Looking for your first full-time job isn’t easy: You want employers to notice your application, but you know you’re up against hundreds of other candidates – including your classmates. Don’t sweat it: You’re going to get hired, especially if you’ve got the 7 items below in your arsenal. Trust us, this senior year checklist will bring all the offers to the yard.
1. Professional headshot
Employers are judging you based on how you present yourself, so if your online job search profile has a picture of you taking a bathroom selfie (is that a seriously a toilet in the background?) or a selfie with your best friend (which one of you is applying for the job?), employers are not going to think you’re serious about your search. We’ve seen the effects first hand of how certain photos can help or hurt students’ chances of getting hired, so put your energy into uploading your best photograph so that employers will see the best side of you! (P.S. If you’re concerned about the cost, ask someone in the photography department at your school to help you out.)
2. Update your public profile
Imagine if you handed in a resume with only two or three details about yourself: Your application probably wouldn’t last 5 seconds in the process. That’s why it’s extremely important to fill out your public profile, which is the equivalent of an online resume during your job search. Include as many details as possible to ensure that employers have a complete picture of who you are as a candidate: your experiences, your accomplishments, your skills and interests. On WayUp, having a robust public profile is a huge advantage because employers search for students with specific skills and qualifications, so the more details you fill out, the more you’ll be able to match with the open positions on our site.
3. Online portfolio and examples of your work
Hands down, you are slaying the job search if you have an online portfolio – whether a personal Squarespace website, a WordPress blog or even a YouTube channel. Having an online footprint of your accomplishments shows employers a consistent and well-rounded picture of you — and allows your hard work to speak for itself. Biggest advantage of all? Employers will be Google searching your name, and instead of finding photos of you at a party from last Saturday at the top of their results (yikes), they’ll see all the productive and impressive ways you’ve pursued your interests. Go you.
4. Email signature
Your email signature is a great way to promote your personal and professional branding. You can upload a link to your public profile or to a video that you created (or one that was made about you!). That way, you make it easy for employers to see that you’re smart about getting your name out there and you’re determined to make your professional mark.
5. Personalized cover letter
If you’re still beginning your cover letters with a “To Whom It May Concern,” then it’s time to hit the delete button. There’s another person on the other end reading your cover letter and the best way to connect with that person is to take the time to research and include a real name in your greeting.
Tailoring the body of your cover letter to each position you’re applying for also goes a long way in getting your application noticed. Yes, it’s a ton of work, but the most important thing to remember is that your personal story should give employers the perfect example of how you will carry yourself professionally — that, and it should be applicable to the position.
6. Letter of recommendation
If you haven’t asked a past employer for a letter of recommendation letter, now is absolutely the time to do it. Having an employer speak highly of you in writing gives future employers faith in your ability to do a job well. Not sure how to ask for one? We’ve got you covered.
7. List of references
If you’re ready with a list of 2-3 professional or academic references who can vouch for your candidacy, you’ll have employers asking, “When can you start?” Employers are always looking for proof that you can walk the walk, so make sure you’ve listed the names and contact information of people who have seen your work ethic and will speak highly of you.
Extra bonus? Most of these items make great answers when family friends ask you, “So, how’s the job search going?” (“Pretty good, just putting the finishing touches on my online portfolio for Google’s background check.”) Good luck, seniors – we know you can do this!
