Olivia
What can I do to help myself stand out to a prospective employer once I am finished with college?
Most people applying for a teaching position will be qualified as per their education, so I'd like to know what I can do to give myself something extra that may give me a better chance at getting a teaching position.
#education
4 answers
Angela Contee
Angela’s Answer
In addition to academic knowledge, employers are looking for experience. A great way to gain that experience is through internships (paid and unpaid) and volunteering in an unpaid role at the company where you'd like to work or a company in the same industry. Not only do you gain valuable experience, you also have an opportunity to determine if that is the right fit for you and correlate academic knowledge to the real world. I actually did both, i.e., internship and volunteer work; when I was ready to enter the workforce I had a lot more practical experience than my peers. In fact, even though I applied for entry-level jobs, my real world experience allowed employers to consider me for other positions. After I was hired my manager pulled me aside to tell me that my practical experience was why I was hired!
G. Mark Stewart
G. Mark’s Answer
The best thing to do, IMO, is to contact a set of prospective employers BEFORE you finish college. This will accomplish several things:
1) It will give you insight into the company and the company's needs and activities.
2) It will inform the employer of your interest and availability to do co-op or internship work. If you nab a position like that, you'll get not only more insight, but experience in doing things for the employer.
3) It will get you contacts not only for that employer but for the industry in general.
4) It will give you a good idea of whether that employer or, for that matter, that career, is a good match for you.
5) It's fun to find this stuff out.
Pamela Mapelli
Pamela’s Answer
Jacqueline Ball
Jacqueline’s Answer
Hello Pamela,
Preparation is the key. Prior to your interview, research and increase your knowledge of the prospective employer. Be able to speak about the organization. What they are all about, their goals, new products and/ or services on the horizon, the culture and what their future goals are. Prepare yourself to clearly communicate what position or roll you want. Think about how the company can benefit by hiring you and how you can benefit as well. While you are still attending college inquire about paid and non paid internship opportunities with the prospective employer. These are things that would not be included in your resume and are good talk points. I am wishing you much success!