What It Takes to Get a Job

So many people I talk to think that the key to getting a good job is to have the right skills.  That's necessary, for sure, but it's not enough.  With the start of the new school year, I thought it would be a good idea to review all the things you need to get a job.  Whether you're a freshman, senior, or graduate student - or have been in the job market for a while and need to find something new -  here are the five essentials:

• The right skills - Well, duh, this is the one everyone knows.  But what are the right skills?  You have to know what employers are looking for.  Start with the job listings (even if you are a freshman in college and are years away from looking for a job).  What kind of skills are companies looking for in their new hires?  Some companies will also post this information on their websites.  But there is no substitute for finding contacts and talking to them.  See if you can contact Human Resources at target companies and ask them who they hire.  Use LinkedIn and your college alumni association to find people in your target profession and conduct a Informational Interview.  The sooner you start this process, the sooner you can find ways to get the skills the employers are looking for.
• The right contacts - Mentors and contacts don't just happen - you have to cultivate them.  A mentor is someone who takes a personal interest in your career and provides objective and helpful advice.  A contact may be less personal, but is someone at a target employer who at least knows your name and is willing to introduce you (or your resume) to others.  I've seen a statistic that you are ten times more likely to get a job from your network than from a job posting - so for every hour you spend online looking for a job, you should spend ten hours networking.  If you are a student, you'll find contacts among profs, alumni, campus visitors and your family friends.  If you are already in the workforce, cultivate contacts from your clients, vendors and competitors. 
• Strong recommendations - If you are an undergraduate, having good recommendations is useful, but it's not necessarily essential.  Most people hiring new grads realize that there aren't a lot of great opportunities for undergrads to get to know their profs or TAs.  From grad school on, however, it's important to keep a list of people who have worked closely with you and can vouch for what a great person you are.  Make life easy for the people who are giving you a recommendation when you start your job search.  When you ask them to provide a recommendation, give them a copy of the job description and a reminder of how your skills fit the job.  NOTE: some companies by policy won't let their current employees provide real recommendations or references, due to a fear of being sued.  Ask your recommenders whether they are comfortable (or allowed) to give a recommendation first.
• Evidence you can function in the business world - This is most important for undergrads and grad students looking for their first jobs.  If you've been working for a while and are looking for a new job, most employers are going to assume you know what life is like out there.  If you are a student, employers will look for internships, full- or part-time jobs, or non-academic activities (clubs, on-campus groups, professional organizations) you've worked with.  Get these onto your resume early in your academic career.
• Professional presence - Google yourself.  What do you find?  Have you set up a LinkedIn page with your professional goals? Do you have a website or a blog with professional (not personal!) observations and achievements? Have you gotten your friends to take down all those photos of Spring Break last year?  Every employer is going to check your online presence.  Keep it professional.