Tips to Search for a Job after College
The old saying is true; it really is a full time job to find a job. But fear not comrades, your years of college have prepared you for this very task. OK focus, we’re referring to your years ofstudying and hard work. Time is on your side, young college graduate, and it’s a good thing because time is what you need for your job search. It takes time to build/maintain a resume, network and search for openings. Following these steps should set you on the right path.
1. Keep an updated resume. This one should go without saying, but it’s SO important that we’re saying it. Do not let your resume get stale. Of course you should highlight a strong GPA, underline long term work (even if it’s not “career” relevant, it will show commitment) and anything else to put your best foot forward. But you should be refining and enhancing your resume ongoing too. If you continue your education through training, if you do a short term project or take on part time work, add that immediately. If you’ll be applying to different types of jobs (e.g. office vs. technical), make versions of your resume more tailored to your different paths…and keep all versions current.
2. Career fairs are fair game. Sure it’s easier to apply online, but face-to-face time with recruiters and employers lets them see the person behind the piece of paper and demonstrates that you’re serious because you’re not just taking the easy route. That university that just gave you a diploma is a gold mine for job searching. Not only will they likely host at least one career fair a year, but they probably also have excellent friends who were once in your shoes…and alumni like to stick together. Get a little creative and figure out how the school’s friends can become yours. When all else fails, TV affiliates and newspapers often sponsor local job fairs.
3. Keep in touch (aka network). Family, friends, professors, alumni (as we just mentioned); inherently, people like to help other people. Talk to them, be open to any advice they offer, ask them about themselves. You never know where it may lead. This is often the best way to learn about new opportunities that might not be on job boards. Also, stay current with your contact information. It may be tempting to change your email address to something quirky – we don’t encourage this (professional is best for job seeking) – but try to resist temptation or people will lose track of you and, worst case, forget about you.
4. Embrace the title “intern”. OK, we’ll call a spade a spade…you won’t get paid financiallywell for an internship. But view it right and do it right, and it should pay off in experience, training, networking and with a big old foot in the door.
5. Stick to it. If it’s worth doing once, it’s worth doing again, and again, and again, and again. Do not give up! Each time you submit an application, you’re creating a new opportunity and you’re learning about yourself, the working world, etc. Until you land one, you should take time every single day to apply for jobs. Stay focused, stay positive and always remember this: you are employable.