I’ve been receiving applications and interviewing potential candidates to open our new offices. Here are five ways I think applying to college is a lot like applying for a job:
1. You can’t fake fit.
The best way to prove that you’re a good match with a company or a college is to start by picking companies or colleges that are actually good matches for you. Our job postings don’t sound like most others. We tell people to be themselves—smart, personable, maybe even funny—in their cover letters. People who would be happy at Collegewise tend to appreciate those things about us, and that fit comes through loud and clear. Kids who would do well at the University of Chicago tend to write much better responses to Chicago’s wonderfully quirky essay prompts than do kids who just are applying because Chicago is famous. You don’t have to work as hard to sell the fit when the fit is already there.
2. Confidence is contagious.
Confident job applicants are sincerely interested in the position at hand, but also totally convinced that if this job doesn’t work out, they’ll get another one that’s just as good. That kind of quiet confidence is appealing. Confident college applicants are the same way. They know that one school doesn’t have the power to decide their future for them. They’re excited about college and particularly drawn to their favorite schools. But they also know they will be happy and successful wherever they go.
3. Directions are important.
It doesn’t matter how stellar your qualifications are—if you don’t follow the directions about how (and how not to) apply, you’re not off to a good start.
4. Real people stand out.
The job search is full of formal, résumé-speak from job seekers (and from a lot of employers, to be fair). Nobody would ever actually say to an employer, “I am seeking a challenging position with your firm where I can utilize my communication skills.” Writing that in a cover letter just makes you sound like most of the other applicants. The same can be said of students who write sentences in their college essays like, “Playing on the hockey team taught me many valuable lessons about hard work and commitment.” It’s fine to write about hockey. But be a real hockey player.
5. Weaknesses aren't automatic deal-killers.
Don’t be afraid to talk about your weaknesses when asked. We all have them. When you acknowledge yours, it shows you’re confident and self-aware. And it makes you that much more believable when you discuss your strengths.