10 steps to landing an entry-level job by Heather Huhman

Special for WWDS

examiner-photo-heather-huhmanCollege students graduating this semester are abuzz with worries they won’t be able to land entry-level jobs. With our country experiencing tough economic times, what is the best way to ensure a job is waiting for you on the other side of that stage?

1. Keep up your grades. While I agree your grades will not matter much—if at all—after landing that first job out of college, at this point they can be a differentiator between you and an otherwise equally-qualified candidate. So, don’t get “senioritis” and neglect your studies!

2. Get your cover letter, résumé, e-mail pitch and “elevator speech” in shape. These forms of communication will be on the frontlines of your entry-level job search. It’s best to perfect them before you begin. If you don’t even know where to start, I recommend staying away from online templates and instead seeking the help of a career expert or the staff of your campus career center. (I’ve written about each several times in my Examiner.com column.)

3. Start a professional blog. If you haven’t already done so, start a blog relevant to your career. You’d be surprised how many entry-level professionals are found and then hired because of their blogs. Click here for a step-by-step guide.

4. Clean up your online image. First impressions count, and yes, employers are watching. While those photos of you and your friends might be funny to you, I guarantee employers will not find them amusing.

5. Begin networking. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that 70 percent of jobs are found through networking, and some believe the number is even higher. Always network and get to know your contacts before you ask something of them—in this case, an entry-level job lead. Twitter is my personal favorite place to start, but LinkedIn and Facebook are good, too.

6. Arrange informational interviews and job shadow opportunities. Spring Break is a great time for this, but for many students, that time has come and gone. However, both informational interviews and job shadowing are excellent opportunities to get to know an organization and to introduce them to you and what you can offer.

7. Quality over quantity. While you’ll definitely want to comb online job boards (see the right side of my column’s homepage for some great ones), be sure to focus your search. My recommendation is to identify two cities in which you could potentially live—although be careful not to pigeonhole yourself into your “local” and “permanent” addresses if they are both small towns. Then, make a list of 10 organizations at which you would like to work in each of the two cities (20 total).

Visit the cities’ chambers of commerce, local chapters of your professional organization, local Business Journal Web sites, etc. to conduct your research. If you’re looking for a career in public relations, for example, don’t limit yourself to only public relations firms. Many different types of organizations hire public relations professionals, and the same is true for other fields.

8. Follow the application instructions. You’d be surprised how many candidates—in their hurry to get out job applications—don’t follow all the instructions and are eliminated from consideration. Read the job ad very carefully. (Or, if you’re applying through a networking contact, be sure to inquire about all the requirements.)

9. Follow-up. Do not neglect this step. Following up can make a world of difference in this economy. Click here for detailed information about when and how to appropriately follow-up.

10. Be willing to volunteer if you don’t land a job immediately. If possible, don’t let gaps form on your résumé during your post-college job hunt. Once you start applying for positions, be sure to include both internships and entry-level jobs in your search. If you end up landing an unpaid—but meaningful and résumé-building—position first, take it and continue searching. Arrange to work at the unpaid internship 15 to 20 hours each week, and get a second paying job to help cover your bills in the meantime. Just make sure you leave time to continue your search!

What other tactics would you recommend? What have you tried—what’s worked and what hasn’t?

Ed. Note: Heather R. Huhman is the entry-level careers columnist for Examiner.com. Heather is passionate about helping students and recent college graduates pursue their dream careers. As the oldest child in her family – even among her extended family – she did not have anyone to guide her through the trials and tribulations of developing her career. Now, as a former hiring manager and someone who has been in nearly every employment-related situation imaginable, she is serving as that much-needed guide for others. Follow her on Twitter or e-mail her at Heather@heatherhuhman.com if you have questions.