By: Kasia Naessens
COVID-19 created many challenges for everyone, especially college students. We are expected to prepare for our future through classes, extracurriculars and securing internships. Now the pandemic halted everything as we know, sending us on a different trajectory.
With the virtual world evolving and companies cutting employees and internship opportunities, how do we make ourselves stand out and secure employment?
Get Involved
One of the best things you can do for yourself is gain experience. Participate in organizations that strike your interests and passions. Try to be part of executive boards and committees by landing leadership roles within them. Future employers find it intriguing when your resume shows you value experience outside the classroom. Most organizations are meeting via Zoom or Webex so jump on calls and see what CMU has to offer!
Network
The saying, “It’s not about what you know, it’s all about who you know,” has a lot of truth to it. Building relationships with people is how I landed two internships while at CMU, and I am hoping it will help me secure a final internship.
My advice is to utilize the network you have now and grow it, especially if you want to end up in a specific location. One of the perks of COVID-19 is the ability to grow your relationships through technology platforms like Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Meet with people across the country and ask them questions, learn more about their journey, their company and their lives. I guarantee you professionals are more than willing to talk with you and help you in any way possible. You just have to take the first step to do it.
Use LinkedIn
LinkedIn coincides with networking, but I still want to touch on it. Take the time to thoroughly add documents and write about what you have to offer. Upload your resume, link any articles you may have written and published, link your online portfolio, list the skills you have.
Do not be afraid to reach out to people from the companies you want to work for. Send them a message when you request a connection and let them know your goals. If it feels uncomfortable, that is good because it means you are growing personally and professionally.
Resume
Be sure to tweak your resume for every position you apply for. If the listing has skills or duties within the job description, slide those keywords in your resume so it has a better chance of being matched in the system recruiters use.
Make sure your resume has correct spelling and grammar. It shows you diligently looked through it and are detail-oriented. Lastly, let your resume express your personality. We are in the PR field and creative juices flow through us naturally. Show it off!
Online Portfolios
I am a Leader Advancement Scholar (LAS) so part of our protocol requires us to showcase an online portfolio. Your online portfolio is a great way to brand yourself and market your abilities as a student and a professional. Upload the assignments and projects you completed and show them off. Consider investing in a domain name. I bought mine and it feels satisfying knowing I have my name on my website that showcases everything I am capable of.
Cover Letters
To write a cover letter, or to not? Cover letters seem to be controversial. Some professionals tell me to write them, others tell me to not bother. Personally, I write cover letters, but I am very intentional about what I put in it. I take the job description and put it right next to my cover letter draft. Much like the resume, I highlight key skills I know I have experience with, list those and discuss how I applied them to situations.
I also like to take a moment to explain why I am interested in the company through a personal story so the hiring committee gets a sense of who I am. It is usually no more than two or three sentences, but they realize I have a personality; I am not just another face in the crowd. Whether you choose to write a cover letter or not, that is up to you. Make sure you are intentional through every sentence if you create one.
Be Persistent and Don’t Give Up
Going back to the LinkedIn section, it can be uncomfortable emailing the department or individual accepting the applications. You may not want to bother these people or cross the line, but do it anyway. Send them messages or emails asking the status of your application or what they look for in hiring employees. The worst thing that can happen is they ghost you or your application is denied. Guess what? There are plenty of other career opportunities out there. If they do not reply, clearly, that is not a company you want to be part of.
Job hunting can be stressful and discouraging. Every professional I connected with told me they received hundreds of rejection letters before they landed their current roles. The best advice they provided me with is to continue working hard because that dream internship or job is out there. You just have to stay determined and persistent no matter the circumstances.
Sell Yourself
All of this is easier said than done, I understand that. But put the effort in now because this is the foundation for your future. My dad was a pharmaceutical sales representative for 30 years, so he always preaches about making sure I sell myself because I am a product. Take these steps (and many more) to do just that: sell yourself.