Graduation day is a moment all under graduates look forward to. It’s a celebration of all the hard work, effort, time (some more than others) and money (again some more than others) that individuals have invested in their future. As you walk on to the stage and shake the dean’s hand there is a sense of over whelming pride. A understanding that you are now amongst the percentage of people who wanted more out of their education in order to obtain a better life. He hands you your diploma, well…..it’s actually the case the diploma comes in. You won’t get the real thing until you pay the $75 dollars left on you bursar account, education meet capitalism. Anyway, where was I. Oh yes, he hands you the “diploma” as you turn and see all your friends and family who beam with pride to see you accomplish your goals. It truly is a remarkable feeling. All students then rise, move their tassels on the other side of their caps to represent the transition from student to graduate, and then toss their caps in unison. It’s a moment that you will always remember…..until you realize you now need to find a job.
In order to obtain a marketing job in today’s market, my experiences lead me to believe that unless you have a position waiting for you when you graduate you’re going to need a plan. Now it’s hard to say what will actually get you employed but it’s not hard to say what will provide the opportunity for you to get employed. With the way today’s job market is one will need all the help he or she can get to break into a congested and competitive career field such as marketing. Here are three tips that may make getting your foot in the door a little easier.
1. Use your professors: Contrary to popular belief most college professors are actually not as socially challenged as they appear. Use this to your advantage by taking the time to build a relationship with them by speaking to them after class and during office hours. Why you ask? Because most college professors have a pretty good amount of experience in your field, experience that they would be happy to pass down to anyone that would care to listen. Professors also still may have active ties to that respective field they could possibly connect you with if you’re deemed worthy. Make sure you ask plenty of questions and express your interest thoroughly and you might be surprised at the result.
2. Be unconventional: Now when I say be unconventional I don’t mean go to the hiring manager of the local marketing firm, handcuff yourself to him with a sign on your chest that says “I’m dedicated”…..that would be stupid….and a little creepy. I mean use methods that most people don’t take advantage of to gain employers attention. For example, the internship, the most common of the uncommon methods. Why is this considered uncommon you ask? It’s because people have a tendency to want to get paid for their work and I’m not talking about being paid in hopes and dreams (experience).
Understand that experience is very valuable in the job market and could give you a competitive advantage against other applicants. Another unconventional method is the effective use of email. You’ll be surprised by how easy it is to obtain interest from a company by simply emailing different employers. Using this method, contacting a person such as a director, manager and even some cases a president can provide information and exposure that you may have not received otherwise.
3. Be annoying: Contrary to popular belief there is nothing wrong with a little persistence. Following up with contacts that you have made (see previous two bullet points) on a regular basis creates the impression that you are very serious about getting an opportunity. Now again, I said annoying ……not crazy. If you lay it on too thick possible employers might take it as a sign of desperation instead of dedication. Keeping the channels of communication open will also cause people to remember you, which can put you in a pretty good position when it’s time to hire someone.
Understand that these three tips will not guarantee you a job, they’re not supposed to. They are meant to create an opportunity that isn’t currently there. By creating connections with in your field, making your interest known and following up with the contacts you have made, it will only be a matter of time before you find yourself at the door step of your career.