Looking for a job is never easy, especially when you’re a student and are pretty much clueless about the state of the business market (sorry if that’s too blunt!). The stress, the anticipation and all those applications that rarely ever result in an actual job opportunity have the tendency to turn even the most of enthusiastic individuals into quitters (hey, we’ve all been there).
If someone dear to you is looking for a job and you want to give them a useful gift – here’s a rundown of ideas that could help!
Resume expert
Resumes (Curriculum Vitae, aka CV) are the first step to getting a job interview that will help you land a job. If the CV you are submitting isn’t well written, i.e. is lacking information, has grammatical errors, is inconsistent and doesn’t follow a logical timeline, don’t expect a call back. On that note, the best gift someone can give you is a professional who specializes in writing CVs so they appear attractive to your potential employer. The CV can be interlinked with your LinkedIn profile or any profile you find could be useful. In case you’ve got no experience at all, a resume expert will still know what to write, how to write it and make the most of your current skills.
A style makeover
No matter what they say, first impressions count – in both business and private matters. Once your CV is updated and you’ve managed to get the first interview, you need to look the part. No, you don’t have to rock the Mad Men office look to be taken seriously, but you should look decent and office-ready. Even though most jobs these days can be done remotely or don’t require special business attire, you need to look professional when meeting your potential employer because that’s your chance to leave the best possible impression. One of the best gifts to get from someone is a style makeover: tips on how to dress for the interview, a different hairdo, the way to do makeup, business etiquette, etc. Getting this makeover doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with the way you look/dress now; rather, it’s an upgrade that costs you nothing and you can gain everything.
A gift card
All that job hunting can get extremely stressful, especially if you’ve got a lot of studying to do in the meantime: balancing your exams, social life, finding a job and staying sane can really take a toll on your everyday life, so – relaxing a little bit can go a long way, especially if it’s already paid for! Getting a gift card from someone close to you is one of the best ways to blow off some steam, especially if vouchers you get extend to your favorite stuff – lunching, shopping, pampering, etc. Use your Visa prepaid gift card to relax, buy a few pieces you’ll need for the interview (a new laptop bag, a blazer, smart pants, etc), have lunch with someone you love and stay stress-free (as much as possible) until you get a call from your potential employer.
Career coaching
A fantastic way to help an inexperienced friend get a job is hire a career coach. Depending on the business sphere your friend is looking to score in, a career coach can help in a number of ways: these professionals know a lot about employers’ requirements, career specifics and other important parameters that play a role in choosing a career path. On that note, a career professional is the best person to talk to about staying focused to a particular field, the best person to motivate and support you, boost your confidence and help you develop in your field. Find a reputable coach for your job-seeking friend to help them gain confidence and build a career path.
LinkedIn Premium account
Social presence plays a huge role in all spheres of our lives, business included. LinkedIn is the most popular business network that can help you connect with a number of field-focused experts that could be your first link to getting the job of your dreams. The network is interactive and regular browsing can really help you get a job in no time. Setting up a regular LinkedIn account costs nothing and it can still get you a lot of connections as long as you optimize your profile well. However, a Premium account is a safe bet that ensures a number of top-notch connections.
Good luck with the job-hunting, let us know how things went!
