2 minute read
19 Tips for Landing Your First Job
Janet is an alumna of the Beta Eta Chapter and Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Hormel Foods
You are graduating and it's time to enter the daily grind! Now is when you should put together a resume that will "wow" your future employer. There are many resume help sites, but they can be a bit confusing. As a human resource professional, I review a lot of resumes and am always surprised by what I find.
Here are some things to avoid when preparing your resume:
1. Leaving out how to contact you.
2. Too much embellishment - remember, most companies do a thorough background check before any offer is finalized.
3. Creating a complex and/or difficult-to-read resume.
4. Using poor grammar and not using action words to start your sentences.
5. Not highlighting the reasons someone should hire you and why are you a fit for the business and culture.
6. Not including any type of people leadership or management in part-time jobs, including the management of money (if applicable).
7. Missing honors or achievements, no matter how small. Include academic honors and Alpha Sigma Tau awards you earned or had a hand in earning with your chapter.
8. Not including leadership roles held in various clubs or groups.
9. Not including community service or extracurricular activities as experience.
I got an interview! Now what?
Your killer resume just helped you get that interview with the company of your dreams. Now what? Well, there are a lot of interview pitfalls that, if not navigated well, can hurt your chances of getting your dream job. So what should you do?
1. Invest in a good quality suit. It doesn't have to be expensive – just something classic in black or navy – and not too flashy or revealing. You want to highlight your skills and what you bring to the table.
2. Research the company. Know what they do, their values, their community involvement, etc. Their website is a good resource and if the company is publicly-traded, I recommend listening to the latest earnings call and reading any and all news releases you can get your hands on. These will provide insight into how the company is doing, as well as help you prepare your questions.
3. Know your resume. I can't tell you how many times I have asked a candidate a question about something on their resume, and I received a blank stare. Be ready to give good examples of your experiences and accomplishments.
4. Don't be shy! Interviewers want to know that the candidate is a go-getter and truly wants the role.
5. Be ready to contribute. Articulate what you can do for the company. The interviewer also wants to know "what's in it for them."
6. Show eagerness to learn. You will likely be asked about experiences or skills you don't have. If you feel you can learn those skills, say so.
7. Don't slouch, fidget, or ramble. Sit up straight, keep your hands still, and try to be concise and accurate in your answers.
8. Be prepared. Arrive with good questions about the role and the company. Do not ask about pay or benefits. Those questions are for after they make you an offer.
9. Make eye contact. If your eyes are wandering, it can appear that you are making up your answers as you go along. Also, you don't want a stare down, but looking at your note paper on occasion is fine.
10. Finally, be yourself! It's too hard to pretend to be someone you are not. Most companies don't want overly formal people anymore, which is why it’s important to research the company and get a feel for the culture. Finding the right company with the right culture is crucial to being happy in your new role.
