As the graduation season approaches, Clark Atlanta University’s Office of Strategic Communications set about examining approaches and techniques that would be helpful for students in finding their first professional job after college or even helping students whose graduation day is a year or two in the future. Our goal was to develop several instructional articles that students could use resources for developing cover letters, resumes, networking strategies, and performing well during job interviews. What we discovered is that there is an abundance of techniques and opportunities available to help a students’ job search be more manageable — and successful. We also discovered that there is no shortage of professionals who are willing to provide the benefit of their experience and expertise for articles that students can tap into as a resource for landing a job in a tight marketplace.
We talked to corporate human resource professionals, corporate recruiters who specialize in hiring college students and hiring managers -- all who represented an array of industries. Closer to home, we reached out to group of young CAU alums who spoke candidly about the do’s and don’ts of strategically navigating the highly competitive job market and we sought the advice of someone who has worked extensively with Clark Atlanta students to prepare them for job searches. Ms. Ernita Hemmitt, interim dean of students for CAU, provided excellent advice to job seekers. Over the years in her role with the Career Planning and Placement Center (now the Career Development Center), Hemmitt has counseled, mentored and coached students to success in their job searches.
“How to Find Your First Job After College,” is a collection of resourceful articles presented in three parts: Part I focuses on Preparation, Part II presents The Student Perspective and Part III, A Successful Transition, gives instruction on how to avoid the office faux pas and smoothly transition from the classroom to the workplace.
The Opener and the Closer: A Strong Cover Letter Can Set You Apart
For many job seekers, how to construct a winning cover letter is one of the great mysteries in prepping for a successful search. The cover letter is arguably also the most under used and least appreciated document in the job search. Often running a distant second to the resume in terms of its perceived value, this one-page sales pitch has been elevated to a new level of importance by a fiercely competitive job market and slow job creation. With so many new college graduates vying for relatively few positions, a cover letter is now an opener and a closer to a job seeker aiming to receive that all-too-important invitation to a job interview.
“The cover letter is a job seeker’s marketing tool to sell himself or herself as a candidate, and should be given as much care as one’s resume,” said Leonora M. Trawick, human resources manager for college and university recruiting with Edward Jones. “It is also an opportunity for college students to demonstrate their writing skills and make a good first impression before the interview.”
Following the guidelines below can help students prepare a well-written, well-structured cover letter to accompany their resumes:
- Do your research. Call the company and get the full name and correct spelling of the recipient. Customize each cover letter with the recipient’s name, job title and address. Do not use To Whom It May Concern.
- Capture the reader’s attention immediately by writing the letter using easy to read type. Care should be taken to use correct grammar and punctuation. Well-structured sentences and paragraphs are also a must.
- State your objective in the first paragraph. It is also important to communicate to the reader why you are writing the letter. For example, a student might begin this way: “I am a new college graduate with a degree in business administration and excellent work experience at major finance companies. I am writing to provide you my resume as I seek to be considered as a candidate for the position of sales representative with Edward Jones.”
- The second paragraph is the most opportune place to highlight specific skills and abilities and how they meet the requirements of the job opportunity. This is also the place to summarize why you are the right person for the job.
- In the third paragraph, make a strong connection with the reader telling him or her how your strengths meet the needs of the company and the job responsibilities.
- In the fourth paragraph, demonstrate that you are familiar with the company and that you have done your homework by relating specific information about the company. For example, you might make reference to a recent announcement the company has made and state this as an example of why you would like to join its workforce.
- Make a strong closing statement and be clear about what you want, which is to be contacted for an interview or extended an invitation to call and follow up. Be sure to explain when, where and how you can be contacted.
- Keep the letter concise – preferably one page. Always thank the reader.
Trawick, who has the opportunity to advise hundreds of students per year in her role as part of her company’s HR Contingent Workforce Management division, said the cover letters are not optional for young people looking to get noticed by recruiters. “When I talk to students at college job fairs, I always tell them to think of the cover letter as their ‘elevator speech.’ The letter is a job seeker’s two minutes to make a strong first impression without actually seeing the recruiter face to face, which is why a strong letter is so important.”
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Resume Writing Tips for the College Student
One of the great myths regarding students and resumes is that if the student has not had his or her first professional job, they don’t need a resume. Students may think, ‘After all, if I haven’t had a job in my field of study, there’s nothing for me to put in a resume.’ Many students and recent graduates worry that they don’t have enough experience to create a compelling resume. This is simply is not true. In fact, if a college student does not have a resume, that student has already lost the competition for internships as well as consideration for other jobs.
Other students make the mistake of not taking time to learn how to create a proper resume and have someone experienced to review it to make sure that it is professionally written.
Phillip Peoples, a sales representative for The Sherwin-Williams Company, spends a considerable amount of time reviewing students’ resumes during college job fairs in which his company participates around Atlanta. According to Peoples, one of the biggest mistakes students make is sending out “blanket resumes,” without tailoring them for the company or the industry from which they are seeking employment.
“Generic resumes are a red flag to a hiring manager that the job seeker did not take the time or care enough to invest in some basic research about the company before sending out the resume,” said Peoples. “I always tell students to take time do proper research and then tailor their attributes to the company or the industry.”
In a marketplace where jobs are scarce and competition is exorbitant, having a strong resume is an absolute must – even if you’ve never had a professional job or an internship.
Following are some guidelines for college students to consider when constructing a resume:
- Creating your first resume should not be difficult, intimidating or impossible. First, begin the process by having a clear understanding of what companies are looking for in interns or job candidates. This would be particularly helpful to know if you are targeting an internship or job in your area of study. Websites can help and so can CAU’s Career Development Center.
- Think about your strengths. What can you offer an employer?
- Summer jobs should be included on resumes.
- Internships (whether they were paid internships or unpaid internships) should be listed and described.
- Volunteer or pro bono work related to the degree programs should be listed just as if they were paid positions.
- List those courses that are relevant to your degree program.
- List computer skills
- Other related accomplishments (relevant awards and recognitions)
- Keep the resume to one to two pages.
- Double check for typos and grammatical errors.
A final note to would-be resume writers is to invest in a good book containing examples of resumes and cover letters, which will provide ideas on layout, design and approach. Also, a review of resume writing articles on the web.
“You can be a great student with a 4.0 GPA but you still really have to sell yourself,” said Peoples. “It is very competitive in the job market and simply being an outstanding student isn’t going to win that job offer or even a job interview. You have to stand out and the ticket to getting that interview is selling yourself with a strong resume that shows the recruiter that you are serious about working for the company. Take the time to learn about the companies you are going after and make sure your resume demonstrates that you are a professional.
Gearing Up for the Top 10 Interview Questions
Gearing Up for the Top 10 Interview Questions
Whether you are a seasoned professional or a college graduate looking to land your first professional job, one of the smartest moves you can make is to prepare a Q & A that can help you deliver powerful responses to interviewers’ 10 most commonly asked questions.
“You only have one time to make that first impression during the interview,” said Sheila Cuneio, a Decatur, Ga.-based human resources manager for Cintas Corporation. “Give yourself an advantage by being professional, energetic, engaging and on top of things in the interview. This is what captures human resources managers’ attention as well as that of hiring managers. It can set you apart.”
Don’t let the term “common questions” lull you into being overly confident. These questions, which are posed to candidates by most interviewers, still throw a curve to many job seekers and cause them to stumble during the interview.
You can avoid this pitfall and can prepare for tough questions by knowing what to expect and planning your answers ahead of time so that you can respond with ease, confidence and control.
This is the most dreaded question of all. Handle it by minimizing your weakness and emphasizing your strengths. Stay away from personal qualities and concentrate on professional traits: "I am always working on improving my communication skills to be a more effective presenter. I recently joined Toastmasters, which I find very helpful."
Summarize your experiences: "With five years of experience working in the financial industry and my proven record of saving the company money, I could make a big difference in your company. I'm confident I would be a great addition to your team."
The interviewer is listening for an answer that indicates you've given this some thought and are not sending out resumes just because there is an opening. For example, "I've selected key companies with mission statements that are in line with my values, where I know I could be excited about what the company does, and this company is very high on my list of desirable choices."
Sometimes it's best to talk about short-term and intermediate goals rather than locking yourself into the distant future. For example, "My immediate goal is to get a job in a growth-oriented company. My long-term goal will depend on where the company goes. I hope to eventually grow into a position of responsibility."
If you're unemployed, state your reason for leaving in a positive context: "I managed to survive two rounds of corporate downsizing, but the third round was a 20 percent reduction in the workforce, which included me."
If you are employed, focus on what you want in your next job: "After two years, I made the decision to look for a company that is team-focused, where I can add my experience."
6. When Were You Most Satisfied in Your Job?
The interviewer wants to know what motivates you. If you can relate an example of a job or project when you were excited, the interviewer will get an idea of your preferences. "I was very satisfied in my last job, because I worked directly with the customers and their problems; that is an important part of the job for me."
7. What Can You Do for Us That Other Candidates Can't?
What makes you unique? This will take an assessment of your experiences, skills and traits. Summarize concisely: "I have a unique combination of strong technical skills, and the ability to build strong customer relationships. This allows me to use my knowledge and break down information to be more user-friendly."
8. What Are Three Positive Things Your Last Boss Would Say About You?
It's time to pull out your old performance appraisals and boss' quotes. This is a great way to brag about yourself through someone else's words: "My boss has told me that I am the best designer he has ever had. He knows he can rely on me, and he likes my sense of humor."
9. What Salary Are You Seeking?
It is to your advantage if the employer tells you the range first. Prepare by knowing the going rate in your area, and your bottom line or walk-away point. One possible answer would be: "I am sure when the time comes, we can agree on a reasonable amount. In what range do you typically pay someone with my background?"
10. If You Were an Animal, Which One Would You Want to Be?
Interviewers use this type of psychological question to see if you can think quickly. If you answer "a bunny," you will make a soft, passive impression. If you answer "a lion," you will be seen as aggressive. What type of personality would it take to get the job done? What impression do you want to make?
Source: Monster.com
Publisher of Who’s Who Black Atlanta Imparts Advice for Job Search Success
Wayne K. Brown is an Atlanta-based business leader with more than 27 years of management, sales and marketing experience. After many years in broadcasting management and sales, Brown established WKB Enterprises, a company focusing on new media and brand marketing. WKB Enterprises has developed marketing campaigns for the Gospel Music Channel and the Steve Harvey Morning Show, Georgia Power, Buy Book Technologies, Wade Ford and Who’s Who Publishing Company. WKB Enterprises is also the publisher of the 2012 edition of Who’s Who Black Atlanta.
Brown’s broadcasting experience includes being the regional manager for Radio One, Inc., in Atlanta and a long career as an executive with CBS.
While managing Howard University’s radio station, he was active in mentoring a number of the university’s students and continues to be involved in mentoring young professionals and students.
Brown provided Pathways with the following tips for CAU students as they plan for life after graduation.
§ Resumes are a must. It is never too early to learn how to write your resume. Most career experts advise young people to develop a resume while in high school.
§ Get involved in organizations. You will learn the importance of being involved in school activities and organizations. You can also get internships in high school as well as college that can be placed on your resume.
§ Wide exposure is absolutely key to finding a job. Students should expose themselves to as many occupations as possible when they first enter college. Don't limit yourself; utilize the resources of friends and family to identify and learn about various professions.
§ Career placement offices are important to a successful job search. Visit your college or university’s career placement office as a freshman and get active. Most students seek the services of this important office as a seniors, and often times, senior year is too late to receive the full benefits that the office has to offer prospective job seekers. The career placement office can help students get internships as a freshman, sophomore and junior. Internships are important. In some cases, internships will be non-paid but the experience is still very valuable.
Let your career placement office director know your intentions of graduating from college with a job! Stay focused and make the career placement office a part of your entire college experience. Also, companies visit college campuses through this office.
§ Invest in study time. It's very important to focus on grades and maintaining the highest grade point average possible. Companies want to hire the best and the brightest!
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