MyLifeMyCareer.com

Not literally, of course. This is the basic mindset of a serious recruiter interviewing the nervous college student. Imagine you're in the store looking to buy a new tv, and also imagine that you like to talk to yourself aloud or in thought. You've found a tv that seems to fit your requirements, but you ask the tv a few more questions (also imagine you enjoy talking to inanimate objects). Will you last (will you quit when the first thing doesn't go your way, or when your friend claims they have a way better job)? Will you work (will you show up motivated, dedicated, and willing to work most of the time)? Are you worth the money (will the productivity and return on investment from you outweigh the hiring costs, salary, benefits, and other costs to the company)? Will you not break in the first year (many college students usually change jobs within the first year, and I don't want to assume the risk that this may happen and waste precious time and training, so do you really want to work for me)? Will my friends enjoy watching this tv (will you fit in with the other members of the company, and are you able to work collaboratively)? See, there are many more "bigger picture" questions that have less to do with what is on your resume, and much more to do with the recruiter's decision to hire you. People put so much emphasis on the resume, but the resume is simply like the back of a baseball card. It's just numbers that you will have to back up once you step foot in the office on day one. That's why the cover letter, which is more personal and representative of your true qualities, works magic when paired with a well prepared resume. Neither answers the "bigger picture questions, though. Those questions cannot be answered with words, and yet your future depends on the answers. It's your personality, qualities, character, past actions, and plans for the future. You can fake them and get hired, but you won't be happy. You will become the statistic and perception of our generation by quitting, and then searching for the right company. Just be true to yourself the first time around, and get your career started out on the right foot by waiting for the right company...or stumbling upon it. I'm telling you, check out companies that you have not heard of, you will be pleasantly surprised.