The Space Between: 6 Ways to Market Yourself After Graduation and Before Work
by Alex Thomas
After college, a lot of recent grads find themselves in the sticky spot between getting a degree and getting a job. Luckily, there are a lot of ways to get prepared for the next step even if you don’t have a position lined up at graduation. These guidelines are just a starting point—the best thing any recent grad can do is take these suggestions with a positive attitude and a desire to learn.
Know Thyself
You just passed a major life milestone, so pat yourself on the back. Now it’s time to take a good, hard look at how the past four years have shaped you. Richard Bolles, author of What Color is Your Parachute, has a lot of practical exercises for assessing your own values, knowledge and expertise, transferrable skills, and discovering the kind of people and working conditions you best work in, among other things. Consider starting with the Myers-Briggs Personality type test or Beverly Ryle’s Prioritizing Grid.
Read Up on the Industry
Become an expert in your field from your home computer. Subscribe to magazines, newspapers, or web content about your field of interest. Not sure where to find it? Ask a professor, or begin your search at Your Success Network. Interested in film? You should be reading Variety. Education? Become a member at the Chronicle of Higher Education. Medicine? Check out the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Mine Your Past
There’s no such thing as a bad contact. Before you can begin to network, take inventory of the contacts you’ve already gained. Consider asking your friends what their parents do, and setting up informational interviews with anyone in a field you’re interested in. Classmates, professor, employers, family members, and former internship connections are a good place to start. Get in the good graces of your alumni network before you even graduate. Go to reunions and mixers and bring business cards! Networking with other alums is a great way to find leads and possible mentors for the future.
Shadow a Role-Model
Finding a mentor in your field is invaluable. Perhaps you’re lucky enough to have already met this person, but if not, don’t fear! Reach out to your contacts, do some informational interviews, and see if you can shadow someone in your field. If they are willing to let you follow them for a day, take advantage of the behind-the-scenes look at what might be your future position. Observe as much as you can, and over-thank this person for their help. If you’re not yet sure of which field you want to go into, shadow in a number of fields, or begin your research online at Learn About Careers. Always be a gracious and eager shadow.
Go Beyond Your Resume
The secret to a great resume is revise, revise, and revise. Once you’ve done that, how do you make your resume stand out? First, get it online at Linked In. Linked in is a great way network on the web and follow-up with in-person contacts. In addition, consider making a larger binder to bring with you to interviews. Put together a collection of information about you, which could include pieces you’ve written, art or media projects you’ve completed, recommendations from previous employers, or other tidbits that highlight what you have to offer. Make sure the information is well-organized and starts off with a personal statement.
Make the Most of Informational Interviews
Unlike most interviews, an informational interview is not a stepping stone in landing a specific job; however, it is an invaluable tool, especially for young professionals at the beginning of their careers. Informational interviews help you a) gather information about a job or field and b) network and find new contacts. Lindsey Pollak has great tips for questions to ask and ways to make the most of these interviews. Lastly, always make sure you ask for the names of other people you could contact, and make sure you follow up immediately with a thank you note.
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Alex Thomas is a guest blogger for Pounding the Pavement, an up-and-coming blog about employment topics. Alex also enjoys writing articles about call center management careers for Guide to Career Education.