I hope you are all energized from the summer sunshine you soaked up over the last few months! The vitamin D consumed from spending time at the beach, cottage or campground will surely help you get charged up for the grad recruitment marathon this September.
For many new grads, the recruitment process can seem endless and frustrating. I know, I’ve been there. But don’t forget the old saying, “There is light for everybody at the end of the tunnel.”
After being challenged by the recruitment process myself, and seeing so many of my friends and classmates struggle with it, I wanted to share some of the lessons I’ve learned along the way.
Most of all, I just want to say: stay focused and you’ll land your dream job. Remember, the key is to start applying early. Most large employers have already posted their entry level jobs for 2013, and deadlines will be coming up fast!
The big question is, how do you get recruiters to notice you over thousands of other graduating students?
Network, network, network
To get your feet into the recruiting season, university career centers will usually have a series of networking events starting in September featuring Fortune 500 companies, banks and industry leaders.
Click here to see TalentEgg’s events calendar, which currently features hundreds of upcoming employer events across Canada.
Attending these events is a great way to not only learn about the company but also to meet their representatives personally. Keep in mind, be at your best as these are the people who may end up screening your resume or taking your interview.
Take an hour or two away from your study schedule to attend a few events each week, and don’t forget to keep your business card handy when they ask for one!
Highlight relevant experience
Simply putting all your experience on your resume will not be enough – make sure to highlight relevant experience only. Even if you did not have a relevant, full-time paid position in the past for the job you are applying for, relate back to your part-time student jobs, internships and volunteer experiences. Most recruiters will screen hundreds of resumes for one position, so they will only have a few minutes – or seconds – to go over your application.
Consider customizing your resume and cover letter for the specific job you are applying for. As time consuming as this may be – it will definitely increase your odds of landing an interview.
Acing the interview
Once you do land the interview, make sure to research the company. Most interviewers will ask a typical set of interview and behaviourial questions. Plan out your response ahead of time and don’t forget to practice, practice and practice. Most important of all, don’t forget to be yourself during the interview.
All in all, grad recruitment can be a very tiring process – it will include applying to countless number of jobs and attending many interviews. Once again, start applying early and apply to as many positions as you can. The most important thing to remember is not to give up. Persistence is key. If the tenth interview did not work out, the eleventh one might.
What are your best strategies for surviving the September recruitment process?
Leave your tips in the comments below or Tweet to @TalentEgg