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A Millennial’s Guide to Landing a Post-Grad Job

As a Millennial currently on the job hunt, I feel like I’ve become an expert on all things related to getting hired post-graduation. I know things may be looking bleak, but fear not fellow seniors, you aren’t alone in this (which actually may be the problem, there are too many of us looking for jobs!).

For your benefit, I’ve compiled all the tips and tricks I’ve gathered from my internships and from attending almost every networking or alumni event at school. Hopefully it will help you land your dream job! Or really any job at all, we can’t be picky at this point.

1. Sign up for job alerts

Sign up for job alerts on sites such as Indeed and Career Builder. You will receive daily emails from these sites with alerts for open jobs in the field and location you choose. Also, check out AngelList, which is basically the Indeed for start-ups.

2. Make an online portfolio of your work

One of my professors who runs his own PR firm suggests this because a portfolio gives him a better feel for who you are and your personality. It also makes it easier for him to come up with questions to ask you in the interview based on your previous work.

3. Use your network

Hit up your professors for advice and guidance on getting jobs. They’ve been around the block and are sure to have some tips for you. Additionally, most of them worked in their field before becoming a professor, so they will likely have some connections for you in the industry. Have them connect you (via LinkedIn or email) with any past students who have jobs that you are interested in learning more about.

4. Complete your LinkedIn profile

Connect with everyone! I spent three hours one day connecting with everyone I knew to get my number to 500+. After I had connected with so many people, more people kept connecting with me! To get you started on your LinkedIn journey, connect with me here. Special shout out to any companies who are reading this and looking to hire an enthusiastic, passionate, team player… your search is over, I am available!

5. Perfect your elevator pitch

You want to let someone know that you’re an asset they should invest in. Showcase why a company would benefit from hiring you.

6. Clean up your Facebook

Use the “View As” tool to see what is public. It’s not worth missing out on your dream job because the company recruiter saw that photo of you on spring break and thinks your behavior speaks more to your character than the “dedicated, hard-working, motivated, go-getter” you describe in your cover letter.

7. Keep cover letters short

Keep cover letters short and to the point. Do not restate things that are on your resume. Instead, describe specific projects or tasks from past experience and how they transfer to this job. Focus on quantitative facts! Your goals are to highlight your interest in the company and position and to describe your background and how it pertains to the job itself.

8. Don’t be afraid of start-ups!

Yes, you will probably work longer hours and be paid less for it, but startups have a bunch of sweet perks too. Additionally, at a startup, you’re typically wearing a bunch of different hats and helping out wherever needed. This gives you far more experience than you would in a larger company where your job is more defined.

9. STALK. STALK. STALK.

We are Millennials, we know how to get the dirt on people. Don’t waste these stalking skills on that girl from your 8 AM lecture who you swore you saw at that party the other night talking to your boyfriend… use your stalking skills to get a sweet job! For any job or company you want to work for, check out their LinkedIn and see if you have any connections with other employees (especially your school’s alumni). Before an interview, research the person you’ll be interviewing with and see what you can learn about them. Check out their past experience and what their interests are. Anything you can bring up that you have in common is a bonus.

10. Set up informational interviews

At one of my past internships, my mentor talked about the importance and usefulness of informational interviews. To score an informational interview, find a junior level employee. Bonus points if they have something in common with you or a mutual friend/connection. Send them a message with something along the lines of, “Hey, I know you are busy, but can I take 15 minutes of your time to speak with you and learn more about your company and the work you do there?” As someone in a lower level position, they will usually be more willing to speak with you and flattered that you want to pick their brain and hear about their experience. After speaking, thank them and keep in touch. If a position opens up at their company, they may think of you first!

11. Don’t give up!

Look for ways to get in the back door of a company. Network. Be a little sneaky and stalk people. Suck up, but be genuine about it. Don’t be shy about promoting yourself.

And above all, don’t stress. Trust in yourself and your abilities. If you work hard, you will succeed. And if you don’t succeed, go live at home for a while with free food and free laundry and your dog and a working dishwasher and now that I think of it, that isn’t sounding so bad at all…

Calvin Klein’s Racy Ads Spark Backlash

Calvin Klein is no stranger to stirring up controversy. With their history of overtly sexual advertisements – mainly during the ’90s, the brand truly takes “sex sells” to heart when it comes to promoting their image. Given their recent surge in popularity, primarily among Millennial consumers, it seems like their controversial tactics may be working.

One of the keys to Calvin Klein’s success is directing their advertising efforts towards Millennial consumers through collaborations with pop culture icons such as Kendall Jenner, Justin Bieber, and Nick Jonas. However, the brand is currently under fire for their newest ads, that many argue are overly explicit and provocative.

In one photo, 23-year-old Danish actress Klara Kristin is seated on a couch, legs open, and the copy reads, “I seduce in #mycalvins.” Probably the most controversial of the campaign is the up-skirt shot of Kristin, accompanied by the copy that reads, “I flash in #mycalvins.” Outraged by these racy advertisements, people are turning to social media to express their concerns: do the ads promote and perpetuate misogyny, peeping toms, pornography, sexual harassment and rape culture? Many would agree that they do.

However, some Millennial consumers argue that the ads express a unique empowerment through the first person point of view. The line, “I ___ in #mycalvins,” conveys a sense of autonomy that gives the subject a voice and the power of decision. Kristin actually defended the photo in an Instagram post with the caption, “I love this photo @harleyweir took of me… all this discussion about it makes me think about how alienated and scared some people are to the female human body. Be and love yourself and your sexuality #girlpower.” Kendall Jenner has also voiced her opinion on the campaign. In behind-the-scenes footage that Calvin Klein posted on their Instagram, Jenner answers how she would define a strong woman: “I think a strong woman is independent, don’t need no man, can like walk into a room by herself and not be bothered and can go anywhere by herself and not need a million people around her–I think that’s a really strong woman.”

Amidst the heated debate, people cannot seem to agree on whether these ads are positive or negative. However, I believe that they’re neither one nor the other, but instead more complex in nature. On one hand, they can certainly serve as statements of empowerment and bodily ownership. Calvin Klein may be trying to make the statement that society should not be afraid to openly express sexuality. However, we cannot disregard in our analysis the historical objectification and hypersexualization of women in the media and its effect on society today. There’s the running critique that some women take their objectification upon themselves and mistake it for empowerment. I agree with this opinion to some extent, but I think the key here is balance. Yes, women can certainly feel powerful and confident by expressing their sexuality and celebrating their bodies. However, we should also feel empowered by the many other facets of our identities, because we are more than just sexual beings.

New York, the (Big) Apple of My Eye

Without a doubt in my mind, my trip to New York City as a Jessica Simpson Student Brand Ambassador was the coolest experience I’ve ever had. Upon arriving in the concrete jungle, my co-manager and I met up with the other Student Brand Ambassadors in the luxurious lobby of our hotel. When it was time to leave for Jessica Simpson’s exclusive 10th Anniversary Collection launch party, I raced into the first cab in sight. Together, all twenty of us marched into the party at the elegant Tavern on the Green, under a canopy of lights like stars in the brightest city in America.

While we were certainly some of the youngest attendees there, it was surprisingly easy to talk to people! I met so many genuine and down-to-earth ladies and gentlemen, and exchanged phone numbers with the current Jessica Simpson intern. I danced to the band playing “Don’t Stop Believing” and received fashion tips from one of Jessica’s close friends. But the highlight of the night was when Jessica took the time for a photo-op and to socialize with all of the Student Brand Ambassadors. By the end of the party, no one wanted to leave. What we didn’t know at the time was that the next day would be just as eventful!

The following day we had lunch with the Jessica Simpson brand team from Sequential Brands Group, where we had the opportunity to pick the brains of successful individuals in the fashion, marketing, and PR industries. After lunch, the Director of PR for Jessica Simpson gave us a tour of the company’s showrooms. My co-manager and I were attached to her hip the entire time, and learned as much as we could.

The showrooms were beautiful; white, sleek, and clean, just as you’d imagine. We visited the apparel room first, which featured samples of all potential future lines. Across the hall, a sales rep was in a buying meeting, showing off the new children’s clothing. Interestingly, I found out that any apparel that doesn’t make it to the selling floor is sent to a fashion vault, where it is used for future inspiration or later seasons. No wasted creativity here! I also learned that by the time the product makes it to the stores, it’s fairly old news to the design team. They work months in advance to prepare the products that we can buy.

After visiting the apparel showroom, we made our way a few blocks down to the accessory showroom where we walked into a handbag design meeting that Tina Simpson was leading. Women I met the night before at the party were gathered around a table bouncing around ideas on how to improve a certain piece. I didn’t realize the extent of planning and detail that goes into every item before it hits the shelves!

After that meeting, we made our way to our final stop, the jewelry room. Let me just say, I am SO excited for the future Jessica Simpson jewelry line to come out! At the end of the tour, the Jessica Simpson team thoughtfully gifted all of the Student Brand Ambassadors a purse and a necklace from the upcoming collection. I was sad to part ways at the end of the week, but it was such an incredible and unforgettable couple of days.

If I were to write about all the fun things we did on our trip, it would be a 100 page novel. It was truly an incredible experience. I learned so much in such a short amount of time! This experience has inspired me to work in the PR/Marketing industry, move to New York, and embrace any opportunity I can. I couldn’t be more thankful for the opportunity to represent Jessica Simpson as a Student Brand Ambassador for Youth Marketing Connection.

Interested in becoming a student brand ambassador with YMC?

We constantly have opportunities arising throughout the school year, to be considered, please create a profile on The Hub and check back often! Also, make sure to follow us on Instagram to see with what’s happening on-campus with our brands.