Cristina Gonzalez/Staff Writer
As graduation day approaches, the pressure for seniors to find a job is on. The job searching process, which may seem daunting for some, is made up of several pieces and can be time consuming, according to Darren Gregory, assistant director for the Career and Talent Development Department at FIU.
“Looking for a job is a full-time job in of itself. The amount of time you put into it, is the amount of responses that you’ll get in the job search process, generally,” said Gregory.
Competing with other qualified candidates means you’ll need to make yourself stand out to potential employers. One way to do this is to make sure your resume highlights any and all skills, accomplishments and career-related activities. Having relevant internship experience on your resume is something employers will value, according to Gregory.
“I strongly recommend doing internships if at all possible in your field of interest; that is your opportunity to get your foot into the door, in terms of your industry,” said Gregory.
When it comes to what skills and academic related experience should be included in your resume, Gregory said that upper division courses that are related to a student’s specific major should be added. In addition, any clubs or organizations that allowed students to develop their network and networking opportunities can also be included.
Networking with your professors can play an important role in the job searching process as well, according to Gregory.
“Talk to your professors; try to talk to them in a non-academic setting. When I say that, I mean like during office hours so that they get to know you on a personal level, in addition to getting to know your work ethic,” said Gregory . “I also think it’s important to get to know them because they might have an ‘in’ in a specific industry that you may not be familiar with.”
Setting yourself apart from other candidates isn’t just about polishing up your resume and cover letter; Gregory explained how branding yourself is an essential part of the job search process that students shouldn’t overlook.
“The concept of branding yourself is basically letting the world know what you’re good at and what you’re capable of,” he said. “We all have a product to sell, which is ourselves. It’s about asking yourself what are you capable of giving to an employer.”
One of the things that can make job searching for an entry-level job so challenging is having to deal with rejection. Because college graduates may not get hired immediately, Gregory stressed how important it is for students not to give up during what can be a long waiting process.
All in all, the key to avoiding the stress that accompanies job hunting is practicing career preparedness well ahead of time. This means taking the time to research any and all resources that will help you enhance your resume and prepare you for interviews with potential employers.
“Take advantage of all the campus resources that are available to you,” said Gregory. We [The Career and Talent Development Department] offer all different kinds of professional development opportunities for students; that includes everything from professional development workshops, to mock interviews, to general counseling and advising with respect to where students should start looking.”
To access online workshops that cover interviewing and networking skills or to get resources such as cover letter and resume writing guides, visit the Career and Talent Development site. Students can also make advising appointments or come directly to the Career and Talent Development Department during their walk-in hours, Monday to Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Featured image by Gabriella Pinos.
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