College career counseling will cover the importance of doing the right check list of things to prepare your resume, and maybe get a LinkedIn Profile, however this results in only 17% of Graduates having a job before April, and then for most, the search is on. This blog takes you from post college counseling to active job search, on how to use the tools with tips to leverage the POWER of social media with a well prepared Job Search and ready Resume and LinkedIn Profile Package.
This 3 part blog series will highlight the things job seekers find most difficult when actually PERFORMING their active job search.
They are looking for jobs too, before you and after you. You are positioned in a stack of applications and resumes before and after them.
Competitive advantage wins, and this involves targeted search, social networking, and a resume/LinkedIn profile for success.
This 3 part series will help Recent College Graduates to Target opportunities & "Job Search Package. Part 1 is Job Search "target" companies-- target your companies, and prepare your resume and profile material to "hit" those targets. Part 2 looks at LinkedIn and Social Media, Part 3 optimizing your Resume and Career Portfolio elements and social media.
- Part 1: Job Search Where do you want to live and work?
- Part 2:
- LinkedIn Profile How do you present your skills and advantages?
- Resume Where have you worked before- work, volunteer, internships, projects?
- Part 3: Social Media and (Optional) Portfolio blogs, sample project work or writing samples supporting your experience?
JOB SEARCH TIPS: I applied everywhere I could think of already and the phone is not ringing, off the hook yet. How do I identify employers that might be looking for my skills, with a career path for the future?
At this point your objective is just to generate a list of potential companies NOT to apply at all of them. We will offer jobsearch tips on how to use social media, your LinkedIn Profile, Resume and Job Portfolio, to help you gain advantage, in the next 2 parts of this 3 part series!
Track your brainstorming from a list of potential jobs and contacts to trace where you apply. Google Apps Spreadsheets allow you to view and edit, as well as track the list and manage it any time on most devices-- which is helpful since you might not be in front of your laptop when a recruiter or hiring manager calls.
Here is a very cool on the fly example GoogleSheets Job Tracking.. use the first JOBS sheet to generate a list of companies, and learn about them, and use the second CONTACTS sheet to track who you talk to about the opportunities.
WHO DO YOU KNOW THAT MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP? Dont worry if this list is short, but do not overlook the power of a professional network, since once in mainstream employment, 90% of jobs are found through networking. Starting with where you aspire to live and work, do a brainstorming of what companies or cross over industries might also be of interest. Make a list of potential companies that have a presence where you are, or where you want to be, at your graduation party or shortly thereafter, reach out to your friends and family members who might live in the area you want to be, and ask if they would be willing to do an informational interview for what it's like to work in that industry/area/company, and what suggestions they have for you.
- Suggestions of companies you have not thought of and /or referrals for opportunities?
- Suggestions of other people who they know that would like talking to you and might be looking to hire?
- Search "top employers in (desired area)".
- About.com Search has administered lists of best companies or best by industry (Examples Best Employers in Seattle or Phoenix Arizona Job Opportunities)
- Google search Wikipedia often has a list for example in metropolitan areas of companies by industry. (Example San Francisco).
- Google search local newspapers for lists. Local chambers, or highlights of local businesses recently listed are highlighted in local articles. (Example Seattle Business: 100 best companies to work for)
- Glassdoor has SOO much by metropolitan area, company profiles, employee reviews, interviews, salaries and jobs by location. (Example Best Places to Work in Chicago)
- Inc 5000 list lists company profile, # employees, revenue, industry, city & state. Refine the list by industry and location. (Example "Top IT Service Companies in Colorado")
- Search Job Boards aggregators to see a broad list of jobs by a targeted location:
- CollegeRecruiter the leading job board for college students searching for internships and recent graduates hunting for entry-level jobs and other career opportunities.
- Indeed available in 19 different country specific versions
- SimplyHired available in 17 different countries, and added features of job search/social networking applications
- CareerJet available in 50 countries, and 20 languages.
- Jobsafari European Aggregator in 10 countries and 8 languages
- Feedback Please add comments to share your feedback of other jobsearch resources you find helpful!!
OTHER JOB SEARCH RESOURCES FOR RECENT GRADUATES: - Business Insider: How to get a Job After College
- The Savvy Intern: Want the Job? Stop being Impossible to Hire
- About.com: Job Search- JibberJobber and Job Search Management
- Career Change Challenge: 50+ Jobsearch Statistics You Need to Know
- Facebook Group: Jobs N Career Success Network
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