Ah, that positive feeling you get when you sign your first job offer! It’s a feeling that falls somewhere between relief and euphoria. If you’re a new college graduate and still looking for that
first full-time job, I hope you experience those feelings – and soon!
Landing your dream job will not be a walk in the park. But don’t panic! We’re here to help. The team at Bayt.com has come up with these guidelines to help you start your job search off on the right foot
:
Create a Killer CV
Your CV is a dynamic document for your job search. It should be
truthful, simple, and professional. Customize your CV according to the jobs that you’re applying for and make sure it’s always updated, compelling, and complete. Remember, sloppy grammar and spelling mistakes on your CV are a big “no”.
As a fresh graduate, bring your education into focus and include relevant courses, extracurricular activities, any
volunteering work you’ve done, scholarships, internships, dissertations, awards, honors, and GPA (if it’s impressive!). You can also include links to multimedia samples of projects you’ve worked on, and a
professional video CV to help you stand out from the crowd.
Bayt.com allows you to create multiple CVs and cover letters. Your CV and cover letter (see next step) are usually the first interaction you will have with a potential employer, so use them to leave a good impression. Completing your Bayt.com CV will ensure that employers searching for your skills will always find you.
Write the Perfect Cover Letter
Your
cover letter personalizes your CV and summarizes who you are, what you are interested in, and why you are suitable for the job. No CV should leave without a cover letter. More tips to writing the perfect cover letter can also be found on our
blog.
Be Found Online: Create a Public Profile
Bayt.com research has indicated that the internet is the preferred method of recruitment. Employers use the internet to hire, but also research candidates online before hiring. The best way to make use of this new trend is to
build a Public Profile on Bayt.com. A Public Profile is your online business card and will allow you to brand yourself professionally and gain visibility with potential employers.
Prepare for Your Job Interview
You aren’t going to nail every single interview without a little practice. Start practicing by having a friend or family member ask you the
most common interview questions, such as “Why are you the best candidate for the job?” and “What's your greatest strength?” (and your biggest weakness). Develop an elevator pitch: a 30-second speech about yourself and your goals. Use your elevator pitch when you’re asked in an interview, “Tell me a little about yourself.” Remember that interviews are all about
first impressions, so make yours count.
Smarten Up Your Online Presence
What happens in Vegas no longer stays in Vegas. Hiring managers, recruiters and just about anyone can find you online these days. Make sure that you’ve cleaned up pictures you wouldn’t want a potential employer to see, whether on Facebook, Instagram or anywhere else on the web.
Finally, create an email address that is either designated for your job search activities or at the very least, make sure that it’s professional. You want to stay away from addresses like hot_chick92@.... .
Starting a new job can be difficult and downright stressful, especially if it’s your first post-graduation job. We hope these tips can make your transition easier.
Why don't you share this article with friends who are also graduating this year to help them out in their job search?
Congratulations, class of 2013, and good luck with your job search!
