Top 3 Career Strategies for College Students Graduating During COVID-19 (and beyond)

Hello Class of 2020! Let me just start by saying that we're all so proud of how you have navigated these uncharted waters! Every college student has approached graduation with a lingering thought in the back of their mind asking “what's next?”. Well, I’m sure more than ever you have been asking that question quite a bit.

I have a heart for individuals on the cusp of something new, which makes you one of my very favorite populations. I’ve provided training, resources and workshops to high school and college students (even medical students) for the past several years, and I've enjoyed seeing all of the photos you awesome grads are posting on Instagram and LinkedIn. For this reason, I’ve put together three top strategies for embarking on your career journey based on my many years in the workforce and experience with clients graduating college. I hope it serves you well, not just during COVID-19, but for many years to come.

Strategy #1: Be intentional with your resume. Now is not the time to be generic.

One mistake I see my college-level clients make is they often create a standard/generic resume that could be easily distributed in bulk. Unfortunately, that’s not going to cut it right now. You have a LOT of furloughed professionals along with other graduating students that will start getting into the job market soon, and they will be some of your toughest competition. My philosophy is – generic resumes get you generic roles. Instead, identify the job you want and tailor your resume to reflect all of the curated skills, experience, and education you can bring to the table. It is my role to help students quit using generic terms like "action-oriented" and "team player" on their resumes and replace them with impactful statements that better highlight their abilities and value-adding skills.

Identify the job you want and tailor your resume to reflect all of the curated skills, experience, and education you can bring to the table.  

Strategy #2: If you haven’t watched yourself on camera, you need to do that. (TikTok doesn't count)

It is very likely that you will be participating in virtual interviews over the next few months. As a matter of fact, I’ve worked for a major Fortune 500 hospitality company that ONLY conducted virtual interviews even before the pandemic. I’ve had the opportunity to review some of the footage submitted by candidates and let me tell you – it can be painful. In order to ensure you can present yourself in the best and most confident manner during your interview, it would be in your best interest to participate in a few “mock” interviews. But here’s the secret sauce - film yourself as you respond to the interview questions. This is one of the most effective tools that I utilize when coaching, and let me tell you - clients are often shocked at how oblivious they have been to some of their poor communication habits or behaviors. When you are able to visually see yourself and how you respond to interview questions, you are better equipped to notice any behaviors and habits that you may want to address before the real interview.

When you are able to visually see yourself and how you respond to interview questions, you are better equipped to notice any behaviors and habits that you may want to address before the real interview.

Strategy #3: Know your unique value.

You possess a special and unique ingredient that makes you incredibly valuable to your future employer. The question is, what is it? For some of you, it’s your knowledge, experience or skillset. For others it may be your passion for the industry.

Spending the time to identify your special ingredient/gift will serve two important purposes:

• First, it can help you stand out as a candidate in an interview – especially if what you have to offer aligns with the industry/role for which you are applying.

• Second (and this is important, so I want you to hear me) – you add your value to work, you don’t get your value from work. Read that again. I'm not saying that work isn’t fulfilling, it absolutely can be. What I mean is that your identity and that thing that makes you so awesome...well, you had that long before you joined the workforce. You will take it with you from employer to employer and nothing can take that away. Not a layoff, not a furlough, not a pandemic. That gift is all yours; it was handpicked for you. Now you can go share it with others and change the world.

That gift is all yours; it was handpicked for you. Now you can go share it with others and change the world.

Graduates, we are so proud of you. You’re going to do great things, I just know it.