If you’re not getting interviews, a few things might be coming into play. Take this test to see what might be holding you back from getting job interviews.
If you answered “YES” to any of these things, you need to reevaluate your job search strategy.
If you’re spending your time applying online…
You’re wasting your time. Online job boards are typically flooded with candidates, so standing out is close to impossible. Plus, even if you’re the most qualified candidate, if your resume has a single error in terms of formatting or content, it’s likely going to get automatically tossed out by automated filtering systems (or ATS) before a real person can actually see it. So, chances of someone calling you in for an interview are extremely slim.
If you have an objective statement on your resume…
You’re saying you’re behind the times. As shallow as it may seem, an outdated strategy increases your risk of falling victim to age discrimination before you even get a chance to prove yourself. Moreover, you’re wasting valuable real estate on the top of your resume. Instead of an objective statement, showcase your top qualifications there.
If you’re including subjective terms like “results-driven” on your resume…
You’re not saying much. Subjective terminology like “results-driven,” “team player,” “high-achiever,” and so on have been overused to the point that they don’t mean anything to recruiters. Zilch. Stick with the hard facts and skip the fluff. I have a video on how you can do this effectively...
If you use the same resume for every job to which you apply…
You’re selling yourself short. Every job is going to be a little different in terms of qualifications, hard skills, and other keywords. If you don’t tailor your resume to showcase your most relevant stuff, you risk losing out to the ‘other guy’ (or gal) and getting the boot from the ATS. (Read this article to for my #1 tip when it comes to customizing your resume!)
If you use the same cover letter for every job to which you apply…
You look just like everyone else. Your cover letter is the voice to your resume. It says what your resume can’t. If you don’t leverage that opportunity and share your story in your own words, you might as well skip writing a cover letter altogether (please don’t do this). Not sure what you need to say or how you should say it? Here are my top tips for writing a cover letter…
If your resume have excessive formatting or dense paragraphs…
You’re making it hard for recruiters to like you. Recruiters only spend about six seconds reading your resume, so you want to make it easy for them to find what they need. Too much formatting is distracting. You might think you’re highlighting everything, but you’re actually just making it harder to read (not only for the recruiter, but also for the ATS). So, dump excessive bolding, italics, and underlining. Also, break up any dense paragraphs with bullet points. Leverage that white space and draw the reader’s eye to the stuff you want to stand out the most.
Didn’t pass the test? It’s time to reevaluate your strategy.
Real talk. If you’re not getting job interviews, it’s time to reevaluate your strategy - because, obviously, this one isn’t working. Stop relying on online job boards. Use better keywords in your resume. Ditch that objective statement. Make sure you’re using the latest resume formatting techniques. Customize your materials every time. And, most importantly, know when to seek help!
Finding a job after college can be tough! There's stiff competition, and sometimes students are at the mercy of the economy that they graduate into. Many college grads often take minimum wage jobs or jobs that they're overqualified for in order to make ends meet.
The key to landing a job out of college is preparing for the job search process while still in school. Unfortunately, they don't always teach you about the job search process in school, so it's up to students to take responsibility for their future careers.
Here are some tips to put yourself in a position to land a job after college.
Be Thoughtful About Your Career Path
Do you know what the career options are for your degree? How competitive the industry is? What the average salary is for the type of role you're pursuing?
These are not questions you should be seeking to answer after graduation. These are all questions that should've been asked prior to declaring a major.
Research...research...research!
Knowing what you might be in for after graduation can help you with planning. You could meet with your advisor well in advance of graduation and look at potential internships and identify potential companies to work for, giving you a head start on your networking efforts.
If you failed to prepare like this prior to graduation, you did put yourself at an initial disadvantage, but you're certainly not doomed!
What If You're Unsure About Your Career Path?
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Even after college, some people are unsure about what they want to do for a career. If you find yourself in this situation, don't panic. You need to do an honest assessment of yourself and determine the valuable skills that you possess. Most importantly, ask yourself, "What are some of the things I love doing?"
Work It Daily also has resources that can assist you in your search. Our FREE Career Decoder Quiz will help you determine your professional persona. Knowing your professional persona will help you understand the skills you have that bring value to the job and what you find professionally and personally fulfilling.
In addition, whether you're a graduate or still a student, don't limit your opportunities to learn new skills.
Chances are you have interests outside of your course of study. You should be open to pursuing those interests. It could be that you're a health/science major with an interest in computers. Why not take some computer courses?
Interested in learning a trade? Electricians, plumbers, contractors, and auto mechanics are all in demand.
If you're still in school, you have an opportunity to take additional courses or decide on a double major or minor.
Options may be a bit more limited for recent grads, but there are always online courses, certification programs, or specialty course programs available. As long as you have a hunger for more knowledge, you should never stop wanting to learn. The more skills you have, the more career options are available to you. Options are important during the job search for recent grads.
Educate Yourself About The Job Search Process
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College can't prepare you for everything, and most of the lessons people learn from the job search process come from real-world experience. However, there are some things you can do to prepare.
First, research as many potential jobs as you can before graduation and identify some potential companies that you would like to work for (this is called your interview bucket list). Second, prepare multiple resumes tailored for the specific positions for which you're applying.
A recruiter needs to see the skills you have that apply to the position within the first six seconds of reading your resume. You should also prepare a disruptive cover letter where you really bring attention to yourself by telling a story about how you connect with the company.
The last thing you need to do is reach out and network. It's not enough to just send in a resume and cover letter and hope that you'll be contacted. Reach out to people who work at the company through LinkedIn and introduce yourself. Use the fact that you're a graduating student seeking knowledge to your advantage. There are professionals who enjoy the opportunity to mentor.
Even if these new connections don't translate into an immediate job, you've made your first professional contacts which could come in handy at some other point in time. Knowing how to conduct a proactive job search will serve you well throughout your professional life.
Remember, There's Nothing Wrong With Changing Career Paths
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Sometimes you find happiness and success in a career field that you didn't go to school for. That's okay (and normal). Life happens!
For new grads, the goal is usually to find work in your field of study and it's great when things work out that way. But as the job search process goes on you may fall into a job that you weren't planning to and end up liking it. If the job makes you happy and there's room for growth, there's nothing wrong with keeping it. It's a personal decision.
This will be true throughout your professional life. You may end up working in your field, but, as time goes on, priorities and life circumstances change. You may develop new skills that draw you into a new career direction. The goal is to always put yourself in a position to succeed and sometimes that means making a change.
Preparation and keeping an open mind are the two common themes when it comes to the job search for recent grads. There are no guarantees for new graduates, so you have to be ready for anything. Hopefully, by knowing what to expect, you'll know how to land a job after college and can land a job that matches your talents.
Here at Work It Daily, we understand how difficult it is to find a job and grow your career as a recent college grad. If you're struggling to find a job that's right for you, we can help.
We'd love it if you joined our FREE community. It’s a private, online platform where workers, just like you, are coming together to learn and grow into powerful Workplace Renegades.
It's time to find work that makes you feel happy, satisfied, and fulfilled. Join our FREE community today to finally become an empowered business-of-one!
This article was originally published at an earlier date.