This New College Grad Still Had a Few Things to Learn

By Guest Blogger Kelly T.

When I graduated from Hofstra University in 2010, I had a world full of options available to me! Although I had $90K in student loan debt, I was confident that I would find a great job that I loved. I was ready to move on to the next phase of my life — I was now an independent adult!

Like so many of my peers, when I graduated I did not have a job lined up. But, I was not worried. I would get a temporary job for a few months before I landed my dream job. Well, my reality was not quite as ideal as I had pictured. Sure, I did get a temp job, but it was not easy. And the $16 an hour wage did not even come close to paying my bills. You see, when you have ninety thousand dollars in loans, they expect you to somehow pay $775 a month! Are they freaking kidding me? That is half a mortgage payment!

I was very frustrated! I could not get the numbers to work — even on paper. My net monthly pay was just over $2,000. At first, I thought that was great! I had never made that much money before! But, then I did the math…

Student loans = $775

Apartment/Utilities = $800

Food = $400

Gas = $200

Entertainment = zero

Unexpected Expenses = zero

Savings = zero

MONTHLY EXPENSES $2,175

MONTHLY INCOME $2,107

Even with a roommate, a zero entertainment budget and borrowing my father’s car so that I did not have a car payment, I was not able to make it on my own without starving to death. I wanted to be able to go out once in a while, and I was getting really sick of Ramen noodles. There was no way I was going to become a “Boomerang Kid”! I did not want to move back in with my parents for many different reasons:

My parents had raised me to be independent, and I was eager to be out on my own.
I loved being in control of my own time and not having to answer to anyone.
My relationship with my mother was so much better now that I was not subjected to her rules, curfews, etc. Living on my own took all the tension out of our relationship.
I wanted the freedom to have ice cream for dinner, keep the apartment only as clean as I wanted to, and have the gang over for margaritas on a Tuesday night.

I could not believe that I could not find a better job! Like all super-connected Millennials, I use technology for everything, entertainment, news, banking and used it in my job search. I scoured online job boards and applied online to hundreds of jobs. I could not even get an interview for a permanent job. I thought I was doing all the right things — but I was very wrong.

So, I contacted a Professional Resume Writer/Career Coach who had helped a friend of mine get a new job. She pointed out to me that my resume was not compatible with Applicant Tracking Systems and it did not “sell” me well. It was too generic, and I was sending out the same version to every company. She also explained to me why I needed to use LinkedIn to network and show potential employers that I had transitioned from “college kid” to “young professional”.

Well, I am very glad that I hired Trish Thomas of The Resume Resource to help me prepare for my job search. Within 2 weeks, I had an impressive resume, cover letter and LinkedIn profile! She explained the best ways to use LinkedIn in your job search and helped me prepare for an interview. She was easy to work with, and I highly recommend her!

This story has a happy ending! Within a few days of updating my LinkedIn profile, a recruiter contacted me on LinkedIn for an HR job with a major biotech company. She loved my resume and asked me in for an interview. I aced the interview, and have been working there since October 2011. Today I earn more than $40,000! I bought myself a nice (previously loved) car and now have some money in my monthly Entertainment fund. Life is a lot more fun when you can actually live on the money you earn.

Don’t Hate Recruiters!

Jobseekers are frequently frustrated with the lack of response from recruiters, but they have to remember that the recruiter works for the employer — not the jobseeker.

Whether in-house, retained or contingent, recruiters work for the hiring companies. Their job is to find the ideal candidate for specific open positions to please the employer — their employer. A recruiter cannot put their neck on the line and submit your resume to the employer if they do not feel you would be an ideal fit. The hiring companies rely on a recruiter’s knowledge of their talent needs and their ability to identify appropriate candidates to fill those needs. If they do not deliver, the hiring companies will find another recruiter who can.

If you happen to have the perfect skill set and experience a recruiter is looking for to fill a specific position — great! If you are a very strong candidate, they may keep you in the back of their mind for future positions. But do not expect them to “find you a job”. In fact, do not expect anyone to find you a job. That is your job. Professional resume writers, career coaches, temporary agencies and recruiters are great resources that can help facilitate your job search — but it is not their job to find you a job. You have to put in the effort. Effective job search strategies include a combination of face-to-face and online networking and reaching out to a targeted list of companies.

You can always try to connect with a recruiter, but only do so for a specific job they represent, and only if you are the absolute ideal candidate for the position. (In this competitive job market — do not waste your time applying for any position for which you do not have at least 90% of the qualifications.) The more effective approach is to make sure the recruiters find you. More than 130,000 recruiters source candidates directly on LinkedIn. To attract their attention, optimize your LinkedIn profile with keywords and quantified career accomplishments that demonstrate the value you offer an employer. Request LinkedIn recommendations as social proof will validate your expertise. Continually fine tune your craft and include professional development activities on your profile to show that you are keeping up with changes in your industry.

If you are contacted by a recruiter — fantastic! Share with them your finely tuned branding statement and resume. Respond to their requests quickly, as they will continue to contact other candidates for the same position. Remember, they are focused on filling a few specific positions as quickly as they can. So, always make sure your LinkedIn profile is 100% complete and that your resume and cover letter are ready to be presented. You never know when a potential employment opportunity might arise.

Trish Thomas founded The Resume Resource in 2009 to help people advance their careers with rewarding jobs that provide more than just a paycheck. As a Career Coach and Resume Writer, she provides her clients with the tools and strategies needed to achieve their goals and guides them through the job search process to make it less overwhelming and more successful. Because she takes the time to get to know each of her clients, Trish’s clients have a very high success rate with most having interviews scheduled within 2 weeks and job offers with significantly higher salaries. www.the-resume-resource.com

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Nervous before your job interview? Check out this infographic from Visual.ly to calm your nerves.

The Simple Anatomy Of A Good Cover Letter

Most jobseekers I speak with hate writing cover letters even more than resumes. Many ask if they really need to send one. My answer? “Only if you really want the job.”

Here is a simple formula for writing an effective cover letter that will entice the reader to want to get to know you:

The Salutation: Do a little research and locate the contact information for the hiring manager. If you absolutely cannot find the contact name — then use Dear Hiring Manager, not To Whom It May Concern.

First paragraph: Clearly let the reader know for which position you are applying. Include one of your primary qualifications and explain how you will use it to complete one goal for the position as outlined in the job description.

Second paragraph: Use one specific example of a previous career accomplishment that relates to the position for which you are applying. Make sure it is relevant so that the reader can envision you in their position.

Third paragraph: Mention a few of your key competencies as they relate to specifics contained within the job posting. What value do you offer the employer?

Final paragraph: Convey your excitement about the position and request an interview.

A few tips to make your cover letter more effective:

Use the same heading as on your resume to create a professional-looking matching set.
Keep it short and to the point.
Include the specific name of the role and the company name a few times throughout the letter to let the reader know you really want to work for THEM, not just any company.
Close the letter with Sincerely, and your name. This is a great opportunity to let the employer know you like being called Will rather than Bill, if your name is William.

It only takes a few minutes to tailor your cover letter to each position. Show the employer you are the best candidate for the position. This extra effort will improve your chances of being granted an interview. Best of luck in your job search!

Why You Should NOT Use a Functional Resume

I have covered this topic before, but am frequently asked about functional resumes by jobseekers, so I figured I’d address them again here. I strongly advise against using a functional resume. Period.

Most recruiters and hiring managers do not like functional resumes. They are more difficult to read, and immediately raise a red flag. The reader asks him/herself “What is the candidate trying to hide by grouping together their competencies and not showing me what they did where? A gap in employment, excessive job jumping or lack of experience?” Regardless of your reason for using a functional resume, you are doing yourself a disservice. The last thing you want to do is cause any negative feelings — and confusion is a negative feeling. You want the reader of your resume to feel nothing but positive feelings. The goal of your resume is to pique the interest of the reader and entice them to invite you in for an interview, right? So, don’t annoy them. Make it easy for them to see the value you would add to their team.

If you are using a functional resume because you were advised to do so — find a better source of employment advice. Ask someone who has been trained in effective resume writing within the last few years, because the resume world has drastically changed. If you are trying to hide any of the fore mentioned scenarios, it won’t work. The hiring manager will see it anyhow, so it is better not to attempt to hide it. You should address anything that an employer may see as negative in your cover letter. Explain it simply and let the employer know why it will not be a problem. They just might appreciate your honesty and directness.

I won’t even write a functional resume. If a client comes to me requesting a functional resume because they want to change careers or get back to something they enjoyed doing in the past, I show them how we can effectively sell them with the traditional reverse chronological resume. Still not convinced? Give me a call and I’d be glad to discuss it. 860-658-6480.

Tips to Fight Unemployment in Recent College Graduates

Nearly 1.5 Million or 53.6% of bachelor degree holders under the age of 25 were jobless or unemployed last year. It is projected that upon graduation, Millennials will be more than $25,000 in debt due to student loans. Instead of stepping into a salary job with benefits and 401(K), college grads are either unemployed or working as waitresses, servers and bartenders to pay off the student loans that haunt them after graduation.

After spending years of reading, writing and studying, students look forward to graduation so they can display everything they learned in college and prove that all of their hard work has paid off. However, in the past 5 years, this has not been happening as frequently as it used to. Now the question becomes, “How do we solve this problem of unemployment in recent college graduates?”

The rules of the game have changed, so we have to change our approach. When there were fewer graduates, any college degree was a valuable credential. Graduating proved to the hiring manager that the candidate could work towards a long-term goal and had the capacity for learning. Now that the market is flooded with new grads, the value of the diploma drops drastically.

Majors such as Engineering and Accounting have the lowest unemployment rates because these majors are skill-based and lead to a specific role. Liberal Arts majors do not typically lead into a specific field and those graduates have some of the highest unemployment rates. Today, employers are looking for candidates with a specific skill set. A recent report by the National Association of Colleges and Employers concluded that employers look for evidence of these 5 skills on a resume: Working on a Team, Leadership, Written Communication, Problem-Solving and a Strong Work Ethic. If you have these qualities, be sure to highlight them on your resume.

Let’s assume a student majoring in English does so because he or she has a passion for the subject. Reading, writing and analyzing are skills most practiced throughout English courses. Within this major, there are transferable skills that can be used in a variety of fields. Writing is a skill needed in every profession, especially marketing. The purpose of marketing is to entice consumers to buy a specific product. English majors have a way with words that no other type of student does. Seems like a perfect fit, right? Use your resume to highlight the skills most valued by an employer. Explain how you will apply this skill set to help an organization meets its business goals.

You do need a marketable skill set to find a job, but you also deserve to follow your passion. When choosing a major one, find that speaks your strengths and unlocks your passion. Within your coursework, develop the skills that make you an ideal candidate for employers. Internships are a great way to experiment. You can use an internship to make sure you would like to pursue a career in this field, and it also lets you show that you can apply what you have learned in college. You can fight this era of recent grad unemployment by demonstrating the value you offer an employer. If you are unsure to which fields your skill set might apply, a career coach may be able to help you.

Good luck in your job search!

3 Tips to Master LinkedIn’s New Facebook-Style Tagging

Frequent visitors to my blog know that I am a huge fan of LinkedIn as a powerful job search tool. I am excited to share that LinkedIn has added a new feature to help you engage with your network – In-Status Mentions, which have been part of Facebook and Google+ for a long time.

You can now easily add links to your connections and companies in your status updates and in group conversations. LinkedIn will be rolling out this new feature over the next few weeks. You’ll know you have it when upon signing in you see a message inviting you to use this new feature. These tags will be especially useful for businesses to drive traffic to their LinkedIn company page. To help you stay up-to-date with LinkedIn, here are a few tips to help you use this new feature.

1. Start typing the name of a company or connection in your status update box or a comment field on the Homepage, and LinkedIn will show you a drop down in which you can select the profile you’re referencing.

2. Once you have selected the LinkedIn member or company, you will see that the linked profile has been highlighted in gray.

3. Finish writing your status update or comment and post it. Your connections will be able to click the hyperlink to be automatically directed to that member’s profile or company page you have mentioned.

Note: The person or company you mentioned will receive an email alerting them that they have been mentioned.

LinkedIn stated they will soon extend this new mention capability beyond the homepage, so look for the ability to use this new feature throughout the LinkedIn platform in the near future. Here is a link to a SlideShare presentation on this feature, should you like additional information.

http://www.slideshare.net/linkedin/linked-in-mentions-step-bystep

Happy hunting! Remember we are here to help when you are ready to improve your job search results.

Give Your Grad the Most Valuable Graduation Gift – a Jump on Their Career

Need a great idea for the best present you can give a recent college graduate? Consider an Entry Level Launch Package from The Resume Resource, which includes a resume and cover letter with job search counseling and LinkedIn advice, is the perfect gift to help your grad jump start their career.

The job market for recent college grads is the most competitive it has ever been. With many carrying high student loan debt, these new college graduates must demonstrate that they have transitioned from “college kids” to “young professionals” to be considered serious candidates. A professionally written resume gives these new grads the competitive edge needed to win interviews.

The Resume Resource assists new college graduates as they embark on their professional careers. We guide them through the job search process to make it less overwhelming and more successful, and help them develop the tools and confidence to achieve their specific career goals.

1:1 Career Coaching: If you are not sure of the specific career you would like to pursue, we can help you identify the types of positions that best align with your education, natural talents and interests, and establish a realistic career goal.

Resume and Cover Letter Package: Focusing on what you have accomplished academically and personally, we will design personalized career documents that sell you as the ideal candidate. We will highlight your personal qualities to show that you have transitioned from a college student to a young professional.

Job Search Coaching: We will share proven methods and strategies to locate jobs, how to use social media in your job search and application best practices that will accelerate your results. Together, we map out a structured and systematic job search plan.

Interview Prep Sessions: We can help you prepare to answer those tough interview questions and articulate the value you offer an employer. If needed, we can also explain the proper attire, grooming and follow-up for the interview.

Ongoing Career Support: We enjoy building long-term relationships with our clients and provide ongoing support through weekly blog posts and daily career tips shared via LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

The Resume Resource helps their clients develop and express their personal brand with a compelling resume and cover letter that stands out among other candidates’ submissions and persuades employers to call for an interview. Your career success starts here!

5 Ways A Young Professional Can Succeed in the Corporate World

By Lauren Piccini

helping young professionals succeed at wrok

Joining a corporate office for the first time can be intimidating. You are viewed as the “new kid” for months, or at least until another new employee is hired. Don’t let this derail your confidence level; your employer hired you because he or she knew you would add value to the company. Succeeding in the corporate world is a game, and you can win it by using these 5 strategies:

Tip 1.

Be mindful of your actions. Always show people your most confident side and don’t discount your ideas. Stand up for yourself.

Mistakes to avoid:

Polling before making a decision
Sharing too much personal information
Needing to be liked
Being overly concerned with offending others

Tip 2.

Keep a success-oriented mindset. Being new to a company can be overwhelming, but never lose your confidence in yourself. You are great at what you do, that is why you are there. Take advantage of the possibilities your company can offer.

Mistakes to avoid:

Setting high, unrealistic standards for yourself
Limiting your possibilities
Talking yourself out of a promotion you know you deserve
Abandoning your career goals
Refusing perks

Tip 3.

Brand and market yourself as if you are the boss. After all, their position is the one you ultimately want to have, right?

Mistakes to avoid:

Minimizing your work or position
Waiting to be noticed
Being modest about your accomplishments
Staying in your comfort zone
Giving away your ideas

Tip 4.

When speaking among your colleagues, show them that have transitioned from a college graduate to a young professional by being mindful of your tone. Always be confident that what you are saying holds value, and it will.

Mistakes to avoid:

Second guessing yourself
Asking for permission
Apologizing for your beliefs
Failing to pause or reflect before answering questions

Tip 5.

Your response to actions occurring around the office and feedback received from colleagues shows a lot about your character and work ethic. Although negative feedback is criticism, taking it constructively can only help you grow.

Mistakes to avoid:

Internalizing messages
Tolerating inappropriate behavior
Biding your time instead of taking action
Putting the needs of others before your own

The keys to corporate success mostly revolve around knowing your worth and the value you deliver to your employer. Recognizing this power statement can only bring you great success and happiness. Good luck!

Lauren Piccini is a writer and blogger who helps business owners increase their brand awareness through social media. She is a recent grad with a degree in English from the University of Connecticut whose first work was published within six months of graduation. www.LaurenPiccini.com

What To Do If Your Industry Is Dying

A smart career manager stays up on current trends in his/her industry. Don’t let yourself fall victim to the changing job market. If you have heard rumblings about change in your organization and see that opportunities in your field are drying up, it is time to revamp your resume to highlight your transferable skills. A few keys kills are highly desired in almost every industry:

Communication
Collaboration
Analytic Skills
Project Management

Communication – In almost every career, strong communication skills are vital. Whether communicating with clients or colleagues, you need to be able to articulate your ideas verbally and in writing. Hiring managers are looking for employees who can communicate effectively across the organization and represent the company in a professional manner.

Collaboration– In very few jobs do you operate in a vacuum. Interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate with colleagues from diverse backgrounds is very desirable to employers. Cross-functional collaboration, co-creation and cooperation are vital for business success. Successful companies know that collaborative teams encourage creativity and innovation.

Analytic Skills – Most jobs involve collecting and analyzing information to some degree. Analytic skills are crucial in problem solving, and identifying and designing process improvements. The ability to analyze data and make decisions based on available information is needed in performance measurement, compliance and auditing functions.

Project Management – Project managers are in high demand in most industries, as almost every company is trying to work better, smarter and faster. Your ability to plan, organize, allocate resources and oversee the execution of a project to achieve a specific goal is highly transferable. In today’s highly competitive job market, jobseekers may need to broaden their job search and leverage their transferable skills to stand out from the competition.

College Grads Get Hired When They Show They Have Transitioned into Young Professionals

The biggest concern facing college grads is “Will I have a job when I graduate?” In today’s economy, the competition for entry-level jobs is at an all-time high. Not only are recent grads applying for these positions, but so are people who have been in the field and have years of experience. College seniors and new grads must show employers that they have progressed from college student to young professional before they even leave college.

Take advantage of resources available to you at your college to build your portfolio. Instead of just telling potential employers what you might be able to accomplish, show them what you have achieved during internships and other experiences. Recruiters and hiring managers are looking for experience as well as initiative, so take advantage of everything your college has to offer to show that you are driven and will be a great addition to their team.

Use your college years to build your network. Get to know your professors on a more personal level. Stop in to their office during office hours and discuss your career goals. They are experts in their fields; having them as a part of your network can open doors to internships and job opportunities. Not only do they see your performance in class, but taking that extra step proves to them that you are passionate and dedicated. They also may be able to introduce you to other experts in your field.

Utilize the power of LinkedIn to build your professional network. Create a LinkedIn account and use a personal message to invite face-to-face networking contacts to connect with you online. Let them know that you enjoyed meeting them and ask to schedule a short informational interview. This is how you leverage your network to advance your career. Contact them periodically so they will have you in mind when they hear of an opportunity that may be suitable for you. Finding a great career is all about “what you know and who you know.”

Having a college degree does not guarantee you a job, but if you take advantage of your resources and build your portfolio before it’s too late, you will stand out from the competition. Show potential employers that you are a young professional, not just a new college graduate. Good luck in your job search.

Does Your Resume Read Like an Obituary?

Resumes changed 180 degrees a few years ago due to the highly competitive job market and Applicant Tracking System technology. Jobseekers must update their resume language and formatting to take advantage of all the hiring going on right now and avoid the dreaded “Resume Black Hole.

Don’t Let A Sloppy Email Derail Your Job Search

We love the convenience of email and how it has sped up the communication process, but be careful when applying this quick action approach to your job search. Don’t risk sending a less-than-perfect email because you are rushed.

Accidentally sending a half-written email or one with typos, the wrong company name, or a missing attachment can blow your chances of winning an interview. We have all clicked “send” on an email and then panicked when we realize that it has already left our inbox. With a little care, and conscious effort, you can avoid falling in this speed trap again.

Here is an email technique that I have used for years when sending an email where perfection is vital: when you draft an email, enter the recipient’s email address last. If you are replying to an email, remove the email address and re-insert it after you have written your response. This way, you won’t risk sending the email before proofing it.

Depending on your email setup, you might have the “email recall” function, but this function is notoriously unreliable, and only works if the recipient has not yet read your email.

Your professional reputation is on the line. You must take the time to be conscientious about the little details. It can make the difference in winning the interview or being seen as unprofessional.

Thanks for stopping by. Best of luck in your job search.

How to Find Complete Career Happiness

Do you dread going to work every day? Does your job require long hours of unfulfilling work but your 6 figure paycheck makes up for the misery you endure during the work week? Do you find yourself questioning whether you should stay or go? Before you make any decisions, ask yourself these questions:

Is money everything?
What makes me happy?
Am I living a life of fulfillment?

Expensive cars and vacation homes are only one measure of success. Take a moment, and visualize yourself in a state of complete happiness and joy. What are you doing? Are you attending your kid’s soccer game? Are you fixing something or solving a problem? Are you doing something you love — but never had the chance to do because of overwhelming job-related commitments? Sit back and reevaluate what is most important to you.

The most important gauge of career success is your happiness. Do you really love your work? Do you wake up every morning excited to tackle any obstacle that comes your way? If not, then it is time to make a career change. If you are not sure in which direction you would like to head next, a career coach can help you manage your career with intention and find happiness through a rewarding position that provides more than just a paycheck.

It is possible to love your job and feel fulfilled by your work. It is completely normal and possible for anyone who wants to make it happen. First, you must look inside yourself to identify your interests and natural talents. Once you identify a valid, marketable skill, develop a strategy to achieve your goal. The most important thing is to discover and recognize your passions and then follow them with conviction.

It is not only your right to manage your career, but your obligation. You owe it to yourself. You CAN have a job that is satisfying that also meets your financial needs. Each of us must manage our career, making conscious decisions to move us towards our career goals. Pursuing your happiness is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Once you experience happiness in all aspects of your life, you will reach that level of complete fulfillment that attracts the same energy from those around you. What are you waiting for? 2013 is the time to take control of your career and find a position that provides satisfaction and takes care of your financial needs.

Jobseekers Should Take Advantage of Free Training Resources to Increase Their Marketability

Many hiring managers are concerned that people in transition are not “work ready”. Learn new skills, keep your existing skills sharp and keep up on technology to show them that you are ready to contribute to their team’s success.

Don’t let a lack of funds hinder your marketability. There is a wealth of free training out there today. Many local libraries and community centers offer free LinkedIn, QuickBooks, and Microsoft Office classes, as well as workshops on improving your resume and effective job search strategies.

In addition, many libraries provide access to free training via Universal Class. They subscribe to the service so that their members can access the training for free. Universal Class offers more than 500 online non-credit continuing education courses for all ages. All you need to set up your free account and register for classes is a valid library card and email address. You can access the courses from the comfort of your home via the library’s website. Topics range from Accounting to Medical Billing to Real Estate.

You are welcome to enroll in up to 5 courses through Universal Class, and have up to 6 months to finish each course. You have access to your course 24/7 via the Internet and complete assignments on your schedule. Each course has a real instructor with whom you may communicate via e-mail. Keep in mind, these are non-credit courses and are not a substitute for any licensing requirements.

The OpenCourseWare Consortium is another great resource for those in transition with limited funds. The OCWC is a collaboration of higher education institutions and associated organizations from around the world to provide access to open educational content. Sponsors include MIT, Tufts University and a variety of international institutions.

An OpenCourseWare (OCW) is a free digital publication of high quality college and universityâ€level educational materials. The material is organized into courses, and often includes course planning materials and evaluation tools. OpenCourseWare are free and openly licensed, accessible to anyone, anytime via the Internet. Courses include topics such as Algebra, Photography, and Web Design, in a variety of languages. I have not personally used OpenCourseWare and would love to hear some users’ thoughts.

Keep in mind, once you have enrolled in the training program(s), add this information to your cover letter and resume to show the hiring managers that you are making the best use of your time between jobs.

Thanks for stopping by. Best of luck in your job search.

How Recent Grads Can Break Into Their Industry

By Lauren Piccini

Over the past 5 years, not only have many people have become jobless, but the opportunities once available for recent college grads have become scarce. Although the economy is starting to improve, the entry-level job market is still extremely competitive. Before the recession, college grads would have won these jobs with ease, but now, they need to plan strategically. Do not wait until graduation to begin preparing for your dream job–you should start preparing the first time you step on campus your freshman year.

Intern. Do it. Try to complete as many internships as you can during your 4 years. Although most of them are unpaid, you are able to gain real life work experience, making them great resume builders. Not only are they a great way to learn, internships can also show you exactly what you DO NOT want to do. What if you are interning for what you thought was your dream job, but you end up hating it? It’s better to find this out early than to be stuck in a full-time position doing something you hate. Try experiencing with different types of internships too. This helps you become well-rounded and able to recognize your strengths and weaknesses. The more experience you gain from these internships, the more credibility you will have when the time comes to apply for real jobs.

Get Involved on Campus. Join clubs and other activities on campus. Find your niche and surround yourself with positive, motivated people. Learn how to work with others and gain the practical and leadership skills needed to survive in the professional workplace.

Build Your Resume. Once you complete your internships, create a general resume. List all of your qualifications, skills and accomplishments. Use this as a reference. When looking at job postings, study the employer’s requirements and tailor your resume to meet them. Go through your resume and cover letter line by line and ask yourself whether each point supports the requirements for the job. Show potential employers the value you will add to their company.

Finding a job as soon as you graduate is not a guarantee and unfortunately, you have no direct control over the process. What you can control is making yourself a more knowledgeable and attractive candidate. Job search is a long, difficult process and it can be easy to give up. Don’t let those negative thoughts hinder your motivation. Never stop learning. Read books, industry blogs and trade magazines.

Lauren Piccini is a writer, blogger and social media wiz who helps small business owners transform into credible experts in their field by increasing their brand awareness through the use of social media strategies and techniques. She is a recent grad with a degree in English from the University of Connecticut whose first work was published within six months of graduation. www.LaurenPiccini.com