ALWAYS BE PREPARED

You Never Know Who You Will Meet...

You may have heard people say that a job search can feel like full-time employment, which requires you to be prepared to meet anyone at anytime, anywhere. When searching for a job or internship, it is important to treat every aspect of the search process with care. The most important aspect to consider, however, is the impression you are making on those you meet throughout the process.

Some college students feel as though they are leading double lives- caught somewhere between being a student and being a professional. When beginning your job search, it is important to remember that networking opportunities can arise at any time…

Consider this…

Imagine that you show up groggily to your Advertising class one morning, wearing sweatpants and the same wrinkled t-shirt you slept in last night. You find a seat in class, take a sip of your coffee and attempt to open your eyes against the bright lights. Just another day in class…

Until your professor announces that he has brought in a guest speaker today. And that speaker happens to be the Advertising Director for the company you would give anything to work for after graduation. His presentation is great, and you learn a lot about the company. After he has finished speaking and class is dismissed, he invites anyone who has questions to stay after class to speak with him.

You instantly wish you looked slightly more presentable as you extend your hand to reach for that business card…

The lesson learned…

Throughout your job search, sudden events such as this one are guaranteed to arise. The recruiter for a large company may dine at the restaurant where you work; you may be introduced to an organization’s president one day while at a coffee shop or local diner. You may even run into someone who, unbeknownst to you, will be interviewing you weeks later.

The important thing to realize is that the job search truly is a full-time job, and cannot be turned off. People who can make huge contributions to your job search may turn up at a moment’s notice, and we all know first impressions are the ones that matter.

Sure, recruiters know you are a college student. But dressing and behaving like a professional as often as possible will help others to envision you as a young professional or potential new hire.

Job search rules to live by…

  Start thinking of yourself as a professional rather than a student. Soon enough, you will be making that transition, so try it on for size now. Practicing to be a professional early on will make the move from student to working man or woman easier when the time comes.

 When getting dressed each morning, think to yourself: “Who might I meet today?” Resist the urge to throw on your lounge clothes, and put a little effort into your physical appearance before heading out the door. You never know who you might run into- a potential contact, a future interviewer, a company president…

College career centers often allow employers and recruiters to set up informational tables in the cafeteria or student union. Don’t risk missing a great opportunity to network because you are dressed inappropriately and might make a bad first impression.

 Try to keep drinking and party behavior to a minimum during your job search. You will find soon enough that personal lives are not always separate from professional lives. Young professionals who continue college behaviors are likely to be seen as naïve, irresponsible and immature by colleagues. Although you are not yet in a professional setting, it is important to realize that employers and future colleagues are everywhere.

This is especially important to keep in mind if you are applying for jobs in the same town or city as your college. Bad reputations can be difficult to repair, so make an effort to keep the party behavior in check.

Certain career fields place high emphasis on good moral character and citizenship in their hiring practices, providing you with another reason to cut back on the partying. For example, a DUI or drinking underage violation can prevent an education, criminal justice or social work major from getting hired.

 Be polite to everyone with whom you interact. Imagine showing up to an interview only to find that the interviewer is the same person you gave a certain gesture to that same morning on the highway? Or imagine that you were rude to a customer at your part-time job, only to discover that person is making the hiring decision for the position you just applied for.

There are plenty of college students out there who can share similar stories of bad luck. Think twice before taking frustrations out on those with whom you interact on a daily basis. You really never know who is watching.

 Beware of the ‘unassuming greeter’. Some companies strategically use other young professionals or interns to greet candidates as they arrive for interviews. Although being greeted by someone who appears to be just like you is a comforting welcome, beware of how you conduct yourself in this situation.

The company has set up a trap that is an easy one to fall into. This strategy is aimed to test the new candidate’s level of professionalism, and the events and conversation that take place in the waiting room will surely be reported back to the interviewer. Avoid engaging in conversation topics such as drinking, relationships, coursework or nightlife with whoever is accompanying you in the waiting room.

Bottom Line...

ALWAYS BE PREPARED!