I just celebrated my one-year anniversary at my first full-time “big girl” job! I work in the Human Resources department at Discovery, Inc. Ya know like Discovery Channel, HGTV, The Property Brothers, Shark Week? I focus in Benefits there. I cannot believe how fast this past year has gone. It seems like yesterday I was going through the job search. Searching for a job can be very stressful. In this post I will share what worked for ME when going through my job searches and interview processes. I also have a few years of recruiting experience, so I can help you understand what company recruiters are looking for.
A little background:
I started off at Vanderbilt University to pursue my college soccer career; however, I transferred to The University of Tennessee and graduated with my bachelor’s and master’s degrees there. My undergraduate major was Human Resources Management with a Marketing collateral. I went straight from undergrad to get my master’s degree in Management and Human Resources Management.
Now enough about me, let’s talk about YOU! I know this time can be stressful and tiresome. Trust me, I was in your shoes. Below I will discuss the importance of internships, networking, preparing for the interview process, and more!
The importance of Internships:
Throughout my time in college (undergrad + master’s), I had four internships. I cannot stress how important internships are nowadays, especially for college students. Companies are looking for degrees AND quality experience. Something that set me apart while job searching was that I had my degree as well as 4 years of Human Resources experience when I graduated. Thankfully, internships are usually paid now (they used to be unpaid). If you’re still in college, I highly recommend getting an internship at least during your one of your summer breaks. Yes, working as a server can get you good money, but internships will get you the quality experience employers are looking for. If at all possible, have your internship align with where you hope to go next.
Networking:
There are countless ways to make professional connections and yes, social media is probably the most popular right now (LinkedIn, Indeed, etc.).
There are also a variety of groups and associations for most career fields. By joining these groups, you can get to know others who are pursuing similar professional goals. In all aspects of life, connections are important, and sadly enough, sometimes it is about “who you know.”
Apply:
The job posting says 5-7 years of experience and you only have 4? Apply anyway, because what’s the worst that can happen? Oftentimes, years of experience is preferred, even if that isn’t stated on the job posting. Be smart though – if the job you’re applying for requires 10 years of experience and you have 1, you might want to save everyone’s time and not apply.
Get a Mentor:
Mentoring is a relationship between two people with the goal of professional and personal development. From book recommendations, to industry knowledge, to assistance with maneuvering difficult decisions on the job, a strong mentor can be extremely impactful.
The Interview:
Practice! Use the STAR method! Do your research! Dress business professional!
Practice: Get a family member or friend to do a mock interview with you. Simply Google “common interview questions” to practice with. When answering behavioral interview questions, make sure to use the STAR method. An example question to use this method on – “Tell us about a time in your previous role that you demonstrated leadership?”
The STAR method is:
Situation: provide some background and briefly describe situation
Task: explain the challenge and expectations
Action: what actions did you specifically take?
Result: explain the results and accomplishments. Did you save the company x amount of money or time?
Also, don’t be afraid to brag on yourself a little (in a humble way lol). The interviewers will only know what you choose to tell them on your resume and during your interview.
Do your research: Review the company’s website to learn their core values/mission statement and familiarize yourself with their products or services they offer. Make them aware that you did your research and that your values align with theirs. Ask them questions such as, “How have you enjoyed working for this company?” or “What is the atmosphere and culture like within the team?”
Business Professional Attire:
Make sure you’re dressed in business professional attire (I always wear a pant suit). I’ve included some photos below of the dress pants and blazer I wore to my interviews.
Say thank you!
Thank them for their time. After your phone screen or interview, send them a handwritten thank you note thanking them for their consideration and time.
Your Resume Must Haves:
– Your contact information
– What type of role you’re seeking
– Job and educational experience with dates
– Key words from the job posting – companies now use AI (artificial intelligence) to sort through the resumes they receive. If the job you’re applying to requires a Six Sigma certification, make sure your resume has those exact words.
– Relevant accomplishments/achievements/certifications/special skills
– Metrics: did you implement a time-saving process? Can you find out how many hours per year that saved your department?
– Optional: LinkedIn URL and volunteer work
– Note: your resume changes with time. For example, I recently took off my sorority and college volunteer work.
References:
Have a few references sent up just in case a company asks. These reference can include a professor, old supervisor, your mentor, but not a family member or friend.
At the end of the day, make sure and BE YOURSELF.
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XOXO
Laura Elizabeth
