Tips to Improve Job Prospects for Graduates

It took me 7 months post graduation to land a full-time role at Red Hat! Here are 5 things that helped me tackle the current job market and could help you too- 🦋 Tailor your resume- Instead of using the same resume for multiple job applications, tailor it to match the specific job description. Adding keywords from the job description into your resume gives you more chances of getting your resume selected. Focus on applying for 10-15 jobs with a referral and a tailored resume instead of a hundred cold applications. 🦋 Ask for referrals- Reach out to people in the company you are interested in with a friendly message including a small introduction, what you are looking for, your resume and the job link you want to apply for. Be extremely humble with your words since this person is doing you a favor if they decide to refer you. 🦋 Connect with people currently working in the similar role- Once you start getting interviews, reach out to people who already work in similar roles at the company. Ask about their experience working at the company and what was the interview process like for them. This will help you prepare better for your interviews. 🦋 Build a portfolio website- Even if you're not looking specifically for Software Developer roles, building a portfolio website where you can showcase your projects and the work you've done is a great way to stand out. It makes it easier for interviewers to see what you can do. 🦋 Showcase enthusiasm about the role- Interviewers love to see that you're genuinely excited about the opportunity. Speak about how you envision yourself making a meaningful impact. Share specific examples of projects or initiatives that showcase your eagerness to contribute. These simple steps made a big difference for me, and I hope they help you too! Your dream job might be closer than you think! 🚀 #JobSearchTips #CareerAdvice #RedHat #SoftwareEngineer #NewGrad 🎉

As I am heading towards the end of my Masters here at UC San Diego, all that I hear from my peers is that they need to work on creating state of the art technical projects, get a Tableau certification to ‘showcase visualization skills’ or perhaps solve a 100 SQL questions yet the topic of securing interviews often goes overlooked. Here’s a summary of what might really help from my recent experience: 1. Do not just scroll on LinkedIn optimize it: Ensure your profile has a professional photo, incorporate relevant keywords in the About and Skills sections, and highlight your top achievements. Keep your profile current and actively engage by sending direct messages and posting updates about your projects or experiences. 2. Effective Cold Emailing: To begin with, that’s how I got a lot of my interviews in today’s market. Directly reaching out to a Hiring Manager / Startup Founder, etc. helps in bypassing the usual pool you enter in via direct applications. 3. Perseverance, Lowering Inhibitions, Ego Dump and Consistency: Job hunting can be discouraging, especially when responses are few and far between. It's a numbers game where persistence pays off. Remember, you only need one successful offer. Continuously apply for positions, engage with recruiters, and refine your skills. 4. Additional LinkedIn Tip from my Journey: A savvy approach on LinkedIn is to reach out to users who frequently interact with content but aren't overwhelmed by a deluge of messages i.e. Recruiters, Content Creators with numerous followers, they have way too many messages to address and your efforts to hear back will be futile. Secondly, shy away from posts that asks or has a lot of "I am interested" comments, they don’t work. Anything that seems too easy i.e. ‘Easy Apply’ on LinkedIn or commenting ‘I am interested’ is probably a waste of time. These are my two cents to improve your job search. :) #interviews #jobs #jobhelp #jobsearch #linkedin #networking #cs #university #datascience

#careertip: You are probably missing out on many job opportunities. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, as of Jan. 9, 2024, there were 9.5 million job openings in the U.S. In a search I made today, LinkedIn shows 5,078,528 job ads with base in the U.S. and Indeed shows 244,950 full time jobs available in the U.S. If you're focusing your search only on these two social networks for professionals, it's time to broaden your horizon. Here's how to tap into the wider job market effectively: 1. Look into niche job boards specific to your industry, as well as regional or local job boards. Sites like AngelList are great for startup jobs, while Idealist.org is perfect for nonprofit positions. 2. Engage with professional groups on social media, attend industry meetups, conferences, and webinars. Don't underestimate the power of reaching out to contacts for informational conversations – they can offer insights and introduce you to opportunities that aren’t advertised. 3. Identify companies you’re interested in and visit their career pages regularly. Some companies prefer to list openings on their website to attract candidates who are specifically interested in their organization (and because they want to save money!). 4. Many educational institutions have career services for alumni and platforms for networking with fellow graduates. Check them out! 5. Share your job search goals with friends, family, and former colleagues. Often, jobs are found through personal connections. 6. Join professional groups or associations related to your field and participate in online communities. They often have job boards, resources, and networking events that can lead to job opportunities. 7. When browsing LinkedIn, use the "Search" bar more than the "Jobs" tab. The article below explains how I approach job search and how I find most of the #commsjobs I share with you. Check out the article: https://bit.ly/42qGJMR Remember: the more avenues you explore, the better your chances of finding a role that truly fits your skills and aspirations. Also, always prioritize starting your application from a personal connection instead of just sending your resume into the big black hole of ATS systems, hoping for the best. Keep an open mind and stay persistent – your next great opportunity could come from where you least expect it.

Its Graduation Season and navigating the job market as a recent grad can be tough, especially with increased competition from both peers and experienced professionals. Here are some strategies to help you stand out: 1. Leverage internships, co-ops, volunteer opportunities, and part-time jobs to gain practical experience and expand your network both during your time in school and after graduation. Employers highly value real-world exposure, even if it's not directly aligned with your desired career path. Taking any job, regardless of its relevance to your degree, demonstrates your initiative to navigate the professional world, making you more appealing to hiring managers. Additionally, volunteering with non-profits in your field of interest, whether in #finance, #accounting, #HR, #marketing, or other areas, offers invaluable hands-on experience. Non-profits consistently welcome assistance, providing ample opportunities for skill development and networking. 2. Network strategically: Attend career fairs, industry events, and networking mixers to meet professionals in your field. Utilize LinkedIn to connect with alumni and professionals who can provide insights and potentially refer you for job opportunities. 3. Develop your personal brand: In a competitive job market, distinguishing yourself from other candidates is more crucial than ever. This is where personal branding comes into play, acting as a game-changer in your job search. Personal branding isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a strategic approach to presenting yourself as the ideal candidate. For more tips/tricks on personal branding be sure to check out our blog linked below. 4. Showcase your soft skills: Highlight your communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability skills on your social profiles, resume and during interviews. Employers are increasingly valuing these qualities in candidates. 5. Be proactive: Don't wait for job postings to appear. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for, even if they're not actively hiring. Find an executive recruiter within your desired field and make that connection. Express your enthusiasm for their work, the industry and inquire about potential opportunities. 6. Stay resilient: Rejection is part of the job search process, but don't let it discourage you. With each rejection, use it as an opportunity to grow, learn, develop and network. Keep refining your approach, seeking feedback, and staying persistent. The right opportunity will come along with perseverance and determination. #GetStarted https://lnkd.in/gGdPfWWq