by Brad Karsh: President and Founder, JobBound
Although the task of finding a job may seem too tough to tackle, it’s really quite simple when you compare it to one of your favorite pastimes: dating.
Just like burping out the alphabet or talking to your ex at the dinner table are sure-fire ways to blow a date, there are some things you just don’t want to do when trying to find a job. I found that if you apply these dating guidelines to the job search, you’re sure to find a dream job that’s a perfect fit for you.
- Don’t be afraid of rejection.
It’s going to happen. You have to kiss a lot of frogs to find a prince/princess. Just like dates, there will be some companies that just aren’t that into you. Don’t get discouraged; the right one is sure to come along. Rejection is just part of the game. - Don’t use the same old line.
“Do you have a map? Because I am getting lost in your eyes.” It’s been done before! Just like a good pick-up line, a cover letter should leave the recruiting director begging to know more. No one is going to read a four paragraph version of your resume. For your cover letter, short, catchy, and non-cheesy is the best way to go. - Don’t tell them what you think they want to hear.
Just like a smart date, recruiting directors can see through your answers that are too good to be true. Your date won’t buy the fact that for fun you save baby whales from haphazard environments, just like the recruiting director won’t buy the fact that being a perfectionist is your worst “weakness.” - Don’t be a stalker.
There is a fine line between being persistent and being a stalker. If the recruiting director hasn’t gotten back to you, don’t call every 5 minutes and then hang up. They probably have caller ID, and they’re officially scared of you. After calling once, leave them a message telling them how to reach you. - Don’t always listen to your mom.
Just because your mom says the blue sweater makes you look handsome, doesn’t mean you should wear it on your first date. When it comes to resumes and interviews, your parents mean well, but they don’t always give you the best advice. However, as a student, you have access to an amazing resource – the Career Center! From helping you find jobs and internships to assisting you with resume writing and interviewing skills, your Career Center is an amazing resource.
If you keep these tips in mind, the job search won’t be half as grueling. Graduation will be here before you know it, and you want to make sure you’re ready when the right company comes along.
Brad Karsh travels to college campuses as a keynote speaker on the topic of landing a job. He’s President of JobBound (www.jobbound.com), a career-consulting company that advises students and professionals on resume writing, interviewing, and everything related to the job search. Author of How To Say It on Your Resume (Prentice Hall Press, 2009) and Confessions of a Recruiting Director: The Insider’s Guide to Landing Your First Job (Prentice Hall Press, 2006), Brad is considered the nation’s leading expert on the job search. He’s been featured on CNN, Dr. Phil, and CNBC and quoted in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, New York Times, Fortune, and many others.