Are you fresh out of college and looking for your first job? Ther are quite a few fresher jobs in the market but landing your dream job isn’t easy.
Try these 9 simple tips to land the best fresher job:
Craft a crisp resume
Hiring managers are busy people and they don’t have time for lengthy resumes. Don’t write long-winded paragraphs to lengthen your resume; it’s natural for freshers to have shorter resumes than others. Understand this fact and keep sentences short and retain only relevant information. If you’re unsure about how to write a resume when you have little or no professional experience, it is wise to go for a professional resume writing service.
Focus on past projects
You may have no work experience to claim but there are other ways to let the interviewer know that you have done a fair bit. Write about the projects that you have been part of or headed while in college or during internships. But never over-embellish.
Customize your resume
Gone are the days when the same resume worked for a variety of jobs. You’re one of many candidates that the interviewer must attend to so let your resume set you apart. Grab attention by using keywords and highlighting skills that are specifically demanded.
Build your online presence
As social sites gain more and more popularity, companies use social media for hiring. So, it’s imperative to have an online presence. And critical to curate it! Ensure that you put up professional photos, don’t make offensive comments and keep all accounts updated. If you’re getting recommendations, ask professors rather than peers for them.
Practice your introduction
You may have done a few presentations in college but they won’t prepare you for the interview. You’re competing with many others for attention so start with a strong introduction that draws the listener in. Focus on your strengths and don’t make generic statements.
Dress like you mean business
You may be out of college but that’s no reason to land up at an interview in sloppy jeans and an oversized T-shirt. Dress for the job you’re targeting. Neutral colours and simple jewelry work well. If in doubt, err on the side of the overtly professional look.
Read up on the company
Most beginners miss out on this basic step but it’s extremely important to walk into an interview with more than basic knowledge of what the company does. You don’t want to give the interviewer a blank look when s/he asks what exactly you know and what s/he should tell you.
Turn your phone off
Nothing says disinterested as much as a candidate who’s constantly fiddling with his or her phone. Turn your phone off so that you can focus on the interview and your interviewer. There’s time enough for the phone later!
Ask about internship opportunities
If you fail to get the job, it’s not the end of the world. Ask the manager about an internship opportunity. This will be a learning experience that can go on your resume and you may even end up getting absorbed by the company if you do a good job.
Finding a new job is hard at any point in your career, but as a fresher, it can be extremely stressful. If things don’t work out, don’t be too discouraged. Instead, sign off with an email thanking the hiring manager and indicating that you will welcome the chance to work with the company in the future.
Happy job-hunting here!
