6 Tips to Help You Confidently Enter the Job Market
This post was written for the Cronkite Career Services blog to help spring 2020 graduates from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication ...
Even under normal circumstances, job hunting can be a stressful endeavor. This is especially true for new college graduates who must quickly adapt to life outside of the school year calendar they’ve spent the majority of their lives adhering to. Now, in the wake of the new coronavirus pandemic, graduates are faced with another set of obstacles to overcome and are entering a workplace that is evolving as I write this.
What we’ve seen from students in the past few weeks, however, shows me that graduates of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication are more than ready to enter the job market. Even now, our students are transforming their homes into makeshift newsrooms with creative setups that make it look like the real deal- and it's not surprising as we are part of a university that has ranked no. 1 in Innovation five years in a row!
Even with all this, looking for a job can seem overwhelming. These are a few tips that can help you enter the job market confidently and ensure you put your best foot forward to “wow” recruiters and prospective employers alike.
#1 Use Your Connections
There is more than one reason we require Cronkite students to obtain at least one professional internship during their time with us. In addition to gaining valuable experience, these internships are an opportunity for students to foster beneficial relationships with industry professionals. Whether you’re seeking advice or a lead on a job, it's important to keep in touch because come graduation, these relationships can make a world of difference.
#2 Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile
Make sure your LinkedIn profile is updated and has your most current contact information included. A link to your online portfolio should be included so that employers can easily view samples of your best work. You should also engage with people on LinkedIn; show employers that you are an active participant in your field and are regularly honing your skills and nurturing your professional relationships.
#3 Join Our ASU Walter Cronkite School Alumni Group on LinkedIn
After graduation, join our Alumni group on LinkedIn! This is a great resource that will allow you to connect with graduates from previous years.
#4 Apply. Apply. Apply.
If you firmly believe that you have most (if not all) of the desired skills and experience, apply for the position! The worst thing that could happen is an employer will say “no.”
#5 Subscribe to Cronkite Career Services Job Alerts
Each week, Cronkite Career Services sends out three newsletters that are filled with job postings from across the country and around the world. If you haven’t already, we encourage you to sign up for these carefully-crafted alerts.
These weekly updates will ensure you are up to date on the latest broadcast, digital media, PR, and communications jobs in major markets (Major Market Mondays), Phoenix (Phoenix Fridays), or across the country (NationwideNewsletter).
#6 Stay In Touch with Us
We love to follow the career paths of our alumni every step of the way, and publicly congratulate them on career advancements as well as their accomplishments. After graduation, we encourage you to stay in touch with us.
Let us know when you start a new job or stop by campus; we’d love to see you and hear all about your post-graduation adventures. Additionally, we are here to assist our alumni with anything and everything to ensure they achieve their professional goals.