If you’re a senior this year, then you understand the looming dread or maybe sheer panic that ensues when someone asks, “What are you doing after graduation?” While the thought of landing your dream job (heck, any job) in this economy seems daunting, fear not- there are some steps you can take to make the search a little less terrifying. If you’re a junior looking for an internship or an underclassman looking for what to expect, these tips can definitely help you as well.
1. Take advantage of helpful advisors. The first step in determining where to start your job or internship search is to seek the advice of professionals. Seeking advisors in your major is critical. They have helped hundreds of college students in your same field land jobs and internships and can help you too! Advisors have professional and alumni contacts that can make all the difference when scoring your first major job. Go to Advising and set up an appointment!
2. Perfect your resume. The typical recruiter looks at your resume for 5 seconds. That’s it. So, you want yours to stand out. You have one page to expand upon the experiences you have had in order to prove to a potential employer that you have what it takes. Your resume should be no longer than one page, with a font no smaller than 11pt. Although you may feel the urge to put as much as you can possibly fit on your resume, focus on key experiences that will contribute to the potential job you are applying for. Describe your experiences in tangible, precise ways. Career services at UNC has helpful handouts for resumes and cover letters.
3. Craft the complete cover letter. A well-written cover letter is just as important as your resume. After the correct header, your cover letter should be broken into the following paragraphs: Attention, Interest and Fit. The Attention paragraph details your reason for writing and the position you are applying for, including how you found it. The Interest paragraph describes why you are interested in the position and what appeals to you about the company you are seeking a position with. Lastly, the fit paragraph is where you sell yourself. Describe your education, experience and what you will bring to the position. Conclude by thanking the employer and signing the letter.
4. Visit Career Services. Career Services at UNC has a variety of resources to take advantage of. Take your resume and cover letter in to be proofread, participate in mock interviews and attend networking nights. Search Careerolina and alumni networks for potential jobs or networking contacts.
5. Make a game plan. Determine the steps you will take in order to complete your job-hunt. Decide what types of companies you will apply to and mark the application deadlines in your calendar. But most of all, don’t stress! How many adults who graduated college 20 years ago are still at the same organization or even in the same kind of career that they were when they graduated? Next to none. There are many paths you can take to finding your dream career. If you get rejected from a potential job opportunity don’t give up!