Alumni Share Job Searching Tips for Young Professionals

It’s the tail end of finals at Pacific University. Students are busy cramming for their last exam or packing their bags and head home for a long, much needed break. Yet, for the class of 2015, there is an additional stress added to the conclusion of another semester. The “real world” is quickly approaching. By noon on graduation day, May 16, seniors will transform from students to young professionals pooled into the job hunt.

So, where do graduates go from there? We asked Pacific University affiliates on LinkedIn what tips they had for young professionals entering the job hunt.

One of the first steps in job searching is just that, searching. Brad Grove ’85 stresses the importance of taking the search seriously.

“For graduating students, they have their first job already. It’s called job hunting. Treat it like a real job. Get up early. Dress professionally. Put in a full day’s work networking, applying for jobs, following up and making personal contacts,” said Grove, director of post production at R2C Group. “Applying for work online is a fact of life these days, however, people hire people. Not pieces of paper. So you need to work at making personal contact and connections with possible future employers. Most great jobs are never posted, they are filled by someone who knows someone. Be that person.”

Once job searchers have narrowed down a few companies they would like to work for, Jim Simmons, alumnus parent, encourages them to do their homework.

“When targeting prospective employers, potential employees should really get to know the companies that they may be interested in working for,” said Simmons, instructor of marketing, advertising and business at Portland State University. “There is a wealth of information available online to learn about a company but there is also networking with current and past employees to get a real feel about what it is like to work for a particular organization.”

When crafting an application, Simmons encourages applicants to “identify the key issues facing the company and you can craft a cover letter and resume that address these issues and how you as a prospective employee can contribute to being an asset and solution to these business challenges. Once you get the call for an interview, you'll already be prepared and confident.”

Applying for a job is not simply filling out an application and sending over a résumé, it’s about presenting your true skills as an employee, Amy Nelson ’95 explained.

“It's easy to apply for a job, but to understand your authentic self, what you have to offer and what you need to gain in knowledge, skills and abilities is what will help you build a durable career path,” said Nelson, president and CEO of Point West Credit Union. “Daily, be diligent about fueling your career path. Update your résumé, connect on LinkedIn, read an article that stretches your eyes to the horizon. Like any good-to-great trajectory—practice.”

Searching and applying for jobs is a long process. Grove said people should realize job hunting can take months of networking, applying and interviews.
“Be strong. Be persistent. Your job is to hear ‘no’ everyday, over and over again, until you hear that one, ‘yes,’” said Grove.

While applying these tips to your next job application, consider connecting with Pacific alumni on LinkedIn to expand your networking. To join this conversation, visit the Pacific University group on LinkedIn.