The New Graduate Job Search Guide

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www.SimplyHired.com June 2011 The New Graduate Job Search Guide Essential tips for landing a job after college

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Essential tips for landing a job after college. From SimplyHired.com.

Transcript of The New Graduate Job Search Guide

Page 1: The New Graduate Job Search Guide

www.SimplyHired.comJune 2011

The New Graduate Job Search Guide Essential tips for landing a job after college

Page 2: The New Graduate Job Search Guide

The New Graduate Job Search Guide | Simply Hired, inc. Table of Contents | 1

Introduction

Part 1: Before the Big SearchOrganizing Your Job Search

Part 2: Getting it Done: Searching & ApplyingCompiling Your Résumé

Writing High-Impact Résumés and Cover Letters

Tailoring Résumés and Cover Letters

Places to Conduct a Job Search

Part 3: Interview SuccessPhone Interviews

How to Dress for (Interview) Success

Questions to Ask

Following Up

Part 4: Accepting the Offer & Assuring Your SuccessA Guide to Reference Checks

Evaluating and Accepting the Offer

Make a Great Impression at Your First Job

The New Graduate Job Search Guide

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Table of Contents

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The New Graduate Job Search Guide | Simply Hired, inc.

Each year, many companies are very interested in taking

on young professionals who are energetic and eager

to work and learn. In fact, the National Association of

Colleges and Employers (NACE) reports that employers

anticipate hiring 13% more 2011 college graduates than

they hired in 2010. So don’t despair, there are jobs for

new grads out there.

Finding your first job doesn’t have to be a long,

complicated process. We've compiled all the best advice

for your job search in this quick and dirty guide that we

hope is actually be fun to read (though, we chalk it up to

the comics rather than our sense of humor). This New

Graduate Job Search Guide will give you the best chances

of finding and landing your first job out of college!

– The Simply Hired Team

Introduction | 2

Introduction

Congrats! Those years of studying, taking tests, and

pulling all-nighters writing term papers are over. Now

it’s time for the working world—offering a wealth of

opportunities, potential for serious professional growth,

and most importantly ... getting paid!

Transitioning between graduation and full-time

employment can be a little daunting, but it’s important to

keep in mind that all new grads start in the same place.

So don’t worry. Like the lady once said, you “will survive!”

One of the biggest challenges new graduates face, after

the ring of fire (depending on your school), is merely

their lack of experience in searching for jobs. Compared

with more experienced workers, a new graduate may not

know the process of job searching, writing a résumé and

cover letter, networking with other professionals, or even

evaluating and negotiating job offers.

The New Graduate Job Search GuideEssential tips for landing a job after college

Employers anticipate hiring 13.1% more 2011 college graduates than they hired in 2010.

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The New Graduate Job Search Guide | Simply Hired, inc. Before the Big Search | 3

Organizing Your Job Search

To get the most out of your job search, it’s essential to

be organized—and getting there isn’t complicated. It will

also keep any demanding old people you may know off

your back. An organized job search is more time efficient

too (this means more Wii Tennis later!). Here’s how to

get organized...

Define your ideal jobDo you like people? Do you like to work independently?

Do you like the cache of a big conglomerate? The

personal touch of a small company? Do you mind a

commute? What’re you good at? Do you enjoy rapid-fire

questions? Our point is this: Listing the attributes of your

ideal job—such as a focus on social media, a job located

in the city, a job at Disney, or the title "Network Test

Engineer"—will give you a starting point.

Keep a calendar & scheduleMake a daily plan (this is very important; it’s easy to

go off track and miss opportunities without one), keep

track of upcoming interviews as well as follow-ups

with employers and other appointments. Go out and

get yourself a calendar to keep track. We recommend

the Hottest Hiring Managers of the Year calendar—or,

y’know, whatever works best for you.

Manage contactsTrack who you meet during your job search—yes, even

the weirdos. Include people you’ve interviewed with or

met at events, recruiters you’ve been in contact with, and

people who have served as your references. Note their

contact information, company, and what they’ve done to

help in your search. This is good prep for the “thank you”

notes you’ll send later. (You will send a thank you note,

right? [The answer’s “Yes!”])

Part 1: Before the Big Search

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employers and hiring managers considering you.

• Opportunities: This is for communication with your

references and people recommending you, talking

about opportunities, asking for advice, and so forth.

• Dings: They took your résumé and placed it in their

circular file? The nerve! But think of it as you rejecting

them (Take that!) ... and this folder’s a good way to

ensure you don’t reach out to them again.

You’ll find that a little organization will make a big differ-

ence. So will a little cardamom. (Oops, sorry—that’s from

our New Chef Cooking Guide).

"You may not remember me. I'm the person who's been sending you

hundreds of emails asking for an appointment."

File managementIf you create different résumés and cover letters for each

job opportunity (*cough* You should do this *cough*), you’ll

find yourself with multiple versions on your computer. To

keep track of your myriad files, organize your application

materials into separate folders and make sure your naming

strategy makes sense: high-level “Résumés” and “Cover

Letters” folders, with subfolders for “Cover Letter-IBM” or

“Résumé-Graphic Design,” etc. Of course, be careful not

to name a file something silly or self-deprecating like “Just

another Dang Résumé” as, if you’re sending those out,

someone’s gonna see that after all.

Use email folders to track progressKeep all job communications neatly organized. We

suggest using trained orangutans to manage your info

or, perhaps, simply create folders and subfolders, which

follow the flow of your job searching.

If you’re stuck with folders: In a top-level folder named, for

example, “Job Search,” create subfolders for:

• Unsolicited: Emails sent directly to recruiters or

employers.

• Potentials: Email alerts and messages mentioning

prospective jobs to pursue.

• Prospects: Exchanges between yourself and the

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The New Graduate Job Search Guide | Simply Hired, inc.

Compiling Your Resume

If you haven’t heard it, you will: “You need experience to get a

job, but you need a job to get experience.” But you might have

more experience than you think.

Look back on anything you’ve done that relates to the positions

you’re interested in—coursework, extracurricular clubs, and

the like (the school newspaper or what-have-you), volunteer

jobs, even summer jobs, or internships. Showcase this past

experience on your résumé. Spent a summer pretending

to be Master Chief? Boom—tactical and diplomatic skills!

(Seriously: NO)

Much like snowflakes or tacos, no two résumés are exactly

the same. However, we recommend two formats: the

chronological or the functional résumé. Depending on your

specific background, these will best highlight your strengths

and downplay your limited experience.

Chronological RésuméChronological résumés are the most popular type of résumé

and most preferred by employers. Typically, you’ll list your

work history followed by education and skills. However, as

a new grad, list your education first—lead with your strong

suit. Then, list your work history (consider naming this your

“Professional and Academic Experience” if you include large

projects or programs in this section). In addition, you will

typically include a skills section, to highlight technical abilities

(e.g., computer programs or programming, automotive repair

experience, flux capacitor expertise, etc.), laboratory skills,

languages, etc.

Functional RésuméA functional résumé concentrates more on the skills you

have acquired, as opposed to a list of positions you have

held. Functional résumés highlight key areas of experience to

Part 2: Getting it Done: Searching & Applying

Getting it Done: Searching & Applying | 5

ˇ Chronological Résumé

ˇ Functional Résumé

Mary  Whitticker  120  Main  Street  

San  Jose,  CA    95101  555.555.5555  (home)  566.486.2222  (cell)  

[email protected]      Education    San  Jose  State  College,  San  Jose,  CA  B.S.  Business,  GPA:  3.9  Graduated  Manga  Cum  Laude      Experience    Retail  Development  Intern,  Macy’s                                                                                                May  2010  -­‐  September  2010  San  Jose,  CA    

• Developed  social  media  marketing  plan  to  increase  buyers  • Analyzed  business  to  determine  cost-­‐saving  opportunities  • Coordinated  office  space  and  events  for  department  

 Retail  Associate,  Nordstrom                                                                                                                                            July  2009  -­‐  August  2009  San  Jose,  CA    

• Highest  commission  earner  in  Men’s  Clothing  department  • Worked  with  tailors  and  seamstresses  for  fittings  • Scheduled  private  shopping  appointments  with  high-­‐end  customers  

 Purchasing  Intern,  Orchard  Supply  Hardware                                              June  2008-­‐  September  2008  Sunnyvale,  CA    

• Assisted  in  supply/demand  planning,  distribution  and  inventory  management  • Assisted  with  day-­‐to-­‐day  vendor  contact  and  follow  up  

   Additional  Skills                      

• Proficient  with  Microsoft  Office  • Some  HTML  and  CSS  experience    

Mary  Whitticker  120  Main  Street  

San  Jose,  CA    95101  555.555.5555  (home)  566.486.2222  (cell)  

[email protected]      Education    San  Jose  State  College,  San  Jose,  CA  B.S.  Business,  GPA:  3.9  Graduated  Manga  Cum  Laude      Experience  Highlights    Sales  and  Customer  Service    

• Greeted  and  assisted  customers  in  high-­‐end  clothing  store.  Demonstrated  ability  to  upsell,  deal  with  irate  customers  and  maintain  composure.  

• Scheduled  private  shopping  appointments  with  high-­‐end  customers,  providing  increased  attention  and  support.  From  these  private  shopping  appointments,  earned  the  highest  commission  of  all  salespeople  during  employment.    

• Provided  excellent  customer  service  working  with  customers,  tailors  seamstresses  for  fittings  through  clear  communication  and  attention  to  detail.  

 Inventory  and  Purchasing  

• Determined  more  cost-­‐saving  opportunities    by  performing  analysis  on  clothing  and  accessories  vendors  

• Assisted  in  supply/demand  planning,  distribution  and  inventory  management  • Assisted  with  day-­‐to-­‐day  vendor  contact  and  follow  up  

 Administrative  Support  

• Coordinated  office  space  and  events  for  retail  development  department,  including  scheduling  meetings,  booking  office  and  event  space  and  coordinating  with  catering  and  audio/visual  departments  

• Follow  up  with  attendee  list,  and  prepared  all  handout  materials  for  all  department  meetings  

   Work  History    RETAIL  DEVELOPMENT  INTERN,  Macy’s,  San  Jose,  CA  RETAIL  ASSOCIATE,  Nordstrom,  San  Jose,  CA  PURCHASING  INTERN,  Orchard  Supply  Hardware,  Sunnyvale,  CA    

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The New Graduate Job Search Guide | Simply Hired, inc.

focus on responsibilities and accomplishments. These

skill “clusters” should be specific and filled with lots of

context—don’t skimp on the details; tell as much as you

can about each one of your related experiences.

Functional résumés are a good option for new graduates

who possess little professional experience. Keep in

mind that many recruiters and employers do not prefer

functional résumés. Since most online applications

require you to list out your experience job by job,

functional résumés are not accepted on most online

employer career pages and job sites.

"I'm very impressed by your résumé. I'm concerned, however, to see that

you crossed off someone else'sname and wrote yours just above it."

Writing High-Impact Resumes and Cover Letters

Throw away the tired idea that résumés and cover letters

are meant to just reiterate the jobs you have previously

held. These things are the late-night infomercial that

you can’t shut off, that one-in-a-million radio ad that you

actually turn up the volume for. They’re selling the best

product out there: You!

These two items will answer that particular question the

hiring manager is asking, namely, “Do I want to interview

Getting it Done: Searching & Applying | 6

this person?” Your cover letter is a chance to introduce

yourself to the employer. Rather than use the letter to

merely summarize your résumé—which they have in their

possession—take the opportunity to explain why you are

the best candidate for the position. Customize the letter to

each employer’s individual needs and convince them that

you’re qualified.

Focus on accomplishmentsYou need to stand out from thousands of other appli-

cants, from the friends of the people who work there

getting recommended for jobs to the CEO’s own kid in

need of a job. So, how do you do this? Accomplishments!

Instead of merely describing your responsibilities, such

as “Performed fundraising tasks,” write something akin

to: “Raised $30,000 for research by establishing a new

fundraising auction which drew over 5,000 people.”

Employers like to know what you did! Did you found a new

club on campus, plan a charity event for your sorority, win

an award for outstanding work in the department for your

major? This is all important—and if you’ve shown leader-

ship or earned/saved dollar amounts, that always goes

over well too!

PersonalizeAlways address your cover letter to the person doing the

hiring. No name included in the job posting? Do a quick

search for the name of the company’s recruiter or HR

Manager on LinkedIn. Dead end? You can still personalize

it. Sure, you can write “Dear Person Who’ll Hire Me:,” but

a better idea is to direct it to the person’s position or the

company—for example, “Dear Editorial Department Hiring

Manager:” or “Dear Online Shoe Store Recruiter:” ... this

shows you’re paying attention at least. And, remember, the

recruiter’s not your buddy, so no jokes or “Dude, I’d totally

rock this job.” Be professional.

Keep it shortRecruiters receive hundreds or even thousands of

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The New Graduate Job Search Guide | Simply Hired, inc. Getting it Done: Searching & Applying | 7

applications for a single opening. Limit your cover letter

to just two or three high-impact paragraphs and a strong

sign-off (and mention that you’ll follow-up if you’re

applying for something where it is appropriate to do so).

Prooflead! Propfread! Proofread!This might sound obvious but proofread your résumé and

cover letter! NO misspellings or grammatical errors—or

so much as a single typo—should appear on either. But

it’s virtually impossible to proof your own work, so if you

have a few standard cover letters which you are making

changes to (and you should be) for each job, send those

letters to friends, family, and maybe to the really smart

parakeet the bizarre dude down the street has; ask them

all to look for mistakes. A fresh perspective can mayhap

turn up errors of which one might find to be awkward

perhaps. Like the previous sentence.

"I see from your résumé you spent fore years at bizness skool."

Follow directionsIf you’re asked to include your résumé in the body of

an email, send it in the body of the email—period. If

you’re asked to answer a few questions in the cover

letter, answer them. (No ifs, ands, or buts allowed here.)

No submission instructions? It’s generally accepted to

include your cover letter in the body of the email, with

your résumé attached or included below your cover letter.

Tailoring Résumés and Cover Letters

Carefully read the job description. Employers list the exact

requirements of the role in there (well, they should anyway),

so your cover letter and résumé must highlight how you are

the perfect match.

Here’s what to focus on:• Language: Read the job description thoroughly and

modify your résumé and cover letter to match the language

used in the job listing. Recruiters often look for specific

keywords and phrases in the résumés and cover letters

they receive—or they’ve got electronic scanning software

to do it for them. Yes, welcome to the future, Marty!

• Qualifications: Emphasize your qualifications by

specifically calling out how you fit the requirements of

the position. Remove qualifications that aren’t relevant

or move them to a “Skills” section at the bottom of

your résumé.

• Ordering: No, we’re not asking if you want fries with

that. Typically, employers put the most important

requirements at the beginning of the job description

and then, later, list the optional or less important skills.

In your résumé and cover letter, rearrange your skills

so that your most important requirements match theirs

and are highlighted first.

"You'll have to look harder than that to find a job, son."

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The New Graduate Job Search Guide | Simply Hired, inc.

Online job sitesSimplyHired.com, for instance, allows you to search thousands of online job sites in one place. Just enter keywords

describing your dream job into the search box, the location you’d like to work into the Location field, and hit the Search

button. The results page will display jobs from all over the Web which match your query.

Social networking sitesSocial networks, while great for posting pics of you car surfing in nothing but your skivvies, also allow you to tap into

your contacts and can be an effective way to job search (as such, maybe think twice about posting your scantily clad

automotive acrobatics). Most employers promote referral hiring, so if someone you know can refer you to an open

position at his or her company, your chances of getting your résumé into the hands of the hiring manager increase

dramatically.

Getting it Done: Searching & Applying | 8

Places to Conduct a Job Search

Many companies are itching to hire new graduates. Here’s how to find those companies...

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SimplyHired.com has some cool features that let you take advantage of your social networks in your job search.

Who Do I Know® feature – If you find a great job on SimplyHired.com, you can use this feature to see if any of your

LinkedIn connections are working (or have worked) at the companies in your search results. This way you can enlist

their help to get you an interview.

Integration with Facebook – Often, your Facebook friends are the people who you have the closest connection with,

or people who vaguely know you but could help anyway, and could assist in your job search. Our integration with

Facebook will help you identify where your friends work so that you can ask them to recommend you for a job within

their company.

You can also utilize social networks themselves in your job search. Update your profile on LinkedIn to share with

others (and allow recruiters to find you online!), become a fan of your dream companies on Facebook to keep up-to-

date with their news (some may post their jobs as well), and search for jobs and follow recruiters on Twitter.

College career centerAs a graduate, you can use your alma mater’s career center as a source for jobs and career advice. Many college

career centers work with alumni to get job listings from their companies; others have on-campus interviewing

programs for employers, so you can line up a job without leaving campus.

Brian A. In-house Graphic Designer

From LinkedInSee all 26 connections

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The New Graduate Job Search Guide | Simply Hired, inc. Interview Success | 10

Phone Interviews

Employers often use phone interviews as a way

to screen candidates for in-person interviews. So

be happy you get to save yourself a few bucks on

a commute; we’re here to help you get to the next

round...

While you’re on the call, it’s important to treat it like

a real interview. Find a quiet place to take the call that

is free of distractions (and definitely not while you’re

walking your dog, eating lunch, or, for goodness sake,

driving!). If you don’t have good cell phone reception

(“Can you hear me now?”) or are busy with something

else, ask if you can reschedule and consider giving

them a landline number. Although they might be a

thousand miles away, speak as if the person is right in

front of you—stand up, project your voice, speak clearly

and don’t chew gum, eat, or smoke while on the call.

Keep a pen with you to take notes or write down

questions you’d like to ask during your phone inter-

view. Make sure you’ve practiced answers to some of

the most common interview questions they’ll likely

ask you—those which usually cover past experience,

strengths and weaknesses, and especially salary

expectations.

At the end of the call, make sure you’ve gotten your

interviewer’s (or interviewers’ or interviewerers?) name

and contact information. Ask about the spelling of their

name—even simple names like Tom or Anne can be

Thom or Ann. Be certain you thank the interviewer for

his or her time on the call and send him/her a thank

you note.

How to Dress for (Interview) Success

We’ve all heard tired adages related to your appearance,

including “Dress for success,” “You never get a second

chance to make a first impression,” or “Leggo my Eggo.” Or

at least two of those. But there is more than a kernel of truth

to those overused sayings. First, that is our Eggo. Next, you

can have a stellar résumé and diamond-studded background,

but if the interviewer’s first impression of you is less than

satisfactory, you can kiss the job goodbye.

Save for a black tie and tails, it’s nearly impossible to over-

dress for an interview. But many people underdress and that

can be seen as a sign you don’t care about the job. Don't wear

T-shirts, plaid button-downs, skirts that barely reach mid-

thigh (that goes for you too, guys), or skinny jeans. Dress

neatly and professionally. Guys, think jacket, slacks and a

business-suitable button-down shirt with a tie—a suit if

you’ve got one. Gals, a business suit is best, but a conservative

top with nice slacks or a conservative dress work great too.

If you’re still unsure of what to wear, you can always call or

email the HR department of the company and ask what attire

is appropriate for your interview.

Part 3: Interview Success

"I'm not sure you understand what we mean by next

generation leadership..."

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The New Graduate Job Search Guide | Simply Hired, inc.

Questions to Ask

A successful interview should be a two-way conversation

where the interviewer learns more about your qualifica-

tions, and you learn if the position and the company are

a good fit for you. Asking questions empowers you with

knowledge and shows the employer you’re interested in

the position.

Some basic guidelines on asking questions in an interview:

• Come prepared with questions to ask.

• Ask open-ended questions to learn more about the

way things work.

• Ask questions that show you’ve researched the

company.

• Let the interviewer initiate the subject of salary and

benefits; if it doesn’t come up, wait until you receive an

offer and start your negotiations then.

Need ideas to get you started? Here are some examples of questions to ask in an interview:

1. If I’m hired, what would be my first project?

2. What advancement and educational opportunities are

available for this position and in this company?

3. Can you tell me about the company culture?

4. When will a hiring decision be made?

5. How would you define “success” in this role?

"Excellent interview, you're hired!"

Interview Success | 11

Here are some questions NOT to ask in an interview:

1. Will I ever have to work overtime?

2. If I told you you had a beautiful body, would you hold

it against me?

3. I’m mad hungry. I’ve a Kit Kat bar in my bag—

splitsies?

Following Up

After an interview, your follow-up can make or break

your chances of getting the job. This extra step doesn’t

take much time, but it can be a great way to stand out

from other applicants. Some hiring managers won’t even

hire a candidate that didn’t write a thank you note. Even if

you decide the job isn’t a good fit, send a thank you note

showing your appreciation to them for taking the time

to meet with you, so you don’t burn any bridges—your

dream job just might open up in the future.

Here are some interview follow-up tips:

• During an in-person interview, ask for your

interviewer’s business card to make certain you have

his or her name and contact information.

• Send a personal message within 24 hours after the

interview, thanking each person you met with for

taking the time to talk with you:

– Highlight your qualifications and reiterate your

interest in the job (assuming you are interested).

– Use this opportunity to ask any questions you forgot

to ask or make additional comments.

– Send the interviewer any additional materials to be

considered, like a portfolio, website, or other

examples of work.

• Keep it short.

• Proofread your note before sending!

These tips for interview follow-up may be the key to

landing your next job!

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A Guide to Reference Checks

After an employer has determined you have all the

requirements for their opening, they’ll often ask you to

submit a list of references for them to call. Reference

checks are a common part of the hiring process and

serve two main purposes—to verify, 1. your previous

employment and, 2. your past work performance.

Employers want to ensure they’re making fully educated

decisions about whether a candidate is right for the job

before they offer a position.

Ask potential references for their permission in

advance and verify you have their correct contact

information. As a recent grad, potential references could

be professors you’re close to or have worked closely with,

advisors for clubs and groups on campus, employers from

internships or part-time jobs you’ve held, or even coaches

from sports teams.

Give each reference a list of talking points, describing

the position and giving insight into the kinds of questions

they may be asked, such as your work ethic, how well you

work under pressure, etc.

Keep your references updated on your progress. Tell

them which companies might contact them and, if

possible, job descriptions for the potential positions.

Remember to thank your references for their support

throughout your search and show them how much they’re

appreciated by sending an email or taking them out for a

nice meal.

Follow these guidelines and you’ll receive much more

impressive recommendations from your references. We

swear by it!

Evaluating and Accepting the Offer

After many hours of applying for jobs, attending

networking events, preparing for interviews, and talking

to potential employers, you might be ready to shout

“Hallelujah” and start celebrating in the wake of any

job offer you receive. However, don’t bust out the hard

lemonade yet. There are a few steps you still need to take

before accepting the offer.

Once you receive an offer, it’s important to ask the

following three questions.

1. When do you need an answer by?

Most companies will usually give you at least 24 hours

or a few days to get back to them.

2. Can you send me a copy of the offer and benefits package?

The job search isn’t over until you have a hard copy of

the job offer in your hand. Have the employer send you

the entire package for your review, to make sure you

and the employer are on the same page.

Part 4: Accepting the Offer & Assuring Your Success

"Why do all your references scream and slam down the phone when

I mention your name?"

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The New Graduate Job Search Guide | Simply Hired, inc. Accepting the Offer & Assuring Your Success | 13

3. Who should I speak with if I have questions about the

benefits package?

Even if the direct supervisor for the position gave you

the offer, it might make more sense to speak with

someone in HR if you have a question about the health

care plan for instance.

Next, review the job offer and benefits package and list

any questions or concerns you have about it. You’ll want

these questions ready when you return the call of the

person who made the job offer.

Things to consider: Job Responsibilities/Title – Will you enjoy the work? Is

it a good start for you or your career? Are you willing

to perform the requirements for the job (the workload,

commute time, etc.)? Does the job have a suitable

amount of responsibility for your experience?

Compensation – Is the pay what you were expecting?

Will you be able to pay your bills? Is the salary in the

typical range for someone for an entry-level position in

your field and location? If not, ask if the salary is open to

discussion.

Benefits Package – Does the company provide the medical

insurance that you would like—or perhaps need? What

retirement options does the company provide?

Workplace/Company Culture – Does the company provide a

workplace setting and company culture where you will be

happy and successful? Are the company’s values compat-

ible with your own? If not, you might consider continuing

your search to find a company that is a better fit.

Other considerations include opportunities for growth,

career development and training, how well you believe

you will be able to work with your potential supervisor and

co-workers, the hours you’d work, and whether flextime or

working from home is acceptable.

If you’re happy with the terms of the job offer and benefits,

congratulations! You’re all set to accept (and we only ask

a 12% fee from each check as thanks). Otherwise, discuss

anything you would like to negotiate with the person who

extended the offer. After all negotiations are complete, ask

for everything in writing again. Now you’re set to accept (or

turn down) the offer!

"You must be testing me with this salary offer, to be sure

I'm not insane."

"I'm sorry, my reputation usually precedes me."

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The New Graduate Job Search Guide | Simply Hired, inc. Accepting the Offer & Assuring Your Success | 14

Make a Great First Impression at Your First Job

It’s a tough economy for recent grads, so be proud of

yourself when you get that gig! In the first few weeks,

you may feel overwhelmed as you transition into your

new position—don’t stress! We’ve some tips for making

a great first impression at your first job.

Don’t be late!Arrive at your new place of work on time or even a little

early on your first day. They’ll likely have paperwork for

you and may plan on showing you around.

Dress appropriatelyTypical workplace attire can range from a suit and tie

to jeans and a T-shirt but dressing too casually or too

revealing can leave others with a bad impression. Dress

professionally at first (think interview attire), and by the

end of the first week, you’ll know whether or not cutoffs

and nose rings are acceptable attire.

About Simply HiredWith over eight million job listings, Simply Hired (www.SimplyHired.com) is the world’s largest job search

engine—25 times the size of the biggest job board. Servicing 16 million monthly users across 23 countries, the

company powers jobs on over 10,000 network partner sites, including LinkedIn, CNNMoney, The Washington

Post, and BusinessWeek. Reaching passive as well as active candidates, the Simply Hired network delivers

millions of targeted job applicants and boasts one of the lowest cost-per-hire rates in the industry. The

company is based in Mountain View, California, and is funded by Foundation Capital and IDG Ventures.

Ask questions & take notesThis is the best way to keep up with all the info coming

at you in your first days. Your supervisors will also notice

how interested you are in making a good impression. By

keeping notes, you won’t have to ask your manager the

same question multiple times, and you won’t forget any

of your assignments.

Take initiativeYour employer believes you will be an important

contributor to their team. So, don’t be afraid to speak up

in meetings and offer your opinion in a respectful way (!).

Ask what you can do to help the team—take initiative to

complete or contribute to projects. Go above and beyond

your initial position’s requirements to stand out. This is a

chance for you to learn and grow as a young professional

and show your manager that you’re not afraid to take on

challenging projects.

And there you have it! Keep this guide close, highlight

the sections you found most helpful, store it under your

pillow, and go out there and attain that awesome job you

know you deserve!

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