Whether you’re looking for a job or a summer internship, it never hurts to start working early. If you’re new to the recruiting process, the task of trying to find a position can be daunting. You might even be lost figuring out where to start. Thankfully, The Daily Clog has you covered! Here are five things you can do now to have a successful recruiting season! 

Update your resume

With the start of the school year, you may have recently completed an internship, got a new work-study job or gained more experience in your field. Whatever the case, make sure you add any new experiences to your resume before you start sending it to companies. Remember that when you have more related experiences and skills on your resume, it’ll help you stand out to a recruiter. These experiences don’t necessarily have to be from large companies or clubs, either. Just make sure to be specific and precise as to the job that you performed.

Work on your personal website and update your LinkedIn

When you’re under a major or field that typically uses websites as portfolios, it can be intimidating! However, creating a personal website can be helpful to have your work samples and resume all in one place. There are many websites that can help you make your own such as Squarespace. If you’re looking for one that’s free and easy to use, Wix is the best option! Not everyone is into websites, and that’s fine, too. Updating your LinkedIn profile works all the same! Make sure to limit your usage, though, as this too can be intimidating! 

Make a list 

When you have most of the basics down and situated, it’s best to start looking for the exact companies that seem like the best fit for you. Similar to the college application process, I recommend you list out a couple dream companies you would love to work at. Alongside this, note some smaller companies that might be a little more accessible for you with the experience you have right now. Once you narrow down your list of companies, try to find what positions they have available to apply to, and when they usually start recruiting for internships or new graduate jobs. This way you’ll be ready to submit your application as soon as it opens! 

Start networking

Although it may be daunting, it never hurts to start networking with those in your interested field. If you already have some companies in mind, kindly reach out to people who already work there. LinkedIn is great for finding the right person for this process! When you know about the company and what it would be like to work there, the easier it’ll be to match your skill set to what the company wants. This is also known as acing your interview! 

Talk to an advisor

Ultimately, the timelines for when you should start applying for jobs or internships vary depending on your career field. It’s important to talk to your major advisor as soon as you can to make sure you don’t fall behind. If your major advisor doesn’t know much about recruiting in your desired field, you can always check out the Career Center to set up an appointment with them as well. 

Recruiting can be a really stressful and daunting process, so  make sure you’re taking the time to destress. The earlier you start planning your recruiting timeline, the better prepared you’ll be when it comes to getting that dream internship or job. We here at The Daily Cal hope you found these tips helpful and wish you the best of luck!