5 Easy Steps to Landing Your First Job

Heading into the job market can be scary. There’s a lot of competition out there, and you may not be sure where to start looking.

This 5-step guide can help you organize your job search, identify the best opportunities and pursue them as efficiently as possible:

1. Self-Assessment. Your degree can probably be used to pursue a variety of careers, so you need to decide which jobs will be rewarding for you. Figuring out where your passions lie and what will make you happy is key.

Common mistake: Assessing the job market, identifying fields with the most opportunities, and focusing on those. Instead, ask yourself, “What skills do I have? What makes me feel successful?” Use those answers to point your job search in the right direction.

1. Start researching and get networking. The key to finding the right job is knowing where to look and how to network. Search job boards, go to trade websites in your field of interest, attend job fairs, visit company websites to look for job postings, and contact human resources departments at companies you’d like to work for.

Also, don’t forget to network. The people you know – and the people they know – are some of your best resources for finding a great job and gaining important industry insights.

1. Highlight Your Skills. While job hunting, you’ll start to notice that many people have the same degree as you. . .but not all of them have your skills. Your resume and cover letter are the best place to express the skills that make you a great fit for a company. Contacting a resume services professional can help you highlight your qualifications, and make a great first impression.
2. Focus on benefits. Hiring managers are eager to learn what value you are going to bring to their company. Focus your resume and cover letter on what you can do for a company, instead of why you want the job. Consider working with a resume services professional to make sure your application documents are sending future employers the right impression.
3. Determine fit. There are lots of great jobs out there, but you want to make sure they are right for you. Research prospective employers thoroughly. Look at things like:
   • work ethic
   • environment
   • company culture
   • management expectations
   • salary/benefits packages