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Welcome to the ever illusive real-world! Combatting a combination of both excitement and fear? No need to panic—you are not alone! Incorporate these initial tips to kickstart your job search and remember that the hardest step is the first one.
You remember applying to college, right? The process was likely nerve-wracking at first—but you mastered it with patience, diligence and faith in yourself. Invoke that same confident mentality when job searching and try to be patient. According to Indeed, the average job search takes around 9 weeks, so don’t lose confidence if the process is taking longer than you expected.
Think back on your coursework, internships and job experiences. When did you feel energized? Passionate? In what working environments have you felt most confident? What made them so appealing? Identifying and documenting your interests will not only help you identify good fit companies and jobs but will also help you prepare for interview questions. Don’t forget to leverage the comprehensive Field Atlas site to seek more information on job titles and companies that may be a good fit for you.
Your university has successfully supported thousands of graduates into their first professional role. Don’t miss out on your school’s tremendous experience and available opportunities! Get to know your academic advisor and tap into their knowledge; leverage professor office hours, visit the career center and attend as many career fairs as you can. Already graduated? No worries. Many of these resources may still be available.
Job searching is a skill like anything else—the only way to improve is with practice and experience. Browse career sites to become familiar with the current job market, research available role types and set realistic expectations based on your qualifications. Be prepared, job searching is a full-time endeavor; treat it like a class project that’s worth 100% of your grade. No excuses. Just hard work.
How would an employer feel about your email address? Your social media presence? Consider different platforms and update them to reflect the professional you. How comfortable are you with LinkedIn? This social platform is especially important, so intentionally become familiar with what it has to offer and ensure your profile clearly states you are seeking employment opportunities.
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Congratulations! You landed an interview. Take a moment to celebrate this milestone then let’s get down to business. The hard work has just begun!
Most students have crammed a week’s worth of studying into one night, but most students are also experienced test takers. When it comes to interviewing professionally, cramming is a recipe for disaster — especially when you are new to it. You owe yourself and the company your personal best, respect their time and yours by fully committing to the process and taking proper time to prepare.
Companies usually provide interviewees a few days to a week to prepare, but any number of time and availability constraints could require them to push for an immediate date. When scheduling, always be kind, flexible and transparent. Break out your preparation plan in three stages, whether your interview is in three days or three weeks.
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It’s best to accept a job offer in writing. Besides communicating enthusiastic acceptance, confirm the terms of your offer – your job title, salary, benefits, start date and other information important to your acceptance. Be sure to express that you’re excited for the opportunity and that you look forward to bringing value to the organization.
If the job isn’t the right one for you, don’t sweat it – it’s a normal part of the hiring process. While you’re not going to be working for the company, you still want to leave a positive and professional impression.
Once you know that you won’t be accepting, them as soon as possible. Express your appreciation for both the offer and their time throughout the process. You can choose to provide a reason for your declination (you’re unable to relocate, you’ve decided to pursue another opportunity, etc.) but it’s best not to go into elaborate detail. Lastly, close cordially. You want to maintain the relationship with both the company and the hiring manager should your future paths cross.
It is better to decline an initial job offer than to accept and back out of your offer at a later date.
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Consider the impact a future job will have on your daily life. You will likely be spending 40+ hours per week there! A job certainly does not shape your entire personal identity, but it’s best to figure out if a potential employer will be a good personal fit before accepting an offer. An interview is your formal opportunity to do just that.
Remember—interviews aren’t interrogations. Questions go both ways. The employer will no doubt dig deeper into your experience, interests and qualifications. You, too, should be prepared to acquire specific information about company values, its people and of course the role you’ve applied to during each interview. Customize the following starter questions in coordination with your company research to gain crucial insights and impress your interviewer:
can you elaborate on some of the challenges frequently encountered in this role? What values do you believe makes a candidate better positioned to take them on?
Follow up: is your team currently experiencing any type of skills gap?
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Job interviews are not a one size fits all experience. Sometimes nerve-wracking, sometimes enjoyable and sometimes somewhere in between. Whatever the key takeaway(s), always plan to follow up with whom you spoke… you’re a professional now! Neglecting to do so could seriously undermine your candidacy and inadvertently communicate that you are not interested and/or did not respect the time of those interviewing you.
During the interview itself, it’s your job to get all the facts—ask about the hiring timeline, take detailed notes and save business cards from everyone you meet. After, use these simple tips to appropriately follow up:
The interviewing and hiring process takes time and logistics, requiring patience and tact. If your top pick does not follow up before receiving another offer, it is perfectly acceptable to ask for an updated timeline to guide your decision-making. Still nothing but radio silence? You may feel disheartened and that’s okay! Reflect on what you’ve learned throughout the process instead of dwelling on the rejection.
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In addition to O’Net, AgriNovus Indiana gathered information from several resources. If you would like more information about the data on this site, please contact us at fieldatlas@agrinovusindiana.com.