5 Pieces of Career Advice for the Graduating Class of 2017
Here is my advice for the graduating class of 2017:
1. Build up your ‘career fuel’ while you’re still in college.
Grades are important but so much of what you learn will happen outside the classroom. Get involved in activities that show your passions, connect you to new people and push you outside your comfort zone.
2. Prepare a job-search battle plan.
It is a war. There are tons of choices and tons of competition. It can be overwhelming, but take ACTION. It will not happen on its own.
Create a hit list of industries, companies and individuals that might be of interest.
Build a spreadsheet to keep track of contacts, websites, deadlines and any follow-up items. Do the spreadsheet.
3. Participate in on-campus recruiting.
Your Career Center is not responsible for finding you a job -- you are. But they can be really helpful to know what’s out there.
Prepare a CV and rehearse for interviews. Practice is extremely helpful.
Go to on-campus events. It’s as important to know what you DON’T like as what you DO like.
4. Work your connections.
Friends, family, professors, alumni. Increases your response rate by 10x. Send a simple e-mail to ask for a brief meeting or call. Even 15 minutes will open the door.
Do your homework. LinkedIn + Wikipedia = inexcusable to not increase your knowledge about a company or role.
Spend at least as much time on questions to ask interviewers as answers to what they might ask you.
Say thanks.
5. Stay with it.
You should expect 95%+ to come back as rejections. It’s perfectly normal. Keep working it and something will come your way.
If you get a chance to get off the couch and get in the game with an internship, project work or freelance assignment, TAKE IT! Even if you hate it, you are going to learn something useful.
So, remember:
- Build Fuel
- Create a Battle Plan
- Embrace the Career Center
- Use your Connections
- Stay with it
To learn more about career strategies that help you get in the game, read The Long View: Career Strategies to Start Strong, Reach High, and Go Far.
General Manager at National Corporations Development Magazine
8 年www.onelife.eu/signup/moneycometh1
Rungta group of Engineering &technology,bhilai
8 年Its really helpful for me..............thanks
Risk & Compliance Manager in Financial Crime Consulting Practice
8 年Hi Brian, thanks for writing this article. I will be graduating in August 2017 and find these tips super helpful. In addition, I am curious to learn more about number 4, could you elaborate more on once we score/schedule the meeting, how should we prepare to structure the informational interview, e.g. ask about their experience, how to sell ourself and show your interests, connect on a genuine level, etc? Best, Scarlett
Churroland owner and Financial Crime Manager
8 年Ayse Renee Aldemir