There’s nothing quite like endless papers to write and final exams to set you dreaming about winter break. That said, sleeping in late and lounging on the couch binge watching Netflix is not the best use of your time off. Nor is it likely to impress your parents.
Ramping up your job search over winter break will help you make the most of your senior year. Having a job lined up before graduation or better yet, by spring break, is the best way to really enjoy your final time on campus.
Crafting killer cover letters is one of the greatest challenges job searchers face. Too many cover letters miss the mark by failing to focus on the critical key words. The worst ones, by far, are the ones that go on and on. Here are 13 tips for crafting killer cover letters that hiring managers will want to read. Following these tips will help you to get that coveted interview instead of the dreaded rejection letter. (more…)
Knowing how to write effective cover letters is a mission critical job search skill. I have seen countless cover letters that miss the mark. The worst ones, by far, are the ones that go on, and on, and on. Cover letters are intended to pique the interest of the employer just enough to get them to take a good look at your resume. Here are 6 tips to create more effective cover letters and help you land that all-important interview. (more…)
The application black hole. Where resumes go to die.
The application black hole, where resumes go to die. If you are one of over 1.6 million of college seniors looking for their first “real job”, you know it all too well by now. You’ve applied on line and sent in your resume to so many companies that you’ve lost track. And, you hear nothing, from anyone. If you are lucky, the online application process will send you a computer generated email thanking you for applying for the job. And that’s it. Days, weeks, and sometimes even months go by and nothing. So what should you do? (more…)
When it comes to resumes and cover letters, this short cut can kill your job prospects. Here’s what it is and how it might be hurting you.
Spell check. It was invented in 1961, widely adopted in the mid 1980’s and has been making us all dumber ever since. Seriously, who can spell anymore?
Your smart phone guesses what you want to write as you type. The spell check feature in Word and Google Docs will automatically fix your spelling mistakes. But go too fast and you might miss a major mistake.
The problem is that spell check and auto correct can’t think. After all, they do not know what you meant to write. Check out Jimmy Fallon’s #EmailFail if you aren’t convinced yet of the negative impact of a spelling mistake. (more…)
It is still true in today’s economy that if you have graduated without one, ideally two, internships that your likelihood of getting a good job, quickly, is much, much lower. According to Forbes, “66% of employers view interview performance and relevant experience” as the most critical factors in making a hiring decision. So what should you do if you are looking for an internship and your resume is seriously lacking in pertinent experience? Here are 6 tips to get an internship. (more…)
February – the month when winter doldrums are overtaking your hopes and expectations. If you’re in college and don’t have an internship lined up or are graduating this spring with no job in sight, things might seem even bleaker. Here are 12 things you can do today to find a job or internship.
Employers always are looking for college students/grads with problem solving, decision making and prioritization skills. An organized job search requires all the above, especially when you are balancing your classes, final exams, and the endless senior year social events.
Sixth grade? These days, it seems like most pre-teens have enough life experience to actually create a compelling resume. Ever heard of Hannah Altman, Sam Klein or Arjun Metah? All were CEO’s of companies they started before any of them turned thirteen. So seriously, when should you start your resume?
Before I answer that, you need to understand what the real purpose of a resume is. It’s to open doors. (more…)
Job searching, perhaps the most dreaded activity ever. And looking for your first real job or internship? Well, that’s daunting. It’s nothing like the retail jobs you might have applied for where you filled out a form and the most important qualification was whether you were available to work nights and weekends. (more…)
If you’re the parent of a college student or recent graduate, it’s likely that your career advice falls on deaf ears. Remember what you were like at their age? The harder our parents pushed, the more likely we resisted. (more…)
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