blog:

by Kelly Strecker on 5.17.2011 in Company News, Trends + Surveys 0

Standing out in the sea of recent graduates isn’t impossible. There are a number of things you can do to help propel yourself ahead of the crowd. Being a recent college graduate from Webster University, I used a lot of these when job searching. Here are some tips to help get you noticed!

1.       Network. Network. Network. I can’t say it enough. Get your name out there. Join professional organizations and meet people. The reason I’m at Brighton Agency is because of networking. I met the right people at the right time!

2.       Stay on top of industry news. Subscribe to Ad Age or American Advertising Federation’s SmartBrief, a daily e-newsletter detailing industry news and headlines. Having knowledge of the advertising industry is very helpful.

3.      Volunteer or seek internships. Both help build your resume and give you the experience you need. Experience is crucial when building your resume. Companies want to see that you have valuable experience so that when they bring you on board, you can dive right in and start working.

4.      Step out of your comfort zone. Look into a variety of industries and jobs. You never know where it could lead. Be open to various positions at an agency or company.

5.       When you go into an interview, be prepared. Have a list of questions to ask your interviewer, both about the company/agency and about themselves. This shows you have done your research. If you’re interviewing with an agency, research their clients and recent projects they have worked on.

6.      Write a cover letter for every resume you send! These are reviewed more closely than you would think. Also, be sure to spell check everything! One spelling mistake can quickly result in a deleted or discarded resume.

7.     Use social media to stay updated on companies and agencies you are interested in working for. If an agency or company is hiring, they will post it on Facebook or tweet it. You can be one of the first to apply!

Remember, it’s the little things, especially in this tough economy, that can position you as the best candidate for a job. It’s all about putting your best foot forward. Of all tips listed above, the most important is networking. You never know who could lead you to your next job, even your career.

• Tweet