Looking for a full-time professional job, interviewing and evaluating your options can be daunting for recent college graduates. But with the proper preparation and perspective, it can also be very exhilarating. Here are seven tips for aspiring information-technology professionals as you start this career journey.
1. Take some time: Often there is pressure – from parents, peers, concerns about student-loan debt, and other reasons – on graduates to jump right into the workforce or to take the first offer that is presented. If possible, take some time to decompress, enjoy the summer weather, travel, pick up a hobby or perhaps volunteer. Of course, these activities can – and probably should – all be done in concert with the job search. Career specialists note that such a move can be positive for one’s mental or physical health and can be viewed positively by hiring managers.
2. Aim high, remain grounded: Take a broad perspective on where you might want to land. Treat your job search like your college search – have a category for “reach companies,” “safety nets” or “wild cards.” Don’t expect that every company you apply to or interview with will make an offer, but don’t rule anything out either. Do think about your comfort zone and possibly stretching outside of it. This might be the time to try to at least do an interview with that “household name” company that everyone would love working for. And finally, remember, your first position is just that: an initial step toward something else down the line if this one is not an ideal fit.
3. Emphasize skills. Your studies and classroom experience are hugely valuable, as is work experience. But prospective employers today want to know what you bring to the table beyond your resume and GPA. Clearly articulate your hard, technical skills [such as coding, communication and networking] and soft skills such as interpersonal communication, leadership, collaboration and teamwork. Be sure to talk up certifications you may have attained and also continuously pursue new ones.
4. Be curious. Ask intelligent questions during the interview process to gather as much insight as possible. Be respectful of course, but take the opportunity to “interview” the hiring manager or human resources professional at the organizations you are interested in.
5. Be prepared. This might sound like a “no-brainer” but it isn’t always put into practice. Use the internet to do your homework on prospective companies, see who you know that is employed there now or was previously. Examine their social media channels or press room or Glassdoor profiles to truly know all you can about how the company is run, how it operates, how it treats employees and customers.
6. Be [a bit] selfish: This is your job search and your future that we are talking about. Look for a program/company that is dedicated to your career development! Try to network to leverage a connection – someone you know directly or through a connection at companies of interest. Ask for introductions and always follow up to an application. Your chances of a response increase tenfold when you contact a recruiter, HR professional or hiring manager directly.
7. Think short term and long term: When possible, determine if you and your prospective hiring manager [new boss] will work well together, look for intangibles, ask about his/her career progression. Also, think hard about company culture, mentorship programs, opportunities for advancement, new-skills development, the opportunity to have an impact, etc. These are all critical aspects to that first job.
Molly Kreis is director of recruiting at Exeter-based Carousel Industries of North America Inc.
