The following is an editorial and does not necessarily reflect the views of The Mirror.

It’s that time of year. Essays galore. Beautiful weather. More projects.

For many students, April is also the time to start job hunting. You may be a senior looking for that “real,” salaried job you need after May 11, or you may be an underclassman searching for the perfect summer internship.

Either way, searching for a job during the frenzy of April can be stressful. Last fall, I took Career Planning and Development’s one credit hour Professional Development Senior Seminar course. I have some not-so-new tips to share from that class; however, it never hurts to hear advice again, especially when your future job is involved.

When searching for a job, a good place to start is on LinkedIn. You can find a variety of job openings on LinkedIn, as well as follow companies you may be interested in working for now or in the future. You can filter your job search by the date posted, company and location, as well as find out if any of your connections or Drury alumni have worked for the company.

Landing the interview

Once you get an interview, you want to make a good first impression. Don’t be late or too early. You want to show up to a meeting or interview with a potential employer 10 to 15 minutes early—no more, no less.

You should invest in a folder or padfolio to take into an interview with you. Inside, you should keep copies of your resume in case your interviewer(s) need another copy. Having a copy of your resume with you also gives you the chance to review your experiences and accomplishments before the interview.

Remember to silence or turn off your phone before an interview. It’s best to leave your phone in your car (if you’ve driven to the interview) just to be sure it doesn’t go off. You don’t want to be glued to your phone as you’re waiting in the lobby. When the interviewer calls you into their office, you want to seem attentive and ready, not like you just got interrupted playing Candy Crush.

Don’t forget to thank potential employers for the opportunity to interview. Photo by Taylor Stanton.

Making a lasting impression

After an interview, don’t forget to say “thank you.” Sending a handwritten thank you note or expressing your thanks via email can put you back into the forefront of an employer’s mind after the initial interview.

Drury’s Career Planning and Development Office is a valuable resource on campus that can help you find and apply for jobs or internships that fit your unique skills and interests. My final piece of advice is to schedule an appointment with Drury’s career planning experts. You won’t be sorry that you did!

Article by Taylor Stanton.