Student Branding Blog - Dan Schawbel » College

One Resume Does Not Fit All

Heather Trulock — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:00:43 +0000

Fit. It’s funny how much effort we put into fit in our everyday life–if our clothes are too big, we bring them to a tailor so that they fit; if we’re thrown into a new environment, we may change our approach so we fit in with the crowd.

Why then, when it comes to the job search, do people continue to send out the same resume for different types of positions, companies, and industries?

For first-time job seekers, this is a mistake I encounter far too often. I wanted to share some advice I’ve learned about resume tailoring throughout the years as a job seeker, hiring manager, and career services professional.

Know your brand.

Understand not only who you are, but also how others view you. Identify and assess your VIPS (values, interests, personality, and skills). If you do not know what “fabric” you have to work with, you will not be able to tailor the content of your resume.

Know your audience.

Once you understand who you are and what you bring to the table as a professional, highlight (in your bullet points) your VIPS that make you an asset to both the company and position. Your resume should not only show that you have the ability to do the job; it should tell the employer that your skills are good fit specifically for their organization.

Know the industry.

Keywords. Buzzwords. Not only do these help get your resume past the initial HR scan, but they also demonstrate that you have knowledge of industry language and trends. For each position you apply for/for each resume you submit, make sure the appropriate industry jargon is included in your bullet points. Also understand that different industries have different standards when it comes to the preferred format of resumes (and some prefer reels over resumes); do your research.

I often compare tailoring ones resume to selecting an outfit. If I had a pair of dark denim and a t-shirt, I would pair it with a blazer and pumps for the office; at night, I would simply change up the shoes and loose the jacket…maybe throw on some flashy jewelry for flare. Did I change the base of my outfit; no, but I did make sure it was appropriate as I moved between different environments. Think of your resume as your standard jeans and t-shirt. While your education and experiences stay the same, it’s the phrasing/formatting/keywords that will change as you apply for different types of positions across various industries.

Author

Heather serves as a Career Advisor for Loyola University Chicago’s Career Development Center. In her role, she assists students and alumni with their overall career development through individual counseling, group workshops, and in the classroom via her Career and Life Planning Lab. Heather’s areas of expertise within the career space include networking, social media engagement, ePortfolios, resumes, and personal branding. Prior to working in Career Services, Heather worked for Sony Music in the areas of Marketing, Sales, and Promotion.She received her BA in Communication & Culture from Indiana University and her MA in Higher Education & Student Affairs from The Ohio State University – GO BUCKS! You can connect with Heather on Twitter and LinkedIn.

The Essential Interview Check List: 9 Steps To Ensure You’re Prepared

Lesley Mitler — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:16:27 +0000

You have an interview tomorrow–what should you do to ensure you’re prepared? Other than the obvious interview preparation (researching the company etc.), here are some organizational tips that will make “interview day” go smoothly:

Select your attire.
Decide what you are going to wear at least one day before the interview. If you have not worn something in a while, it may not look, or fit the way you remember. Maybe you bought the clothes while you were sporting the Freshman 15? You should actually try everything on, confirm that your clothes are cleaned and pressed, and make sure you feel confident about your appearance. Guys–make sure you have the right color socks (no lime green, please). And don’t forget to have the shoes shined! Remember, the first impression you make is your appearance. Even if everyone who works there is in casual attire, you are still in the interview process and you should look like a candidate, not an employee.
Organize your resume and other materials you’ll take to the interview.
Even though you’ve submitted your resume to the company before, it is always good to have hard copies when you go to an interview.
Have a plan for getting there.
Make sure you have directions, phone numbers, and email information. If you are driving, you should find out where to park and if you will need a permit for your car. If you are taking public transportation, determine your route in advance. No matter how you are getting to your meeting, make sure you know how long it will take to get there. And don’t forget to bring a photo ID if required by the Security Desk.
Arrive EARLY at your meeting.
One thing is almost certain in this whole process: If you are late for an interview, you are probably not going to get the job. Get there early. Find a place to have a coffee or beverage. Be relaxed and calm before you arrive.
Show manners and respect to the person who greets you when you arrive.
I have seen or heard this often. Someone arrives at a company and they ASSUME that the person at the front desk is unimportant. BIG MISTAKE! Often, the people you meet will ask the person at the front desk how you treated them and what you did while you were waiting for the interview to start. If the feedback is negative, it’s over.
Read while you’re waiting to be interviewed. I know the natural instinct is to pull out your phone and get busy reading your mail or sending messages. But you should resist the urge to do that. Turn off your phone when you arrive so that it won’t interrupt you during the interview. Most companies will have some materials displayed about the organization or other reading materials–reach for that.
Focus on answering questions during the interview–NEVER take notes.
I know I am repeating myself because I sneak this into any relevant blog post, but an interview is not the time to take notes. Listen, make eye contact, and respond.
Ask each person you meet for their business card.
You will need this for your “thank you” notes. You can also use this information to Google the people you have met and to see if you are connected to any of them through LinkedIn.
Send a “Thank You” note within 24 hours. Make sure to personalize each note and reiterate your interest in the job, the organization and your relevant skills that qualify you for the position.

So this is your interview checklist. Use this before each interview to organize yourself so that nothing distracts you from making your strongest presentation.

Author

Lesley is president and founder of Priority Candidates, which prepares college students and recent graduates nationwide to get hired for their first jobs. Previously, Lesley spent more than 25 years in executive search, working with candidates from entry level to C-Suite executives in organizations ranging in size from small, family owned businesses to large international organizations. Her fundamental knowledge of what hiring manager’s look for is the core of what Priority Candidates does to prepare college students/recent grads to get hired now. An alumnus of Duke University who is based in New York City, Lesley has been featured in USA Today, ABC’s New York Viewpoint with Ken Rosato, ABC News with Art McFarland, The New York Times, NY Nightly News with NBC4’s Chuck Scarborough, eCampus News and John Tucker’s Small Business Report on Bloomberg Radio. Lesley always welcomes connections via LinkedIn, on Twitter or by email or phone, available on her website.

Hiring Process: Is Follow Up the Key to Your Success?

Michele Posehn — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:27:38 +0000

College graduates who are new to the hiring process often ask about how long they should wait to follow up during the hiring process. After all, there is a fine line between making a friendly inquiry while demonstrating continued interest in the job and running the risk of being perceived as overly aggressive.

While each organization and recruiter might have a different perspective on the timing and frequency of candidate follow-up , here are some examples for when you should follow up:

After applying for a job

How long should you wait after submitting your resume?

For candidates, the hiring process can seem long. After researching some great companies and applying for those “perfect” jobs, it’s natural to be excited and want immediate feedback on your application/resume. You may wonder what happens after you hit that “apply” button, hoping that your profile doesn’t get sucked into this black hole of job seekers, never to have your resume again see the light of day.

So, if you have not been contacted after a week or two, you may consider sending a note via e-mail, making a phone call or connecting with a recruiter via LinkedIn. Your contact should be brief, but polite. Here is a sample message you might send:

Hi! My name is ______ and I applied for job [insert job number if you know it or the job title]. I would like to know if you can tell me what the next steps are in the hiring process. Also, will all candidates be contacted? I am excited to learn more about this opportunity and look forward to hearing back from you. Thank you!

If you have plans to visit the company or, if relocating and plan to visit the city where the company is located, add that information to your note so that you can facilitate the scheduling of interviews during your trip.

After a phone screen or interview

One of your first steps after an interview should be to send a thank you note to the recruiter/hiring manager with whom you met. Showing your enthusiasm for the job and your appreciation for their time to discuss the job with you goes a long way.

Phone screens are often done to learn more about a candidate and determine if the candidate is a possible fit for the job. During this call, ask the recruiter about the next steps in the hiring process and the anticipated timing. If you do not hear back from the recruiter by the specified date, you may want to follow up.

During an interview, much like a phone screen, it’s important to ask the hiring manager about his/her anticipated timeframe for alerting candidates about their progress. If you do not hear back from the company by the anticipated date, you may want to follow up with the person who interviewed you.

Here is a sample e-mail you might send after either interview:

Hi! I enjoyed speaking with you on [insert date of phone screen/interview] about the [insert job title] position. Learning more about the organization/role has made me very excited about the opportunity. I just wanted to touch base to see if there is an update on the status of the position. I look forward to hearing back from you. Thank you!

Once hired/rejected

If you get the job–congratulations! You’ll receive specific instructions for following up with a number of people, likely including the hiring manager and representatives from the Human Resources department. If you didn’t get the job, don’t despair. Perhaps you were not the best qualified candidate for that specific job. But you still might have a future with that company. So, be sure to send a thank you note to the recruiter and express your interest in other opportunities. For example:

Dear [Recruiter]: I enjoyed meeting with you and learning more about [insert company name] during the hiring process for [insert job number or job title]. [Insert company name] seems like a really great place to work. While this particular job didn’t work out, please keep me in mind for other opportunities that might be a better fit. Thanks again for your time!

Following up with people involved in the hiring process can help show your enthusiasm and interest in a particular job. It can also give you peace of mind when schedules get delayed. It’s okay to send notes, make phone calls and even connect on the company’s Facebook page or LinkedIn group . One aspect of the hiring process is to build a relationship between you and the company. Just remember to stay positive in your communications and be patient. Your future is out there and worth every bit of patience and hard work you put into your job search.

Author

Michele is a Senior Recruiter for Sodexo, a world leader in quality of daily life solutions that contribute to the progress of individuals and the performance of organizations. As a former assistant director at the University of Maryland University College’s Career and Cooperative Education Center, she’s no stranger to students trying to plan their careers. During that time, she worked with non-traditional college students to gain school credit for on the job work experience. Michele also taught seminars on job searching, resume writing and interview techniques, and partnered with local employers to help students gain employment. At Sodexo, she has continued her interest in shaping student careers by serving as a mentor to an intern in the company’s Future Leaders Program. Michele began her recruitment career in 1999, joining Sodexo in 2008 where she recruits for a range of food, facilities and environmental services positions. Michele holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland College Park (go Terps), is a charter member of a Baltimore area Toastmasters chapter, and a Certified Internet Recruiter (CIR) and Certified Diversity Recruiter (CDR). When not giggling with her two girls, Michele enjoys writing … and watching the Yankees win, much to the dismay of her husband. Join her on LinkedIn or just Network with Us at Sodexo.

Ready, Set, Go: Maximizing Your Spring Semester

Heather Trulock — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:13:44 +0000

Today marks the beginning of Spring semester for my students @LoyolaChicago. Some are returning to campus with internship or job offers in-hand, while others are still on the hunt for their dream career. Regardless of where you may be in your career journey, here are a few tips to maximize the upcoming semester.

If you have already secured a job or internship…

While tempting, you should not forget about your career development now that you have a job or internship. Yes, you have a signed contract in hand; however you still need to develop your personal brand. Some of the ways you can do this include:

Continue to network. Share the good news of your new job or internship with your network (and thank those who may have assisted you in securing this opportunity). Stay connected with your current network while growing new contacts.
Continue to learn. The most successful professionals are always learning. Stay current with industry trends; this can be as easy as reading The Wall Street Journal or by continuing to learn from current professionals via informational interviews, job shadows, company visits, and/or alumni networking events.
Continue to build your personal brand. Having a job or internship does not warrant pushing your personal branding efforts aside. In addition to updating your brand with this new opportunity, begin the shift of positing yourself from job seeker to rising professional.

If you are still seeking a job or internship…

Make sure you hit the ground running. Check out your college’s career services website: Are there any upcoming career fairs; is there programming available to assist with your professional development; are they hosting any company information sessions and/or on-site interviews; does their online employment board show any new opportunities; are they hosting any job shadow opportunities or company visits? Once you have a handle on what is happening on-campus for spring, make an appointment with a Career Advisor to gain assistance with your job or internship search.

In addition to your college’s resources, it is of utmost importance to activate your network. This is the time to promote your personal brand across various channels, both on and offline. Your network is not composed of mind readers. Make sure people know who you are, what you can offer, and what types of jobs (and companies) you are seeking opportunities with. We live in a competitive job market; if you do not promote and position your brand for career success, someone else will (for themselves) and land that job or internship.

Enjoy your Spring Semester–make every day count, and take advantage of every opportunity before you!

Author

Goals or Resolutions? Personal or Professional? Both?

Sejal Patel — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:00:25 +0000

Raise your hand if you thought 2011 flashed by quicker than a blink of the eye? (For the record: both of my hands and my legs are in the air. How do I do that and still manage to type? I’m just that talented.) I felt like it was just yesterday that I was wishing everyone a Happy 2011 and blogged about resolutions. And here I am today, blogging about something similar. Oh and Happy 2012!

I think everyone should make resolutions and goals. Why? Because they give you something to strive towards. Resolutions, to me, feel like they’re a lifestyle change while goals have an end (when you reach them). If you wind up changing your lifestyle along the way through a goal, well, that’s just a bonus then.

Well Sejal, how can I make career goals when I’m not even sure what to do? (Maybe that’s your career goal right there: figuring out what it is that you do or don’t want to do. Ruling something out is almost as important as picking a path.) If you’ve already picked a career path, then challenge yourself to reach new personal/professional bests or strengthen your career expertise.

If you’re not quite sure how to tackle a professional goal, personal goals are just as helpful. Setting goals helps you become focused and disciplined; both are characteristics that will help you in any profession you choose. I’ve also found that when you’re happy and satisfied in your personal life, it carries over to your professional life too!

I made a list of goals that at first blush seem more personal, but if you think about them, they can also help with my professional growth and work/life effectiveness. So here’s me taking the second step in goal setting: share them. (The first step being setting goals.)

Take the GRE. When I graduated from college, I felt pretty confident that I wasn’t finished with my formal education yet. (Informally, I’m always growing and learning. The day that stops…well, that’ll be the end of me.) By making a commitment to take my GRE this year, I’m taking steps in formalizing my plans to further pursue my education and seriously think about what it is that I want to get out of it. Relation to professional goals: this will force me to think more about where I want my career to go and how higher education would (or wouldn’t) help get me there.
Read 12 books. Last year, I said 20 and I read 2. This year, I’m going to be a little more realistic and say 12. That’s one a month and completely reasonable. Relation to professional goals: If I can’t find the time to read a book a month, it’s a sign that I’m too overloaded and something’s got to give. And there’s no rule about what I read–it could be a way for me to learn from other thought leaders and build upon my own knowledge.
Floss 3x a week. I’m that girl: the girl the dentist always tells that she needs to floss, but never does. Why? I don’t really know. But I was inspired after reading this blog post on how Ian always uses the time he brushes he teeth to reflect; what a great idea! Relation to professional goals: there will always be tasks that you have to do that you don’t want to. This goal will help me become more disciplined. And who doesn’t like nice smiles?
Get my hands DIrtY. Not exactly, but more DIY-y. I have a new obsession (along with the old ones of cupcakes and traveling and …): Pinterest. I like to describe it as a visual way to bookmark the web; at least, that’s how I’ve been using it. Pinterest allows you to “pin” things you come across on the web and add them to a pinboard for you to look at later. You can pin articles that inspired you, cool styles that you admire, rooms or decorations for your dream house, simple remedies for common problems, recipes you want to try, books you want to read, quotes that make you laugh, places you want to visit and so on and so forth. I have a board called, “Experiment To-Do List” of cool pins I’ve come across that I want to try. In 2012, I want to do at least one project a month from this board. Relation to professional goals: I’m on a computer for most of my day due to the nature of my work. Even when I’m supposed to be unplugged, I find that I’m not. This will force me to unplug and truly take a break, which will give my mind the chance to refresh and return to work rejuvenated.
Start blogging more, professionally and personally. Professionally I’m a contributor to this blog and I’m the blog editor over at the Jobs@Intel blog . My personal blog doesn’t exist yet, but I’m working on it. (Stay tuned and maybe I’ll share a peek of it down the road.) Relation to professional goals: consistency is key in building your brand. It builds your fan base, it helps your with your brand and it helps expand your network.

I might add goals down the road (there’s no rule saying you can only make goals at the beginning of the year?) but I think these are a good start. How about you? What are your 2012 goals or resolutions?

Author

Sejal is a Recruitment Marketing Project Manager at Intel. She is part of the team that is responsible for Intel’s global employment brand. This team helps connect candidates with Intel and Intel with candidates using channels such as the Jobs at Intel web site, the Life at Intel microsite and other Web 2.0 channels. Sejal specifically manages theJobs at Intel Blog and Intel’s recruitment Facebook strategy. Originally from Toronto, Ontario (yes—a real, breathing Canadian!), Sejal graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with her Bachelor’s in Communications before starting at Intel in 2008. When she’s not working, you’ll find Sejal working at crossing things off of her Bucket List (which includes skydiving, reading 1000 books and traveling the world), eating cupcakes or spending time with family and friends. To learn more about opportunities with Intel, visit intel.com/jobs, follow Intel on Twitter @JobsatIntel or check out the Jobs@Intel blog!

The Public or Private Profile Debate

Ronisha Goodwin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:00:47 +0000

I love social media! I’m sure I’m not alone in saying that a fair amount of my daily news intake comes via Twitter. When the East Coast was hit by an earthquake over the summer, I felt the earth move in my office, but it was the tweet I received 10 seconds later that confirmed for me it was indeed an earthquake! I’m on Facebook, Linked In, and Twitter. I also have people following me on Pinterest but have yet to figure that one out completely.

Consider your content

I’m often asked to weigh in on the public or private debate when it comes to social media sites. Although everyone has to make the choice for themselves, my advice is when making your decision, consider your content and how it reflects on your personal brand. I can only speak for myself when I say this, but I’ve never googled or searched for the social networking pages of potential candidates. Not necessarily, because I’m not curious, but honestly because I just don’t have the time. But if I were to take a look at the profiles and pages of applicants, I hope the content would serve as affirmation that they’re indeed the right candidate for the job or internship and not make me doubt that they are the person they appeared to be during the interview.

I’m not saying that you should restrict yourself to vanilla tweets that will impress future employers (“In the library studying!”, “Getting a head start on my final project”, “Dean’s List for the 12^th time!”etc.), I simply ask that you acknowledge that with public profiles comes great responsibility. Your presence on social networking sites should add to the value of your brand, not downgrade it.

Frequency

Social networking is one of my job duties and I work for a VP that is super-tech savvy and shares my affinity for staying connected–I’m a very lucky girl! As a result, it’s acceptable for me to tweet, post, blog, and peruse throughout the work day. Not all managers are as tolerant and open-minded. Therefore, regardless of if you’re private and especially if you’re public, you want to be mindful of how often you post or tweet while working. Too many posts and there may be the perception that you aren’t focusing on work and depending upon the company’s policy, further action on their part may follow.

Know Your Audience

Currently the majority of my Twitter followers are students that I’ve met at conferences or have interviewed for opportunities with Hyatt. I often wonder if they feel a little stifled because we’re connected in the Twitterverse, but this leads me to my last tip. When deciding to be public or private, keep in mind your audience. I assume the students who follow me, do so to get to know me better, but perhaps mostly for career advice and information on my organization. Therefore, I want to respect them and give them just that! I save the pics of my best friend’s adorable children for my private Facebook page. Not because those pictures don’t align with my personal brand, but truly because I know my audience and what they’re expecting from me. I’d love to hear your opinion on the public or private debate! Feel free to share in the comments below!

Author

Ronisha is one of Hyatt’s College Recruiting Managers. Hyatt’s College Recruiters visit more than 30 college campuses each year recruiting top talent at hospitality programs across the country. A graduate of The Ohio State University, Ronisha begin her Hyatt career as a Human Resources Corporate Management Trainee. During her ten years with Hyatt, she has worked at Hyatt Hotels in Orlando, Maryland, Virginia and New Jersey. To learn more about opportunities with Hyatt please visit hyatt.jobs, follow Hyatt on twitter @hyattcareers, become a Hyatt Facebook fan at Hyatt Hotels and Resorts Careers and follow the Campus Recruiter blog at blog.hyatt.jobs.

No Mincing Words on Your Resume

Laura Jacobs — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:11:44 +0000

I know that graduation and internship search season is right around the corner when I start seeing a lot of students for resume help. Even over the winter break, I’ve been busy with appointments, the majority of which have been for resumes. I’ve come to really enjoy these appointments.

Resume writing is (or should be) a very strategic process, and it can also allow for creativity. It’s fun to talk tactics with students.

The one point that I seem to cover with every resume is section headings, particularly the heading for the work experience section. The days of a singular, one-size-fits-all experience section are long gone. Retooling this one section could revolutionize the effectiveness of your resume.

Rethink the section title itself.

How boring is “Experience” for a section heading? Get creative and have fun (if resume writing can be considered fun) with the title for this important section on your resume. Going into PR and have PR-related experience, such as an internship, under your belt? Instead of naming the section “Experience,” title it “Public Relations Experience.” It’s something really small that can make a big difference.

Target your experience for the reader.

The reason that making the small change above is so crucial is that it makes your resume more meaningful to the reader. Because that’s really what it’s all about–the reader of your resume, not you. Back to the previous example, think about how an employer will react to your resume when you apply for a PR job with “Public Relations Experience” right in front of their face. Instead of just showing them you have experience of some sort, you are shouting that you have the exact experience they’re looking for.

Understand that experience and a pay check are not the same thing.

I have seen plenty of resumes that use “Work Experience” or, worse, “Work History” as a heading. For many, this kind of title seems to limit the content to paid jobs. However, what about a long-term volunteer role or an unpaid internship? I’ve seen students downplay relevant experiences because they weren’t paid. A better title might help you approach this section differently.

With a little time remaining before the spring semester begins, take a moment to look at your resume and the most important section on it. Spice up that dull experience section by getting specific. You’ll be doing yourself and future readers a favor.

Author

Laura serves as Internship Coordinator at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in the office of Career & Leadership Development. In this role, Laura advises students who are pursuing internships, assists employers with intern recruitment, and supports university faculty who oversee academic internships. She also provides students with job search readiness assistance through presentations, individual counseling, and social media. Laura earned her bachelors degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she majored in French and Political Science, and she received her masters degree in Counseling from UW-Whitewater. To learn more about Laura, read her blog, follow her on Twitter, or connect on LinkedIn.

Climbing the Corporate Lattice

Heather Trulock — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:18:35 +0000

My Grandfather was a high-power executive at an American manufacturing and engineering company. He was one of my role models; I thought if I could have at least half of the professional success he had, I would too be a successful businesswoman. Upon receiving my first full-time job offer with Sony Music, I asked for any words of wisdom and advice he was willing to share. He told me to always work hard, find passion in what I do, and to climb the corporate ladder.

This advice initially seemed to make sense–my Grandfather put in years of service to his company and was rewarded with an executive salary and retirement at the end of his career. However, four years into my career with Sony Music I saw a shift; from the corporate ladder to the corporate lattice.

Older employees who had spent years climbing the ladder were being laid off or became “stuck”. Younger employees were taking advantage of a multitude of opportunities throughout the company, zig-zagging versus climbing; taking one step back to take two steps forward; making a lateral move to take advantage of a new opportunity. At the time I didn’t know what to call it, however thanks to Deloitte I now have a name.

Why am I sharing this information with you? Because as a college student, it is important to understand that the world of work is changing. The shift from ladder to lattice means that your career path (generally speaking) will be different then your parents…and that’s okay.

The corporate lattice model will have an impact on how you construct your career, how you work, and how you balance career and life. Your career path will be multidirectional versus linear, which will hopefully provide you with many rich professional experiences.

Embrace the shift from ladder to lattice, and use this new way of navigating the workplace to your advantage. Sometimes a lateral move can be the best way to build your personal brand.

What are your thoughts on this new model? Do you think it will open up more career paths for you as future professionals?

Author

Four Essential Job and Internship Resolutions for 2012

Lesley Mitler — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 10:00:51 +0000

2012 is here. New year. New goals. New resolutions. Finding that killer internship or landing an excellent first job was probably on the list for many of you. But how do you actually get there? Here are four suggestions you can implement today to help you stand out as a candidate for that first job or coveted internship.

1. Update your resume at the end of each semester.

Even if you’re a freshman, prepare a resume the minute you get to school. But this is not just about having a resume–it is about building your resume. You should have new work experience, internships, research projects, community service or activities to add to your resume EACH semester. Think about this: You want to be concerned about how you are going to fit everything on one page, not how big the font has to be so you fill the page. If you are simply going to class and getting good grades, you are not doing enough. Potential employers want to hire people who have demonstrated energy, passion and commitment. It is not enough to say you are hard working and ambitious–you have to show it!

2. Look for appealing job descriptions.

Do this regardless of whether you’re actually going to be looking for a job soon. Reading about these job openings will help you understand what employers are looking for in terms of academic coursework and skills. If you don’t have the relevant qualifications, you can be sure to get them before you graduate. The same is true for internships – see what relevant background you need to be a competitive candidate and make sure you meet their requirements.

3. Become a social media expert.

Probably all of you are comfortable with Facebook. But from working with a lot of Millennials, I’ve noticed that many just use Facebook for social reasons and their understanding of social medial seems to end there. The reality is that almost every business is utilizing social media to a greater degree each year and anyone who is knowledgeable in this area will definitely attract more attention as a potential hire. And in terms of the application for your current and future job searches, social media is a key component for anyone who is looking for a job or a job change. If you ignore this as a resource, you are missing out on a tremendous amount of valuable information and opportunities to network.

4. READ.

If you really want to show your passion, learn as much as you can by reading. You can even use LinkedIn to browse various news sources and sign up to receive a digest of articles in your area of interest. Know about breakthroughs and innovations. Learn which companies are growing and relocating–all valuable information to fuel your search and to show your desire and commitment.

So get started now and good luck! That job or internship is certainly within reach.

Author

Guest Post on LinkedIn and Student Branding from RHL.org

Chelsea Rice — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 10:00:44 +0000

Personal promotion in college is extremely important. Anyone visiting this website is aware that going to college is about finding a career just as much as it is about acquiring an education. It’s a competitive world out there and to be successful it is essential to do more than just go to class and get good grades.

Online branding starts now

Personal promotion starts now with everything from your personal hygiene to the way you decorate your living space. Things like posters on your wall, tidiness, and even selecting the right dorm room bedding can be essential for reinforcing your personal image and branding yourself correctly for life after college. The good news is that this entire process can be fun and starting in college will give you a huge advantage over students who wait until after college to consider personal branding and a career.

Most college students are familiar with Facebook and are great at navigating this social media network. Unfortunately, Facebook isn’t the social media network of choice for many business professionals and potential employers. Facebook is time consuming and the truly ‘social’ nature of the service has caused many businesses and professionals to shy away in favor of Twitter and LinkedIn. If you haven’t joined either Twitter or LinkedIn yet, now is the time. Get a head start on this social mountain now while you are in college, so you will be ready to tackle the next batch of employment oriented social networks that have yet to be invented.

LinkedIn is for Research and Personal Branding

Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Applied to student branding this may seem like a senseless question, but is it? Do you really know exactly who you are and what you want to do? If your answer is not exactly, take some time to explore companies via LinkedIn.

This section is accessed through “companies” on any LinkedIn page. It is possible to search using either keywords or the company’s name. This will take you to the company profile section. Here you will find tons of useful information, including specializations, company statistics and company employee statistics.

You will be able to see things like the total number of new hires, current job postings, new titles for company employees and the names of people who have recently joined and left the company and their geographical distribution. You will also be able to see the most commonly attended universities, the highest degrees attained, and the years of work experience by employees in the company.

How do you use the research you’ve just gathered about companies on LinkedIn? Read Part II next week.

Author

Jen Thames is the Brand Manager for RHL.org, leading online supplier of dorm room bedding and residence hall linens. To learn more about her business, click here.