Navigate your search, get hired and survive your first professional job

Companies of all sizes and sectors are fine-tuning their attention towards the Millennial and Gen Z employee candidate pool. Recruiters and hiring managers are learning new ways to attract, train, keep, and advance the biggest generation in the Canadian workforce - as Boomers embark on their retirement exodus.

Generational differences are shifting the hiring landscape, traditional workplace rules are being overhauled, and job seekers are caught between old-school workplace expectations and new-school ideals. If you’re a Millennial or Gen Z job-seeker, these tips will help you navigate your search, get hired and survive your first professional job.

Create a target list

There are 30 million companies on LinkedIn and 20 million open job listings. 90 million senior-level LinkedIn influencers and 63 million in decision-making positions make it possible for job-seekers to align their wish-list to the right people, companies and groups.

70% of millennial workers would rather telecommute than come to the office, according to Canadian Business. As the world adjusts to a new normal, companies that previously scoffed at this highly sought-after work-life balance may now be more open to the idea, opening up even more opportunity.

Figure out how you help

The answer to the question ‘why should I hire you’ needs to get to the point – and separate you from the herd – quickly. The top soft skill that companies need the most on LinkedIn is creativity, while the top hard skills are blockchain and cloud computing. Create a few versions of your ‘how you help’ impact statement, one about 10 words, and a longer one - about 25 to 30 words - using keywords that differentiate you. For example, my personal impact statement is: “I’m a B2B marketer who’s passionate about print.” Choose your words wisely. According to Hubspot, the most overused profile word is ‘specialize’.

Become a LinkedIn all-star

When it comes to networking and job-finding, there’s a reason why LinkedIn tops the list. According to LinkedIn Business statistics, there are 87 million Millennials on the platform, with 11 million in decision-making positions. 46 million of them are students and recent college graduates.

LinkedIn profiles with professional headshots get 14 times more profile views, says inc.com. Head over to Costco—or anywhere passport-picture taking is offered – for an affordable, professional-grade digital head-and-shoulders shot. Be true to your brand. Dress the part. Wear your glasses. Be confident. Smile.

Inspect your social media presence

Do you live your life from one selfie to the next? Minimize any negative impact by removing or limiting access to images and posts that could put you in a bad light. Do a full review of your privacy and notification settings and update profiles with your new headshot, impact statement and email address or contact info.

Craft your resume

It takes more than a resumé to land a job, but you won’t land a job without it. No matter where you are in your career path, or how long it’s been since you last dusted off your CV, take advantage of the templates, tools, technologies and best practices at your disposal to convince your target list how you can help them – and why they should hire you.

Present yourself professionally

When heading out to a job interview, whether it’s in-person or virtual, your physical presence speaks volumes. If you have bedhead (or hathead), noticeably unkempt nails – or appear haggard, frazzled, or frayed – you are not sending a positive message. Keep it clean, neat and professional – check your background too – and send the message that you are on top of your responsibilities and can be trusted to handle those of the company.

Tips to survive the first three months

The first three months of any job are a whirlwind of new people and new processes all blended in with new and old expectations. Respect workplace boundaries and learn how to balance your professional and personal relationships. Learn the basics of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and become an expert in mail, calendar, collaboration and meeting platforms.

Be five minutes early for everything, whether live or virtual. Be ready to take notes, clarify and ask questions and write down the answers for future reference. Be organized, using a consistent and logical file structure for easy collaboration – and effective time management. Finally, take the time to learn from anyone with tenure over 10 years. Their ways may seem outdated, but their experience and wisdom – blended with your energy, drive, passion and ideas – will help foster a new era of business excellence.

Joanne Gore

Joanne Gore is a B2B marketer who’s passionate about print and has spent the last three decades helping companies maximize their marketing and communications efforts. Founder of Joanne Gore Communications, she helps companies tell their story to a new generation of print and business buyers. Email: joanne@joannegorecommunications.com Follow her on Twitter: @joannegore121.