Job Hunting 101

Ah, yes, the resume — a necessary component of any job search. Without a resume, you can forget about applying for a job!

A resume is a summary of your work experience, skills and accomplishments. It’s the first impression an employer gets of you — which means it’s important. You’ll want to spend time on yours!

A great resume should include:

Wondering why we didn’t include an Objective section here? While a brief outline of the work you’re looking to do and the reasons why you’re a fit for the job used to be standard on a good resume, it’s now considered outdated and a little stuffy.

One more note before you get started: Conventional resume wisdom says you should limit the length to just one page — but that’s no longer the case! Two pages is perfectly fine. Three pages is pushing it, but the bottom line is that you shouldn’t cut out relevant work experience just to keep it to one page. If a recruiter or hiring manager suspects you’re a good fit, they won’t toss your resume in the trash just because it’s a little longer.

If you’re feeling stuck, you can use online resources to visualize what a great resume looks like. Keep in mind, though, that using templates might turn off recruiters and hiring managers — they want to see that you put in the time and effort to create something unique.

For more help on creating an exceptional resume, we’ve got tips here.

This one-page brief gives you the opportunity to emphasize the most relevant parts of your resume. It also gives you the opportunity to let your personality shine – and will help you stand out from other applicants. Not every company will request a cover letter, and if they don’t, feel free to skip this step, but this is a good place to include any relevant details that you weren’t able to include in your resume or on your application (i.e. relocation plans).

It’s the 21st century — you need to have a LinkedIn profile. Stop putting it off; it’s time to make your presence digital. The internet runs the world, doesn’t it?

Not sure what LinkedIn is? This explainer is a good starting point.

If you’re already familiar with the platform, here’s how to make your profile shine:

You’ve got a stellar resume, a custom cover letter and a polished LinkedIn… now comes the fun part! Applying for jobs can be a time-consuming process, but it’ll be more than worth it once you land a sweet gig.

Thanks to the internet, you’ve got access to thousands of job listings; scour places like Monster, Indeed and LinkedIn to find them. It’s also helpful to go directly to a company’s website to find its most recent job listings.

Be sure to double check companies on Glassdoor. Are they legit? Do people like working there? What’s the culture like? This can help you narrow your search down. Don’t waste your time applying to a company you can’t see yourself actually working for.

Heading to a hiring event can be nerve wracking. How are you supposed to stand out from hundreds of people? What if you draw a blank while talking to a prospective employer? How are you going to make them remember you?

Here are simple tips to make your hiring event experience a success:

You submitted your application. You made a great first impression at a hiring event. After checking your email a hundred times a day, you finally open an invite for an in-person interview. Score!

Take some time to prepare before the big day. Remember how we talked about doing your research? Do some more now. Brush up on the company — on its culture, mission and purpose.

Head in feeling confident and looking sharp. Bring a few copies of your resume. Make eye contact and smile — if you don’t, it could be a deal breaker.

One of the hardest things you have to answer won’t be about your past roles and responsibilities; it’ll be “Tell me about yourself.”

Most folks don’t know where to begin. Don’t use this as an opportunity to reveal your life story; use it as a means to talk about what you’ve done, what you’re doing now and what you hope to do in the future.

One of the most important things you can do after an interview, regardless of how it goes, is write a thank you note. Even if you don’t get the job, it can leave your interaction in a positive light — never burn any bridges! Start with an email; while a handwritten note is nice, it’s important to thank each person you met within 24 hours of your interview. Then, you can follow up with a more meaningful and personable handwritten note.

This is one of the most intimidating parts of job hunting: negotiating your salary, benefits and/or title.

But it’s also one of the most important things you can do during a job search. Negotiating gives you power and helps you reach your true earning potential.

Here are three steps to take if you want to rally for what you want:

Whatever you do, don’t overdo it. If you don’t have credible reasons for a counteroffer, don’t make one.

Also, don’t forget to practice! Ask a friend or career coach to run through a mock conversation so you know what to expect. Like other skills, negotiation takes time to learn.

One final note: Be transparent and straightforward about your salary needs from the get-go. Don’t pretend you’re fine with the number they offer at the beginning of the hiring process if you plan to request a (much) higher one at the end. This will only frustrate the recruiter or hiring manager and may cause them to rescind their offer.

You did it — you were offered a job! This is an exciting experience, but don’t let your excitement get in the way of properly accepting it. Ask for your offer in writing and check that it reflects everything you discussed, from your role responsibilities and PTO to salary and benefits.

If you were offered a job you don’t think will be a fit, turn it down gracefully. Maintaining relationships you built along the interview process is important; you never know who you might run into in the future.

If you were turned down for a gig, don’t fret or badmouth the company. Thank the manager for their time and the experience of getting to know more about the company. If you liked the company and envisioned yourself working there, it won’t hurt to ask to be kept in mind for future positions.