It seems like every week some new study comes out about how hard it is for millennials to find work. The most recent one, from the New York Fed, found that two-thirds of young people are underemployed or unemployed.
But I disagree I think that getting a job is just as difficult for any generation. A friend recently told me she was going to apply for jobs at her local library and the grocery store in her town because she couldn’t find any other open positions in her area of expertise (she’s an editor).
That’s when it hit me: She was running up against exactly what had happened to me after college! We just didn’t know where to look.
So I made a list of all the places where I’d gotten jobs over the years, including internships and freelance gigs that eventually led to full-time positions.
Then I mapped out my search strategies, which could be useful for anyone looking for work right now millennial or not.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Gain valuable experience through internships, part-time jobs, or volunteering. |
| 2. Build a professional network through networking events, informational interviews, and LinkedIn. |
| 3. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your skills and accomplishments. |
| 4. Prepare for job interviews by researching the company and practicing common interview questions. |
| 5. Showcase your enthusiasm and passion for the role during interviews. |
| 6. Express your interest in a full-time position if you’re currently an intern. |
| 7. Seek feedback and implement suggestions for improvement during your internship. |
| 8. Network with professionals in your organization to express your career goals. |
| 9. Apply for internal job openings and customize your application materials. |
| 10. Continue to demonstrate a strong work ethic and commitment to learning as you transition into a full-time role. |
Get Creative With Your Search
I’d like to introduce you to the wonders of job aggregators, search engines, boards, and posting sites. Some of these services are free; others charge a membership fee.
Regardless of your budget, it’s worth taking advantage of these tools because they will help you find opportunities that are specific to your profession or dream job.
For example, if you’re looking for an internship with a tech company in New York City (this is what I did), there are lots of options available online: company websites.
Job aggregators such as Indeed or Monster and even specialized sites like Internships.com list hundreds of internships from companies large and small across all industries including tech!
Building a strong freelance career requires making a great first impression. Learn how to optimize your Upwork profile and make a lasting impact with our guide on How to Make a Great First Impression with Your Upwork Profile.
Don’t Be Afraid To Dream Big
Don’t be afraid to dream big. If you want to work for a top-notch company, don’t be afraid to ask for it. You’d be surprised by how many companies are willing to give you more money, days off, and opportunities as soon as they know that’s what you’re looking for.
Don’t be afraid to ask for more money or time off right out of the gate. This tip comes straight from my mentor who worked at one of the best law firms in New York City. She told me: “If someone offers me something, I always say ‘no’ first and then negotiate.”
And finally: Don’t be afraid to ask about promotions or new responsibilities within your job description!
If a higher-up sees potential in you and recognizes that there is room for growth internally (and not just externally), sometimes they will offer promotions during interviews instead of waiting until after an offer has been accepted and signed on the dotted line
Narrow Down Your Search
So you’ve decided that you’re ready for your first real job. Maybe you want to work at a company that does something important, like providing clean water or saving endangered animals.
Or maybe it’s not so much the goal of the company as it is the people who work there. Either way, narrowing down your search can be intimidating and time-consuming but it’s worth doing!
If this sounds familiar, here are some tips:
Don’t be afraid to narrow down your search. If there are 100 companies where you could potentially end up working and ANYONE would be happy with any one of them then why not pick three or four options that seem most promising?
That way, when one falls through because they don’t have any open positions right now (which happens more often than not), there’ll still be other places for them in which you might thrive!
Transitioning from freelancing to a traditional job can be a significant decision. Discover why one freelancer stopped freelancing and found job satisfaction in our article on Why I Stopped Freelancing and Started Liking My Job.
Take Advantage Of Networking Opportunities
You should also use LinkedIn to find recruiters who work at the company you want to work for. You can do this by checking out the “who’s viewed me” section of your profile.
Use that information to figure out what recruiters are looking at your profile and contact them directly via email or social media (like Twitter).
This is a great way to build relationships with people who might be able to help you land a job when an opening becomes available at their company.
Finally, don’t forget about job openings themselves! If there are open positions posted on the company website, apply immediately they’ll be gone if you wait too long!
Keep in mind that most companies will not hire someone unless they have experience in their field so if they say they’re looking for someone with “at least two years experience as an assistant manager” and you’ve only been doing customer service for four months… well…
Be Honest And Ask For What You Want
Another piece of advice I would give to any job-seeker is to be 100% honest about what you’re looking for. If you don’t know how to do something and just aren’t going to say it, that’s not going to help anyone.
If your salary requirements are higher than what the company can pay, and you won’t admit that should they ask, again – this isn’t helping anything at all.
For me, honesty was the best policy when applying for jobs because I knew exactly what my skills were and could articulate them clearly when asked about them during interviews or phone calls with recruiters/HR representatives.
A lot of times people will throw out some pretty big numbers when asked about their salary expectations,
Without knowing if those numbers are even reasonable about industry-standard compensation packages or companies’ budgets (which is why I always recommend doing some research on companies before applying).
Ask Friends And Family For Help
Ask friends and family for help. If you don’t have any connections in the field, it can seem like an uphill battle to find a job.
The good news is that you probably have some friends and family who do work in your desired industry, so ask them for help! They may be able to give you references, advice on how to get a job (including where you should apply), and even job leads.
Ask people if they want coffee, or better yet pay someone $5 to write their resume for them. This will be a surefire way of getting the right person hired by creating not only an awesome product but also giving back at the same time!
Make sure that your resume has a fresh coat of paint every couple of months when applying because employers are looking for candidates who are eager about working with them as well as being proactive about their careers/career growth potential!
Ready to move on from Upwork? Learn how to navigate the transition and explore other opportunities with our guide on How to Get Rid of Upwork and Move On with Your Life.
Include Relevant Projects On Your Online Portfolio Or Resume
When you’re applying for jobs, it’s best to include relevant projects on your online portfolio or resume.
Include details about the project, a link to the project, and a link to your portfolio if possible. You should also include the date when you completed the project, who you worked with (if there was another person), and where it was located (name of company).
Use Social Media To Your Advantage
Social media is an excellent tool for getting a job. Not only can you use it to find out who is hiring, but you can also see what’s trending in your industry and even participate in conversations that may help you land an interview.
LinkedIn has become the go-to place for recruiters and hiring managers if someone says they’re looking for someone with your skills on there, make sure to check it out!
Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram have similar uses: they all allow people to interact with each other online.
If someone mentions something related to the industry or company you want to work at (or just mentions them), replying could earn some brownie points and potentially get them interested enough in meeting up with you that they bring it up at a later date.
Snapchat has been labeled “the new SMS” by some people and while that might be overstating things slightly (it’s not like texting), there’s some truth behind this statement: Snapchat allows users to send photos or videos that disappear after 24 hours unless saved by recipients.’
Take Advantage Of Job Fairs And Career Expositions
A job fair is a great place to meet people and get your name out there. You can make connections with recruiters and hiring managers in person, rather than through email or LinkedIn, which I highly recommend for your professional development purposes.
It’s also a good way to network with other professionals at the same time, which will help you build relationships that will make you stand out when applying for jobs later on.
Show Employers What You’re Worth
Show employers, you have the skills they need. Show employers, you have the experience they need. Show employers that you have the passion and work ethic they need, as well as the attitude and personality to make them want to hire you.
Be sure to highlight your skills and experiences so that they are clearly outlined in your cover letter, resume, or application form.
Employers often don’t read every word of your application; instead, they skim through them looking for keywords or phrases that are relevant to their business or industry (e.g., “communicate effectively with coworkers”).
When writing about yourself in an interview setting, it’s important to speak confidently about yourself without being too boastful or self-absorbed after all, this can come across as arrogant rather than confident!
Be sure to mention any achievements related specifically back up why YOU would be a good fit for this particular job rather than just listing everything YOU’VE ever done – after all no one cares!
Taking control of your career path is empowering. Discover strategies to engineer your own path and create the future you desire in our article on How to Engineer Your Own Path Instead of Someone Else’s.
Find Out If There’s Another Way Into The Company You Want To Work For
If the internship was your only option, or if it’s the only one that’s come up in your search for a job, don’t despair. There may be other ways to get into the company you want to work for.
The best way to find out is by asking someone who works there how they found their position and whether or not they were recruited through an external source (like an internship). If there aren’t any other options open to you at this point, keep looking!
This experience will help inform future job searches so that next time around, you’ll be more informed about how companies work and what opportunities are available.
If there are indeed other entry points into a company of interest (e.g., an employee referral program), follow up with whoever you spoke with it never hurts! You might just land yourself a job offer. If all goes well, then congratulations:
Now that we’ve covered how to land an interview and get hired (or at least take steps in that direction) let’s talk about what happens once someone has landed on our website…
Let Recruiters Find You By Setting Up Job Alerts On Websites
Recruiters are constantly scouring the internet for candidates, which means the best way to get their attention is by staying visible.
Set up job alerts on websites like Indeed, Monster, and LinkedIn (or on your preferred search engine) so that you can keep an eye on your industry and specific companies.
Go Where Other People Aren’t Looking For Jobs
One of the best ways to find a job at a company you’ve never heard of is by going where other people aren’t looking for jobs.
Don’t get me wrong, job boards are great! But they can be overwhelming and overwhelming is not good when you’re trying to keep your cool while on the hunt for your first post-college gig.
Instead of posting “help wanted” ads on boards or websites that cater specifically to young professionals, look for jobs in industries unrelated to yours (I got my job as an assistant editor right after graduating college because I knew how helpful it would be).
If you want something more involved than answering phones or filing paperwork (or if you think answering phones/filing paperwork could be fun), try applying without following up on any advertisements.
Chances are someone will notice your resume and invite you in for an interview.
Are you curious about freelance salaries and related questions? Get all the answers and recommendations you need in our comprehensive resource: Freelance Salary: All Related Questions Answered & Recommended.
Conclusion
The secret to success is perseverance, not perfection. Don’t let the fear of failure prevent you from taking risks. Instead, learn how to fail without making excuses or blaming someone else and always keep moving forward.
No matter what happens in life, remember that you have the power to change things by being proactive and taking action!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:
Millennial’s Guide to Landing a Post-Grad Job: Discover valuable insights and tips specifically tailored to millennials looking to secure a job after graduation.
Recruit Interns: A Comprehensive Guide: Learn effective strategies and best practices for recruiting and hiring interns to support your organization’s growth and success.
From Internship to Full-Time: Navigating the Transition: Gain insights into how to successfully transition from an internship to a full-time position, including tips on networking, showcasing your skills, and impressing employers.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions related to landing a job and transitioning from an internship:
How can I increase my chances of landing a post-grad job as a millennial?
To increase your chances of landing a post-grad job as a millennial, consider the following steps:
- Gain relevant experience through internships, part-time jobs, or volunteering.
- Build a professional network through networking events, informational interviews, and LinkedIn.
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your skills and accomplishments.
- Prepare for job interviews by researching the company, practicing common interview questions, and showcasing your enthusiasm and passion for the role.
What are the key factors to consider when recruiting interns for my organization?
When recruiting interns, it’s important to consider the following factors:
- Clearly define the internship role and responsibilities.
- Create an engaging and informative internship program.
- Offer fair compensation and benefits, if possible.
- Provide mentorship and opportunities for growth.
- Evaluate candidates based on their skills, qualifications, and alignment with your organization’s culture and values.
How do I transition from an internship to a full-time position?
To navigate the transition from an internship to a full-time position, keep these steps in mind:
- Express your interest in a full-time role to your supervisor or HR department.
- Showcase your skills, dedication, and value during your internship.
- Seek feedback and implement suggestions for improvement.
- Network with professionals in your organization and express your career goals.
- Apply for internal job openings and tailor your application materials to highlight your experience and suitability for the role.
What are some effective strategies for standing out during the job application process?
To stand out during the job application process, consider the following strategies:
- Customize your resume and cover letter for each application.
- Highlight relevant skills, experiences, and achievements.
- Craft a compelling personal statement or professional summary.
- Showcase your unique strengths and qualities.
- Provide concrete examples of how you have made an impact in previous roles or projects.
How can I make a smooth transition from being an intern to becoming a valued employee?
To make a smooth transition from being an intern to becoming a valued employee, follow these tips:
- Continue to demonstrate a strong work ethic and commitment to learning.
- Seek feedback and actively work on improving your skills and performance.
- Build positive relationships with colleagues and supervisors.
- Take initiative and show a willingness to take on new responsibilities.
- Stay proactive and maintain a growth mindset to contribute effectively to the organization’s success.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.