Congratulations Class of 2015! All of your hard work paid off and you have a shiny new have a diploma to show for it. Now it’s time to polish your resume, pack up your things and head to Chicago to put your skills to work.
Securing your first job is probably going to take more effort than simply customizing your resume and submitting an online application. Use these five tips to get ahead:
- Join a Networking Organization: Chicago is one of the most prominent cities in the U.S., so many engineering and manufacturing professional organizations have local chapters here. For example, both the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers maintain a presence in Chicago. Join at least one organization and go to as many events as possible, to meet people who may serve as valuable connections.
- Seek Informational Interviews: Learn more about the different positions the industry has to offer and make new contacts by going on informational interviews. Use LinkedIn to contact professionals working at Chicago area companies you’re interested in and ask if you can meet them to learn more about what they do. If you impress them, there’s a good chance they’ll contact you in the future when an opportunity opens up that you might be interested in.
- Volunteer Your Skills: Get valuable experience to add to your resume by volunteering for a local nonprofit in a role similar to one you’d like to hold on a full-time basis. You’ll have the opportunity to grow your skills and show employers that you’re staying active during your job search. Plus, you never know who you might meet that could connect you with possible job leads.
- Consider an Internship: Now that college is over, you’re ready for a permanent position. However, being open to internship opportunities is a great way to broaden your horizons. The experience you acquire as an intern could be exactly what you need to gain a competitive advantage in the market. Many companies also hire interns they really like on a full-time basis at the end of their internship, so this could be your “in”.
- Partner with a Staffing Firm: Join forces with a staffing firm to land your first “real job” here in the Windy City. Recruiters place candidates with all levels of experience, from entry-level to executive. Many companies work exclusively through their staffing firm, so this may be the only way to gain access to openings at their organization.
Looking for an engineering or manufacturing job in Chicago?
Contact Premium Staffing, Inc. Take advantage of our extensive client network to target key companies and find a position that maximizes your skills.