10 Steps to Landing an Entry-level Job
By Heather Huhman
It’s never too early to start thinking about your career. With our country experiencing tough economic times, what is the best way to ensure a job or residency is waiting for you after all your hard work at school?
1. Keep up your grades. While grades are not everything, and finding a job or residency depends on a combination of grades, experience, extra curricular activities and involvement they can be a differentiator between you and an otherwise equally-qualified candidate. So, don’t neglect your studies!
2. Get your cover letter, CV, résumé, e-mail pitch and “elevator speech” in shape. These forms of communication will be on the frontlines of your job or residency search. It’s best to perfect them before you begin. If you don’t even know where to start, I recommend staying away from online templates and instead seeking the help of a career expert or the staff of your campus career center.
3. Do some research. There are so many possibilities for new grads including residencies, fellowships, full-time positions and advanced degrees. Find out what interests you most and learn from mentors how they got there.
4. Clean up your online image. First impressions count, and yes, employers are watching. While those photos of you and your friends might be funny to you, I guarantee employers will not find them amusing.
5. Begin networking. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that 70 percent of jobs are found through networking, and some believe the number is even higher. Always network and get to know your contacts before you ask something of them. ASHP Membership, the Midyear Clinical Meeting, PPS, Residency Showcase and other campus related activities are great ways to begin developing your network.
6. Find a Mentor. The events mentioned above are great places to find a few people that you can rely on to help you make educated decisions. A mentor is someone who volunteers their time to help guide you in your career path. If you can’t get away to a networking event, The ASHP Mentor program is also a great place to find help online. Click the Mentorship link on this site under Career Tools for more info.
7. Quality over quantity. As previously noted, employers are typically interested in well-rounded applicants. A student who has good grades, has been active in extra activities like a student society, has sufficient work experience and good references will most-likely outshine one who has perfect grades but has nothing else to add to her resume.
8. Follow the application instructions. You’d be surprised how many candidates—in their hurry to get out job applications—don’t follow all the instructions and are eliminated from consideration
9. Follow-up. Do not neglect this step. Following up can make a world of difference. You should send a thank you note immediately after your interview and follow up shortly after to find out what the time-frame for hiring is.
10. Be willing to volunteer if you don’t land a job immediately. If possible, don’t let gaps form on your résumé during your post-college job hunt. Once you start applying for positions, be sure to include both internships and entry-level jobs in your search. If you end up landing an unpaid—but meaningful and résumé-building—position first, take it and continue searching. Arrange to work at the unpaid internship 15 to 20 hours each week, and get a second paying job to help cover your bills in the meantime. Just make sure you leave time to continue your search!
Note: Heather R. Huhman is the entry-level careers columnist for Examiner.com. Heather is passionate about helping students and recent college graduates pursue their dream careers. As the oldest child in her family – even among her extended family – she did not have anyone to guide her through the trials and tribulations of developing her career. Now, as a former hiring manager and someone who has been in nearly every employment-related situation imaginable, she is serving as that much-needed guide for others. Follow her on Twitter or e-mail her at Heather@heatherhuhman.com if you have questions.
