Mashable's most recent #BizChats Twitter chat discussed ways in which recent grads can stay ahead of the race and score their first job.
[seealso slug="reinvigorate-job-search"]
Several job experts shared top tips, including: Alison Doyle, job search expert for about.com; Craig Fisher, LinkedIn training strategist and employer brand leader; Donna Svei, executive resume and LinkedIn profile writer; J.T. O'Donnell, CEO and founder of Careeralism.com; Lars Schmidt, founder of AmplifyTalent.com and Hootsuite employer; and Maggie Mistal, career consultant and certified career coach.
Over the course of an hour, @MashBusiness covered an array of questions, ranging from how to separate college experience from professional experience on a resume to the biggest cover-letter mistakes recent grads should avoid.
Check out highlights from the chat in the Storify, below:
[View the story "#BizChats: Dominate your job search as a recent grad" on Storify]#BizChats: Dominate your job search as a recent gradMashable hosted a #BizChats Twitter chat to share tips on how recent grads can stay ahead of the entry level job search post-graduation. Storified by Mashable· Wed, May 20 2015 21:01:49
It's graduation season, and along with the newly printed diplomas accompanies a batch of recent graduates eager to put them to good use. It's no secret that the competition of finding a decent and rewarding job is stiff. It can be very easy to feel discouraged after months of job searching with no bites, but we want to help shift the odds in your favor.
@mashbusiness and several money experts participated a #BizChats Twitter chat to discuss what it takes to snag an entry-level job as a recent graduate. Welcome to #BizChats! Today we're discussing steps college grads should take post graduation. Please introduce yourselves!Mashable BusinessA warm welcome to our job experts: @AvidCareerist, @AlisonDoyle, @FishDogs, @jtodonnell, @MaggieMistal, and @ThisIsLars! #BizChatsMashable Business#BizChats tip: Be sure to number your answers according to the question you're
answering. (ie., Q1.-->A1., Q2. --> A2., Q3. --> A3.)Mashable BusinessQuestion 1:Q1. What are the first steps recent graduates should take when looking for a job? #BizChatsMashable BusinessA1: Think long-term. Where do you want to be in 5/10 years? Reverse engineer your career from there. #BizChats #BeginWithTheEndInMindDonna Svei@mashbusiness A1: Contact your career office for help with resumes, letters, applications, job leads, and alumni networking. #BizChatsAlison Doyle@mashbusiness A1: First step should be to check in with yourself-know interests and market for those interests #bizchatsLaura CraigA1: Grads need 2 Soul Search b/f Job Search and get clear on their ideal work situation #BizChatsMaggie MistalA1. Review your digital footprint. Recruiters and managers will be Googling you. Know what they'll find. #bizchatsLars SchmidtA1: Create “bucket list” of employers & focus on connecting w/people who work there. Fastest way to learn about entry-level jobs. #BizchatsJ.T. O'DonnellA1: Find people who have the job you want in 5/10 yrs on LinkedIn. Look at their profiles to understand career paths. Emulate. #BizChatsDonna SveiA1:Soul search means knowing yourself incl what love to do, unique talents, skills want to utilize, how u want to make a diff #BizchatsMaggie Mistal@mashbusiness A1: what I did coming out of college was finding people on LinkedIn & research trade shows. #BizChatsKalind PatelA1: Reflect on college/life experience, what do people come 2 u for? How r u already of service? These pt to ur Career/Purpose #BizchatsMaggie MistalA1 Hopefully you already know what you want to do. But talk to your network about their jobs and laser target 5 companies.Craig FisherA1. Take some time to build our your @LinkedIn profile. 93% of recruiters globally are using #LinkedIn to find talent. #bizchatsLars SchmidtA1: Reach out to their network! Other alumni, family members, professors, mentors, past colleagues... #BizChats @mashbusinessJennifer HarmellA1: Start searching three months ago. Serious answer: clean your social accounts and set up LinkedIn! #bizchats https://t.co/LGsr7JhP6FSarah VandenbergA1. Be strategic about your #JobSearch - know what companies/roles/cities you're targeting and build a hit list of opps. #bizchatsLars SchmidtA1 #bizchats Search Linkedin for managers at your target companies who went to your school. Ask to chat w/ them abt their jobs.Craig FisherA1: Look for employers who will train & educate you & give you stretch & leadership assignments. #BizChatsDonna Svei@mashbusiness A1: Knowing where to look! Our job data shows some of the best college towns to find a job https://t.co/EU14mFzqHC #BizChatsZipRecruiterA1 #Bizchats Look at the job descriptions that interest you. Make sure you have the key words from them in your Linkedin profileCraig FisherQuestion 2:Q2. What are the pros and cons of taking an internship post college graduation? #BizChatsMashable Business@mashbusiness A2: Post-grad internship pros: will give you more work experience and bolster your resume, cons: may not pay. #BizChatsAlison DoyleA2: Only do post-college internship if you can prove skills acquired will make you more marketable to employers. #BizchatsJ.T. O'DonnellA2. Some orgs use internships as talent feeder system. The @NPR program helped discover stars like @arishapiro @npraudi @guyraz. #bizchatsLars SchmidtA2: Pro: More work experience you have, the better you can uncover your unique career needs & goals #BizChatsMaggie MistalA2. PROS: Experience and Networking, foot in the door, hopefully (modest) pay. CONS: lack of pay, possible meaningless experience. #bizchatsLars SchmidtI learned most of my skills through internships. Although not paid - the experience is certainly worth it! #bizchatsManon JungA2: Con=Internships aren't always paid nor r they a guarantee of a job. May be better focusing on FT opps post college #BizChatsMaggie MistalA2. You need some experience, period. If via internship, great. Or start a project researching the industry you want to work in. #bizchatsCraig Fisher@mashbusiness A2: Pros of post-grad internship-major networking. Major con if not pursued with purpose #bizchatsLaura Craig@mashbusiness A2: Another pro – use your internships as a way to try out different jobs and career fields #BizChatsAlison DoyleA2. An internship is the best way to see whether you love the job you think you want. #bizchatsEntrepreneur StoreQ2: Build skill set, making connections, having accomplishments for resume building. #bizchatsNextJobA2: Pro: An internship in your field shows employers you've tried the industry/job & like it. You're less of a turnover risk. #BizChatsDonna SveiA2: PRO: Post-college internships that offer unique experiences, access to a great network are worth it b/c of future value #BizChatsMaggie MistalA2:Some grads feel "stupid" if they r in an internship post-college. I don't agree. It's smart to get on the rt career path early #BizchatsMaggie MistalA2. My personal view - ALL internships should be paid. #bizchatsLars SchmidtA2. Besides experience, Your chances for a full time offer may be increased due to already have graduated. #BizchatsDayvon GoddardQuestion 3:Q3. How do you separate college experience from professional experience on a resume? #BizChatsMashable BusinessA3. Resume format is subjective. Most reviewers read vertically, so listing chronologically mixed w/your prof exp is ideal. #bizchatsLars SchmidtA3: Only put quantifiable experience on resume. If you can’t validate college experience as useful in workplace, leave it off! #BizchatsJ.T. O'Donnell@mashbusiness A3. I separate it by "professional development" and "on campus experiences" #BizChatsBuku@mashbusiness A3: List internships, college jobs and post-grad work together. Extracurriculars can go in a separate section. #BizChatsAlison DoyleA3 Highlight what you accomplished, started, grew, achieved but with college as specific area #BizChatsJon HochstatA3: You don't need to separate relevant experience between college & work on your resume. Just call it "Professional Experience." #BizChatsDonna Svei@mashbusiness A3: You can tailor your resume to fit the jobs you’re applying for. Don’t need to include everything. #BizChatsAlison DoyleA3. No need to separate! Treat your college experience as professional experience and speak to it that way #bizchats https://t.co/KfB3lnFAkpGradStaffA3. Remember, your resume is a lot broader than that file with your work history these days. #bizchatsLars SchmidtA3: A project u worked on for class is experience - list that on your resume! Especially if it's something you may do in a FT role #BizChatsAutumn SmithA3. Relevant experience at the top, then list date range and "Other Experience" for anything else you wish to highlight. #bizchatsCraig FisherMain focus on any resume: Be truthful, keep it specific and to the point, and try to reflect your personality in the design! #bizchatsManon JungA3. Emphasizing the professional experience can be more appealing. Show ya skills! @mashbusiness #BizChats https://t.co/8EiLju4teCZipRecruiterA3. DON'T list every restaurant job you ever had on your resume or Linkedin profile. Bulk odd jobs together in one spot and them. #bizchatsCraig FisherQuestion 4:Q4. What are the best resources to help recent graduates find jobs? #BizChatsMashable Business@mashbusiness A4: Best resources for recent grad jobs include your career office and alumni, LinkedIn, and entry level job sites. #BizChatsAlison DoyleA4. Resources: Target org career sites, University alumni, network, @LinkedIn @google @indeed @SimplyHired @dailymuse @Glassdoor #bizchatsLars SchmidtA4: Most jobs r landed by referral. Fellow alums employed in jobs/fields you want are best resources for grads to get jobs #BizChatsMaggie MistalA4: Alumni associations! SUCH a great resource for recent grads and not-so-recent ones #BizChats https://t.co/8FA5DBuBubSarah Vandenberg@mashbusiness A4. LinkedIn, @dailymuse, & Twitter to name a few. Can't forget university either, from advisor or alums. #BizChatsMilap@mashbusiness A4: Your network, LinkedIn, tailored resources specific to your interest. Keep your network informed! #bizchatsLaura CraigA4: http://t.co/SX7icCUw7c offers free resources on companies & http://t.co/LjqfPep2s2 offers free resources on job search. #BizchatsJ.T. O'DonnellA4: Your network (+ connections of connections), internships, employers who interview on campus, info interviews, temp to perm... #BizChatsDonna Svei#bizchats A4: resources are just six degrees away from you. Connect the dots. Friends & family know someone who knows someone @mashbusinessRoshni P. KumarA4. LINKEDIN!! LINKEDIN! You can get your resume DIRECTLY to the hiring manager. Ive helped a ton of recent grads do this. #BizchatsDayvon GoddardNever under estimate your networks! They are a great resource! #bizchatsLauren MostillerA4. Use this tool to find where the Alums from your school work: https://t.co/4AY2SZkQzy #bizchatsCraig FisherQ4. Don't rule out leveraging a college recruiting/staffing firm. Companies like GradStaff can introduce you to a huge network. #bizchatsGradStaffRead @Mashable to keep yourself current on technology & career advice! #BizChatsDonna SveiQuestion 5:Q5. What are some key factors to consider before accepting a job offer? #BizChatsMashable BusinessA5: The greatest currency in any new opportunity is the chance for learning. #bizchatsJoe SaumweberA5. Who are the people you'll work with? Are they smart? Will you learn from them? That can be as valuable as the experience.