A Note to the Recent Grads...

A Note for the Recent Grads…

1. Think first about Who you want to BE vs. What you want to DO.

What you want to do will change, so think hard about who you want to #BE. With this approach, you will find yourself happier at work, because you’re spending time in a role that defines you, drives, and motivates you. So you’re less likely to get bored, burned out, or feel misplaced. I find it helpful to use personality tests, and other professional assessments, to help identify your leadership style, predispositions to certain work environments, and potential career paths. (Examples of who you could BE: leader, creative, consultant, teacher, philanthropist, advocate, healer, mentor, inventor, pioneer, influencer vs. what you want to DO: data scientist, coordinator, operations manager, salesperson, accountant) This is the best way to narrow down your career search. 

2. Only apply to companies that you have a connection with.

ALL RECENT GRADS make the painstaking mistake of applying to millions of jobs. It’s a waste of time. Plus you’re giving dozens of companies access to your personal information for free. In the long run, applying to companies that you actually have a core interest in will make you stand out. The top qualifying interview questions are the Why’s. "Why our company? Why this role? Why are you the best fit?" If you have good answers to the Why's, you are more likely to land the second interview. The truth is, most hiring managers are hiring people that they remember. If you give a generic answer, you risk blending into the backdrop of other non-memorable responses. 

(Ex. Good Answer - "As a kid who grew up in foster care, food scarcity was an unfortunate reality of my childhood. In learning more about ABC Inc. I connected with your mission to end hunger in underprivileged communities, by providing resources to food banks and establishing gardens in local parks. That's a mission I want to be part of, supporting communities like the one I grew up in!" Not a good answer - "I am an achiever that graduated top of my class. I want to work with top-performing tech firms because I am the best and I want to work for the best." This is NOT a good answer because the “best” is relative, and “top-performing” is subjective. Instead, identify a personal tie and build a bridge as to why they’re on your radar. Trying this is more likely to get you further along the interview process.

3. You may be inexperienced BUT you can LEARN ANYTHING!

It’s completely normal to have anxiety about limited or no experience in the field of your choice. But, if you follow tips 1 & 2, you’ll be on track to minimize feelings of uncertainty and inferiority. Fun fact; employers are targeting young people just like you! They need young, creative talent with fresh ideas because they are YEARS removed from the most current studies, methods, strategies ect. That’s where you come in! They are TOTALLY aware that you have been committed to your education. So, what’s most important to highlight, is your ability to do the thing you’ve done your whole life…LEARN. Emphasize to employers that you are willing, able, and enjoy learning. What you have is a Student Mentality; a person who learns often, intentionally, and shamelessly (meaning…not afraid to ask questions, deep-dive, research) Highlight experiences in school where you had to learn something totally new and unfamiliar. What did you do? How did you respond? What was the end result? What did you learn? Employers just want to make sure that if they hire you, you won’t bail on them once you encounter something unfamiliar or ambiguous. 

4. Be vulnerable and Don’t try to be the expert!

After landing your first big job, young professionals often want to showcase their knowledge and abilities. You want to prove to the OG’s that you can sit with them. Well…I’ll let you in on a secret. Real OG’s are never going to level with you. You are the newer, younger version of who they were 10-15 years ago. Your job is to observe, learn WHO you can ask questions, and whenever presented an opportunity to shadow a more experienced colleague, go for it! Watch them, ask them to slow down if necessary, and only ask questions if you can’t figure out what they are doing. Remember, it’s not what YOU know, it’s about what you don’t. People may be hesitant to help you, so give compliments and credit, where credit is due, but try not to interject with your input. Give it six months to learn the job, and the company culture, then maybe give it a go. Your first six months are your grace period to make mistakes and be awful at your job. You’ll get a pass, so use it! You know that you’re great, but that’s for you to know and them to find out! 

*** (Big Sister Advice) If it doesn’t FEEL right…then it’s NOT RIGHT, so don’t do it! That’s it. If you’ve got to ask then you’ve got your answer. With that out of the way…

Remember that YOU’RE UP #NEXT and YOU’VE got this! Now, go out there and CRUSH IT!!!!!!

A Note ByAshley