As the job market continues to change and unemployment continues to hover near 10%, college seniors all over the country are constantly faced with the million dollar question as they head towards graduation: what will you do after you graduate? For those of us not planning to head to graduate school, we must find ways to make ourselves to stand out amongst thousands of other applicants with similar credentials.
Twitter
Twitter is the best way to get your name out there. Create a twitter account and start following accounts that have similar interests as yours. If you are interested in a job in the journalism industry, follow industry professionals and do your best to “meet them” over twitter.
Many companies are reporting that they are now using LinkedIn to find new employees more than they ever have before. Think of LinkedIn as your online resume and make sure it is filled out in the best way possible – write out detailed descriptions of past job positions. Unlike an actual paper resume, you have much more space to play with. You can also include a photo, which helps employers put a human face to a name – something a paper job application and resume don’t allow for.
Start a blog
Creating your own blog can serve as your own online portfolio. If you connect your twitter and your LinkedIn account to your blog, you can show any professional contacts you meet some samples of work you have done.
Get Involved on Campus
Many professional organizations have college equivalents. For example, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) is affiliated with the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). You can meet industry professionals through these organizations who could possibly help you find jobs or can pass on your resume to other employers.
Go to Career Fairs
Many employers visit career fairs in hopes of finding good candidates for job openings. As opposed to have to wade through a large pile of applications, they have college students standing in front of them with a resume and the answers to a variety of interview questions. Bottom line: it makes their life much easier.
Visit the Career Center
Most schools have some kind of career center, but most students never take the time to walk through the doors. Career center staff can help with career counseling, interview skills, resume building and job placement and offer a ton of other useful resources. Career centers often have employers come to campus to speak to students about possible job opportunities available as well.
Whether you take advantage of one or all of these tips, make sure to always be careful of what you are posting on the internet. If you are creating a twitter account to meet industry professionals, don’t tweet at 2am on a Thursday night while you’re leaving the bar. If you go to a career fair, make sure to dress professionally and look presentable. It’s all about basic common sense. Good luck!
