Sheryl Swingley
Ball State University
Question
Would it be beneficial to start applying for jobs although I am six months away from acquiring my bachelor's degree in marketing?
Answer
Whether it's a strong or weak economy, you've positioned yourself well by thinking about starting the job search now. Starting early, no matter what the task, is a good strategy.
New graduates who start the job search a few weeks before graduation or after graduation put themselves in a difficult situation to find a good first job that will develop them as young professionals. Starting late might mean that they will be more likely to take anything just to have a job, or worse yet, they continue to wait tables vs. finding a position that will help them start a career.
First, by starting the job search six or even nine months before you graduate, you will get a great feel for the type of positions that await you once you graduate. In some cases, marketing recruiters come to campuses as early as September or October to search for talented seniors who will graduate the following May. Some of these companies offer seniors jobs by the end of fall semester. So you haven't started too early.
Second, as you look at job openings and you repeatedly see a job requirement or skill that you need to have, you have a few months to develop that skill or correct a weakness.
Third, applying for jobs this early has additional benefits. Perhaps you'll take more time to focus your résumé and cover letter to the specific job and company, which is a tactic you need to employ with all job applications. Few job applicants take this step.
Because you take some extra time putting your application materials together, I hope that companies will be more likely to call you for an interview. As you go through interviews, you'll gain valuable job hunting skills. The more interviews you do, the better you will be at them. So, when that perfect opportunity comes along, you'll shine.
To help you prepare for job interviews, you also might consider contacting your university's Career Center and have someone there put you through one or more practice interviews.
Next, some might say that it's too early to apply for jobs. Some businesses want you on the job two to four weeks after they hire you. However, if you get an interview before you've completed school and the company really likes you, maybe the company will hold the job for you until you graduate. According to a some anecdotal information I have from May 2008 advertising graduates, it has taken them six to seven months to find a job.
Finally I always advise students getting ready to graduate to think about how their first job after graduation will help them get their second job. The likelihood that you'll stay in your first job for too many years is slim, but it will set the stage for how you advance in your chosen field of marketing and advertising.
Good luck in your job search as you seek to start your career in marketing and advertising. I'd error on the side of starting my job search early.