Going to Harvard doesn’t guarantee you a crushy job

February 6, 2012|How to find a job, Interesting Facts, Tips At work| No comments yet

Going to the best school does not guarantee that you are going to get the best job. This is because there are so many factors that go into choosing a job candidate for a given position. Having a good education can help get an applicant a job, but there are a lot of other reasons why someone might get the position.

Relevant Experience

Experience counts a lot when it comes to getting a job. Employers want to know if a candidate has been battle tested already. A candidate with experience will also cost less to train in many circumstances. The ability for an employee to be successful from day one is going to tilt the scale in the favor of that job applicant.

Quality References

A good reference means a lot in the business world. Networking with other people in your field can be a great way to get a job. The ability to drop the name of a trusted employee already with the company can make you seem like a sure bet as well. All the schooling in the world cannot overcome the fact that you know someone in the company who has the trust of the man making the hiring decision.

Interviewing Skills

Having a personality counts for a lot when trying to get a job. No one is going to want to hire somebody with a lot of knowledge and no personality. Co-workers and customers are not going to want to deal with someone who is dull and boring. If this sounds like you, take some courses that deal with communication and people skills. It can be just the thing that gets you into a good job in no time.

Undefined Intangibles

There might be something on a particular resume that really stands out to a recruiter. It could be that the company is looking to become a little more diversified. The recruiter might just decide that you are not a good fit based on a gut feeling. There are a million different reasons why a company would not hire you.

Schooling is only one part of your quest to get a job. You have to really come across as a knowledgeable candidate with a winning personality. When people like you it can be just as valuable as having an Ivy League education.