I found a nice listicle from KSL.com on tips for 2018 graduates as they enter life on the hunt for a job. I think these tips work for anyone embarking on a job hunt, though, so even if you're not a new graduate these tips are super helpful. 

While I might downplay some of these—No. 3, for example, gets it half right—I think these are mostly great tips not only for graduates, actually, but also for anyone who is beginning the arduous (and frustrating) task of looking for a job.

Let’s break these tips down, some of which I’ve altered a bit to fit what I think is more important.

Don’t waste time formatting your résumé, but FIX THOSE TYPOS!

I can’t stress enough the importance of not having typos on your résumé. The proper length of a résumé seems to be in debate, as many hiring managers only want one page. If you have such a stacked résumé that you can’t fit it only on a page I think that’s okay, but if you have typos on your résumé that’s a major unforced error and one that’s likely to cost you any chance at an interview.

Pump up your “soft skills.”

I think I’d have this No. 1 on the list if it were up to me. We’ve previously written about soft skills, and I feel like we need to even change the name to something that carries more weight… like professional skills. Hiring managers all around the state have told me how important these skills are, which include showing up on time, being able to communicate with coworkers, and the ability to learn.

If you’re a new graduate (or have with a limited work history) you need to plays these up way more than anything else as that’ll be your ticket since your work history will be light.

Audit your social media history!

Please… pretty please… if you take one thing away from this list, make sure it’s to audit your social media presence. That doesn’t mean you have to delete every tweet or Instagram pic. However, 7/10 employers are going to look at your social media profiles when reviewing your application. You need to use good judgment as to what stays up and what goes away.

Start building a network

I could lie to you and say getting a job is all about you and your résumé. Sometimes that’s the case, sure, but one of the best ways to get a job is to have an “in.” The phrase “it’s not what you know, but who you know” isn’t too far off in many cases. That doesn’t mean you can’t get hired by simply applying for a position, but make sure you try your best to track down contact information of hiring managers and send them emails directly after applying. Some hiring managers might say not to do that, but when companies are using scanning technology to weed out hundreds of résumés for each position, if you can get a touch point with a real person that’s a big plus.

Prepare to be interviewed!

Interviews are set up to test you. Just like you’d study for a test, you need to study for an interview. The best way to do this is to research the company, research the role, and then think about what they might ask. You won’t be able to predict every question, but you can prepare for several. Nothing is worse than being interviewed and not having a good answer. It’s awkward and everyone knows when you screw up.