Finding an entry level position out of college is essential. That’s the first major step into making the career you’ve been planning, become a reality. But finding an entry level position when you’re just out of college isn’t always easy. Especially in this economy the road has become increasingly hard for student starting out and starting their career paths.
Your fist tactic should always be networking. Before you leave college make sure that you’ve got your name out there to the right people. You want to stay in contact and make yourself known to a few of the select students around you, and your professors. They will be a great resource for work down the line, so remember that, and keep those relationships avenues open.
Keep networking outside of school. Try professional sites like linkedIn, etc, that offer connections with other professionals in the field. Create lasting professional relationships, as these are where the best jobs will come from. Companies frequently don’t openly advertise their best positions, and the only way you’ll hear about them is through somebody that you know.
Try your local newspaper, you won’t find fantastic jobs here most of the time, but you will find some decent options to pad your resume and provide income in transition. Usually jobs advertised in a local newspaper don’t have a high applicant rate, so your chances of landing the job will also be better.
Finally, remember to stay professional. Whether networking, or applying to the jobs, keep your demeanor professional, as your attitude says a lot about what manner of employee you will be at that company. One of the biggest complaints about college graduates in the job market lately is that they have a false sense of entitlement.
Many recent grads almost feel as though a high paying job should be instantly available to them. But that isn’t the case. You have to work at a company and career to make it succeed, sometimes from the lower ranks of the ladder. Stay courteous and polite always, be proud and confident, but also humble and realistic. You don’t want to come off as a cocky self important applicant, because companies tend to stay away from them. They aren’t hard workers, and they have no long term loyalty. Both bad strikes to have against you.
Tags: Attitude, Avenues, Career Paths, College Graduates, Demeanor, Economy, Entry Level Position, False Sense, Fist, High Paying Job, Job Finding, Job Market, Job Searching, Professional Relationships, Professors, Recent Grads, Resume, Sense Of Entitlement, Tactic, Transition
I’ve written many times stating the importance of networking yourself in your professional industry. But how should you go about networking yourself? We all know that networking is important if you want to succeed and take your career as far as possible. But how do you get your name out there? Where are you supposed to turn when you’re just starting out?
Well first off, make sure you know why you should be networking. Most jobs that are available on the market aren’t even advertised. In fact, some of the best jobs out there are never even advertised before they are filled. By making a name for yourself, and connecting to as many people as possible, you create more chances to find out about these opportunities. Whether through connecting with someone whose company is hiring, or finding out through a friend that’s applying with the same company.
To network effectively, it’s as simple as making the effort to find professional relationships. Career related seminars or conferences are a great way to get yourself out there. The same goes for websites that feature social networking for professionals. Resources like LinkedIn should be taken advantage of, as they are decent resources for making fast friends.
Beyond that it’s easy to make the little connections. If you have children, try to talk with the other parents around you at school related events, or extra curricular activities. You may find someone on the same career path, and that friendship could pay off in the long run.
Just remember to return all the favors you receive. Networking is a two way street, it’s not about meeting people to benefit yourself, and then forgetting about them. To make strong professional bonds you have to help, as well as take the help they are willing to give. Tip them in to opportunities at your company, or openings you know of around you. That’s the only way to network effectively, and keep yourself in a positive light with those around you.
Tags: Arou, Career Path, Conferences, Decent Resources, Extra Curricular Activities, Friendship, Jobs, Many People, Meeting People, parents, Professional Bonds, Professional Industry, Professional Relationships, Related Events, Seminars, Social Networking
Trying to network when you happen to be a shy person can be a very daunting task. The hardest thing to do sometimes in your professional life is stepping outside of your comfort zone. But in an economic downturn, it’s more important than ever to get your name out there. Maintaining a good score card at your current company just isn’t enough anymore, as that position is not as guaranteed as in the past. Only by making sure others are aware of your skills, and track record, can you ensure that you’re as hirable as possible, should anything happen.
Preparing for the worst is never a bad idea, and that’s especially true of your job. Try to keep that in mind as you brave the networking world, despite your shyness. It’s rough, but try going to professional networking events around you. Whether it be seminars in your field, or any other gathering of the like where other professionals are likely to be found. Or if it helps don’t think of this as just job related, but rather a chance for you to meet more people in the same area as you are. Developing professional relationships with others that know what you’re going through is always a good thing.
Now you just have to battle the route cause of your tendency to be shy in public gatherings. If you fear that you don’t have anything interesting to say, prepare for that beforehand. Because a professional atmosphere is much different than a regular social gathering, just being knowledgeable about your industry is a good start. If you’re good at your job, you’re already well prepared. Just make industry related insights, and you can make connections either with people that share those thoughts, or those that are intrigued by such thinking.
Finally, it’s always a good strategy to bring someone you know to an event, so that you have a partner. You may feel more at ease by bringing a colleague, or friend that you have in the same industry. Anything that helps you feel relaxed and casual. Stay courteous and positive, and you’ll find networking to be pretty easy. You just have to extend your hand so someone else can take hold.
Tags: Bad Idea, Colleague, Comfort Zone, Current Company, Daunting Task, Economic Downturn, Hardest Thing, Insights, Networking World, Professional Atmosphere, Professional Life, Professional Networking Events, Professional Relationships, Public Gatherings, Relationships With Others, Score Card, Seminars, Shy Person, Shyness, Tendency
