Are you about to apply for your first job? If so, then congratulations! You’re taking the first step toward launching a successful career. But before you send out your resume and cover letter, there are some things you need to do first. In this post, we’ll explore what those things are and how they can help with your application process.
Research well before applying
When you’re looking for a job, it’s important to do your research. Here are some tips that will help you in the process of researching:
- Research the company and its mission statement. This should give you an idea of what they value and what they expect from their employees.
- Research the industry in which they operate. What are their current trends? How are people in this industry succeeding? How can you use those insights to better yourself as a candidate?
- Research the job role itself (the tasks, responsibilities etc). This way you’ll know exactly what your part would be like if hired at this company/organization/institution etc.
Also make sure not just focus on one thing but try researching multiple aspects such as salary range, benefits packages etc…
Set your expectations
Now that you’ve got a handle on things, it’s time to set your expectations. The job market is flooded with applicants, and getting through the first round of interviews can be difficult. And even then, there’s no guarantee that you’ll get the job. Don’t let this discourage you though! If anything, this should motivate you to work harder and be more selective about where and how often you apply for jobs.
A good way to start is by creating a spreadsheet with several columns:
- Job Title
- Company Name
- Job Description
Keep your documents ready
If you’re looking for a job, chances are you’ll have to submit resumes and other documents. Before applying, it’s important to ensure that these documents are up-to-date and ready for application.
- Resume: Your resume is the first thing that hiring managers will see when they look at your application. Make sure it’s free of typos and grammatical errors. Remember that resumes should only include relevant information about your career history: keep out any college activities or minor jobs from decades ago!
- Certificates/diplomas: If you’ve received any certificates from courses or degrees from colleges or universities, keep them handy. Make sure all the documents are well organised. Keep safe important documents such as diplomas, get diploma cover or even better get a replacement fake diploma. You don’t need to carry the original everywhere, the replacement diploma will work just fine. Also, save the soft copies of important documents on your device.
Get recommendations and references
When applying for your first job, it’s important to get recommendations and references. Recommendations are letters written by people who can speak highly of your skills and abilities as a worker. References should be people who have worked with you on an official basis (e.g., your university dean, professors or your mentor). Ask them to share specific examples of how they saw the required qualities in action. If possible, include names and phone numbers so employers can contact them directly if they need more information about what you did in the past.
Conclusion
If you want to land your first job or internship, then it’s important that you are prepared. Research well before applying, set your expectations, network well and connect with employers. Keep your documents ready and consider internships. You should also get recommendations and references from previous employers who know what kind of work ethic you have in order to make sure that whoever hires you will be getting the best candidate for their position!
