As college students, many of us might be applying for jobs right now which can be a long and exhausting process. In this blog, I will cover some tips that can make this process smoother and simpler to navigate.
1. Keep Track of Where you Apply
This might seem silly, but when you apply to so many jobs you can forget where you applied, the role you applied for, and even the username and password of the portal. This is why having an excel sheet or writing all of this information down can be extremely helpful, so you know when to follow up, the interviewer's email address, and when you have to check for updates on your application. Staying organized and on top of things is super important.
2. Keep your Resume Always Updated
You might learn about an opportunity right before it closes, so having your resume always ready saves a lot of time. Additionally, if you are applying to jobs that might fall under different industries it is important to have separate resumes for the specific industry you’re applying to. For example, having a business resume and a technology resume. If your resume is ready when applying for a job all you have to do is make minor changes to tailor it to your role and you’ll be on your way.
3. Do Practice Interviews
If you get selected for an interview it might not leave you with much time to prep, which is why while applying for jobs it is important to also do mock interviews and have some practice. There are many ways to get practice for interviews. I have many friends who start by applying to companies that they aren’t specifically interested in, so that way they can get practice in and they won’t be too upset if they don’t perform their best. Another way is just asking someone you know to ask you interview questions to see if you can answer them appropriately. Another great resource is the STARR Career Development Center which makes it seem like a real interview. Mock interviews are a great way to gain confidence and improve your speaking skills.
These are just some basic tips to help you get started on your journey of applying for jobs. It can be a long journey but it is very rewarding and you get to learn a lot about yourself along the way.