6 Steps for First-Time Job Hunters
Students fill out resumes and job applications at the Town of Southampton's 11th Annual Job and Internship Fair, geared toward residents between the ages of 14 and 25. (May 15, 2012) Credit: Erin Geismar
Congratulations, you've done it! You made it through college, have your degree in hand and are finally ready to make your mark. You are now in the real world and it's time to get your professional life started.
If you are in the middle of this crossroad, it can be scary, exciting, confusing, overwhelming or all of the above. Following are some steps to make a successful college-to-real world transition.
"You should be open-minded about opportunities in companies and industries you might not have thought of before," she says. Once you have identified companies that you want to target, Webster suggests looking at their Web sites, reading news articles and talking to current employees to learn as much as you can. "You also need to look at a company's stability," she says. "Is the company going to be there for the long term?"
Focus on accomplishments and results you have achieved, rather than simple descriptions of experiences.
Use action words in your résumé and cover letter to describe your experiences, such as "initiated," "produced" and "managed."
If you are low on practical work experience, look to your part-time work, school activities or volunteer positions. "Evaluate all of your experience and translate how it applies to any job you might apply to," Webster says.
