1. Get the little things right and the big things will follow
Applying for a new job is exciting! However, it can also be stressful. Many students let this stress overwhelm them. Don’t let this happen to you. You can do better. When looking for a job or internship, it often pays to do the little things right.
Whenever you have an interview, keep a copy of your resume in a nice folder and take it along on the day. Know who your conversation partner will be. Know how to get to the location of the interview. Arrive five to ten minutes early. Not only will this make you look organized and prepared, most importantly it will increase your confidence. And confidence leads to success!
2. Figure out what you want – then go after it
What do you think you should do in order to be successful in your job search? The answer: reflect and take action. Success always begin with reflection. You should ask yourself a couple of question: at what point in your career are you now? What are your current skills? What can you offer? Then: where do you want to go? What are your short-term and long-term goals? For what kind of company do you want to work? What responsibilities do you want to have? If you don’t ask yourself these questions, you are going into the process blind.
Then, take action – even if you feel like you’re not ready for it yet. Remember: failure is cheap. Many people approach their job search with the handbrake on. However, being proactive is the surest route to finding a job quickly. Reach out to people on LinkedIn to network. Apply to multiple vacancies. Send motivation letters. Get after it!
3. Get ready for the interview
When you get an interview, at the very least, have a look at the company’s website to familiarise yourself with their history and what they do. There will often be a mission statement that can help you get a sense of the company culture and the core values they may expect too. A quick google of the company’s name is also handy, as you can find out about recent press coverage or noteworthy achievements.
Showing that you’ve taken the time to learn about the business is always a good way to impress your interviewers. Look into developments in the industry as well, as this will show that you are engaged and clued-in. Give yourself enough time to really do this properly as you might find there’s more to a company than you expected, and it helps to have at least a day to actually let all that information sink in.
