Graduation season is upon us! Approximately 1.6 million U.S. college students are expected to graduate this month and enter the “real world.” According to AfterCollege, Inc., only 17 percent of graduating seniors reported having a job lined up as of April. If you find yourself among the 83 percent still looking for a job, it’s time to get serious about your search. Use the tips below and the accompanying articles to kick your job hunt into high gear. Figure out what makes you special Go beyond your resume What's your target segment Do your research Be the expert Volunteer. And more. Walk into the interview know who you are, why your are different, and what values you can bring to your new potential employer and you will walk out of there leaving a lasting impact. One that will lead to your next job.

1. Smart Strategies
For Your Online Job Search

2. Just like you choose your consumables based upon
your brand recall

3. Your potential employer chooses their employees
based upon their brand recall

4. SO,
how do you build a strong brand

5. What makes you special?
What image do you want for
yourself?!
What special skill set makes you
stand out among all job applicants’!
What is that teachers/employers
have complimented you on? !
Your attention to detail!
Ability to think on the fly? !
Deep industry knowledge?

6. Go beyond the resume.
Google yourself. You just might
be surprised. !
Don’t like what you see, flood
Google (BrandYourself.com)!
Your social footprint. Do you
want them to know you. Are
really know you. !
LinkedIn (and others). !
Email address. Probably not
DomesticGoddess@yahoo.com

7. What is your target segment?
What city do you want to
live in!
What companies are located
there!
Which companies align
with your personality/goals

8. Stalk them

9. Do your research
Join their LinkedIn page, follow their
blog!
What charities do they sponsor?!
What events do they host!
Who are their leaders, follow them!
Do they belong to any charities?!
Do they maintain a blog?!
Are they active on LinkedIn, Twitter,
or Facebook (but not their personal
profile)

10. Be the expert.
Start a blog. Write about your
industry.!
Talk socially. Comment and
answer questions on
company blogs, LinkedIn,
and industry blogs.!
Start speaking. Rotaries,
AMA, Toastmasters, etc…!
Write a book. (Just kidding)

11. Volunteer
Where do you think the
executive hang out?!
Allows you to show you
personality through causes!
Allows you to showcase
leadership skills!
Allows you to gain experience!
And helps out the community

12. Just check me out
LinkedIn!
huonks.com!
Twitter!
Google+!
Facebook Page!
Slideshare, eLance.com,
And so much more….

13. But where should you look?
What tools are available to you?

14. Online Resources
HCC’s College Central Network. Your one-stop-shop for job listings. It contains a wealth of
information on career options, job search skill development and local job openings.!
LinkedIn. The world largest online professional network. Connecting through LinkedIn is a
must for professional job seekers today. !
CareerRealism. An online career advice and job search magazine that was founded on the
belief that “every job is temporary.” Its purpose is to help people solve their career and job
search problems.!
US News Career. Best jobs by industry, career and job search headlines, best careers and more. !
The Riley Guide. Contains free resources you can use to develop a familiarity with application
kiosks and online job applications. !
Quint Careers. Find some great tools and resources for exploring careers—whether you’re a
student searching for your first career or an established job-seeker considering a career change.

15. Ring, ring, ring.
So you get the call, how to prepare.

16. Research the company
Research the company!
Who are they? !
What types of services do
they provide? !
Who are their clients? !
Who might you be talking
to?!
Are people complaining
about them?

17. Research the questions
Google is your friend. !
Find out what other companies
ask!
Discover how other people
answer those questions!
Word is your best friend!
prepare for every possible
question !
Write the answers in Word for
spelling/grammar check

18. Come to the interview with a
personal branding toolkit.
Business cards!
Cover letter!
Copies of your resume!
References!
etc…!
Oh yea, questions you want
to ask

19. Don't be afraid to ask questions.
Brainstorm with a buddy!
Write them down, but leave
room for more!
Bring a pen with you (to
write more)!
Ask them… You are
interviewing them as much
as they are interviewing you.

20. Tell stories.
Practice talking about your
accomplishments!
Tell the histories, the goals,
your role, everything that
would not fit in the resume!
They already read your
resume

21. Display your unique personality.
Do be afraid to talk about
what interest you.!
Especially when they
showcase your skills and
talents.

22. Follow up.
Have a thank email ready to
go. Send it when you get
home!
Follow up with a handwritten
thank you note to arrive a
week later!
Just met some fabulous people
at @XYZ company. Looking
forward to getting to know
them better #Priceless

23. It Doesn’t End