Judgement Day

Summer is almost over. *cringes* I know.

For those of you who just wrapped up internships or are looking to recruit in the fall, it’s time to start preparing. Fine-tune your resumés. Make sure all your black pieces are the same black (because YES black has many tints and shades). Know your elevator pitch like the lyrics of your favorite song. Lastly, clean your social media and LinkedIn profiles. You’d be surprised how much people can find on the internet. You’d be even more surprised as to how the slightest little thing can be interpreted so differently by you and your interviewer. Social media can be the birth of so many things as well as the death of your hopes and aspirations. LinkedIn is also a profile many recruiters and HR will look at. Flaunt your talent and be sure to keep it updated with honest content.

Although interviews usually do not start till October, here are a few things to work on in the meantime:

1. Fine-tune your resumés: Whether this is creating multiple resumés for different opportunities, updating your LinkedIn with honest and interesting content, or cleaning up your social media, fine-tune all your paper and digital resumés. These days, your online presence is a huge factor in the hiring process. Trust me, HR can find anything.
2. Elevator pitch: See if your university career center offers workshops or can help you create your pitch. This has to grab the recruiters attention enough at a career fair to make them interested in learning more in a full-blown interview. Know it like the lyrics of your favorite song, and let it flow naturally when the time comes.
3.  Mannerisms: There is nothing worse for an interviewer than not understanding what a prospective hire is saying. Make sure you can deliver your qualifications and experiences eloquently and professionally. If you can, see if your friends or an adviser can give you a mock interview and practice speaking with limited filler words. You can also take that time to rid any habits such as slouching, fidgeting, playing with hair, or making a meal out of your nails. Pro tip: by adjusting your posture, you can be sure that you will naturally sit tall and confident by the time your interviews roll around.
4. Look professional: It doesn’t matter what the price tag was. It matters how you pair it with your accessories and how you wear it. Unfortunately, wardrobe makes an impacting first impression when it comes to the workforce. Ditch the cheap gaudy watches. Ditch the funky ties. Get a haircut. If you are brilliant but appear sloppy, silly, or inappropriate, they may mistake you and your potential. Pro tip: they won’t be able to see your sweat stains if you’re in a dark suit.
5. Study: Talk to alumni or your advisers. Know what type of questions or case studies you will receive. Prepare as much as you can. Build your arsenal of knowledge you have obtained throughout your years of education.
6. Find your strengths. Find your flaws. Sell them: Always spin something negative into a positive if you can. However, don’t throw any recruiter bullshit. They can smell it from a mile away. Don’t tell them you’re the most brilliant strategist. Show them you’re a bright, eager learner who works well with others. Be humble. Be confident in what you do know, and be honest with what you don’t. Be honest about your flaws and show them how you combat them. Companies rather have someone trainable with some flaws than someone brilliant with many personality conflicts with the corporation’s culture.
7. Find what you love to do: If you know the companies in the field(s) you are interested in do not recruit at your school, seek opportunities online or via cold-emailing/calling. Don’t interview for a job that pays well and has good benefits just because you need to fit a mold or be “secure” for your parents. Find a job that will help support you but make you eager to wake up for work each morning. Being happy with your job helps you thrive, improve, and climb up the ranks. Happiness goes a much longer way than cash. You don’t need to make your passion a career, but your career needs to become one of your passions.

Bonne chance, mes chéries! May the odds be ever in your favor throughout the reaping.

 

-E.