Get A Few Helpful Tips On How To Land A Summer Job!
These days many a student is putting a diploma on the wall and contemplating entering the working world. There’s only one thing they didn’t count on when they began their Associates or Bachelors, and that’s the state of the employment market. Make sure you look into a courses online.
Of course, there is one problem. Thanks to the current economy, one can’t just mail out a resume and expect the job offers to come pouring in. Quite the contrary, with an incredible number of experienced people out there also fighting for your job, you have to start thinking outside of the box.
Monster.com, the nationally recognized job search site, recently posted an article with advice for the new member of the national work force. In a nutshell, it basically says when the going gets tough, the tough get going…and a bit creative. Here’s some of their advice:
Think Horizontally – Just because you got a degree in one field doesn’t mean there aren’t other industries that can’t use them. Computer firms need mechanical engineers. Cruise lines hire nurses. Hit your favorite search engine, your professional society and your school’s career counselor for types of companies who can also use your skills. This can not only double, be even quadruple, the number of places you can wind up working at. Another thing that helps is a online college.
When You’ve Targeted a Company, Do Research On It – Companies feel flattered when they realize the candidate has done some research on them, for starters. Also, make it clear that you’ve not only studied them, but have some ideas about how your skills will fit into what they do. Put down your reasons why in your cover letter.
Network – This is actually something you should have started while you were still studying. The trick is whenever you meet someone already in your profession, start communicating with them regularly. Also attend professional society meetings. You will not only pick up invaluable tips about what the real working world is like, but you now have an in inside wherever that person works. Build a small rolodex of business cards and now that you’re out of school, put that wheel of personal fortune to work.
Keep A Positive Attitude – Yes, it’s a tough economy out there. Just don’t let the news get you down. If it seems too depressing, turn the TV off and get back to doing research, writing cover and follow-up letters. The old bromide of when the going gets tough the tough get going has never been more true than it is today. Also, if you do meet with a recruiter, don’t let them know how tough the market is out there. They’re testing to see how negative you are. Companies want positive attitudes.
Stay Busy At All Costs – Just because you’re underemployed doesn’t mean you should be idle. Recruiters are not surprised if their subject is working a part time job or doing volunteer work. Even an online course would be great. It’s more experience you can throw on the resume. You should really look into getting an online master degree.