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A Guide For The Recent Grad

You’ve taken your last set of finals, received your diploma, and are excited about starting a new chapter in your life…now what? Finding your first job post-graduation might be the toughest and most frustrating time in your life thus far. Never fear, the Wilson Group is here! We have outlined three tips to help you through this stressful time.

Find a Mentor:
The best way to know where to start your career is to learn from the past life of someone you look up to. Find a mentor that is in the same field you are hoping to go into and talk to them about how they got started. Not only will they give you advice on how to kick off your career, but they also might be a useful contact for networking purposes. It is always easier to follow a recipe than make up your own, so follow their recipe for success and try to follow it. However, like any good recipe, you can always stray a bit from the path and make it your own. This person has been exactly where you stand today, so they know how to help you through the ups and downs of starting your professional life.

Don’t Be Too Picky:
After four years of countless all nighters and what seems like an eternity of research papers and complicated classes, it is hard not to feel as though you deserve more than an entry level position. However, your first few years in the workforce may not be, and will not be your end all be all. Your first job does not define you, so look it as more of a stepping stone to reaching your dream career. After all, we all have to start somewhere and gain experience. When applying for jobs you should apply for your dream positions, but you should also think about not being as picky and take an entry level position. You never know where that job can take you, for all you know, you could be running that company one day!

Don’t Lose Hope:
Your mailbox is full of rejection emails and you are on the breaking point of giving up, but don’t lose hope! There are thousands of other recent grads out there feeling exactly the way you are. It seems as though every day you see someone else posting on social media about getting their dream job at company X, or getting into a prestigious graduate school abroad, but stop comparing yourself to those people, and focus on your own life. Social comparison is the thief of joy, especially during this time in your life, and Facebook only heightens the feelings of inadequacy. Don’t let other’s success get in the way of your own. Instead look at them as a resource, talk to them about how they got their job, and who knows, they may even be able to help you get a job. Success is not a race, you have the rest of your life to be in the workforce, so don’t stress so much if something doesn’t fall into your lap immediately, you will come out more resilient in the long run.

For more tips on starting your career off on the right foot, visit our website.

On Company Culture

One of the most overlooked elements in regards to finding success and happiness within a workplace is understanding the company’s culture. The company’s culture can range anywhere from strictly formal and professional to creative and casual. A company’s culture is much more than the image reflected to the public. The culture is also about how the members of the company interact with one another, how they dress, how the office space is presented, and how the company relates with their customers and clients. Some companies may have a very strong culture with deeply ingrained roots and values, and others may not have such an obvious one. Understanding a company’s culture is key to knowing if you will fit in with the company and if the company is a good fit for you.

Do Your Homework:
Before applying for a job, make sure you understand a company’s culture. This is not only key to acing a job interview, but also ensuring this job will be a positive fit. A company’s website is a great way to start understanding their culture. Videos, blogs, and pictures give great insight into what a company believes in and how they interact with one another. Second, checking other online reviews is another way to capture what the company’s clients and employees think and feel about that company. However, one caveat to online reviews is they are often on either ends of the spectrum, being either extremely negative or extremely positive. Most people with average or normal feelings about a company will not take the time to write a review for the world to see. Finally, a great way to capture a company’s culture is to look into the company’s social media sites. These will give the most genuine representation of a company’s culture through posts, events, and photos.

Understand Their Mission Statement:
The mission statement is inherently their culture in a few sentences. Most companies have a mission statement that allows one to understand their core values as a company. Be critical with their mission statement to fully understand if it aligns with your own mission and values. If it does not, than the company may not be the best fit for you, and it much better knowing this from the get go.

Observe Their Environment:
The interview is not only the best way for the company to get to know you, but also the best way for you to get to know who they are and what they stand for. Don’t let nerves get the best of you, and solely focus on what you are going to say to the interviewer. Instead, look around, and take some time to observe their culture. What does their office look like? What do people wear when they come to work? Are co-workers mingling or getting along? One of the most important parts of an interview is that you ask questions yourself. Be sure to include at least one question geared toward the company culture to the interviewer, it not only helps you understand their culture, but also shows the interviewer that you care about their mission and values.

For more tips and tricks on your job search, visit our website.

Spring Cleaning for Your Job Search

Spring is finally here and that means spring cleaning is in order. However, we are not talking about scrubbing your floors and getting rid of household clutter. This spring we are discussing spring cleaning to prepare for your job search. In today’s competitive job market it is crucial that the first items you submit to an employer are representing your best self.

Resume:
A resume is essentially an advertisement, and you are the product being sold, therefore, sell yourself in the best way possible. Make sure the look of your resume expresses the up to date look of the industry. If you are still using the same format you have for years, you may need to reevaluate. Make sure that it includes information about yourself currently and has an updated/polished layout and graphics. Be sure you have your resume in different formats such as .pdf, Microsoft Word and text only in case the company needs a different file format.

It is crucial that your resume is only one page. Although you may have more information than a page, a resume surpassing one page will not be taken seriously. Make sure you tailor your resume to each job application you apply for. This way if you have more than a page of information, you can put the most relevant information that relates to the position you are seeking.

Focus on accomplishments within each job experience and include them on your resume. This also entails using concrete details. For example, if you increased sales at a company by 65%, include this in the job description.

Cover Letter:
Since the job seeking market is highly saturated, a cover letter template used across all applications is not going to help you stand out. Employers can recognize when there is a generic cover letter that has the position and company copied and pasted into the blanks.

Tailor your cover letter’s formality to the formality of the company. This means if you are applying for a creative graphic design position your cover letter should look much different than if you are applying for an accounting position. If you are applying for a creative position, use your cover letter to show how creative you are, and if you are applying for a position where results and percentages matter the most, make sure to include concrete evidence showcasing your accomplishments.

Social Media:
Facebook is not the only social media outlet you need to ensure is professional. Make sure you consider all of your social media accounts, such as: Pinterest, Tumblr, Instagram, and Twitter. While some photos and posts may seem appropriate to you, they may not be to a different audience, so take some time to consider all the audiences that could be potentially viewing your accounts. With technology and social media becoming so important to employers, make sure when you google your name, nothing questionable appears.

Check your privacy settings. While what you post to your own profile may not seem offensive, ensure that what other people are tagging you in is also appropriate. This means including privacy setting that allow you to review other people’s posts before they are published to your page. Just because you are not direct friends with a possible employer, does not mean there are not ways they could potentially view your profile.

If you need a helping hand with your spring cleaning, The Wilson Group, is at your service. For more tips and information visit our website.

Updating Your Resume

In an age of online dating, social media profiles, and text messages, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. In modern times, people spend a lot of time worrying about how they are perceived on a screen – to their friends, family, and peers. But what about your appearance to an employer? No matter how many endorsements you have on LinkedIn, a well-done resume can make or break an employer’s opinion of you. Here are a few ways to ensure that your resume will stand out in a professional way.

Keep it to a page. Employers don’t generally have the time or patience to read more than a single one-sided page. Make your margins smaller and shorten the spacing between lines if you’re running out of room.

Use that one page wisely. Make sure that every item on your resume has a place and a purpose. If you have relevant skills you would love to add, go ahead! If you are particularly proud of your responsibilities at a given job, list them. But don’t feel a need to expand on every single aspect of the resume. The page will fill up quickly.

Don’t make anything up. Should your impressive resume land you an interview, anything and everything on it is fair game. Be prepared to answer detailed questions about any listed skills or job experience, no matter how trivial it may seem.

Don’t be afraid of creativity! When employers are going through a tall stack of resumes, a splash of color or interesting formatting can be like a breath of fresh air. Add small graphic or chart containing your information. The most important thing to remember, though, is to keep it readable. Don’t allow the visual appeals to detract from the information on the page
Spell check and grammar check. Nothing can ruin an employer’s opinion quicker than an accidental error. Good grammar and spelling shows a potential employer that you are detail-oriented and responsible.

Should the the resume-process still freak you out, fear not! Check out TWG’s Pinterest account, The Wilson Group Corpus Christi, for more professional tips and tricks! And as always, check out our website for more up-to-date information on job searches!

How To Fall In Love With Your Job

With Valentine’s day just around the corner, love is in the air. However, this is not the typical romance advertised for February 14th. This Valentine’s day we are focusing on loving your job. Just because you may not have your ultimate dream job, does not mean you cannot love your job. Enjoying your job not only helps your mental health, but it also helps you succeed in life. Whether you are just embarking on your career path, or have matured through the workforce, these tips will help you learn to love your job.

Tips for Loving you Job:

Focus On the Positives
We all know the feeling when we wake up early and all we want to do is to hit the snooze button. Getting up early for a nine to five job, seven days a week can become a drag. However, instead of waking up and focusing on the lack of sleep you got, or facing a traffic filled commute, focus on something positive about your job. Once you have that one positive attribute about your job, amp it up! This can be anywhere from enjoying spending time with your coworkers, interesting assignments, to opportunities for learning. Changing how you perceive your job can make all the difference. Even if there is no tangible change, having a positive attitude will not only help you enjoy your day more, but it will also encourage a positive workplace for everyone else in the office.

2. Surround Yourself With Those You Love
Sometimes the key to happiness within a career is being surrounded by those you love. Having a strong relationship with your coworkers and your superiors can turn any job into one you feel passionate about. The key to enjoying your job is being surrounded by people
who you enjoy and you look forward to spending time with. The fact of life is that you will be spending a lot of time with people you work with, so creating and maintaining positive relationships will allow you to enjoy going to work each day.

3. Ask For More Responsibility
Having a routine is great, but sometimes routines at work become tedious, which only increases boredom. Feeling unimportant within a company can take a tole on how you perceive your job. If you feel as though you are completing the same tasks at work on a daily basis, ask for more responsibility! Having more responsibility will add a new element of interest into your daily responsibilities and it will look impressive in the eyes of your supervisor. Tackling a new challenge at work increases your skill set, allows for opportunities for learning and growth, and can open you up to new and interesting people at your company.

This Valentine’s day focus on what you love about your job, and what you can do to change what you don’t love. Remember The Wilson Group is here to help you find that job you love. For more information and tips on landing a job you love visit our website.

Job Searching in December

The holiday season is slow when it comes to job searches. However, this is the prime time to be searching, as everyone else assumes recruiters have backed off. Don’t miss the opportunities the holidays bring by loosening the reigns on your job search. Recruiters are still out in full force and you could be just the one they are looking for! We have compiled some tips to help you navigate your job search this holiday season.

Networking

Holidays are filled with parties and schmoozing. What more perfect time to network than times like these? Put yourself out there by introducing yourself to as many people as possible. Be open in communicating with those you meet about your job search. Others may not be aware that you are looking for a job, however, if you mention to them you are in the market for a job, you may be surprised with what people have to offer!

Reconnect

There is not a more appropriate time than the holidays to reach out to old acquaintances. Are there old people you once knew that could be potential connections (old roommates, friends, colleagues)? Consider calling these friends to wish them a happy holiday and see what they have been up to. This could open the door to job opportunities, and if not you will at least reestablish some cherished relationships! If a phone call is too intimidating, a greeting card with a personalized life update is a sufficient alternative to let the person know you are seeking connections!

Leave Doors Open

There are many opportunities that only arise during the holiday season. For example, temporary jobs. Although they are not glamorous, they may give you just the leverage you need for landing a full time position after the holiday season. Similarly, volunteer opportunities are at their peak during the holiday seasons. Look to serve at different functions around your city as a way to network and gain skills for your resume.

Take advantage of your job search this holiday season by putting yourself out there and remaining confident. Employers will notice the extra effort you exude during a time where most are relishing in holiday festivities!

We wish you a merry job searching holiday season!

How to Put Yourself Out There

In the job interview process, your resume can either help or hinder you. Strong and well organized resumes send a positive message to employers, while sloppy, disorganized, and ill-worded resumes can often halt your interview process before it even begins. Luckily enough, it is easy to build a award-winning resume by following these helpful tips.

Tailor your resume according to the job you are applying for. Regardless if you have been employed by a plethora of places, often times included every single past employment cant clutter your resume. Tailor what you include or don’t include to fit the business you are applying to. For example, if you are applying for a marketing position, include employment history in that field.

Organize, organize, organize. The first thing on your resume should be your name and contact information, followed next by your education. Skills and past employment should be next. Past employment should be listed in reverse chronological order, with most recent employment first. To finish your resume, include any experiences or extracurricular activities at the end.

Be concise! Extra verbose, elongated, and detail-filled sentences can often detract from the overall clarity and effectiveness of your resume due to their extraneous and distracting nature. (Wasn’t that sentence hard to read?) Instead of complete sentences, try uses bullet points. They are easier to read and draw the eye’s attention better than lengthy sentences.

Have someone review your resume. Often times, it is difficult to proofread your own work. Having a friend or family member read and edit your resume can be extremely beneficial, as they tend to catch overlooked mistakes.
If you have any questions about any of the services we provide, please visit our website! We could be glad to assist you in any way possible.

World’s Best Resume

In the job interview process, your resume can either help or hinder you. Strong and well organized resumes send a positive message to employers, while sloppy, disorganized, and ill-worded resumes can often halt your interview process before it even begins. Luckily enough, it is easy to build a award-winning resume by following these helpful tips.

Tailor your resume according to the job you are applying for. Regardless if you have been employed by a plethora of places, often times included every single past employment cant clutter your resume. Tailor what you include or don’t include to fit the business you are applying to. For example, if you are applying for a marketing position, include employment history in that field.

Organize, organize, organize. The first thing on your resume should be your name and contact information, followed next by your education. Skills and past employment should be next. Past employment should be listed in reverse chronological order, with most recent employment first. To finish your resume, include any experiences or extracurricular activities at the end.

Be concise! Extra verbose, elongated, and detail-filled sentences can often detract from the overall clarity and effectiveness of your resume due to their extraneous and distracting nature. (Wasn’t that sentence hard to read?) Instead of complete sentences, try uses bullet points. They are easier to read and draw the eye’s attention better than lengthy sentences.

Have someone review your resume. Often times, it is difficult to proofread your own work. Having a friend or family member read and edit your resume can be extremely beneficial, as they tend to catch overlooked mistakes.

If you have any questions about any of the services we provide, please visit our website! We could be glad to assist you in any way possible.

Make the Most Out of Your Summer

The summer months are right around the corner bringing sunshine, vacations, and warmer weather with them. While many people may spend these few precious months traveling or vacationing, it’s often helpful to get a foot in the door when it comes to careers. Temporary summer jobs are an excellent way to begin a career that could, one day, turn into a permanent position. Acquiring a summer job can be difficult, however. We have put together some tips for helping you land that perfect summer job.

Make Sure Your Resume is Rock Solid– An organized and easy to read resume is a staple in applying for summer jobs. Since resumes are the first impression an employer has of you, it is important that your resume contains all pertinent information related to your past employment and skills. Also remember to keep your resume straightforward and orderly; previous jobs should be listed in chronological order from most recent to least and skills and awards should also be included.

Make Your Interview Count– According to USA Today, employers decide whether or not to hire a candidate within the first minute of an interview. Arrive early, bring your resume (and portfolio, if applicable), calm your nerves, and enter your interview with your head held high. Dress well, make sure you got a good night’s sleep the night before, and make sure to make eye contact with your interviewer.

Branch Out– Due to the short time frame allotted by summer jobs, why not try applying for jobs outside of your comfort zone? Try looking for positions in fields different from your norm, but that you still have experience in. For example, if you normally work in public relations for creative firms, try reaching into corporate jobs and trying public relations there.

In addition to these tips, acquiring references from past employers and creating a LinkedIn page can also be beneficial to your summer job search. Likewise, we would love to help you find the perfect summer job match! For more information on the services we provide or if you wish to set up an appointment, please visit our website!

Employers: What can we do for you?

Finding qualified employees to fill open positions can be taxing and frustrating, especially if you are looking to hire someone as soon as possible. It may seem like you can’t find the best fit person for the position, even after searching for an extended period of time. Luckily, we can help you! Our team is dedicated to help filling your job openings with the best possible candidate in both direct and temporary hire.

If you are looking for a temporary hire employee, look no further. Often times, unexpected events can occur in the workplace that can leave a member missing from your staff. These positions are often hard to fill, as the interview process prior to hiring can be lengthy until you find the right person. We can take the time consuming interviews out of your employee search. Our temporary candidates undergo a series of interviews to make sure they are qualified for positions, ensuring that a hardworking employee who matches well with your company will be available at a moments notice.

Direct hire employees are also available. Direct hire employees are often looking to find a full time career out of their job search and are eager to fill permanent positions. Similar to our temporary hiring process, direct hire employees also participate in a variety of interviews which allow us to place them in the most suitable field according to their skills and employment history. We can pair you with the perfect match for your permanent positions by helping you find the best dependable and professional employee.

Whether you are an employee looking to hire or searching for a job, please feel free to contact us on our website or by phone at (361)883-3535 and we can help you find the perfect match!