Hunting for jobs?

In the last welcome week, we saw over 500 new international students who came from every walk of life. Many of them were enthusiastic about landing a job, but when it came to how to go about it, about 90% have no idea on how to get about doing so or have some idea but not entirely sure, while the 10% have some sort of basic idea of getting a job. We as International Student Ambassadors at Career Networks know that finding a job is though when you don’t have experience and that’s why you need to think differently.

So here are some tips when you job-hunt as a fresher:

Research the company

It always amazes me that people miss out this basic step. Not just freshers, but even experienced people walk into an interview without putting some effort on reading what the company does.

In some of the interviews that we (and perhaps you too!) have personally gone through, one of the first few questions usually asked is ‘You must have gone through our web-site. Why don’t you tell me what you know about us so that I can help fill the blanks?” In many cases, most employers will say that it is not unusual for them to see candidates make excuses – I just browsed the website casually. I didn’t have time. I can’t locate the information on your website. I thought I would find out during the interview.

So why is researching the company important?

In a single day, a typical interviewer goes through many interviews and she or he has to put aside important work to conduct the interview. For the interviewer, it will be a long day, and the last thing she or he wants to do is to explain what the company is all about.

But if you imagine walking into the interview stating ‘”I’ve read about the latest product update you had, and I’m keen on working with your company because I am keen on the domain.” That immediately tells the interviewer that you’re aware of the work the company does and they have something to start discussions on. Get details about the company and products during the research. No one expects that you know the latest reports in mind, but you should know enough for the interviewer to feel you’ve not made a superficial statement.

How do I stand out?

In almost everyone’s resume, everyone will claim that they have the basic necessary qualification, know all major languages and basic IT software for the job that are applying for, but for an interviewer, you’re just one of the many candidates. They are looking for things that will set you apart and make their job easy.

The best way to grab attention is to talk about projects you were involved in or have volunteered in something. If you’ve already worked on a projects or contributed something (no matter how small or insignificant it may seem to you) that will set you apart. But please do not exaggerate fictitiously your contributions or hype your projects.

Keep your CV crisp

Everyone’s fighting for time in today’s world. No one has time to go through page after page of your CV to understand your potential. Make your CV is short and keep only what is interesting. As a fresher, you’ll be tempted to write long paragraphs because your CV looks shorter than your friends. Read the job description and highlight those skills on your CV. If you’ve done your research, you will be able to tailor your CV for EACH job you are applying for. You should also have multiple versions of your CV ready. But please leave the long-winded essays for your assignments. Just be crisp about your achievements.

What should you say?

Most people have short attention spans. You’re competing for attention with so many others. Start your introduction strong so that you capture the listener’s attention. Focus on points that are your strengths –talk about relevant projects and why you’d like to work for the company.

Do not say statements like ‘If given a chance, I will prove myself for the company’. That’s understood. And do not make generic statements like ‘I’m very passionate’.

Having an online presence

One interview is usually never enough for the interviewer to figure out you’re perfect for the job and there’s usually a line of candidates who will also go through the process before or after you.

Once the company decides that you make the shortlist, many also will search for you online to see if there’s anything else they find. Maintain a LinkedIn profile, even if you don’t have work experience. LinkedIn has a public part of the profile that shows up when someone searches your name. But be careful about what you say on social media. It may seem wonderful to write something funny like a political scandal. But remember, your future employer may not find it funny, or think you naïve.

Who should be my referee?

Stay away from too many recommendations from your peers or friends. They will definitely find you extremely talented and a future asset to any team, but the interviewers do not care about their views. Try getting recommendations from your professors, lecturers or from your previous employer that you have worked with. That counts a lot more.

All the best with your job search!