After graduation, students should be elated to be done school, but the search for a new job can cause even more panic attacks than your last final. You may have finally received that coveted diploma, but the real test has only just begun.
If you’re a recent graduate looking for a new position, or a business owner looking for a new partner, these suggestions will make the hiring process a little easier.
1. Interviews are key.
For Business Owners: It doesn’t matter if you’ve found someone with the most impressive resume in the world, meeting someone for an interview is extremely important. Asking questions about past project, school involvement, and future aspirations with the company will help you understand their overall personality and work ethic. If they engage you in conversation and show a willingness to learn about the company – you know you’ve found a good candidate.
For Recent Graduates: Go on as many interviews as possible. Even if you’re not 100 per cent qualified for the position, going to multiple interviews will strengthen your comfort in tense situations. You may not land your first job interview, so it’s important to keep going. Engage in conversation with your interviewer, bring an extra copy of your resume (and portfolio pieces if necessary) and make sure they get to know you.
2. Lose any pretence of attitude.
For Business Owners: Remember: you still need to sell your business. You’re not the only company that’s hiring, and you won’t be doing anyone a favour if you make them feel as though they’d be lucky to work for you. The reason you’re hiring graduates is to add new talent, and you might end up losing them if you belittle their benefits to the company.
For Recent Graduates: Please remember that you are not the only person with a new diploma. You may have graduated top of your class and acquired some great references, but you’re still new, and there might be someone with more experience and a similar diploma sitting in the waiting room with you. You want to build a relationship, and a bad attitude won’t help with that.
3. Get over any procrastination tendencies, and fear of group work.
For Business Owners: Never procrastinate when it comes to hiring. Don’t hire someone when you need him or her to start immediately. It’s better to hire someone during a slow period, so you have time to train them and introduce them to the company. When you are conducting interviews, bring someone else with you. They might pick up something you missed.
For Recent Graduates: If you haven’t already figured out how to beat procrastination, do it now, and quickly. Chances are you won’t stick around very long if you can’t keep on top of your assigned work. And remember how much you despise group work because of that one person who doesn’t pull their weight? Well, it’s time to shake that feeling and jump in headfirst. You’re in a new place with new people, and showing your boss that you’re eager to work as a team is a great way to start building relationships.
© Zoe Begopoulos, DemGen Inc 2013
