For most of my generation, graduation is terrifying, it means becoming an actual adult, with real responsibilities. I’ve just completed five weeks of a corporate internship, observing the daily ins and outs of a staffing firm, I’ve been able to hear about candidates and talent that have made really good impressions as well as some not-so-nice impressions. I also have been doing research for marketing and social recruiting projects. I am now able to come away with some advice to my fellow Millennials who are entering the job market or will soon be entering it this spring.
Do’s
- Do put your computer and technology skills on your resume. You may not have much field experience, but you probably have more skills in technology and social media than you know. Use that to your advantage! We Millennials, (anyone born between 1976 and 2001), have grown up with an immense amount of technology at our fingertips. When I entered college three years ago and decided to be a marketing major, I never thought that using social media would be an excellent skill to have, and yet social media has become an integral part of marketing.
- Go beyond a company’s webpage for research, use their social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn) to learn more about what it is like to work at that firm. A company’s Instagram page can be an inside look at the daily happenings of that office. You will get some insight as to their culture.
- Reach out for feedback. You may not get every job you interview for, but feedback will help you improve for the next interview. Get feedback from your internships, leadership programs or even when you leave a job. Constructive criticism can help you develop and become a stronger candidate.
- Use every resource available to you, don’t just use one online job board to find potential positions. Search LinkedIn, use your school’s career center, and even reach out to those you know.
- Make yourself visible online, market yourself and your skills on sites such as LinkedIn. Don’t forget to be conscious of what you are posting online. Develop an online presence for the job market.
- Always, send a thank you email after you interview with someone. Keep it short and to the point, but show your sincerity and that you are genuinely interest in the position.
- Try and look your best. Learn the difference between business casual, business professional, and inappropriate dress for work. You can always ask your supervisor or HR about the dress code for the office and what they consider to be appropriate for the office. For an interview always lean more towards business professional. Sneakers and jeans are usually never appropriate, regardless of how everyone else looks.
Don’ts
- Don’t be too quick to burn bridges. Connections can be a great help in getting you a position in the future. People will remember your actions and may be called on for a reference or general impression.
- Lose the attitude. Sometimes employers will ask all those you came in contact with, even the receptionist who greeted you so nicely, about how you acted and if you were friendly. This can go a long way in how people form opinions about you and determine if you would make a good cultural fit. Be friendly with coworkers. Making friends at work will make it seem a little easier and less daunting.
- Don’t lie about anything, the truth is always better. Don’t lie about past experiences, you will only struggle to keep that lie going. Don’t create elaborate lies about why you missed work either, they will only backfire on you and make people not want to work with you.
- Don’t just apply to large companies, look into smaller firms as well. They can provide great opportunities, experiences, teachings, and a good company culture that make you enjoy work.
- Don’t ever be afraid or too proud to reach out to connections, they can possibly lead you to some great opportunities.
- Don’t constantly be on your cell phone at work, its super tempting, and I myself am unfortunately addicted to my phone, but try hard to break that habit. Never be on your phone during an interview and make sure to silent it during the interview as well.
During my internship I gained insight into how a recruiter views a candidate. I no longer see the job search process just through the eyes of a candidate – I’ve seen the other side of the job search. Next May when I graduate, I will be heading into a job market with a different view than the one I had before I started my internship. I’ll make sure to practice what I preach and follow my own advice. Going into an office setting will no longer be quite so intimidating. Just like many of my fellow graduates, I will be hoping that by graduation day, that I will have a job offer. I will have spent four years on learning skills necessary to work in a field I enjoy. Getting a job and starting my career reaffirms that these past four years have been worth it, every all-nighter, every cram session, and every last minute group presentation, was worth something. I will use the lessons I have learned here at LLoyd to work towards that goal.
Andie Odynski interned for LLoyd Staffing during the 2015/2016 Winter break and is a senior Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut.
She is in Quinnipiac’s fast track BS/MBA Program and will earn her BS in Marketing in 2016, followed by her MBA in 2017.
Andie’s work within Marketing/Communications gave her full access to our recruitment professionals and placement staff where she was able to observe interviews and engagement with workforce talent.