Whether in good economic times or challenging economic times, competition remains strong for the best jobs. Recent graduates often focus their job search on the first opening available. However, experts say three steps should precede all others for the first-time job search.
Polish Your Online Reputation
With the growth of social networking sites such as Facebook and My Space, for the first time in history many recent graduates searching for work must contend with a highly visible record of their college exploits online. Also for the first time, employers have a variety of cheap, easily accessible tools to research job applicants before extending an offer for an interview.
What does this mean? Negative, controversial or questionable material online might not only keep a new graduate from landing a job, it can close the door before the interview process begins.
According to a study commissioned by Microsoft, 79 percent of employers now conduct an online search of applicants. Fully 70 percent say they have turned down applicants by what they found online. However, only 7 percent of job applicants were concerned about their online reputations.
It is clear that many applicants not getting jobs are unaware that the reason they are being turned down is a negative online footprint. Before starting a job search, new graduates should remove all negative or questionable information or photos about themselves online.
Refine the Search
The second job search tip for new graduates is the need to focus the search on the best career field for the particular individual. In fact, the online job search engine Careerbuilder.com ranks as No. 1 the need to “pinpoint your direction” when beginning a job search.
The new graduate should determine his or her strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes, needs and wants. Within every job category, there are areas of specialization. New graduates should target the careers most likely to offer them challenging and satisfying work that also provide adequate income. In her book, Career Focus [Prentice Hall, 1979] job search expert Helene Martucci Lamarre says, “In order to be successful in any career search, it is imperative that you know yourself.”
Be Prepared
It’s not just a Boy Scout motto anymore. The new graduate launching a job search must go into the interview prepared to wow the perspective employer. As established above, because of the “open window” the Internet provides for employers, fewer applicants make it to the interview stage. Those who do must be ready.
At this stage, the Internet becomes the applicant’s ally. Conduct online research into any company prior to an interview. Resumes should be adapted based on that research for every interview. Prepare questions for the interviewer that demonstrate knowledge about the industry and the company. Explore any connections in a personal network that can help in anticipating question areas the interviewer may explore. Role play an interview if a friend is available and willing.
A quick online job search is a good way to get a job. However, new graduates wanting a career instead of just a place to work need to go to work on their own in advance. An applicant with a clean online reputation, a career pursued with passion and specific company knowledge will have a leg up in even the most competitive job searches.
Paul Cozby - Paul Cozby is New York City-based freelance writer with extensive experience in daily newspapers and writing for the web. Paul broke ...
