Written by: Ruth V. Walker, PhD [Adapted from advice by Lasse Palomaki, Associate Director of Career Services for Alumni, Elon University] 

Published August 26, 2024

With the upcoming dip in hiring projected for 2024 in some industries, students planning to be on the upcoming job market need to consider the ways they can make themselves stand out (NACE, 2024). This blog post builds on advice from Lasse Palomaki, Associate Director of Career Services for Alumni at Elon University to outline three steps you can take to increase your chances of landing the job you want after graduation.

(1) Experience That Speaks Louder Than Your GPA

According to the NACE Job Outlook 2024 report, less than 40% of employers are screening candidates by GPA. This shift highlights a growing need for students to obtain meaningful applied experiences while in school due to the increased focus employers are placing on real-world experience and skills such as communication, critical thinking, and teamwork. These experiences may include:

• Internships

• Practicums

• Leadership roles within student organizations

• Teaching and/or Research Assistant roles

• Jobs, both on-campus and off-campus

Completing psychology-related internships not only provides valuable hands-on experience but also increases the likelihood of a smooth transition into either graduate programs or entry-level positions (APA, 2021). Additionally, taking on leadership roles such as being an officer of the Psychology Club or Psi Chi (or other student/community organization), can help you stand out by showcasing your ability to take on added responsibility and work in a team. In fact, 79% of employers prioritize leadership skills on resumes (NACE, 2021). Beyond internships and leadership roles, any job—whether in a research lab on campus or in customer service off-campus—contributes to your professional development.

The takeaway? Applied, project-like environments typically hold more weight than just your GPA. In fact, according to the NACE Job Outlook Survey (2023), when employers have two equally qualified candidates, the decision often comes down to who has the better internship experience.

(2) Opening Doors with Connections

Networking is about more than exchanging business cards. It’s about forming relationships that can help you access career advice, job opportunities, and mentorship. For psychology students, building a network can be particularly valuable in a field where connections may lead to research opportunities, clinical placements, or jobs in related industries like healthcare, education, or business. Take advantage of opportunities to connect with alumni, professors, and recruiters through:

• Informational Interviews

• Mentorship Programs

• Career Fairs and Networking Events

• Conferences

• Strategic Cold Outreach

• All the applied roles listed in the previous section (e.g., internships, practicums, etc.)

After you’ve identified the key people to connect with, approach networking strategically and authentically. Building a network goes beyond brief conversations at career fairs—it’s about establishing long-term relationships that can lead to meaningful career opportunities. For example, attending psychology conferences gives you the opportunity to meet leading professionals in your field. Follow up on these interactions by scheduling informational interviews with alumni or professionals working in roles you're interested in. 

Informational interviews are a powerful way to gain insights into different career paths, and they also give you an opportunity to make a lasting impression. When reaching out, don’t be afraid to leverage cold outreach via email or LinkedIn—these connections can lead to mentorship relationships or even job offers. In one LinkedIn survey, 85% of jobs were filled through networking (Adler, 2016). Whether attending a conference, career fair, or your professors' office hours, every connection you make can be a steppingstone to your next opportunity.

(3) Building a Compelling Career Story

Remember, employers aren’t always looking for the “perfect” candidate—they’re looking for the candidate who can best tell their story. And telling that story effectively often makes the difference between landing the job and missing out. As Lasse Palomaki puts it, “It's not the best candidate that gets the job, it's the best communicator.”

A key part of crafting your compelling career story is how you present yourself on platforms like LinkedIn. Your headshot is one of the first things recruiters notice, so it’s important to communicate professionalism through a professional, high-quality photo. Many college and university Career Centers offer professional headshot services to students and alumni—take advantage of this resource if available. Beyond your headshot, your resume should tell a story of achievements rather than simply listing tasks. Focus on outcomes, such as “Increased participant recruitment in a psychology study by 25%” or “Led a team of 5 students to organize a campus-wide mental health awareness campaign,” to show the value you've brought to past experiences. For more examples, see my previous blog post on quantifiable skills. Finally, practice conveying your career story during interviews by preparing for common questions like, “Tell me about a time you faced a challenge.” Use these questions to connect your academic and extracurricular experiences to the skills employers are looking for.

Final Thoughts

Follow Lasse Palomaki on LinkedIn for more career advice targeted to students!

References

Adler, L. (2016). New survey reveals 85% of all jobs are filled via networking. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/new-survey-reveals-85-all-jobs-filled-via-networking-lou-adler/ 

American Psychological Association. (2023). APA guidelines for undergraduate psychology major, Version 3.0. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/about/policy/undergraduate-psychology-major 

National Association of Colleges and Employers. (2023). Job outlook 2024. National Association of Colleges and Employers. https://www.naceweb.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/2023/publication/research-report/2024-nace-job-outlook.pdf?sfvrsn=57be133e_5 

Palomaki, L. (2024, August 26). 3 activities I would prioritize if I was in college today [LinkedIn post]. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/lassepalomaki_3-activities-i-would-prioritize-if-i-was-activity-7233805639448219649-889d?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop