. He beat out people who had 10 years of experience. And the reason he won the job is because of that connection story. They clearly understood that he wanted to be a recruiter and he was able to say, "Look, I have no bad habits. You can mold me, you can train me, and I'm passionate about this."
You can do the same thing. But it starts with understanding what your connection story is and then sharing it with those employers.
If you want more information or if you want to be coached on this, we can help you.
Check out our free daily newsletter or become a member and get access to affordable, on-demand career coaching.
Good luck, and go get 'em.
I love working with recent grads in their job search. After 12 years in school, they are experts at learningâwhich makes teaching them easier. They're like sponges. They learn and do. They have no bad job search habits, so teaching them is fun because I get to see their reaction when they get positive results for the first time.
The difficult part? Job search for college grads stinks right now.
I already knew things were bad. I deal with it on a regular basis when helping new grads find jobs. In fact, I can read their minds. That's because, after graduation, there are four things that make graduates really, really mad. My job is to help them get past the anger and get hired.
If you know a recent college grad, please pass these 11 job search commandments on to them. If you are a recent college grad, take notes. These commandments are laws to live by in the next six months as you embark on your next big challenge: landing a job.
1. I Will Not Compare Myself To My Friends
No two graduates are the same. Each has different skills, abilities, needs, and wants. Just because your friend gets a new job doesn't mean he or she is better than you. Keep the blinders on and focus on your job search, not theirs.
Jealousy is a useless emotion that derails a job search. Besides, your friend might be able to help you get a job. It's in your best interest to be genuinely happy for them!
2. I Will Not Take The Summer Off
Don't delay your job search. Employers see it as acting entitled and lazy. Get in gearâright now! Trust me, you aren't going to find a job in the next two weeks. And job search isn't a full-time gig.
Carve out time every day to work on your job search and you'll still have plenty of time to enjoy the summer. Before the temperature cools down, turn your job search success up! It's about working smarter, not harder.
3. I Will Not Spend Weeks Designing My Resume
Your resume isn't going to get you the job. Networking is.
Don't waste time trying to make your resume perfect. At this stage in your career, there just isn't that much you can put on it to impress employers. The "wow" factor will come from you being smart, articulate, and engagingâwhich doesn't come through on paper. You have to meet people to make that happen.
4. I Will Learn To Network...Fast!
Networking is the most powerful way to get hired. Yet most recent grads assume because they've never worked they have no one to network with. Wrong!
People love helping recent grads. Learn to "informational interview" and set up as many as you can. The sooner you learn to network, the sooner you get hired.
5. I Will Not Expect Too Much Of My First Job
Most recent college grads feel they're overqualified for many of the entry-level jobs posted. However, most employers feel you're not, and may even have unrealistic expectations for an entry-level position.
The hard reality is you don't have the work experience for anything but entry-level jobs. The sooner you take an entry-level job and work at it for six months, the sooner you can start applying to the more exciting jobs that are currently out of your reach.
6. I Will Remember That EVERY Job Is Temporary
While the entry-level job you take will not be your dream job, that's okay because you won't be there very long. You'll either excel in the job and get promoted or get experience and be able to apply for a better job.
"Every job is temporary," is one of our mantras at Work It DAILY, which is why you always have to improve and work on your career every day. Whether you're looking for your first job or a new one, you need to keep that mindset. It will pay off, we promise.
7. I Will Study Up On Workplace Professionalism As Much As I Can
The number one complaint corporate America has about recent grads is their perceived lack of professionalism. Read up on attire, attitude, verbal communication style, and so on. The more prepared you are, the better the first impression you'll make.
8. I Will Be Very Careful In My Written Communication Style
The number two complaint corporate America has about recent grads is their poor written communication skills. Spelling, grammar, and so on.
Be very careful when writing cover letters, emails, and any other written communication related to your job search. One typo can get you disqualified!
9. I Will Expect Rejection (A Lot Of It)
You'll apply to dozens of jobs and have as many as 10 interviews before getting an offer. There is a learning curve to getting hired, and it happens with practice.
Expect to get passed over for jobs and learn to cope with the rejection. The sooner you can pick yourself up and get back to the job search, the sooner you'll get another interview and eventually an offer.
10. I Will Become A âProfessional" User Of Social Media
For the last four years, social media has been used for your enjoyment. Now, it's time to use it for the job search.
Clean up the Facebook page and Instagram account, get yourself set up on LinkedIn, and study how people are using Twitter and TikTok to meet hiring managers. Use social media to build an online presence that when searched by a recruiter (and trust us, they will look you up online), what they'll find is a recent grad who's clearly ready to enter the workforce.
A strong social media presence can literally land you a job interview. Engage in best practices for social media to advance your career.
11. I Will Not Brag About My New Job When I Finally Get It
Getting your first job will be thrilling. I mean over-the-top incredible. That being said, refrain from posting the good news all over the internet and making it your first topic of conversation with friends. Why? Go back to commandment number one.
Remember: you'll be surrounded by people who haven't gotten their first job and will be jealous. Be the bigger person and keep a low profile on the new gig. Of course, if asked, you can share the good news, but do your best to redirect the conversation after that.
Show how humble you are. You just never know at some future date that person could remember your gracious attitude and be willing to help you get your next job because of it. The friends you make now will be the colleagues you network with in the future. Treat them kindly and it will pay off in the long run.
Follow the commandments above and your job search will be less painful and more effective. And keep this list handy as a reminder you will make it through. You can do this!
Need more help with your job search?
Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!
This article was originally published at an earlier date.
When times are tough, mass layoffs happen in almost every industry. But what do you do if you're a recent college graduate looking for your first job? How can you find a job when those around you are getting laid off?
Your first job search after college is hard enough without dealing with bad economic conditions. You need to prove your value to an employer with limited to no experience under your belt. Even before that, though, it can be incredibly challenging trying to get your resume past the ATS and into the hands of the hiring manager.
If you recently graduated from college and don't know where or how to start your job search in these trying times, we have some simple but effective tips guaranteed to help you land your first job.
Here are three things recent college graduates should do to find a job despite mass layoffs:
1. Be Intentional With Your Networking
At Work It DAILY, we firmly believe your network is your net worth. Approximately 30-50% of all jobs today are gotten via referral. Utilize the connections you've made in college or in past summer internships to get your foot in the door somewhere. It's always easier to get a job when you've been referred internally by someone who already works at the company.
It's not enough to simply ask your connections about any employment opportunities they know about, though. You need to be intentional with your networking, or your job search will feel aimless.
Build a list of companies you'd like to work for so you can focus your efforts in those areas. This is your interview bucket listâall the companies you would love to work for that hire for your skill sets.
Creating this list is going to help focus your job search in terms of who you need to network with, reach out to, and start to connect with in order to find the job opportunities you want.
Remember: You're not asking them for a jobâyou're asking them for information that could help you land an interview.
2. Write A Disruptive Cover Letter
The cover letter is the "voice" to your resume. If you want to land yourself an interview while layoffs are happening left and right, the key is to write a disruptive cover letter.
If you're not writing disruptive cover letters in your job search, you're missing out on a huge opportunity to stand out to employers. The ultimate goal of a disruptive cover letter is to tell a story so compelling about why you feel connected to the company that they'll want to pick up the phone and get to know you a bit more.
What you lack in experience you can make up for with enthusiasm and a great connection story.
3. Consider An Unpaid Internship
Even when there aren't mass layoffs going on, getting an internship after you graduate from college can be a very strategic move for your career.
If you're struggling to find a job right out of college, consider applying for an internship position. Preferably, you'd want a paid internship, but if a lot of companies are laying off employees, ask if they have an unpaid opportunity available. You won't get paid, but you will gain a lot of experience. And if the internship goes well, they may offer you a full-time position after a few months of hard work and proving yourself as a valuable employee.
At the end of the day, experience is what will set you apart in the current job market, because it gives you the ability to develop your skills and show how you made or saved a company moneyâsomething every employer will want to hear when you interview with them.
School teaches you everything except how to get a job. No matter how competitive or disrupted the job market may be, recent college grads can stand out to employers with these three tips, and find a good job soon after graduation.
Need more help with your job search?
Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!
This article was originally published at an earlier date.
For college students, internships are the gateway to an amazing career. Internships are the perfect opportunities for young professionals to acquire and develop skills, network, and prove themselves as hard workers.
Want to stand out at your internship and be known as the best intern in the entire company? Follow these steps to becoming an unforgettable intern:
1. Earn Respect
When walking into your internship, it is important to remember that you are there to pay your dues, just like everyone else in the company. Know your worth to the company, but do not overstep boundaries! Your main goal is to assist and learn from your superiors.
Some may find it unbearable to go into a company knowing that they are at the bottom of the totem pole, but it is important that you swallow your pride. Dedicate yourself to becoming the best worker possible and your superiors will notice!
Do not be entitled. Respect is not handed out; it is earned. Remember that.
As we mentioned above, you are there to pay your dues and learn. Go into the office and work to your best potential every day, and respect will come.
2. Walk In Like You Have Something To Lose
Now, we're not saying you need to act like you are walking on eggshells, but you must be calm and collected in the workplace. You should come to work every day with a positive attitude, ready to work smart!
There's a big difference between working hard and working smart. Working hard means having no problem working over eight hours a day. Working smart is fitting a 10-hour workday into an eight-hour shift.
Productivity is extremely important, and if you are losing an hour or two a day because you are surfing the web or looking at your phone, you can expect that your manager will lose their patience and drop you.
3. Realize No Project Is Too Big
Imagine a co-worker was going on vacation for the week and left you a huge checklist of things to do while he's gone. At the bottom of the list, he left a note saying, "If you can get at least one-third of this list done before the end of the week, that would be amazing."
Now, instead of working at a slow pace, imagine you get the entire list done by Wednesday, and ask your boss for another project. That's the kind of work ethic that makes you a stand-out intern, and a great candidate for a future entry-level position.
As an intern, don't be afraid to take on a big project! It's a chance to show them what you're made of.
4. Never Complain (Everything Is A Learning Experience)
Understand that not every task you need to complete is going to be glamorous. There will be tasks you will be given that may be a drag, but do notâwe repeat DO NOTâcomplain about doing this work. You never want to be seen as ungrateful in the office.
It is important that you see everything in a positive light. Even if the task you are working on is small, see it as something that your superior is trusting you and only you with. Everything can have a positive twist.
5. Network With Your Colleagues
All good and unforgettable interns successfully network with their colleagues. An office is filled with professionals who have years of experience. Every day, you should make a conscious effort to try and pick the brain of another professional. An easy way to do this is by taking them out for coffee during the day. Coffee is inexpensive and quick. Make sure you treat them, and let them know that you are appreciative of their time.
If you do this a few times a week throughout your internship, you will have numerous connections and unmeasurable knowledge about the industry.
Now that you have this guideline to becoming an unforgettable intern, apply the knowledge you learned and prove to your employer why you are the very best.
Outshine the competition and get that full-time position!
Need more help with your career?
Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!
This article was originally published at an earlier date
Are you a student nearing graduation, or someone looking to gain valuable experience? An internship can be an invaluable experience that helps you gain much-needed skill sets and grow professionally. The only problem is you may not be exactly sure of what you want to do for a career.
So, how do you choose the right internship?
Displaying relevant work experience should be your primary goal. Those with internships on their resume can sometimes land jobs quicker and earn higher salaries. This is because an internship can be a gateway to gaining skills, marketing those skills, and leveraging those skills to find the right career.
Here are some things to consider when chasing the right internship...
Don't Base The Decision On Money
An unpaid internship can lead to a great return down the road, not to mention a lucrative job offer. Focus your internship selection on companies that are looking to grow and expand, and possibly bring you in after graduation to advance their company to the next level.
Be A Self-Starter
Finding the right internship is very much like a traditional job search. It's important to have an idea about some of the jobs you may want to pursue, then make a bucket list of companies that you are interested in interning at.
Perhaps the company you want to intern for does not generally accept interns or advertise internship opportunities. Sending a cover letter that expresses your keen interest in interning for the company or offering to volunteer 10-20 hours a week can go a long way. Show initiative, passion, dedication, and pursuit of success to the prospective company.
This is also a great networking strategy because even if you don't get an immediate opportunity, you begin to start to a conversation with people at these companies, and they may keep you in mind whenever an opportunity comes up.
Select An Internship That Will Allow You To Build Essential Skills
There are certain essential skills that matter in the workforce when looking to grow your career. Leadership, collaboration, project management, and relationship building are among some of those intricate skills. When looking into internships, research the types of skills that you will obtain during that internship.
Having a list of skills that you want to build upon will allow you to find out during the application and interview process whether those skills can be accentuated while serving as an intern. During the interview, ask about the mentoring program for interns, training and support, projects and assignments, and the performance criteria for feedback. Strong internship programs will provide all of these objectives.
Attend Networking Events To Meet Executives And Business Leaders
Meeting local business leaders and executives at virtual and in-person networking events can allow you to leverage your impact and can also provide you with great insight into the companies they work for. Don't forget to connect with these important persons on LinkedIn, and always follow up with a personalized email or phone call to reaffirm your gratitude for meeting them.
Overall, choosing the right internship for you can bring forth a future working opportunity that leads to full-time commitment and advancement with introductory training and experience.
Need more help finding the right internship for you?
Join our community to learn how to find an internship and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!
This article was originally published at an earlier date.
The following career advice is what I believe to be the top eight things recent college graduates should know before joining the workforce. I am sure there are additional tips you can bring into the workforce but these are a great start to ensure you begin on the right foot.
1. Get Better At Time Management
Time is finite. Once it is gone you cannot get it back. Once a deadline is missed there is no turning back. If you missed an assignment, you risk a lower grade. But in the working world, it can mean losing a job project and the company having to incur financial losses. Learn time management skills and you end up being more productive, effective, and efficient.
2. Do More, Talk Less
It’s far too easy to be convinced by those who say you can talk to impress people. And I do not deny that, but eventually, your work has to be the proof that you are a good worker and you are dependable. You need to decide if you will do more and talk less or do less and talk more.
3. Be Present
Being present means two things to me. Firstly, it means to be on time every time. This ranges from a small internal meeting to meeting your deadlines. It means being there when you are needed. Golden opportunities present themselves when you are present. Secondly, being present means focusing on the work that needs to be completed. It also means being mindful and fully aware of your surroundings.
4. Give Your Work A Routine
Develop some form of routine and be disciplined to stick to that routine. This is related to time management but goes beyond the time management that you do in the office. Have a routine for your life. Give yourself time. Block off time for yourself to read or even do the chores like laundry, etc. Start to be more organized than you were in college. Stick to this career advice even though it does not relate to career building. You will soon see the wisdom of it.
5. Be Nice
Learn to be authentic and avoid politics. Of course, sometimes it is tough not to get involved at all. But you can learn to avoid it and be real and authentic. Stay true to your values. These are the anchors that hold you when people change and agendas change. Be nice to people regardless of rank and designation. Smile often. Say “please” and “thank you.”
6. Compete With Yourself
Compete with no one else. Of course, no matter what is said and done, you will always be peeping at the next guy to see how he is doing in his career. Sure, peep. But don’t be overly affected by competition that you forget to look at yourself. Be the best you can be in this long cross-country marathon; it is filled with detours and stops. When you focus too much on your competitors you may get lost. It’s one of those career tips for recent college graduates you need to experience to know what it truly means.
7. Create, Don't Just Discover
Life is as much about creating as it is discovering. I hear far too often recent college graduates saying, “I need to discover myself.” But is life all about discovering yourself? It is and it is also not. Life is as much as creating the "you" you want to be as it is in discovering the "you" that you are. The truth is somewhere in between. So, when you get a job that is less than satisfactory for you, use it as a pedagogue to discover yourself. More importantly, use it to give you hints at creating the self you want to be.
8. Realize There Is Fun In Learning
There is a lot of fun in learning. If you understand being present in my earlier advice, then you will know work-life presents so much you can learn and be paid for it. Learn to love what you do and learn to love learning. Because the chance to do what you love may be far and in between. When you find fun in learning then you will be constantly improving yourself. Learn to love books and all sorts of books. There is no need to stick to books in your own industry.
These are the eight things I consider solid career advice for any recent college graduate. A new phase of life has just begun. It’s a long road of work from now on. There is no need to rush your career progression. Take time and enjoy life while honing your skills as you move along.
Here at Work It Daily, we understand how difficult it is to find a job and grow your career as a recent college grad. If you're struggling to find a job that's right for you, we can help.
We'd love it if you joined our FREE community. It’s a private, online platform where workers, just like you, are coming together to learn and grow into powerful Workplace Renegades.
It's time to find work that makes you feel happy, satisfied, and fulfilled. Join our FREE community today to finally become an empowered business-of-one!
This article was originally published at an earlier date.
Finding a job after college can be a challenge, especially in this economy. It seems like the “perfect fit” candidate is all employers are looking for these days, which can make finding a job difficult for new grads with little to no real-world experience. So, how can recent grads break into the workforce? Here are seven tips from our approved […]