New Grad Struggling to Get Hired? Here's the Advice You Need
Landing Your First Job in a Tough Market š
Finding that first job out of college can be brutal, especially in a competitive hiring landscape. I recently received a question from Raphael, a newly minted grad feeling the frustration of sending out resumes with little response. His situation is one I hear about often, so I wanted to share my advice.
Stand Out With Passion and Personality
The first thing you need to understand is that employers aren't expecting work experience from you as a new grad. In fact, that clean slate can be an advantage - you have no bad habits, making you a prime candidate to train.
What companies are looking for instead is passion and personality. They want candidates with intrinsic motivation - the drive to show up every day and exceed expectations, even when the work gets tough. With no prior experience to go off, your passion and personality are what will convince employers you're worth investing time and resources into developing.
Ditch the Online Applications š»
Which brings me to my second piece of advice: ditch the online job applications. I know they're the standard approach, but you're just one of thousands of candidates disappearing into a resume black hole. As a new grad with minimal experience, you won't stand out by submitting your information online.
Instead, you need to "back channel" and connect with recruiters and hiring managers directly. Get in front of them so you can demonstrate your passion and personality in a way no paper resume can convey. Tell your stories, showcase what uniquely motivates you, and help them visualize you as a valuable part of their team.
Get the Roadmap to Success
The tactics for back channeling and conveying intrinsic motivation take some nuance to pull off successfully. That's why I'm hosting a free webinar, "My First Job" on May 15th at 1pm EST. This training will give you a complete roadmap for landing your first role by:
Packaging your passion in a compelling way
Finding the right contacts to back channel
Crafting messages that get your foot in the door
Acing interviews by coming across as a motivated top performer
Even if you can't attend live, just sign up using the link below and I'll send you the recording plus a bonus workbook.
Landing that first job doesn't have to be an uphill battle. With the right positioning and networking tactics, you can highlight the strengths that make you an attractive new hire. I can't wait to share the insights that will help you kick off your career in a way you can be proud of.
So what are you waiting for? Your first job is out there. Let's go get it!
J.T. OāDonnell
