IN A few weeks or months time, when you've finally decided to graduate from PMA (Pahinga muna anak) or PAL (Pal-amunin,) whether you opted to rest or hit the road right away, there's a big chance that you'll be joining the millions of people who are struggling to get a job.
So you'll craft your resume and send it out to dozens of employers. Some will reply and some will not. Some will promise they'll call, but they won't. And the rest will not even know you exist.
Ouch! It definitely feels familiar. It was like your past dates that went wrong, but you're not sure why. Is it something you've missed out in your paper or something you've said during the screening? It's been months and you feel like a worthless bum, but you don't just want to settle for anything.
The good news is, it's not a total dead-end. Here's a quick checklist to help you ponder if you're doing just right in the world of job-hunting.
1. Do you have a LinkedIn account?
Oh! What is that? (insert annoyed emoji here) Did you know that many recruiters worldwide now fill job vacancies through this social media platform?
What's awesome about this is that recruiters receive real-time notification to every application and professional backgrounds are summarized for easy viewings so applicants can be deliberated on the spot just like in Tinder, minus the swiping. More so, it's google-search friendly. Thus, you have a higher chance of getting noticed, statistically speaking.
2. Is your resume clear enough?
Fresh grads, most likely, don't realize that their resume is just one of the hundreds waiting to be opened online or through walk-in. And it only takes around six seconds for to be skimmed through. So is it fact straight and spoon-feeding? Are the first six inches of space, summarize your educational, internship and other relevant background. There must be that strong one-line summary that says it all to grab their attention. Nail this, you've won half of the battle.
3. Are you limiting your job search to a specific job?
If you're a graduate of tourism, logic tells you to limit your search to hospitality-related works. But no. If you've finished journ, literature or communications, don't just look at broadcast media as most do, 'cause you can also try copywriting, social media marketing and advertising.
The trick in online hunting is not to limit your search by job keywords (ex: "writer" or "engineer") but look for organizations that are related to your industry.
4. Does your email address sound professional?
Always remember that recruiters are also attracted to personal branding and packaging. And part of these is how you name your email address. Gone are the "jeje days," so create a new one if you have to. More so, asking your designer friend for a decent email signature wouldn't hurt either.
At the end of day, always remember that destiny will not have its way for you, unless you do. And you always deserve what you search and settle for. Good luck!
Stay active until our next chat!
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Need more tips in life, career and beyond? Invite me to speak in your event or reach me at "Coach Pat de Leon" on Facebook.