Graduating from college can be an eye-opening experience. Many grads go into post-secondary education, thinking that they’re fast-tracking their career path after graduation. The reality is much different.
Many recent graduates struggle to find a job. There are a lot of factors that contribute to this challenge. By making intentional decisions and pushing past the barriers, new grads can find a job that will lead to a satisfying career.
Here are some of the best tips and pieces of advice for new grads who are starting the job-hunting process.
Set Some Job-Related Goals
“I just need a job” is never going to be an effective interview answer. Before you can apply for a job and nail the interview, you need to know what you want beyond a paycheck.
Take some time to set some job-related goals. You don’t need to plan the next twenty years of your career, but you should have a general idea of the next five. If you can envision where you want to go in your career, you can reverse engineer the destination to make some actionable goals.
Not only will this help you identify which jobs to apply for, but it will also create the foundation of your resume, interview questions, and general demeanor during the job-search process.
Craft a Professional Resume
Being able to present a professional resume is a must for recent graduates in the job market. You’ll be tasked with the extra challenge of figuring out what to put on it.
Use a service like ResumeBuild to present a well-structured resume that’s tailored to entry-level or student-based positions. Use the entirety of your employment history to showcase your employability and reliability. There are plenty of soft skills that translate from summer jobs to a thriving career.
As you gain more experience in your field, you’ll be able to trim the fat and focus on purely relevant experience.
Conduct a Social Media Audit
During the job-hunting process, it’s important to remember that social media is a public domain. Rather than trying to hide things or worrying about privacy settings, conduct a social media audit on your various channels.
Remove anything that could be construed as unprofessional. While you’re expected to have a social life, images of you doing a keg stand at graduation should be removed. You’ll also want to be mindful of any political posts or off-color memes that could deter employers from pursuing a relationship with you.
If you think that freedom of expression trumps conforming to professional expectations, keep in mind that 92% of employers use social media to find and vet candidates.
Network and Use Your Connections
Don’t wait until after graduation to start making connections. Head to networking events and be open to meeting new people. Don’t hesitate to tell them about your education and what you’re looking for in a career path. You never know where a potential job might pop up.
A great way to make professional connections is to seek out a mentor in a career path that you desire. Reach out to see if you can shadow them and learn from their experience. Offering your services as an intern or assistant is a great way to build your experience while making important connections.
Learn how to network and use your connections
Get Interview Coaching and Practice
Some people seem born to interview. Others find it to be a great source of stress and discomfort. After all, you’re being actively judged so that a stranger can determine if you deserve the job you’re applying for. It’s a lot of pressure, especially for someone who doesn’t have a lot of experience.
After graduating and setting career goals, it’s worth getting some interview coaching and practice. An interview coach can help you prepare for the big interview by covering commonly asked questions and helping you frame smart answers. Furthermore, practicing the process can help you feel more comfortable and confident when you get an interview.
Always Follow Up
Never underestimate the power of following up after you apply for a job or get an interview. Following up is a great way to ensure that your resume is at the top of the pile and shows potential employers that you’re hungry for the job.
After an interview, it’s always wise to follow up and thank the interviewer for their time. Reiterate your interest in the position and use this opportunity to build a rapport.
These are some of the best ideas and pieces of advice to remember as a new grad looking for a job. Put yourself out there, be patient, and get ready to start your career.
