• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

College Magazine

College Life, Dating, Career & Campus Advice

  • Colleges
    • College Guides
    • College Rankings
    • Campus Life
      • Academics
      • Dating
      • Freshman Year
      • Health
      • Social Change
      • Party
  • Majors
    • All Majors
    • Most Popular Majors
    • Choosing a Major
  • Intern
    • Internship Directory
    • How to Get an Internship
    • How to Write a Resume
    • How to Write a Cover Letter
    • How to Interview
    • How to Network
    • Career 101
    • Find Your Passion Career
  • Money
    • How to Make Money
    • How to Save Money
    • How to Get a Job
    • Credit Cards 101
    • FAFSA
    • Ramen Project
  • Travel
    • Study Abroad
    • College Spring Break
    • How to Travel Cheap
    • Things to Do
  • Shop
    • Writer Course
    • College Magazine Shop
    • Gift Guides
    • College Packing List
  • Find your college or university
  • Colleges
    • College Guides
    • College Rankings
    • Campus Life
      • Academics
      • Dating
      • Freshman Year
      • Health
      • Social Change
      • Party
  • Majors
    • All Majors
    • Most Popular Majors
    • Choosing a Major
  • Intern
    • Internship Directory
    • How to Get an Internship
    • How to Write a Resume
    • How to Write a Cover Letter
    • How to Interview
    • How to Network
    • Career 101
    • Find Your Passion Career
  • Money
    • How to Make Money
    • How to Save Money
    • How to Get a Job
    • Credit Cards 101
    • FAFSA
    • Ramen Project
  • Travel
    • Study Abroad
    • College Spring Break
    • How to Travel Cheap
    • Things to Do
  • Shop
    • Writer Course
    • College Magazine Shop
    • Gift Guides
    • College Packing List
  • Find your college or university
  • About Us
  • Team
  • Write
  • Apply
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sign Up
  • Advertise
  • My Account
  • Cart

You are here: Home / Career / Somebody Notice Me: Navigating the Job Hunt

Somebody Notice Me: Navigating the Job Hunt

May 11, 2015 //  by Jennifer Stover

Shares33FacebookTweet

One of the biggest misconceptions about education to date is that everyone with a college degree is going to land that “dream job” immediately after taking off that cap and gown. It makes sense; why else would you spend thousands on an education if it doesn’t benefit you? However, there is one thing standing in your way: lack of experience. As you receive the inevitable letters telling you that you “do not meet all the qualifications” for a job, remain calm. Check out 10 ways to get the attention of potential employers, despite inexperience.

1. Have a killer resume

giphy.com
giphy.com

Always remember that your resume is the first thing a potential employer sees that represents you. Make sure you list all experience that applies to the position you are seeking. Are you looking for a job in finance? List that you were the Treasurer for your university’s student government. Do you want to be a teacher? Time to list all the summer camps and after school programs you volunteered for. Even if it seems insignificant to you, it might just be the thing that catches the hiring manager’s eye. Make your resume your own, but also remember to make sure that it is neat, professional, and well written. A grammatical error can say a lot about your professionalism and attention to detail.

2. Have the “Right” references

giphy.com
giphy.com

Not all references are created equal. You might think listing a friend, relative, or pastor is a good idea, but you should really think about what your references can say about you. When contacting a pastor an interviewer does not want to hear: “Yes, Jane attends my church, she is really nice.” They want to hear “Jane has been in our church for 10 years and has always worked hard in helping us maintain a great children’s ministry. She would make an excellent teacher.” Other helpful references include former bosses, volunteer work organizers or heads of committees. Only use a family friend if they have knowledge of the career you are entering into, and can give the interviewer viable examples of how you make the cut.

3. Talk up those extracurriculars

giphy.com
giphy.com

You might have listed them in your resume, but if you get that elusive interview, don’t hesitate to mention experiences outside of work and class. Especially if it’s relevant to a question you are asked. If the interviewer asks you, “Have you faced any conflicts with your peers, and if so how did you handle it?” you can respond with “Well, when I was working for Habitat for Humanity there was an incident…” and continue with a relevant example. This reminds the employer that while you may not have experience in the field you are trying to break into; you’ve done something valuable with your time.

4. Be the epitome of professionalism

giphy.com
giphy.com

When you go into an interview the interviewer automatically looks at three things: punctuality, appearance, and introduction. Always arrive early to show a potential employer that you’re eager and that you respect their time enough to make sure they’re not late for lunch. Ditch the sundresses and long beards and show up neatly styled in business casual attire. When you meet the interviewer, smile politely, make eye contact, and give a firm handshake. How you first present yourself shows the interviewer how comfortable you are in strange situations. Don’t act like a slob.

5. Research, Research, Research

glitzandgrammar.com
glitzandgrammar.com

Know the company you are interviewing with. Some hiring managers will cleverly ask you questions to see how well you know their organization without being direct. It can be as subtle as “How do you see yourself fitting in here?” They don’t want a vague answer, they want specifics, so know ahead of time two or three ways you would fit within their company’s dynamics. If you can answer with an informed mind, it shows you have taken the time to learn as much about the company as you can.

6. Crank up the confidence

thoughtcatalog.com
thoughtcatalog.com

When it comes to exuding confidence in an interview, it can get tricky. Nobody likes to interview, but it is a necessary evil when navigating the job market. When you meet the hiring manager, fix your slovenly posture, sit up straight and answer questions with pride. It also doesn’t hurt to have examples of your work. A portfolio gives the interviewers a chance to see what you can do, and shows you take enough pride in your work to display it without being asked.

7. Have a good attitude

giphy.com
giphy.com

Confidence is great, but make sure your attitude does not branch into cockiness. Never say anything like “I should get this job because I feel like I am the best candidate for this position.” You have no way of knowing that, and to voice it makes an interviewer think that you may not fit in well with potential coworkers. Find the balance between highlighting your attributes and pretentiousness. Talk about why you’re awesome, but always remember to keep a genuine smile on your face.

8. Be determined

ew.com
ew.com

When you come across a job that you might not have all the qualifications for, don’t scroll past it. Submit your resume anyway, and on the cover letter include a line stating, “While I might be lacking the experience you are seeking I still think I would be a good fit for your company because…” Some employers might still ignore your resume, but others might admire that you gave it a shot and grant you an interview.

9. Look in the right place

Monster
monster.com

Monster, Simply Hired, and Indeed are all perfect examples of job listing sites you should turn to in your hunt for employment. Not only do they keep your resume on file for potential employers to pursue, but will also send your resume to employers that post jobs in your field. Also, remember that the bigger the company, the more likely your lack of experience will be overlooked. Larger corporations might have better resources to teach you what you need to know, while smaller institutions might not have the time or extra hands to get you started.

10. Be willing to compromise

wordpress.com
wordpress.com

Remember that interviewers are well-versed in reading an applicant’s reaction to things. If they tell you the potentially low salary, keep that smile on your face. If you are a teacher seeking to teach a particular grade, but are told in the interview that there are only positions in other grades available, don’t write them off so fast. Tell the interviewer that you would be willing to consider those jobs. You don’t want to be written off as inflexible. If you do receive a job offer that doesn’t meet all your requirements, don’t reject it right away. Take the time to sit down and weigh the pros and cons of the position. Who knows when the next offer will come along?

Entering the work force a job hunt is never easy. Just remember to keep that positive attitude; someone will eventually give you a chance.

Shares33FacebookTweet

Filed Under: Career

About Jennifer Stover

Jenni Stover is a junior Editing, Writing, and Media Major at Florida State University. She hopes to go on to earn her masters in Rhetoric and Composition before working in the publishing field.

You May Also Like

All You Need To Know Before Diving Head First Into Law

Earth Without Art is Just Eh: The Struggle of Deciding My Career

Superwoman or Ada Ruth? An Interview with Auburn University’s Former SGA President

how to become a pastor

Sharing the Gospel: CM’S Guide to Becoming a Pastor

15 Key Interview Preparation Tips From Recruiters

If You Can Dream It, You Can Draw It: A Vibrant Q&A with Artist Kyle Feliciano 

Success in the Making: How to Start a Small Business Fresh Out of College

how to use linkedin

7 Ways You Can Use LinkedIn to Score Your Dream Job

boss

The Brightside of Being Judged: Surviving Your Next Performance Review

Top 10 Student Approved On-Campus Jobs at St. John’s University

Top 10 Things To Keep in Mind When Asking for a Reference Letter

Finding Yourself Through Professors and Pandemics 

Painting strokes image

CM Creates: How to Become a Professional Painter

5 Tips for Getting Your Social Media Ready for the Professional World

resume styles

College Magazine’s Guide to Resume Styles for Landing the Job

Community College Professor walks through the halls

Higher Education: Why Teaching Community College Makes the Ideal Career

College Magazine’s Guide to the Engineering Major

Writer

How to Use Your Creative Writing Degree: 10 Tips and Tricks

corporate

7 Insider Tips on How to Climb the Corporate Ladder

career development

How Your College Career Center Can Land You a Job During COVID-19

how to become a software engineer

College Magazine’s Guide to Becoming a Software Engineer

CM Guide Health Science

College Magazine’s Guide to the Health Science Major

Overview of three people at a desk working

Work in the Way? 10 Guilt-Free Reasons To Leave Your Job

10 Office Ethics Commandments That Apply to Daily Life

Previous Post: « Am I Fat or Is It Facebook?
Next Post: The Taming of Two Left Feet »

Primary Sidebar



Trending Posts

dancing dreams
63

Saying Goodbye to My Dreams of Dancing

50

Stargazing in the Sand: My Trip to Terlingua, Texas

42

How My Childhood Bully Followed Me to College

9

Top 10 Covid-19 Safe Spots to Explore Near UCLA

Brass-colored 21 foil balloons inside a room.
8

10 Spots to Celebrate Your 21st Birthday Near UCLA

Featured Chapter: St. John’s University

Footer

logo

College Magazine is the national daily guide to campus life. Our articles for college students feature university rankings of U.S. colleges, college guides, academic advice, college prep, career advice, student health and collegiate dating tips.

Written by students for students, by a team of journalists from universities nationwide, we’re on the pulse of the college experience.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Colleges

  • College Guides
  • College Rankings
  • Campus life
  • Academics
  • Dating
  • Freshmen Year
  • Health
  • Party

Majors

  • All College Majors
  • Most Popular Majors
  • Choosing a Major

Intern

  • Internships Directory
  • How to Write a Resume
  • How to Write a Cover Letter
  • How to Interview
  • How to Get an Internship
  • How to Network

Money

  • How to Make Money
  • How to Save Money
  • How to Get a Job
  • Credit Cards 101
  • College Loans

Travel

  • Study Abroad
  • College Spring Break
  • How to Travel Cheap
  • Things to Do

Shop

  • College Packing List
  • Gift Guides
  • About Us
  • Team
  • Write
  • Apply
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sign Up
  • Advertise
  • My Account
  • Cart

Copyright © 2021 College Magazine · All Rights Reserved · Powered by BizBudding Inc.