It’s your final year of school and time to start the job search. Trying to sort through the thoughts, guidance, and opinions of everyone in your network can be incredibly overwhelming. As a recruiter and career development professional, I often get asked what students (soon-to-be graduates) should be doing to be better prepared for their job searches. Yes the fundamentals of your resume and interview skills are important, but you can’t forget where your head is at. Take a step back from all of the noise to personally evaluate where you’re at and where you want your future to go. As you evaluate, consider these four important mindsets that often translate into smooth, successful job searches for new graduates:
Be flexible and adaptable
Those words mean the same thing, right? Job searching can be a roller coaster with varied timelines, multiple communication channels, and gaining understanding of the positions themselves. ‘Ride the wave’ and take each moment as it comes. Even once you’ve accepted a position and are settling in, it is important to understand that the workplace is ever-changing.
Be willing and ready to learn
Any new career opportunity presents a platform for learning, regardless of age or experience. School provides the content; careers provide the real-world application and continuous development of that content. As a new graduate you have the unique opportunity to learn more about yourself as a working professional as you transition from school into a career. Make sure to leverage that learning opportunity to be the best version of yourself as you move forward in your career.
Be open-minded
Having the perfect dream job in mind is never a bad thing. The perfect location, work environment, pay…you can picture it checking all the boxes! Remember where you’re at as a new graduate. This is the very beginning of your career and it simply might not be feasible to check all of the boxes of that dream job just yet. Too often new graduates set very specific expectations for their first career opportunity, focusing all of their time and energy trying to find the perfect fit. As a result, they miss out on so many options that would have given them valuable experience and perspective to propel forward in their careers. Be open to hearing about everything so you don’t miss out on anything! You may be surprised with the opportunities out there that you never thought about.
Be timeless
We are so fortunate to live during a time of continuous growth and advancement. Among other things, life expectancy has surpassed what it once was. That’s something that needs to be remembered as you make career decisions. YOU HAVE TIME. Don’t be afraid to try new things, make changes, or switch directions along the way. Getting everything right the first time is unrealistic and doesn’t allow us to learn and grow along the way.
There it is. The ‘not so secret’ formula to better preparation for a successful job search. You’ve got your entire career ahead of you, get after it!
Joleen Hueftle is a Senior Student Outreach Coordinator for the Student Outreach division of Aureus Medical Group.