One of the biggest stressors for upcoming graduates is finding a job. As graduation is quickly approaching, I am left with many emotions about my college experience. Did I do enough networking during my time here? Can my interviewers see how desperate I am to find a job? Why do I have to be a grown up? As I have been navigating the post-graduation job search, I have learned some incredibly valuable lessons.
Lesson #1: The worst they can do is say no.
As someone that can get very anxious over little things, interviewing is very difficult! It can be hard to walk into someone’s office and essentially make a case for yourself when you feel out of place. However, you must remind yourself that the worst they can do is say no. Nobody is ever going to kick you out of the office, laugh at you, and tell you that you are stupid. Take each rejection in stride, and another opportunity will eventually come your way.
Lesson #2: Be loud and proud of your school, but still be honest.
I have met a Ball State graduate in almost all of my interviews thus far. All of these people LOVE to talk about their college experience here. When I meet someone that went to Ball State, I ask what they studied, favorite classes, professors, etc. This is a great way to find common ground with your interviewer.
However, it is still important to stay honest about your college experience. For me, I talk about my struggle with the transition to online learning that the pandemic brought on. In full transparency, I wasn’t fully satisfied with the quality of some of my online classes, and I do bring that up if the conversation entails it.
Lesson #3: Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not.
As we have all been told time and time again, you must be yourself. If you don’t have a skill or are unfamiliar with a certain type of software, don’t pretend that you know it. Nobody expects you to know everything, especially when you are fresh out of college. Instead, show them how eager you are to learn a new skill!
Lesson #4: Study, study, study!
I seriously cannot stress this enough. The worst thing that you can do is be unprepared. You should do your research ahead of time on both the job posting and the company itself. Do a deep dive into their website and social media accounts, and have examples prepared on how you would supplement their team.
Personally, I like to print out the job listing and come up with examples for each qualification. For instance, if they are asking for experience in InDesign, I will talk about how I created an event program during my internship. I also like to print out work samples and have them prepared, even if they do not specifically ask for them. Be annoyingly prepared.
Lesson #5: Follow up with your interviewer.
Always send a follow up email! I try to do this in the first 24 hours after an interview. Thank them for taking the time out of their day to talk to you, and always ask them to reach out if they need any more information from you. I also like to write something about the company itself and why you want to work there! Here is a basic example of what you could write:
“Interview name,
I wanted to reach out and thank you again for taking the time to talk to me about the (insert position) role yesterday. It was wonderful to learn more about (Company Name), and it seems like a great place for young professionals to thrive and grow their professional skills! Please let me know if you need any other information from me.
I look forward to hearing from you,
(Your Name & Information)”
Lesson #6: You will make it.
I promise, you will be okay. Job searching is scary and difficult. It can be hard not knowing what the next step will be. Just remember to be personable, honest, and confident to show your potential employer that you are the right person for the role.
Comments