It’s that time of year again! All around the world, graduation marks the start of college students’ entry into the workforce. Welcome!

Dr. Seuss famously said it best, “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” Enthusiasm gets you started, but personal branding keeps you going. So, graduates, I want to share with you the three essential things you need to know before jumping feet-first into the job pool.

Keep Learning

College helped you broaden your horizons. You learned from peers, professors, and practical experience. The skills you built while multitasking on projects and terms papers will come in handy in the corporate world. You’ll quickly discover, though, that your on-paper know-how won’t sustain your forward momentum. The workplace evolves daily, with new technologies, processes, and preferred ways of working popping up every day. Keeping up helps you stand out.

Make learning something new a part of your daily routine. Read articles from industry publications with your morning coffee. Watch short YouTube videos or listen to podcasts while commuting to and from work. Ask colleagues questions. Continue the pursuit of knowledge long after you’ve sold back that last round of text books. 

Willingness to learn is an invaluable asset in today’s market. Build your reputation on the foundation of innovation, inquisitiveness, and perceptiveness.

·         Do display a vested interest in how your organization does things. Find ways to fill your skills gaps quickly and communicate your effort and improvement to managers where appropriate.  Don’t assume that your manager knows all that you are doing as they are busy with their own responsibilities. 

·         Don’t avoid professional development because you think it’s expensive. Thanks to good ol’ Google, you have a wealth of information literally at your fingertips.

·         Do share your insights with your boss and senior leadership, particularly when your ideas lead to cost saving opportunities or efficiency.

Sweat (some of the) Small Stuff

A colleague recently told me a job application horror story. Her office received a resume for a highly competitive position. The applicant had the right qualifications and would fit the open role perfectly. Despite this, they weren’t even on the short list for interviews. Why? They left a different organization’s name in the cover letter they submitted with the resume.

Your reputation rests on your ability to thoughtfully and attentively address your organization’s needs. The evaluation of this skill begins before you even land that first big job.

·         Do consider the audience of every communication and interaction. Tailor your messaging and make sure to proofread!

·         Don’t become complacent after your first day. Every email you send, every memo you write, and every meeting to which you contribute provides a new opportunity to demonstrate your aptitude for details or your tendency to miss the important stuff.

·         Do give credit to your colleagues when you have worked together on a successful project.

Overhaul Your Online Presence

Your mother is right – once something’s on the internet, it lives there forever. Keep this in mind when you start applying for jobs. Employers now frequently check social media accounts of job applicants to discover what skeletons may or may not lurk in the virtual closet.  It sounds invasive, but from an employer’s perspective it makes sense: your new organization wants to make sure you’re not a liability before investing in your future.

Think of your social media presence as a peek into your personal life that can make or break your perceived reliability.

·         Do review all social media accounts, like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook and change account settings to private.

·         Don’t forget to keep your LinkedIn profile and voicemail greeting up-to-date and professional. Potential employers often interact with both at some point during your hiring process.

·         Do project an upbeat and positive demeanor that invites others to want to know you.

Don’t ever lose sight of your personal brand as a unique competitive differentiator. To achieve great success in your career, you must manage your brand daily.  Branding is a journey, not a destination!

Wishing you success in pursuing your dreams.