3 essential strategies for landing an entry-level job

Culled from Glassdoor.com
Whether you’re fresh out of school or ready to take on a different industry, getting your foot in the door requires some planning. There’s no denying that the market is tough, and the work landscape is changing. But that doesn’t mean there’s no hope if you’re on the hunt for an entry-level role. Rest assured, there are still opportunities out there — but you’ll need to be strategic about how you position yourself to secure one.

Here are a few tips for landing the perfect role to get your career started.

1. Do your research

Showing an investment in the company and the hiring process can go a long way. “Do your research and be prepared with insightful questions to ask during an interview,” Posner advises. “For example, see what senior executives are doing or saying in public about current needs or problems.”

Posner adds that you can use that intel to come up with thought starters, ideas, questions, and other resources that you can incorporate into your application or interview. It’s a solid way to show that you’re enthusiastic about that specific opportunity and that you really took your time to understand the role, the organization, and how you could make the biggest impact.

2. Gain relevant experience

It’s easy to feel like you’re stuck in a constant loop: You need experience to get a job, but you need a job to get experience. “Experience” doesn’t necessarily have to come from a traditional 9-to-5 job.

“I love encouraging job seekers to get creative here,” Serwetz shares, noting that there are plenty of other ways people can gain beneficial, hands-on experience:

Personal projects: Take the initiative to learn a new subject or skill. If you can produce something you can showcase during the hiring process, even better.

Volunteering: There are plenty of organizations that could use some support. Stepping in gives you a chance to practice and hone your skills, build connections, and solicit recommendations — all while helping a worthy cause. Serwetz recommends Catchafire as a great resource for relevant volunteer opportunities.

Learning opportunities: Courses, boot camps, certifications, and videos can help you get up to speed on your chosen career and the skills you need to succeed. Plus, they look great on your resume and in your cover letter.

Contract work and projects: For both the employer and the candidate, project-based work doesn’t require the same investment as traditional employment. It’s another great way to apply your skills in the real world and forge valuable professional connections.

3. Emphasize your soft skills

You may not have decades of previous jobs on your resume — but there are likely plenty of other qualities that make you a great candidate.

Even without a long employment history, “many employers will value your drive, professionalism, proactivity, curiosity, open-mindedness, and other traits that make your fit and high potential clear,” encourages Serwetz.

While technical qualifications get a lot of attention in the job search, employers increasingly care about soft skills. These qualities are less tangible and harder to quantify, but that doesn’t mean they’re resume fluff. The majority of hiring managers actually prioritize soft skills over hard skills when evaluating candidates.

You can demonstrate your soft skills during your job search by communicating promptly and professionally, showing up on time and prepared for interviews and other commitments, asking thoughtful questions, and staying calm and level-headed even if something unexpected comes up.

As Posner says, a lot of success in your job search — whether you have experience or not — comes down to “showing solid character and trainability.”