Two months ago, everything was looking pretty rosy for all the soon-to-be grads. However, there is a lot of uncertainty about the labor market for all college seniors looking for jobs. In fact, 6.6 million people filed for unemployment benefits last week. There is a lot of negative news out there, and that can be discouraging for all your college students looking to transition into their first real job out of school.
Don’t let all the negativity get to you. Yes, employers are still hiring, and there are opportunities out there. It’s crucial now more than ever to ensure you’re ready to take the next steps in your career. Here’s how to secure a job during (and after) the COVID-19 outbreak.
Spruce up your LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a powerful job search and networking tool. You probably have an account, but are you maximizing this social platform’s full potential? First off, add a professional headshot to your profile. Having a professional photo makes your profile 14 times more likely to be viewed by others. If you don’t have a good headshot, grab a collared shirt, pick a nice background, and have a friend take a picture of you from the chest up. Sounds pretty easy, right?
Be sure to build up your network by reaching out to your classmates, professors, and alumnus from your school. This is a great way to enhance your network and see what opportunities are out there. Make sure you’re also following companies and industry professionals you admire to stay in touch with what’s happening in your industry. Oh! And most importantly, there are millions of great job opportunities posted right onto LinkedIn’s platform. If you really want to secure a job right outside of school, utilize LinkedIn.
Acquire some new skills
The majority of seniors are finishing up their final semester of school online. As a result, you may find a little extra time on your hands. This is a perfect opportunity to acquire some new skills that will make you more marketable. There are dozens of online resources (both free and paid) that you can complete to learn something new and make yourself stand out from your competition. For example, LinkedIn Premium gives you access to thousands of online courses to hone new skills. You can learn anything from Adobe Premiere Pro to HTML with easy-to-watch videos and course documents to follow along. And the best part? There is a free trial! What do you have to lose? In 30 days, you can quickly learn several skills to add to your resume and make your job applications shine!
Spice up your resume
If you really want to land a post-college job, you need to craft an excellent resume. Your resume is often your first impression with a hiring manager or HR professional. Therefore, you must have a resume that looks and sounds great if you want to impress a prospective employer. Here is a solid overview of how to build a great resume from JSG.
Keep calm and keep applying
Graduating from college is a massive step in your life and the first step of your professional career. Trying to secure a job can be overwhelming, especially during a viral outbreak that has thrown your world upside down. All I can suggest is to keep calm and keep applying. These are uncertain times for everyone, but everything will be okay in the long-run. Good luck, and remember never to give up! There are opportunities out there; you just need to find them!
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Video: How new grads can secure a job during the pandemic
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