So it’s finally over. After the days of taking out student loans, scrounging for scholarships and the long, boring hours at your work-study job, the real world is finally here. And that means it is time to get a real job. Whether you are interviewing for an ad agency or a law firm, there are some universal tricks that can help you land your dream job. You don’t want to end up living in your parents’ basement to pay off your student debt, right?
Your resume actually is important. It’s often the first look a potential employer will get of you, so make a good first impression. Keep it no longer than a page and make the design clean, simple and easy to scan. This may mean cutting a few things, but your employer doesn’t need to know that you won Employee of the Month at your high school job anyway. Keep awards and accomplishments current — no more than five years old. Lead with your work experiences and keep the line about your education on the bottom. And don’t forget to bring a few copies to your interview in case they want to reference it.
Study up. You wouldn’t walk into a final without at least some studying, so why would you do the same with a job interview? Know the company that you are applying for — its history, accomplishments, goals for the future. Research its competitors, its markets and the challenges it faces. Then use that knowledge to explain how you are the perfect fit for the company. It doesn’t take more than a Google search or a few phone calls, and showing that initiative will make you stand out.
Dress professionally. No, your Forever 21 cropped blazer does not cut it for dress clothes anymore. You’re a real adult now. Go buy some real dress clothes. No short skirts or T-shirts. It actually does make a difference.
Use specific experiences instead of general answers. Telling the story of how you spent the entire weekend in the office working on a project under deadline is much more powerful than simply telling your interviewer that you are devoted to your job. Using specific accomplishments, their outcomes and the lessons you learned are much more memorable than speaking in generalizations.
Network. That last person who had the job you are applying for? There’s no one better to tell you the inside tips and exactly what the position requires and the employers are looking for. Go find them — on LinkedIn, through asking around. And stay in touch with everyone you meet from a company you might be interested in. Even if you don’t get the job on the first try, staying in contact with the interviewer can up your chances next time. Your business cards may finally come in handy — use them.
