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After years of pulling all-nighters, attending
seemingly endless classes, and racking up a torturous amount of debt,
the big payoff time has arrived: landing that first job in your chosen
career.
Often, what can separate a winning applicant from
an unsuccessful one isn't the academic preparations, but how fine-tuned
an approach is to a potential employer. Stay away from the deadly sins
of many first-time job applicants and you should find yourself ahead of
the curve.
Even before applying, some things could sabotage
your job search. Try to avoid posting things on social networking sites
like Facebook, or on your own homepage, that you wouldn't want a
potential employer to see. They might very well try Googling your name
to see what comes up. "It may later come back to haunt you," warns Penny
Debrowski, an employment advisor with the University of Manitoba.
Once you decide on a job to go after, your resume
and cover letter are the first points of contact. Yet, job recruiters
say many lack focus. The Internet may give you the ability to blast your
resume to dozens of employers simultaneously, but customization is a
much more effective approach.
Selma Lalji, a talent acquisition specialist with
human resources consulting firm Adecco Canada, sees hundreds of resumes
every week. Lalji says too many resumes and cover letters are generic
and don't relate to the position that the candidate has applied for. She
advises candidates take the time to tailor both to convince an employer
they are qualified.
"Keep your cover letter short and concise. State
your interest and mention some key areas you feel indicate your
strengths as they relate to the position," Ms. Lalji suggests. Be
specific about your skills and what you are looking for in a position,
avoiding vague references about job responsibilities and career goals.
While easily fixable with some simple software,
grammar and spelling mistakes are still showing up in many resumes and
cover letters, recruiters say. Nothing can make you look more
unprofessional. Once you succeed in landing a job interview, the same
need for focus and preparation applies. The goal will be to excel at
verbally presenting your relevant skills and experience.
Before walking into the interview, Ms. Lalji says
you must know what characteristics you would like to get across. "If you
lack job experience, be sure to think of examples before the interview
that demonstrate you have the skills and knowledge to perform the job
you have applied for," says Ms. Lalji.
Be familiar with the company or institution you are
applying to. Be familiar with yourself, as well. Ms. Debrowski says a
very common error is not being able to articulate just who you are to a
potential employer. "It's like being a salesperson, you've got to know
your product," she says.
When you're hit with the inevitable: "Tell me a bit
about yourself," don't just talk about your academic achievements, but
soft skills, such as a strong work ethic or leadership abilities that
might have been obtained from volunteering, Ms. Debrowski says.
Another common mistake is not answering the
question asked. If you are unsure about a question, ask the interviewer
to repeat it. Be clear and concise in your answer. If you have to talk
about negative experiences, point out what you learned from them, Ms.
Lalji says.
As a recent graduate, it's especially crucial to
project a willingness to learn and demonstrate your energy and
enthusiasm for the role you have applied to. "Few things are worse than
listening to a candidate drone on in a monotone voice about how great he
is with an indifferent expression on his face," Ms. Lalji warns. "If you
are not interested in or energized by your response, how can you expect
the interviewer to be?"
Despite the temptation, never speak badly of past
supervisors or employers. Interviewers will want to know how you will
fit into the company, and bringing up bad interpersonal experiences of
the past may backfire.
When the topic of salary comes up, be reasonable
about your expectations. Remember, it takes time to move up the ladder
and careers are about a progression of skills, ability and
responsibility, Ms. Lalji added.
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