Entry-Level Jobs: How to Land Your First Full-Time Position?
31 July 2013
Read by 2352 persons
Answer job postings, explore the hidden job market
To find a job you like that pays a decent salary, you'll need a plan of action.
Your plan can be divided into three steps: deciding what kind of job you want, knowing how to sell your skills, and targeting your job search.
Step one: Decide what type of job you want
Do you want to be an astronaut or a rock star? Or even the creator of the next hit video game like DOOM? To get there, you'll first need to find an entry-level job that will hopefully put you on the right track. Every career has to start somewhere. First, think about what you would like to do with your life.
If you can combine a passion (the outdoors, music, video games) with the work you'll eventually do, you'll get the best of both worlds. Visit your school's career center or guidance office for help identifying possible careers that suit your personality.
Step two: Know how to sell your skills
Looking for a job? You need a resume, that much is obvious. But did you know that having "temporary business cards" to give to people you meet during your job search can be very helpful? Not to mention the need to update your online profiles so that employers browsing the internet aren't shocked by what they see. Here are some ways to prepare for an effective job search
Create interesting marketing materials
• Develop a resume that describes your major achievements in school and extracurricular activities (volunteering, part-time jobs or summer jobs, etc.)
• Have temporary business cards printed to hand out when you network and meet people in person
Clean up the Web
• Make sure your Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and other online profiles don't portray you as a wild party animal
• Change your privacy settings so that only your friends have access to your personal information
• Look for public photos that mention your name on your friends' Web pages. Ask them to remove any photos where you're wearing a tiny bikini or drinking beer straight from the keg
Prepare for interviews
• Practice answering the most frequently asked questions
• Find answers to sensitive questions you might be asked, like "Why are you naked in your Facebook profile?"
• Learn about salaries and benefits before negotiating the offer you are made
Step three: Target your job search
Anyone can quickly find a lousy job. But if you want a decent salary, growth opportunities and challenges, working for a reputable employer and not having to commute for two hours each way, you need to target your job search.
Many people apply for these kinds of jobs, so there's no guarantee that an employer will invite you to an interview. That's why, while answering job postings, you should also explore the hidden job market, where positions haven't been posted yet. Networking with your contacts will allow you to break into this market.
This is where your online social networks come into play! Let your network know that you are looking for a certain type of job in a specific location. Check if they know someone who has already worked in the field or industry where you want to be hired. Chat with the references provided and see if any of them are willing to meet you in person to offer you valuable information or introduce you to other people.
Having a foot in the door is better than being unemployed
This is a harsh reality you might as well face: your entry-level position might not resemble the job of your dreams. But so what! After all, Eileen Collins, the first woman to command and pilot a space shuttle, started her career as a part-time math teacher. Lady Gaga (real name Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta) performed in burlesque shows in seedy bars alongside strippers. As for the co-creator of the DOOM video game, John Carmack, who is immensely wealthy today, he once held a part-time job at a pizzeria while coding his very first games.
Whatever entry-level position you're looking for, put your heart into it! Use all the tools at your disposal. Follow the steps outlined above. Tell yourself that there's a place for you in the firmament of dream jobs, but be prepared to start by firmly planting both feet on the ground.
Posted July 31, 2013
To find a job you like that pays a decent salary, you'll need a plan of action.
Your plan can be divided into three steps: deciding what kind of job you want, knowing how to sell your skills, and targeting your job search.
Step one: Decide what type of job you want
Do you want to be an astronaut or a rock star? Or even the creator of the next hit video game like DOOM? To get there, you'll first need to find an entry-level job that will hopefully put you on the right track. Every career has to start somewhere. First, think about what you would like to do with your life.
If you can combine a passion (the outdoors, music, video games) with the work you'll eventually do, you'll get the best of both worlds. Visit your school's career center or guidance office for help identifying possible careers that suit your personality.
Step two: Know how to sell your skills
Looking for a job? You need a resume, that much is obvious. But did you know that having "temporary business cards" to give to people you meet during your job search can be very helpful? Not to mention the need to update your online profiles so that employers browsing the internet aren't shocked by what they see. Here are some ways to prepare for an effective job search
Create interesting marketing materials
• Develop a resume that describes your major achievements in school and extracurricular activities (volunteering, part-time jobs or summer jobs, etc.)
• Have temporary business cards printed to hand out when you network and meet people in person
Clean up the Web
• Make sure your Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and other online profiles don't portray you as a wild party animal
• Change your privacy settings so that only your friends have access to your personal information
• Look for public photos that mention your name on your friends' Web pages. Ask them to remove any photos where you're wearing a tiny bikini or drinking beer straight from the keg
Prepare for interviews
• Practice answering the most frequently asked questions
• Find answers to sensitive questions you might be asked, like "Why are you naked in your Facebook profile?"
• Learn about salaries and benefits before negotiating the offer you are made
Step three: Target your job search
Anyone can quickly find a lousy job. But if you want a decent salary, growth opportunities and challenges, working for a reputable employer and not having to commute for two hours each way, you need to target your job search.
Many people apply for these kinds of jobs, so there's no guarantee that an employer will invite you to an interview. That's why, while answering job postings, you should also explore the hidden job market, where positions haven't been posted yet. Networking with your contacts will allow you to break into this market.
This is where your online social networks come into play! Let your network know that you are looking for a certain type of job in a specific location. Check if they know someone who has already worked in the field or industry where you want to be hired. Chat with the references provided and see if any of them are willing to meet you in person to offer you valuable information or introduce you to other people.
Having a foot in the door is better than being unemployed
This is a harsh reality you might as well face: your entry-level position might not resemble the job of your dreams. But so what! After all, Eileen Collins, the first woman to command and pilot a space shuttle, started her career as a part-time math teacher. Lady Gaga (real name Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta) performed in burlesque shows in seedy bars alongside strippers. As for the co-creator of the DOOM video game, John Carmack, who is immensely wealthy today, he once held a part-time job at a pizzeria while coding his very first games.
Whatever entry-level position you're looking for, put your heart into it! Use all the tools at your disposal. Follow the steps outlined above. Tell yourself that there's a place for you in the firmament of dream jobs, but be prepared to start by firmly planting both feet on the ground.
Posted July 31, 2013
