4 Steps Young Professionals Can Take To Get Hired Right Now

Pretty Caucasian woman at the beach smiling at camera.

Navigating the job world can seem overwhelming, especially if you’re just breaking onto the scene. It can even feel impossible to stand out in a sea of other applicants—trust me, I’ve been there—but all of this doesn’t have to feel so intimidating. With these simple, actionable steps, you can up your job game and improve your overall hireability.

1. Take a closer look at your resume and cover letter

This might seem like an obvious one, but just remember, employers and recruiters are likely looking at a lot of applications at once. These two documents tell them who you are and why you may or may not be the right candidate; making a good impression is key. I know resumes and cover letters may seem like a tedious task, but taking the time to make them just right could mean the difference between landing a job or not.

For your resume, keep the design clean, appealing to the eye, and make sure your information is easy to follow. This is also a place where wording can really matter. When you’re listing out details about a certain role you’ve had, get creative with word choice so your actions can speak for you.

For example, instead of saying “worked with” say “collaborated,” and instead of “increased” try “achieved” or “amplified.”

There are tons of resources on Pinterest and throughout the Beyond Discovery Coaching site to help you get started. A bonus tip, add a short 2-3 sentence “about me” section to your resume; it’ll make your one page persona seem personable and real.

When it comes to cover letters, it’s easy to go the general route and write in a way that makes you sound experienced and polished. But, that’s what the resume is more geared towards. Your cover letter is where you can show off a little personality so an employer can get a feel for the type of person you are. This is the place to really get their attention. At the end of the first paragraph, try including something about how your skills and passion in a certain area fits into an overall professional goal.

For example, “I am creative, hard-working, and passionate about social issues. I believe with the right strategies, public relations can be used as a tool to create real change in our community.”

Next, use two body paragraphs to talk about quantifiable projects you’ve accomplished. At the end, be sure to thank the reader for their time and mention how you’d love to discuss the position further. This way, you end things with a call to action.

2. Have a portfolio

Having or needing a portfolio will differ from industry to industry, but if you think your field is one that falls into the category of having one, it’s a good idea to go ahead and make one anyway. For some people, a portfolio might mean an online blog or website to display previous work. For others, it might be an Instagram account or YouTube channel.

Whatever the case might be, having a portfolio shows employers tangible evidence that you have experience and know what you’re doing. In my experience, being able to provide my blog as a portfolio has literally gotten me a job. Portfolios can be anything you want them to be, too, so be sure to customize it to show off your personal style and add any text or images that help support who you are as a young professional. If you’re looking to do a blog or website, Wix and WordPress are great places to start. There are tons of tutorials out there and they’re made to be user-friendly.

Need Help With Your Job Search?

Enroll in our online course, Find a Job Fast: The Job Search Accelerator For Career Professionals

grab your spot

3. Discover and highlight your soft skills

Every employer will most likely be looking for a mix of technical and soft skills. Technical skills are practical skills that are typically learned, like using Microsoft Office, knowing how to code, or do accounting. These are all valuable and really necessary, but employers want people with soft skills, too. These are skills that have to do with character traits, social skills, and the ability to think in different ways. Don’t fret though, because everyone has soft skills in one area or another. Specific soft skills include creative problem solving, communication skills, and the ability to work with or lead others.

To narrow down your soft skills, open up a blank document and try listing out any and all soft skills you think you have. Make notes of times in your career when these skills made an impact on a project or led to quantifiable results. Break down your favorite instances or ones you think are most relevant to the job you’re applying for. Now, highlight these in your resume and cover letter.

4. Update your LinkedIn page

Depending on your industry and the role you’re applying for, social media profiles will be of varying importance. But if you’re applying to something through a platform like LinkedIn, you’re going to want to freshen up your profile so it represents you in the best way possible.

Think of LinkedIn as an extension of your resume, it’s another page for employers and recruiters to browse and learn more about your professional experiences—so you’re going to want it to look good.

First and foremost, make sure all your information is up to date—your current job, education status, etc. These pieces create the foundation of your page. Next, take a little time to craft a thoughtful “about” section. This can be similar to your “about me” section on your resume and will serve as another way of establishing yourself as a professional with specific skills and goals.

Finally, don’t neglect the visual aspects of your LinkedIn page. For your profile picture, choose a good quality, professional-looking headshot. For your cover photo, browse Canva for some cool templates; there are tons of ways to have fun and personalize your page while still being professional. Give your page one last edit to make sure there aren’t any typos or issues and voila! Your page should be ready to go.

Lastly…

The job market is a big place and it’s easy to feel lost and unprepared. If you’re reading this, you’re likely a recent graduate trying to navigate this new professional playing field. Just remember that finding a job is a learning curve like anything else. By taking small steps and putting in the work, your efforts will pay off. A few months or even a year from now, you’ll be able to look back and be glad you kept working hard to achieve your goals.

Related:

Meet The Writer!

Hello! My name is Lea Rose and I am an avid writer with a love for all things international. I recently graduated from UNC Charlotte with degrees in Communication Studies as well as Dance Performance and hope to be a full time travel writer one day. My writing primarily focuses on the ways places and experience shape us as individuals. Please feel free to check out my blog or connect with me through LinkedIn or Instagram @writtenworldblog.