Mom always told you to stand up straight. Comb your hair. Tuck in your shirt.
For all of you new graduates out there, consider this possibility: Mom was right. Impression makes a difference in the world, especially when it comes to job searching.
Boil it down to the most basic level, and landing a new job is a very simple endeavor. All you have to do is impress the hiring manager. Not much more.
Mom may have focused on your physical appearance, but making a positive impression is not merely about your clothing, haircut, tattoos, earrings or other aspects of your personal style (although many companies have policies about such things). It’s about the overall impact that you make — the combination of your background, confidence, communication skills and the rapport that you establish with a prospective boss.
Maybe you know exactly what kind of career you want, and you spent that past few months researching internships and entry-level positions in your field. Or maybe you don’t have a clue which direction to turn, because your interests involve finance, theater, cooking and landscape design. You just need a paycheck so you can afford a trip to Europe in the fall.
Either way, there’s no secret formula to successful job hunting. Just create a great first impression and keep it up during all phases of the process. Here are a few ideas to think about as you move forward:
First impression: resume. Want some easy advice about your resume? Three words: Make it good. Plenty of new grads type up a list of courses, summer jobs and hobbies, and believe they’ve got themselves a solid document. They don’t.
Your resume is your marketing tool. It doesn’t have to be long. It certainly doesn’t have to be complex. But it does have to be honest, well-written and focused on your attributes and achievements. Take the time to prepare a quality document and you’ll make a commanding first impression.
Second impression: phone and e-mail. E-mail tends to be more casual than other correspondence, and that’s OK. Just don’t get sloppy. Remember that every interaction with a potential employer will influence the decision to hire you. Keep your online correspondence brief and professional.
The same holds true for phone calls. Professionalism is essential. Once you reach out to companies regarding employment, anticipate a phone call at any time. If you listed your cell phone number on your resume, an employer may contact you while you’re at the movies, shopping or out with friends. Be ready. Better yet, include only your home phone on your resume.
Third impression: in-person interviews. By the time you land an interview, you’re already through the door. Your goal is to stay there.
Do some advance preparation for the “Tell me about yourself” question, and get ready to talk about your strengths and weaknesses, interests, training and reasons for wanting to work for the company.
Be sincere. Straightforward. And don’t bother searching for the perfect answers, or trying to make a perfect impression. There is no such thing. At this point, your aim is to build a trusting relationship. A good one will lead to an attractive job offer and a rewarding, well-paying position.
Send your job search questions to Eve.GetAJob@gmail.com.
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