5 Mistakes College Kids Make

By E.W., 5/21/13

In an interview in Forbes Magazine, Dan Schawbel, founder of Millennial Branding, a consulting firm with clients such as American Express and NBCUniversal, states that there are five things that college kids are (and are not) doing that are holding them back from landing a job out of college.

1. Students are not applying for enough jobs. Instead of applying to one or two companies, hoping for a response, send out your resume to a couple dozen. According to Schawbel, job-hunting is a full time job. Be prepared to send hours looking and preparing. It may be that the ones who reply back are not the ones you really wanted; nevertheless, you can always take it as an opportunity to learn and to get closer to your dream career.
2. Students do not do enough of their own networking. While many students feel that their school did not provide adequate opportunities to connect with employers and alumni, Schawbel says that it ultimately falls on students to get their name out. Starting with the CSL on campus, Gusties can easily take advantage of all the resources available to them. There are also numerous job and internships fairs that the Gustavus hosts or supports. Take every chance to get to these events.
3. Students do not use LinkedIn. Don’t wait until you’re in the middle of your job search to create a LinkedIn profile. If you don’t already have one, make one. If you do have one, be sure to keep it updated with your latest resume, cover letter, and job status. Also, use LinkedIn to expand your network.
4. Don’t think that applying through an employer’s website is enough. Just because you uploaded your resume and cover letter doesn’t mean you’re done. Make sure that you follow through on the status of your application. It is also a good idea to see if you have any connections in the company. Let them know that you are applying and see if they will put a good word in for you.
5. Giving up when you get no response. According to Schawbel, not hearing back from an employer should not be taken as a no. Instead, use it as an opportunity to reach out to find a connection in the company. Be an advocate for yourself: follow through. If you haven’t heard back, chances are others haven’t either. Stand above the competition by not giving up.