Saturday, November 14, 2015

How to Land Your First Entry Level Job

So you want to find a job in a big city, majored in some sort of business major, but honestly have no clue where to start?

Looking for a job that fits you perfectly after graduation can be tough!



Employers are typically looking for 1-2 years of experience. Which can often make students (like myself) feel like:





Good Entry-Level positions can be tough to come by. After speaking with different employers, I have come up with some tips students can do through out college to help them land their first entry level job after graduation.

1.  Networking

It’s not always what you know, but who you know. People like to do business with people they know and like. Many job listings can put applicants in competition with several other people, however when you are recommended that puts you in a much smaller group. Also, create a LinkedIn account to connect with peers and employers on more of a professional level




2.  Set Yourself Apart


Job applicants that receive interviews and are winning jobs have found a way to differentiate themselves from competition. Sell your potential to the company.  Be able to show how the skills you have learned and gained from past experiences can help you be successful at the job you are trying to land.  Getting involved on your campus with organizations/groups can be attractive to employers as well.






3. Get an Internship

Getting an internship is one of the best ways to help you gain experience and get your foot in the door with an entry level position. Find a company that you would love to work for someday and apply to become an intern during school.







4. Build a Social Media Presence

Building your own person brand via social media is a great way to help get the attention of employers.  Almost all recruiters use social media for referencing potential applicants. Once you have created your personal brand, let your audience know you're human by showing off your personality and really interacting with them.


5 comments:

  1. Great advice, Taylor! I definitely agree it's difficult to overcome employers looking for experience but you offer some good ideas of ways to set yourself apart! Best of luck in the job search :)

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  2. I'm seeing similar content to what helped me recruit college kids for the Southwestern Advantage internship. Good stuff

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  3. I have been in the workforce for over 25 years and being on both ends of hiring and being hired, I can say that you've got it right when you've got these things in place. Any or all of these suggestions can lead you to a great job! Put them into place and you cant go wrong!

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    Replies
    1. These are all important tips. As a college advisor I talk about each one with my students.

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  4. Taylor these are all very helpful when looking to land your first job! I have just accepted my first job offer and without experience from my internship this summer with the Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation I would have never landed my job! I moved to a whole new city and had to find connections and network with others to find a job that fit me. Great advice!

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