Essential Resources and Guidance to Get You Started

Job Application Tips

• Research: Before you apply, do some research on the company. This will help you tailor your application and show that you’re truly interested in the role.
• Tailor Your Application: Customize your resume and cover letter for each job application. Highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the job.
• Follow Instructions: Make sure to carefully read and follow any application instructions given in the job posting.
• Proofread: Check your application for typos and errors before submitting. Mistakes can leave a bad impression.
• Stay organized: Keep track of the jobs you’ve applied to, including the job description, the date you applied, and any follow-up actions.
• Follow Up: If you haven’t heard back within a week or two, it’s appropriate to follow up with a polite email to check on the status of your application.

For more tips and resources targeted for job seekers, check out the Job Seeker’s Guide

Internship Application Tips

• Start Early: Many companies start recruiting for internships well in advance. Start your search early to have the best chance of securing an internship.
• Network: Use your school’s career services, alumni network, professional organizations, or LinkedIn to connect with individuals who can help you find internship opportunities.
• Tailor Your Application: Just like when applying for a job, customize your resume and cover letter for each internship application.
• Highlight Relevant Coursework and Projects: Since you may not have a lot of work experience, be sure to highlight relevant coursework and projects on your resume.
• Follow Up: After applying, follow up with a thank you note and express your continued interest in the internship.

For more tips and resources targeted for internship seekers, check out the Internship Success Guide

Job Seekers:

• Leverage LinkedIn: LinkedIn is a powerful networking tool. Use it to connect with people in your desired industry. Don’t hesitate to send connection requests to professionals you admire or want to learn from. Be sure to include a personalized note explaining why you’d like to connect. 
• Attend Networking Events: Attend industry-specific events, job fairs, and webinars. These are great opportunities to meet professionals and learn about job openings. Remember to follow up after the event with a personalized message to the people you met.
• Create an Elevator Pitch: Prepare a brief, compelling statement about your skills, experiences, and career goals. Use this when introducing yourself at networking events or in LinkedIn introductions.
• Follow-up: After meeting someone or having an informational interview, always follow up with a thank-you note. This can help keep the connection strong and make you stand out from other networkers.
• Join Professional Organizations: Being a part of professional organizations in your field can help you meet like-minded individuals and keep you informed about the industry.

Internship Seekers:

• LinkedIn Connections: Connect with industry professionals, especially those who have the role or are in the company you aspire to intern with. Follow companies on LinkedIn to stay updated with their work and any internship opportunities.
• Leverage Your Existing Network: Speak to teachers, career counselors, family, and friends about your internship goals. They may know someone in the industry and can introduce you.
• Reach Out to Alumni: Alumni from your school can provide advice and job leads. Consider reaching out to them for informational interviews.
• Campus Networking Events: Attend career fairs, company information sessions, and other networking events on your campus. These are great opportunities to learn about potential internships and meet company representatives.
• Join Relevant Clubs and Organizations: Join clubs or groups relevant to your industry on campus. They often have industry connections and may host events with potential employers.
• Connect with past interns: Try to connect with past interns from the company you’re interested in. They can provide valuable insight and may even be able to put in a good word for you.

Remember, networking is not a one-time activity. Continually seek to build and maintain relationships with professionals in your desired field.

We have already mentioned how LinkedIn is a powerful networking tool! So, here’s some guidance on optimizing your LinkedIn profile:

Basic Tips

• Profile Picture and Header: Your profile picture should be professional and clear, while your header (background photo) can be more personal or related to your industry. Make sure these images are high resolution.
• Headline: This is often the first thing people read. Make it catchy and informative. Instead of just your job title, consider summarizing what you do or aspire to do.
  Example: “Aspiring Marketing Specialist | Recent Graduate from XYZ University | Passionate About Data-Driven Strategies”
• About Section: This is a great place to tell your story. Highlight your accomplishments, skills, and career goals. Keep it concise and engaging.
• Experience Section: List your work experiences, including internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer work. For each position, include a brief summary of your responsibilities and any notable accomplishments. Use action verbs and quantify achievements where possible.
• Education Section: Include your degree, major, and university. You can also mention relevant courses, projects, or extracurricular activities.
• Skills Section: Include a mix of hard and soft skills relevant to the job you’re seeking. Be sure to include those skills mentioned in the job descriptions you’re interested in.
• Recommendations: Ask for recommendations from professors, colleagues, or supervisors who can speak to your skills and qualifications. This adds credibility to your profile.
• Engagement: Join relevant groups, follow companies you’re interested in, and engage with posts (like, share, comment). This shows you’re active and engaged in your industry.
• Custom URL: Customize your LinkedIn URL to make it clean and easy to share. It typically should look something like: www.linkedin.com/in/yourname.

Advanced Tips

• Use Keywords Strategically: Include industry-related keywords in your headline, about section, and job descriptions. This improves your visibility in LinkedIn and Google search results. Use terms that potential employers or recruiters might use when looking for someone with your skills or experience.
• Leverage the ‘Featured’ Section: Use this section to showcase your best work – presentations, design portfolios, articles, projects, or even praiseworthy emails or recommendation letters. This provides tangible proof of your skills and accomplishments.
• Obtain Skills Endorsements: Having a high number of endorsements for your top skills can strengthen your profile. Don’t hesitate to ask your network for endorsements. Remember to endorse others too, as it often leads to reciprocation.
• Get Detailed Recommendations: A generic recommendation isn’t as effective as a detailed one. When asking for recommendations, politely ask the person to include specific skills or experiences that highlight your capabilities.
• Engage with Your Network: Regularly engage with your connections’ posts and share valuable content. This keeps your profile active and on the radar, and could lead to more profile visits.
• Use Actionable Analytics: LinkedIn provides analytics for your activities. Use it to understand what kind of content gets engagement from your network, who’s viewing your profile, and how you’re found.
• Create Content: Regularly share updates, write articles, or create posts. This positions you as an active member of the LinkedIn community and can help establish you as a thought leader in your field.
• Set “Open to Work” if Applicable: This feature signals recruiters that you’re open to opportunities. It’s a simple way to increase visibility to potential employers.

Remember, LinkedIn is a dynamic platform, so continuously updating and optimizing your profile is key to maintaining a strong professional online presence.

Sharpen your skills or learn new ones to increase your marketability while you search or wait for an opportunity. Some of the free resources available are suggested below:

• LinkedIn’s Communicating with Confidence: This course can help improve your verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
• Coursera’s Successful Negotiation: Essential Strategies and Skills: This course from the University of Michigan provides insights into successful negotiation techniques.
• edX’s Analyzing and Visualizing Data with Power BI: This course teaches you how to use Power BI to analyze and visualize data, a crucial skill in many businesses.
• LinkedIn’s Body Language for Leaders: This course offers advice on how to use body language effectively to show confidence and authenticity.
• Coursera’s Learning How to Learn: This course offers valuable insights into mastering complex subjects and improving your learning techniques.
• University of Pennsylvania’s Resilience Skills in a Time of Uncertainty: This course offers techniques for developing resilience, a key soft skill for navigating any workplace.
• Introduction to Public Speaking: This free course offered by the University of Washington on edX can help communicate effectively in front of an audience.
• High-Impact Business Writing: This free course offered by the University of California, Irvine on Coursera teaches techniques on clear and effective writing for professional communication.