As a recent college graduate, you're probably not a stranger to competition. College acceptance, scholarships, internships and leadership positions within student organizations can all be significantly challenging to attain with dozens, hundreds or even thousands of students vying for the same spots. The job market, however, is a different kind of race, and probably one of the most competitive environments a recent graduate has ever faced.
While you might not have years of experience, tightly specialized skills or industry expertise right out of college, you still have a great deal to offer. There are many effective ways to impress an employer, stand out from the crowd and make the cut.
Here are six ways to set yourself apart, make an impression and secure the offer letter despite a highly competitive job market.
1. Prepare, prepare, prepare
One of the most important pieces of interview advice is to prepare. There's a good reason for that. It is said that if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Before the interview, plan to win by preparing extensively.
Dr. Marla Gottschalk, organizational psychologist and practice manager at psychology practice Rand Gottschalk & Associates, suggests that before an interview, a candidate should conduct research on the company's history and leadership, as well as any recent initiatives or challenges. By going a step further, it will help you stand out amongst other entry-level candidates who might only regurgitate superficial company information found on the website. Show the employer that you've taken the time to gain a better understanding of their business and how you might help the company reach its goals.
"Once you've landed an interview, prepare, prepare, prepare," says Donna Whitmire, image consultant and owner of online perception management company Tailor Your Image. "Hire a professional to give you some tips and feedback or ask a friend to work with you. Record the mock interview and play back to watch for fidgeting, eye contact and how many times you've said, 'um,' 'you know' and 'like.' Listen, slow down, take a deep breath and think before you answer."
2. Mind your manners and your attitude
No one wants to deal with, or work with, Negative Nancy or Pouty Pete. Companies want to hire people with positive attitudes that will play nice with others and get things accomplished.
Beth Gilfeather, CEO and founder of Seven Step Recruiting based in Boston, Mass., says, "It is important that college grads find subtle and natural ways during the interview to show that they are flexible, committed and excited. Employers want to know that they are hiring a patient and mature person who knows what they're getting into and isn't looking for the absolutely perfect job, and the fast track to the CEO's office. Make sure to tell the employer that you fully understand the job responsibilities and are flexible and open to anything this role will require of you."
Many hiring managers fear that some of their new hires -- especially entry-level ones -- are simply testing out the waters at their company. In order to avoid being perceived as a turnover risk, it's crucial to communicate commitment during the interview.
"It is important that [recent] college grads make it clear that they are choosing this career path and want to commit themselves to it for the foreseeable future," Gilfeather says. "Don't mention all the other types of jobs you are also pursuing; especially if these are unrelated career paths. This will make them [employers] question your ability to stick with the job."
Coupled with flexibility and commitment, it's also important for new graduates to communicate excitement. "At the end of the day, all employers want to hire a person who really wants the job," says Gilfeather. "This is not a time to play it cool. Make sure to be explicit, and express your interest by highlighting that it's [the position you're interviewing for] your top choice, articulating specifically why you like it so much."
3. Exude confidence
Don't let a lack of experience drag you down. When you are interviewing for entry-level positions, employers are aware that you are a recent addition to the workforce. They want to hire fresh talent with the skills, education and ideas that will help grow their business. During the interview, exude confidence. When you are confident in yourself and your abilities, others will be too.
Jennifer Vickery, owner of National Strategies Public Relations based in Tampa, Fla., says, "Confidence can show how you will perform once hired, and many employers feel you can teach someone how to perform at a job, but you cannot teach certain leadership, confidence and communication skills. I've seen so many people sell themselves out of a job simply by talking about what they lack."
Jennifer Prosek, author of Army of Entrepreneurs and CEO of CJP Communications, a communications consultancy based in New York, says confidence is key in standing out during an interview. "Do your homework so you are an expert on the company you are interviewing at, and come armed with ideas of how you will add value in the position," Prosek says. "Panicked hires aren't successful during interviews because everyone a hiring manager brings on is a reflection of that company's brand as well as the person who hired them."
4. Apply your skills
Recent graduates may think they lack any business skills, but that's not true. Just think about how the work you completed in college classes and the skills derived from those projects can apply to the professional world.
Gottschalk offers a few examples of skills students may acquire during college that can easily translate to tasks performed on the job:
· Proposal development skills: Did you ever create a business or marketing proposal for a college class? Talk about the project and how you worked to develop that proposal, what came out of it, etc.
· Presentation skills: You probably had to give a fair share of presentations during your academic years. Discuss these in the interview. How did the presentation go, what was the audience's/professor's reaction, and how did your ability to present information improve from freshman year to graduation?
· Project management skills: "Knowing how to carry out a project from start to finish is a great asset," Gottschalk says. "If you have functioned as a project leader, emphasize that point."
· Team skills: "This can be a real deal breaker for many employers," Gottschalk cautions. "If you have experience working on a team, whether in a student organization, a part-time job [or for a class], be sure to mention this [in the interview]."
5. Go beyond the résumé
If you want to stand out as a recent college graduate, think big-picture. Your résumé might not be quite as detailed as you'd like it to be right out of school, so it's important to make the most out of the experience you have.
"Grads that have a business card, a blog, a résumé at the interview, references, etc., have clearly researched the company and the position, and seem able to jump right in, are a plus," Vickery says.
6. Don't forget the details
There are many seemingly small things that can help you set yourself apart from the pack. Christina Utz, event planner and designer for Baldassare Events, and Cody Boyte, online marketing manager at AxialMarket, offer some additional tips to help you stand out during the interview:
· Studied abroad? Talk about that experience in the interview.
· Send a handwritten thank-you note to the interviewer.
· Discuss any certifications you might have, i.e., a Google Adwords Certificate.
· Have a professional email address such as firstname.lastname@...com instead of HotJennifer@...com.
· Practice your handshake. Make sure it's firm and confident.
· Smile!
Sonia Acosta is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow @Careerbuilder on Twitter.