With graduation season approaching, many graduates are wondering what is in store for them in the job market. You’ve learned a lot of things in your collegiate years, but often colleges and universities neglect to prepare students for the job search. If you’re applying for your first professional job out of college, what are employers really looking for? You can cultivate the right skills and land the right opportunity by keeping these thoughts in mind.
Excellent teamwork skills
Today’s market place is highly collaborative and companies are trending toward team building work policies. They want to see college graduates emerge from school with the ability and desire to work with others in a professional setting. Consider enhancing your team experiences on your resume and in the interview. When you get a behavior question in your interview, be prepared to talk about how you worked on team projects in your courses, what role you played, what you learned and what you will take from the experience (both good and bad).
Optimistic mindset
Positivity makes a huge difference in the job search. Companies today want to see solutions-oriented individuals apply for jobs within their organization. Being optimistic about your future and your desire to be in this new career is paramount for your continued success as you interview and start your first job. It is important that you impress upon the hiring manager that you’re most interested in their specific job, not just any job.
Education about the industry
Employers also want to see their prospective employees are making an effort to educate themselves about the industry. Regardless of what kind of job you want long term, it is imperative that you can speak intelligently about the industry before you have your first job. Homework is essential. Start with the company website, connect with others in the industry online and in person, and understand how you fit in. Search news sources online for recent stories about the company, region or industry. Right now, the effect of oil and gas in Texas would be a good place to start with your branches.
Strong communication skills
Lastly, employers are looking for individuals with strong communication skills. This means that both speaking and writing need to be clear and grammatically correct. While it is fine to speak in emojis and abbreviations in texts with friends, it is not fine in a professional email. Master your writing and speaking skills to get ahead. Being able to speak clearly and write well makes you an attractive candidate in any industry. No company wants to teach its employees those skills.
Whether you’re an experienced professional looking to branch out, a recent graduate or simply curious about new career opportunities, let CornerStone Staffing help. Contact our great team of recruiters today to work with a top staffing agency in Dallas-Fort Worth.
