If you’re reading this, you probably have big dreams and ambitions, and you would like to have a long, prosperous career in business. Getting a degree in Business Administration can give you a competitive advantage over other candidates. We’ve compiled a list of steps you can take to get your first job as you’re earning your Business Administration degree. That said, you’re probably wondering how to get your first job in business with your Business Admin degree.
Earn Your Business Administration Degree
Business Administration degrees open the door to many entry-level jobs in the corporate world that would otherwise be unavailable to applicants. Will you still need to put in the work to get experience in a large company? Yes, but having the education will make it easier to get those early jobs, and may even be more helpful the farther you advance in your professional career.
A good Business Administration program will give you a strong foundation of business knowledge and prepare you for working in an enterprise or corporate environment. You should learn essential concepts and skills such as business management, marketing, finance, business law, critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, micro and macro economics, entrepreneurship, and business ethics.
It may also be practical for many students to attend business college while working a job, or while gaining entry-level experience in a corporate setting.
Update Your Resume and Apply for Positions
The next step is updating your resume and getting ready to apply for open positions. Most resumes are filtered through automated screening, so be sure to add keywords that are relevant to the jobs for which you are applying.
Another piece of advice is make a customized resume for each type of job, don’t upload the exact same resume for every single job listing. It’s better if you think about what keywords the system might be screening for. If you have work experience that’s relevant to that position, list on that resume. Keep all the relevant information near the beginning of your resume. Refrain from listing irrelevant information like hobbies or too much personal information. Keep it limited to professional qualifications, education and training that is relevant to the job.
Be strategic and go for a job that will help you gain experience to level up, and/or at a company that will help you learn the inner workings of an enterprise company.
If you are just starting out, look for positions that will allow you to have some responsibility and gain experience. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get a call back right away. The most difficult part is getting your first hands on work experience.
Research the Companies You Want to Work For
When you’re looking at companies to apply to, you can make a list of the Fortune 100 (if they have an office in your city), or any large enterprise companies. Working at these types of companies is work experience that can’t be replicated easily and will be noteworthy to future hiring managers.
When you do get scheduled for an interview, make sure you have researched that company thoroughly. Who is the CEO? What is the company Mission? What are their business goals? Find out as much as you can about the history and current status of the company with which you’re interviewing. It shows you have taken a vested interest in working there, and you have diligence and attention to detail.
Get Relevant Experience
Next is getting a job in a corporate business environment. This can be concurrent with going to school, if need be. Remember, corporate employers like to see real world experience, preferably for a large company.
If your goal is to work for a Fortune 500, get your foot in the door and get experience. If you need to work as an intern or on a fixed-term contract for a large company, take that opportunity. Working for a large company in a similar capacity can also be effective. Employers look for experience in an enterprise-level company in order to move up the ladder.
If you are in an area without many large companies, look for experience in companies that are well-established.
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Look for Employers That Are Established and Profitable
Work experience in large companies is best, and not all large companies are based in corporate buildings. Construction companies in your city are often looking for business analysts or finance analysts. Any company of a reasonably large size that is making money will need someone to help keep track of operations and improve business processes and financial documentation.
Don’t Be Afraid to Seek New Opportunities
Most people in the current job landscape understand that it’s okay to collect experience at different jobs before progressing to new challenges. It’s very common for candidates to use their time at each position to learn new skills to level up and prepare for the next step in their career. This is anticipated by many employers, that talent will work in their current position with the intention of elevating their responsibilities and compensation in their next job.
Look to challenge yourself and learn as much as you can at each employer and each position.
Relocating to where better job opportunities are available is something you might choose to do if you live in a smaller town. Oftentimes, the types of employers and jobs are limited in a small town, and there are many more opportunities in a large metropolitan area. This is an option you should consider if you’re looking for a long term career path.
Keep Expanding Your Skills
A business administration degree is versatile and can help you get opportunities in many different fields. It can open doors to your first jobs in business development, finance, marketing, content management, business admin, or sales. As you gain experience, you can branch out into other areas, take on more responsibility, and increase your overall value to your employers.
Your journey is never done, and the more you understand about how corporations operate, and the more aspects you are closely familiar with, the more valuable you will be in your role.
Start Your Business Career with a Degree From Campus
Ready to take the next step? Explore our two-year degrees in Business Administration and Business Administration with Applied AI Concentration. You’ll meet live with classmates and instructors who also teach at leading schools such as Stanford and UCLA and will have your own personal coach who’s invested in your success.