What I Have Learned
We have come to the end of this series. I know that I have learned a lot about interning and interviewing, and I hope that you can walk away with some new knowledge too. Before we wrap up, I would like to go over some key points that we have learned throughout this section.
Let’s go over this again
1) You want NEED to figure out what your skills are while you are in school. Do not wait until your senior year to establish an expertise. I was able to learn most of my skills outside of school through books and YouTube tutorials. Seriously, let YouTube be your best friend. You will learn how to master programs within hours!
2) You should create a BOMB resume! If you are in any department that showcases art and/or design, a fancy and creative resume is a must for you. If you are in other departments, you need to focus on detail and wording. Either way, you know that you need a resume that will sell the hell out of your skills without you needing to even be present.
4) Hopefully you aren’t as shy as I was my freshman year because you will need to get networking ASAP. The motto around California is “It’s all who you know”. Since I was studying entertainment, this was even truer. If you don’t have the contacts, there is no easy way to make it. Motivate yourself to be outgoing and connect with those who are in your field. You may end up meeting your next employer.
5) It is also time to figure out your personal brand. This comes with time, but once you find your skill, you will be able to brand yourself. I like to showcase my brand through social media networks like: LinkedIn, Carbon Made, and through my own business cards. What is your niche? For example, Snooki Polizzi has rebranded herself as a “new mom” and “fit mom”.
6) Realize that professionalism is something that can cost you a job. This may mean to you that you need to make your Facebook completely private (better yet, delete it). You will need to watch your body language during your interviews and on the job. Be punctual and watch that sense of entitlement new grads! Lastly, no matter where you are interviewing, dress professionally. It is better to show up too professional than to show up in jeans and waste your interviewer’s time.
7) Be prepared for your interview. Research the company FIRST and THOROUGHLY. Do not be surprised when your interviewer questions how much you know about their company and/or position you are interviewing for. Prepare your resume to bring to your interview, along with some questions to ask your interviewer. If you would like to get an idea of the questions the company may have for you, Glassdoor.com may offer you some relative questions.
8) Prepare yourself for rejection. It is very hard to think that you may be rejected from the company you have always wished to work for, but things happen. You want to be prepared and ready to learn from this. In my own experience, I interviewed for over a dozen companies and only received one offer. This happens. But if you still want that dream job, stay motivated. You don’t ever want to give up because your drive will speak for itself. Companies love determined people way more than quitters. I was also able to turn my biggest rejection (that I interviewed for months for) into a huge positive. I am using all of that information I learned during that interview process for my new interview for much bigger companies. #Persistence =)
9) Lastly, I want for you all to realize that it is very hard out here for new grads. We have so much competition, but look at all that we are capable of. Have you seen all of these new start-up companies popping up all over America? New grads are hip to new technology and especially phone applications. So if I were you (and was much smarter in college), I would grab a few people from the business, technology, public relations, and computer science departments. Together, you all could be your best networks and also the best team.
As for me, I am still looking for my dream job. I am currently employed with many goals. So I am not stopping here. I have interviews coming up for some big companies all thanks to the people I know (and also my awesome degree). So don’t be afraid to make moves, new grads! Get out there and make this economy your b*tch! Good luck!
Yours truly,
Michaela
