Top 5 Job Search Tips for New Grads

Top 5 Job Search Tips for New Grads:

The post-college job search can be a daunting task, but keeping a positive mindset is key. A lot of new grads fear getting stuck in a dead-end job and finding it harder and harder to get out of bed every morning. Grads can avoid this terrifying scenario if they keep the following five tips in mind:

1. Frame Your ‘Wants’ in a Way That Benefits the Employer

Don’t be that guy or girl who walks into an interview focused only on what they want from the job without giving a thought to how they can benefit the employer. Real people will be paying you real money to do a job. Take that responsibility seriously. Your goal should be a win-win situation in which both you and the employer benefit. Frame your wants in terms of what you can do for the company.

2. Don’t Take Career Advice From Your Parents

Things have changed since your parents were in your shoes. With rare exception, even the most well-meaning parents give horrific career advice: “Start at the bottom and work your way up.” “Why would you change jobs already? It’s only been five years!”

Sound familiar? Don’t listen.

3. Your Major Doesn’t Matter

With the exception of a few niche industries and roles, all that matters to most employers is that you have a degree. To organizations, holding a college degree is proof that you can manage your time, take responsibility, and deliver against deadlines.

That being said, being a graduate doesn’t mean you’re ready for the real job. On-the-job training exists for a reason, and you’ll be doing a lot of it going forward.

4. Always Have a Plan

Taking a job because your parents are going to cut you off or because you have bills to pay may be your reality, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be strategic once you land a job. What do you want your job to lead to down the road? Is there a part of the organization from which you can learn by observing – even if it isn’t part of your current role – that may add value later in your career? Be strategic and purposeful.

5. Be a Sponge; Absorb Everything

As the saying goes, “You don’t know what you don’t know.” Trust me: There’s a still a lot you don’t know.

That being said, you probably know what you’re supposed to know at this stage. Execution in your role is how you will be measured. Learn from those who have been there before. Find the best talent in your department and follow their lead. You’ll become exponentially more valuable with every additional skill you learn and every system or process you master. Soak it all up and use it all as part of your plan to advance.

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This new stage of your life will be exciting, intimidating, and terrifying, but if you keep these tips in mind, it won’t be too disorienting. Remember: It’s okay to feel different emotions throughout the job search. Just take a deep breath, trust your gut, and get to work.

Nick Murphy is a former NFL player, a seasoned jobs expert, and the CEO of Mid-America Careers and Job Spot, Inc. 

13 Underappreciated Traits You Absolutely Need to Succeed

13 Underappreciated Traits You Absolutely Need to Succeed:


Read the rest of the article. Click the link above ^
Solid advice.

2. Solid Speaking Skills

I was an active member of my high school debate team for all four years. The extracurricular helped me become more articulate, logical, and a better public speaker overall. These skills have played a critical role in my development into the business leader I am today. – Paul Hager, Information Technology Professionals

6. Coachability

Pretty much anyone can take feedback at a surface level, but actually evaluating criticism and learning from it is a rare trait. After all, feedback is incredibly personal and it can cause severe damage to your ego. Rather than nodding to harsh feedback, I learned from the best by really taking their advice to heart and separating my self-worth from my ability to have valuable learning experiences. – Elle Kaplan, LexION Capital

7. Honesty

People appreciate my emphasis on honesty. It’s surprising, given all the people who don’t focus on it, but honesty is still highly valued among customers who are seeking that authentic experience. Even if it means telling a customer I can’t do something, I’d rather be honest and let them know. They appreciate that and come back when I can help them. – Drew Hendricks, Buttercup

8. Calmness

I have always been a very laid-back person, sometimes to a fault. In my business, I often find myself in the middle of stressful and complex deals. By staying calm, I’m able to see things more objectively and not allow the stress of the deal to force a bad decision. – Mark Daoust, Quiet Light Brokerage, Inc.

5 Steps to Take When Using LinkedIn to Network for a Job

5 Steps to Take When Using LinkedIn to Network for a Job:

1. First, follow said people.
2. When you visit their profiles, show your profile (don’t browse anonymously).
3. Like or comment on their posts.
4. Wait to see if they reach out to you first.
5. Finally, ask to connect with them using a personalized message, not the default LinkedIn template.

The Real Reason You're Not Allowed To Work From Home

The Real Reason You're Not Allowed To Work From Home:

TRUST !!!!!

I could write more, but all paths lead to the same conclusion, trust is the the reason you are not allowed to work from home.

41 Unusual Career Tips From a Recruiter

41 Unusual Career Tips From a Recruiter:



Love these tips, although I do not agree with everything, you can make your own decisions. They will make you think.

Here are a few of my favorites ...

14. Leave When You Have To
Most people don’t learn this until late in their careers, but you must leave jobs to continue to grow and earn more.

20. Move Jobs Every 18-24 Months
We don’t live in the same world as our parents did. Two years at a job is, for us, equivalent to 20 years at a job for them.

Think strategically about your company’s competitors that may want to hire you. What company would you love to work for? Send a cold email, find out what the organization needs, and see what lines up for you.

21. Spend Time With Your Bosses
The problem with networking is people do it wrong and with the wrong people. I don’t like the term “networking” because it suggests happy hours where you pass business cards around and leave without building relationships. A week later, a sales guy contacts you about buying his product.

Spend time with your customers. Better yet, spend time with your bosses and future bosses. Invite them to work out with you or to a social event that matches their interests.

22. Never Eat Alone
It may be common for people to eat their lunch in front of their computers, alone. Don’t do it. Invite someone to have lunch with you in the break room. Get to know the people you work with. Invite new people to join you for lunch. Be the person who gets people together. Be the person who makes work fun."

8 Ways to Avoid Burnout During the Job Search

8 Ways to Avoid Burnout During the Job Search:



1. Develop a Plan
Your plan should be a day-to-day one – or even an hour-to-hour one. You can keep track of your plan on an Excel spreadsheet. Without a plan, you’ll end up spinning your wheels, going nowhere fast.

2. Don’t Spend More than 4 Hours a Day on the Job Search
This is an admittedly arbitrary number, but I think it makes sense. I am including the weekends here – which can be a great time to put a bug in people’s ears about your situation. Of course, there are various opinions on how long you should spend searching for a job every day, some of which you can see in this interesting LinkedIn discussion.

3. Use a Variety of Methods to Look for Work
Networking has always proved to be the best way to look for work. Supplement in-person networking with LinkedIn. Make follow-up calls. Knock on companies’ doors if that’s a possibility. Contact your alumni association. Call on recruiters. Spending six hours a day on the internet is not a good use of your time. You’ll feel more productive if you employ a variety of methods. Just don’t spread yourself thin. Four different methods should be fine.

 4. Take a Break
You are most likely experiencing a roller coaster of emotions. You need to take occasional breaks to regroup – not for too long, mind you, but long enough to regain your energy. Go on walks or to the gym. If the weather is nice, sit on a bench and reflect on your plan. Schedule a day during the week to put the job search on hold. Maybe go to the beach with your family or putter around the house.

 5. Volunteer in Your Area of Work
Volunteering is a good idea for a number of reasons: You put yourself in the position to network with people who are currently working and who may have ideas or contacts who can be of use. It keeps you active. You’re not spending all your time sitting behind your computer. You can enhance the skills you have or develop new ones. Perhaps you’re an expert at HTML but need to know Java. Find an organization that needs a website developed and has the time for you to get up to speed.

6. Get Assistance
Local career centers, outplacement agencies, and alumni associations are great sources of job search advice. They will also offer you moral support, which is more important than you might think. Many people who come to the career center for which I work speak highly not only of the advice we provide, but also the emotional support we give them.

 7. Join a Networking Group
The benefits of joining a networking group are obvious, but aside from the ways in which these groups can help your job search, consider how they can offer support and a reason to get out of your home. I tell my workshop attendees that getting out of the house is essential to emotional health during the job hunt. Whether you prefer a small meetup group or a larger professional organization, keep in mind that you must offer career advice and support in addition to seeking advice and support for yourself. You have to give if you want to receive.

 8. Seek Professional Help If Needed
Sometimes, the stress of being out of work is too much to handle on your own. You may feel anxious and even depressed. It’s important to realize this and seek help from a professional. You may find talking with a third-party refreshing."

A Visual Guide to Email Etiquette:

A Visual Guide to Email Etiquette::