5 Secrets to Job-Search Success

1. Use your campus career center: Research shows that students who make extensive use of career center resources—career fairs, resume/interview workshops, job postings, networking events, and the like—land jobs faster than their friends who don’t use the career center or just use one or two resources.

2. Take part in an internship: Employers want candidates with a track record. That’s especially true in a tight job market, when they have fewer jobs to offer.  But even in a good economy, employers typically look first to their own interns when they’re hiring, Even if you don’t get an offer from the organization you’ve interned with, you’ll be a much more attractive candidate to other companies that are hiring.

3. Research the company before you do the interview: Amazingly, lots of candidates don’t bother, and it’s a pet peeve with many recruiters. Demonstrate your interest by learning about the company in advance. At a minimum, you should know something about the company's products and services, locations, and financial standing. This also will help you frame relevant questions to ask during the interview.

4. Practice interviewing: Speaking of interviews, practice before you sit across from a recruiter. Employers look for candidates with good communication and interpersonal skills, and the interview is where you can show your stuff. Plus, prepare in advance to ensure you showcase yourself as a good candidate for the job. Many career centers offer practice interview sessions, and some will even film you so you can see how well you present yourself. Don’t wing it!

5. Network: You never know who is going to be able to connect you with a good job opportunity. As a college student, you likely have some built-in opportunities to connect with employers—at career fairs and information sessions, for example. Be sure to take advantage of those, but don’t limit yourself to just “formal” networking events. Tell everyone you know that you’re in the job market.