As many seniors anticipate their final semester in college and prepare to graduate, the excitement of post-grad life can be paired with lots of anxiety.
This past spring, I got a taste of the current state of the job market when applying to summer internships. I started off confident, already having a strong resume and LinkedIn account, but I was quickly discouraged when I learned I had much more work to do to be considered for the roles I wanted. Through my own research, I learned how to make my resume stronger, write a killer cover letter, and create an eye-catching portfolio.
For the internships I wanted, that were originally targeted toward juniors or seniors in college, I found myself in competition with graduated students with much more experience than me simply because there were no other entry-level roles available to them.
When an advisor from my school’s career office recently visited one of my classes, she warned us that, on average, job recruiters will only look at a resume for seven seconds before putting someone in a yes or no pile. She informed us of the growing use of artificial intelligence that scans resumes for keywords that match job descriptions. She explained that, to be considered, applicants must tailor their resume to each and every job they apply to.
After speaking with some recent graduates in my field, I also learned that most were applying to upwards of 100 jobs before landing an offer. Constantly rewriting and tailoring your resume takes time, time that most college seniors don’t have.
Right now, the job market is more challenging than it has been in years. So, like many seniors, I feel a little nervous about my career and life post-graduation. But after gaining some experience through my internships and talking with friends and classmates, I think I’ve learned some useful lessons to prepare me for this next chapter.
Rejection is redirection
You will get rejected. It’s going to happen. But it doesn’t mean you should give up. Viewing rejection as redirection is the best way to go about applying to jobs. Something meant for you will come along, and when one door closes, another one will always open for you. Trust yourself and keep reaching for what you want.
Network, network, network
No matter the field you are going into, it’s always good to reach out to others in positions you want or with career paths you admire and connect with them. I’d recommend reaching out to alumni from your college or people who have positions at companies you’re interested in. I’ve learned a lot from networking with people in my field.
You have time
It’s okay to be scared about what your future will look like after college. It’s a big transition. But you have so much time to figure out what you want your life to look like. So don’t feel like you’re a failure if you’re not sure what’s next after May. You will find your way.