Knobull Helps Job Searchers Overcome Mistakes

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - March 11, 2023 - PRLog -- Completing your education and starting your career is a major milestone. It's important to know how to sell yourself so you can land that first "real" job, says Lynn Bentley, President of Knobull.

Here are four mistakes students and recent grads make that can hold up their search:

1. Not recognizing your skills

When you're entering a new field, it's natural to think you don't have any experience. He tells new grads to not overlook the roles you held in school—paid and unpaid. Those experiences can often be applied to your new career path.

A skill students often acquire during school is relationship-building. "Being in a fraternity or sorority or planning council events at your college requires good negotiating. To add sale-able skills a lot of new grads don't recognize, go to the Knobull Contact page to request a skills guide."

2. Limiting your search to online posts

Applying to jobs that are posted online is the easiest way to look for a position, but Bentley says it's also the least effective. "I recommend networking, which is much more powerful."

Start with LinkedIn and your school's alumni database. Set a goal each week of how many people to contact, setting up a meeting.

"Networking is a really powerful tool, and it can shorten your job search by a lot," he says. "You're looking for the jobs that have not yet been posted online."

3. Focusing only on yourself

"They really need to present themselves as, 'Here [are] all the positive things I can do for you.' That will set them apart."

Taking this approach can be hard because they may not understand what an organization does, what they would actually do in a job, and how the skills that they have could apply to a job.

4. Not demonstrating you want the job

Playing it cool and not being too enthusiastic might make you feel less vulnerable, but the job usually goes to the person who wants it the most. "They're the ones who are going to work their hardest to do the best at it."

Start to demonstrate your interest with your cover letter. Be specific about why you want the job, such as the fact that the job is in an industry that you are excited about, or because it links to something that you are personally interested in.

"Find something that catches your eye," Then as you get an interview, prepare to talk about specifically why you want this job at this company."

Bentley concluded. "While it can be tempting to take any job out of school, you'll increase your chances of getting the right job for you if you approach your search in a smarter way. To receive support to boost your success, tap JobStars at the Knobull homepage."