Landing a job in today’s market requires more than just a degree – it requires strategy, consistency, and hard work. I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Jake Cline, a Talent Acquisition Manager at M3 Insurance, and discuss how students can navigate the application and interview process.
Jake hires for competitive roles in Sales, Data, and Business. Here is a brief breakdown of our conversation and his unfiltered advice for student applicants.
Q: What are the specific things you look for in an applicant’s resume?
Jake suggests that the resume should be no more than a page for easier readability. He also added that he looks for clean formatting that highlights on-campus jobs, office, or work experience, and said that he highly values a student’s campus involvement, including involvement in clubs or organizations, and various related events.
An applicant’s technical skills and specific projects mentioned in the resume also grab his attention, and he loves to see the applicant’s professional and personal experience where they have used and implemented their skills.
Q: What do you expect to hear from a student during the actual interview?
Jake mentioned that he looks for detail-oriented ambiverts. An applicant should have done their homework – get a summary of the company’s background and understand the job description inside and out.
He also said that preparation is the key, and that an applicant should have at least 6 to 7 questions ready about the role and the company, so that they can ask at least one by the end of the interview and not say you’ve already answered all my questions. Not asking a question is taken as a red flag by the hiring managers. Always try to connect with the interviewer; research about them on LinkedIn beforehand to find possible common interests. Also, if it’s an in-person interview, look proper and come prepared with notebooks and ideas. Look ready!
Q: What is something that makes an applicant truly stand out to you?
Jake mentioned that an applicant following up after they submit the application and interviews is valuable to him and reflects the responsive and responsible personality of the applicant. He also said, “You are not being annoying when you check in or follow up; we actually appreciate it”. Sending a thank you note and checking in regularly shows you’re serious. Also, a professional pro-tip is to try to connect with the interviewee and always ask for their contact information or ask for their business before you leave the interview.
Q: How would you describe the current job market for “Early Talent”?
Jake has observed that it is high traffic right now for entry-level positions and sees a real lack of networking from candidates. The market is difficult, especially for business majors, and suggests that one should find a niche in the career they want to be in.
The biggest piece of advice that he had was to secure a position before you graduate. Not having one could look like a red flag to interviewers in the future. He also suggests having real salary expectations for the region in which the company is based. A Wisconsin-based company cannot match the salary level of a company based in New York or Chicago. He also believes it is totally fine to start low, work your way up, and make sure you actually fit the parameters for the job you’re applying for.
Q: How important is networking, and how should students get started?
Jake believes that networking is very important, and you can always start from the campus level by attending career fairs, joining fraternities, and getting active in clubs and organizations.
He believes that you need to present yourself and get in front of the employees, and also work on gaining real experiences at the same time to demonstrate your fit for the role. He also said, “Pave your own path – no one is going to show up at your door, and network as much as you can, start small, and build from there.”
Key Takeaways:
Talking with Jake made one thing very clear: experience and effort will always be valued when you submit an application. Whether it’s having 7 questions ready for an interview or showing up to every Career Fair on campus, the students who do the work will be the ones getting the offers in this current job market.
Computer Science major and Data Science & Mathematics minor at Lawrence University, and the President of the Lawrence University Data Science Club. Connect with Sabin on LinkedIn