Can someone elaborate on how to guide students to clean up their digital footprint (if this is possible) prior to applying for employment?
The key thing is to use your contacts. Many of the people we know, knows somebody who somebody, almost the 'six degrees' of separation type of thing, in getting a person the opportunity they are looking for.
Networking and keeping track of leads are key factors in a successful job search process.
Networking can help find the 50% jobs that are not advertised. Also, you have to put in the work like researching the company before trying to even make first initial contact with the company.
One item that resonated with me empowering students to brand themselves including using Email signatures to market themselves,.
I never thought of googling yourself as part of the looking for a job, the idea of doing this and branding yourself I believe is very beneficial to help students in their job search.
Branding yourself is important. You have a product to sell, yourself. Remember that 50% of the jobs are "hidden". Teach students to dig for the job they want.
I wish students took the part about employers googling their name more seriously. I don't think students worry about their digital footprint until it is way too late. I wil continue to talk to students about this and the importance of maintaining a positive presence online.
It is important to use all resources availble when assisting students in finding a job. Encourage students to lay out all resources and have clear expectations. Service Specialist we have to ensure we are clear on students must haves to help them find a position well suited for them.
Teaching the basic skills of how to apply for a job and giving examples of "red flags" the interviewer looks for is essential in helping create a successful candidate. Teach them how HR/Hiring Manager looks at them beyond their actual skills on the job.
It's important to help students navigate several different avenues of finding a job, as well as stress the importance of creating and maintaining their professional networks.
I love the idea of teaching students how to reach out in a "cold call" situation even when an employer has not advertised that they may or may not be hiring. When you learn to properly advertise yourself, you may find yourself getting hired by a company who didn't even know they needed you. You took initiative and showed them that they needed to hire you. I love that!
I've been able to think of ways to assist students in their job searches and getting comfortable expanding their network (and networking abilities.)
I will usually advise the graduate/ student to visit the location they woudl like to work, or use LinkedIn to connect with people who work there and conduct an informational interview. Interivew the workers to see if it is somewhere they would like to work. It allows them to see the environment, culture, customers, etc.
Branding and networking plays a huge factor when it comes to finding the right job, as we learned 50% off the jobs are not advertised.
Google yourself before interviewing. Half of the jobs out there are not advertised. Branding yourself is essential.
I think the old school way of searching for jobs is what is most taught, but is not accurate. We must help students understand that they need to know what they are looking for by doing alot of research before just jumping into a job. We also need to teach them how they can better portray themselves rather than the normal of a well formatted resume and a letter. I was on a conference call where an Adobe employee said that they ask for videos of applicants. That video teaches them alot more about a person and they get a better first impression of the person than they do from a piece of paper. Anyway, students need to brand themselves and get themselves out there much differently than just placing resumes everywhere.
It important for students to know that 50% of jobs are not advertised and to learn the techniques to find the hidden job market.
It is important for students to think about all aspects of a job, not just money. For example, I like the idea of having the students use a form to think about interests, benefits, work environment, as well as the contacts for networking. This will be a very useful tool as they move through the job search and interview procress.
I've included most of these job search methods in the workshops and seminars I've conducted over the past 35+ years. I'm impressed at the way this course puts it all together, and especially the focus on networking. This is an excellent approach that has guided me to alter mine. Thanks!
