Whether you are graduating from college or are looking to join the workforce as an entry level candidate, starting off your career is an exciting milestone. It also marks the beginning of a new challenge: job searching! While it can be overwhelming to know where to start, one thing you can control is what you can offer to a potential employer and how you portray it on a resume and in person. Today we will break down what skills recruiters and hiring managers look for in entry level employees and recent graduates.
- Communication skills
- Strong written skills: you can do this by how you write your resume and explain your experience. Details, KPIs, projects can highlight why you are the best fit. This could even come down to replying to emails about a job and how you communicate with them.
- Strong verbal skills: Listen to what questions you are being asked and answer them in detail and to the point. Bring examples and utilize the STAR method when answering questions.
- Good attitude and professionalism: Pretty self-explanatory here, but no employer wants to work with someone who has a negative attitude. They are looking for a culture fit and someone who they feel will be excited to do the job.
- Problem solving abilities
- Analytical thinking: How do you solve a problem? Do you dive right into it or break it down? Hiring managers want people on their team who can think critically and analyze a situation, whether it was at school, your personal life or at work.
- Resourcefulness and ability to identify problems and propose solutions: Trying to figure out a problem on your own can show your resourcefulness and ability to work independently. While there are scenarios where you would want to involve a team member, most interviewers will be asking situational questions and want to know you can be resourceful.
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Willingness to learn new skills: More than likely, when starting a new job, you will not know how to do everything. What hiring managers look for is your positivity and eagerness to jump into something new, rather than being timid.
- Ability to collaborate with others: In most roles, you will work with a team or collaborate in some sense. It’s important to show that you are able to get along with others and are open-minded to do so.
- Ability to take feedback and apply it: In order to grow in your career, feedback is important. Taking feedback, applying it and showing a positive attitude can truly show you care about your team, company and career.
- Technology or Industry specific skills
- Software/Systems experience: In some industries, hiring managers will be looking for someone who has a basis of knowledge learned through a program or hands on experience. Ensure you highlight all of these on your resume and on interviews to show that you have experience and have those foundational skills.
Don’t forget-Control your controllables!
- Be EXCITED about the opportunity-Do research about the position and company you are interviewing-it shows investment on your end
- Ensure your resume is updated and accurate, and it is highlighting your transferrable skills into the position you are interviewing for. Highlight any metrics or KPI’s. Details are crucial here!
- Have realistic expectations when it comes to starting off in your career. Do research on the current market or work with a recruiter to learn more about what you can expect from an offer.
- Be prepared—don’t be distracted when you have a scheduled call/interview. This can come off as not taking your job search seriously.
While recent graduates may not have extensive work experience, recruiters are looking for candidates who possess the right set of soft and hard skills. By demonstrating strong communication, adaptability, teamwork, problem-solving abilities, and a willingness to learn, you can show recruiters that you’re ready to make an impact in the professional world. Focus on developing these skills during your time at college and in the field, and you’ll be well on your way to landing that first job!
Bridge Personnel specializes in a range of roles in the Financial Services, Contact Center, and Non-Clinical Healthcare Industries. Contact us today.