How to Find an Entry-Level Job – Suggestions for Recent Business School Grads

We already discussed in one our earlier posts how unfortunate it is that many business school students graduate with absolutely unreasonable expectations. As a McGill alumnus, I have been asked to participate in a mentorship program to guide new grads in their career search process. I am absolutely thrilled as I really wish someone had opened my eyes to the reality of the job market when I myself was entering the professional workforce.

Many business school grads expect to land the job of their dreams (or at least one close to that) immediately after graduation. They expect to make big money their first year of employment, all the while being in a highly strategic role. Well, this is simply unreasonable, unless you graduate in the top 1 percentile of your class or are very well connected through your network. If neither is your case, here are some practical tips on getting to that dream job of yours:

1. Intern at a company that would bring value to your CV.

If you can afford it even for a few months, offer your services for free to several companies that you feel would look great on your resume. This will help you gain invaluable experience and, most importantly, avoid the infamous Catch 22 of all jobs requiring prior experience, yet no way of getting a foot in the door to acquire such experience. I understand that working for free is not ideal, but look at it as an investment. If you can do it while still in school – even better. Otherwise start looking for an opportunity to intern right after graduation.

Do not, however, approach companies with an agenda of getting a paid job after you have worked there for free for a few months. Many firms might be put off by the idea and feel uneasy about the fact that they have to potentially commit to anything. Rather, be focused on building up your profile and apply simply by stating that you are looking for unpaid work experience. Be honest and transparent and do not have a hidden agenda. You will surely land an internship in your field and the value it will bring to your resume is unparalleled.

2. While you intern, network constantly.

Remember that most of the job openings are never advertised anywhere and are filled through recruitment firms or through referrals. Attend networking events, connect with people on LinkedIn, reach out to key people in your network. Do NOT ask people if they can help you in their search, but rather ask questions that can help you learn from top professionals in the field and impress them with your eloquence and professionalism. You can only ask them to refer you for a position if you have built enough rapport, which can take months. On the other hand, when you impress someone enough, that person is likely to keep you in mind even without you directly asking for it.

3. Consider a professional detour.

If there is a company that you would love to work for and it has a large department in your field of studies, consider getting a foot in the door by accepting a position within another department. One of my most respected professional contacts initially took a job in customer service only to prove herself and land a key role in Marketing a year later. She had fantastic grades and is one of the most articulate and bright individuals I know. Yet, she was ready for a detour that would eventually lead her to the career of her dreams.

4. Be reasonable about your expectations.

You will likely not be making top dollar in your first job and that should not be your priority. Focus on gaining experience and beefing up your profile and your resume. Once you prove your professional value and if you are truly passionate about what you do, your income will follow and grow exponentially.

5. Look to work in the field you are passionate about and for absolute happiness at work.

So many people sell out for a few extra thousand to jobs that make them miserable. There is no point! If you want to reach unparalleled professional heights, follow your heart and you will receive recognition, compensation and, most importantly, personal satisfaction!

Do you need a cover letter?

There seems to be no consensus among job seekers regarding the use of a cover letter. We sometimes receive attachments that are multiple pages-long, whereas some applicants send their resumes without even as much as a sentence in either the body of the email or the subject line.

First of all, let me point out that different fields may have different requirements. In academia, for example, you are expected to attach a cover letter, including very specific points. However, we cater to the corporate world and my advice focuses on it.

It may seem obvious that when you are emailing your resume to a hiring manager, it makes sense to at least specify the position for which you would like to be considered. Nonetheless, I receive countless applications that contain no cover letter and not even one sentence in the email. To be quite honest with you, I do not even open the resumes of such candidates.

My recommendation would be to paste your cover letter in the actual body of your email. If it is well written and includes relevant buzz words, your application will automatically catch the attention of the person reading it. Instead of using general descriptors that could apply to anyone (eg: read our post on “strengths and weaknesses”), be specific and write why you are interested in this particular position and what skills you have that match the requirements in the advertisement. Candidates often take the easy route of writing such commonalities as “I would be proud to join your reputable organization” or “I would be a great asset to your team”. Instead, I suggest researching the company by going to the “About Us” section of the web site and picking up some interesting facts.

If you are applying to an ad posted by a recruitment firm, you can focus on the requirements listed in the posting and outline how your skills could fulfill the client’s expectations.

As you know, first impressions count! With just a bit of research and by putting some thought into your cover letter, you can make a truly positive one.

Utilizing Social Media in your Job Search

There is no doubt that we are living in the age where our addiction of choice is being connected to the world around us via e-mail, iPhones, blackberries and the Internet 24/7 (or at least throughout our waking hours). We Facebook, Twitter, hi5, MySpace, blog and update our LinkedIn accounts continuously. We are voyeurs of the lives of our peers through their social media output. This is fascinating, all-consuming and simply part of our lives.

However, what role do social media take on when you are looking for a job? There are a few things to consider!

Sure, social media can be a fantastic way to network and help you connect with hiring managers in the firms you would like to join. Proactive job seekers connect with key decision makers instead of skimming through job ads and applying to them. Social media allows you to tap into the “hidden market” and be considered for roles that are not even advertised yet. However, there is more. Your online presence tells a story about who you are, adding to the basic facts lined out in your resume. Keeping in mind that hiring managers put more and more value on how a prospective employee would fit within the overall corporate culture, the picture you paint of yourself through your online accounts becomes a key to understanding who you are.

Here is some advice:

-          Facebook. You must have already heard this one before, but here it is again. Think twice about putting a picture of yourself at a fun but rowdy drinking party. Even though your profile might only be open to your friends, you never know who can tag whom in a photo and who these people’s connections are. Your profile picture is important, too, since it is usually visible to anyone online. You might be taken less seriously by a hiring manager if they haven’t even met you yet and see a photo of yourself dancing on a table in a bar.

-          LinkedIn. This is probably the most important social medium for business networking out there. Once again, put thought into the profile picture you display. I see too many profiles which have pictures an individual cut out of a group photo. You see the person’s face and often an arm or an ear of someone who used to be in the photo. It looks strange and unprofessional. Also, make sure you build your list of connections. If a potential employer looks at your profile and sees 8 connections, they might assume you create online profiles without any real purpose and do not follow through with what you start. Get recommendations and make use of the application that allows you to include books you are reading. This can tell a lot about you to a potential employer.

-          Twitter. If you decide to use this tool to build your online presence, do keep in mind that a potential employer might be interested in scrolling down the list of your tweets. Think of the effect your language or the content of your post might have on him or her.

And, of course, the main advantage to you – the job seeker using online media - is the ability to check out your interviewer’s profile. What better idea to showcase your research skills and think of comments to use to break the ice at the beginning of an interview. If you comment on your interviewer’s prior job experience or the book they are reading, you will definitely make an impression.

Good luck in your search and feel free to tweet, Facebook, LinkedIn or blog about this post!