Too many job seekers just submit their resume online and sit back and wait. Weeks go by, and as your family and friends ask you about that amazing job or internship you applied for, that sinking feeling just gets worse. So many people go through this process and never get the chance to even sit in front of a hiring manager and show them who they really are.
As technology has advanced, so has the hiring process. New graduates are faced with a tough job market and strong competition, and it’s taking a toll. According to Microsoft’s recent survey of 1,000 college and post grad-aged students, nearly half are not confident they will land their dream job or internship. Job hunting is hard.
Your Resume
A resume needs to be polished and professional enough to catch someone’s eye without it being too over the top. To make that daunting task a little easier, check out these templates from Microsoft. From changing colors to easily inserting their own information into an already formatted resume, it doesn’t get any easier. With all these free templates you can quickly create visual, online-only representations of your work such as a blog post about trends you’re seeing in the industry or the time you knew this career was for you; a visual portfolio that shows off your photos, designs, event planning skills or the best articles you’ve written. With small little tweaks like this, hiring managers will see you as more than a name on paper.
The Virtual Interview
Lastly, you MUST be prepared for a virtual interview. Video interviews are becoming a typical part of the job search process; half the people we surveyed have taken interviews over Skype. So aside from all of the common tips to ensure your technology, internet and surroundings are intact, there are things you can do to make your Skype interview one the recruiter won’t forget. One thing to keep in mind is using technology is to practice. Applicants should open up the camera on their computer or phone and record themselves answering common interview questions. Then, play them back to see how your voice, facial expressions and body language were captured on camera. When you jump on the call you’ll feel more prepared to talk about your accomplishments and will have any other kinks worked out.
No one teaches you to job hunt so it’s up to you to take charge of your career search. Those of who who become proactive and assert yourself will do well.
Happy hunting!
As technology has advanced, so has the hiring process. New graduates are faced with a tough job market and strong competition, and it’s taking a toll. According to Microsoft’s recent survey of 1,000 college and post grad-aged students, nearly half are not confident they will land their dream job or internship. Job hunting is hard.
Your Resume
A resume needs to be polished and professional enough to catch someone’s eye without it being too over the top. To make that daunting task a little easier, check out these templates from Microsoft. From changing colors to easily inserting their own information into an already formatted resume, it doesn’t get any easier. With all these free templates you can quickly create visual, online-only representations of your work such as a blog post about trends you’re seeing in the industry or the time you knew this career was for you; a visual portfolio that shows off your photos, designs, event planning skills or the best articles you’ve written. With small little tweaks like this, hiring managers will see you as more than a name on paper.
The Virtual Interview
Lastly, you MUST be prepared for a virtual interview. Video interviews are becoming a typical part of the job search process; half the people we surveyed have taken interviews over Skype. So aside from all of the common tips to ensure your technology, internet and surroundings are intact, there are things you can do to make your Skype interview one the recruiter won’t forget. One thing to keep in mind is using technology is to practice. Applicants should open up the camera on their computer or phone and record themselves answering common interview questions. Then, play them back to see how your voice, facial expressions and body language were captured on camera. When you jump on the call you’ll feel more prepared to talk about your accomplishments and will have any other kinks worked out.
No one teaches you to job hunt so it’s up to you to take charge of your career search. Those of who who become proactive and assert yourself will do well.
Happy hunting!
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