20 Things 20-Year-Olds Searching For A Job Need To Know
By Melanie Korn
Category: Articles
So you're post-college and you're searching for a role that excites you and pays well? You're not alone. Job seeking in your twenties can be both daunting and thrilling. As college has come and gone, you've grown up so much... but there are still many more life lessons coming your way.
We've rounded up twenty things we wish we could tell our former 20-year-old selves. Take note from us, there are a few mistakes each of us would hope you wouldn't have to learn the hard way too.
2. Social media is important in regards keeping your online presence clean, but other than that it can be a huge time-waster for your career.
3. Read more: Readers are leaders, the more you know, the more successful you will be. Reading about current events and discoveries in your field of interest or employment is highly beneficial.
4. Attend networking events regularly: Get to know the people working not only alongside you, but in completely different fields. They likely will be able to teach you a thing or two and enhance your knowledge/ skills.
5. Get a normal night's sleep: Staying out late and hitting up every bar's karaoke night might have been fun during college, but the real world has arrived and advancing your career is far more important than seeing friends.
6. Training workshops actually matter: Improve yourself- spend valuable time working towards your own skills, knowledge and success.
7. The spelling on emails actually counts for something: It has likely happened a time for two and you’ve sent that email with a “your” when it should have been “you’re”…. take a minute and proof each email- correct yourself. Being excellent in small things spills over to the big stuff in life.
8. Continually update the references on your resume: It was great to have your high school coach on your resume when applying for a job throughout college, but once graduated it’s time to update your resume with professional references. Employers or co-workers from an internship you complete are great examples of professional references to include.
9. Hard work shows: Show up early and leave late. Great success comes to those who avoid short cuts and put the diligent effort into results.
10. It’s probably your fault, own up to it: Everybody makes mistakes, learn from them and move on.
11. Dressing to impress is no joke, iron your clothes and check out the dry cleaners: Past high school there truly is no excuse for sloppy clothes or wearing a suit that does not fit. Invest in having clothes altered to fit you well.
12. Your community needs YOU, yes you: Get involved, help out the local shelter or boys and girls club. Meet those around you and serve them- show and invest time, energy, sweat and resources into the embitterment of your neighborhood. There will likely be a day when you need a helping hand, so give graciously.
13. Come early and stay late: See #9.
14. Your weekend plans are less important than your workweek schedule- focus on Monday through Friday: Find time on the weekends to rest. Reset your mind and prepare for the next work week ahead. Avoid letting laundry or dishes pile up. Be proactive in setting yourself up for a clean and comfortable lifestyle.
15. Showing up late to every event has to stop at some point: A good rule to live by goes as follows “If you’re early, you’re on time and if you’re on time, you’re late.”
16. Foul language is not for your office- coworkers as your friends or not.
17. You will sleep less and less, and get up earlier and earlier: Less sleep won’t kill you, and moving away from your daily college nap routine is essential to succeeding in your 20s.
18. There is no excuse for irresponsibility: You likely know the expectations for work, play, dress, etc- so exceed them.
19. Set up an emergency fund: Save $500-$1,000 dollars and set it aside in an emergency only fast cash backing account. If your car breaks down or you need to get to an emergency family event quickly, you’ll be so glad you set those funds aside for moments of crisis and need.
20. Dream: Dream big and chase your dreams. Never is there a time like your 20s to try and find the point where your passions meet your abilities. Explore, experience, travel, life fully.
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