As someone who’s graduating in December and looking for my first job post-grad, I hate to break it to you–it’s rough out here. With employers implementing AI to scan resumes, the rising cost of living, and the decreased amount of “entry-level” opportunities, breaking into the professional world can sometimes feel impossible.
But do you know what we’re not going to do? Give up.
I’ve been told over and over and over again that persistence is key in this job market, so that’s exactly what I’ve been focusing on. As I am rapidly approaching graduation, here are some of the things I’m doing to land my first role.
perfect your resume
While you might think that the resume you’ve been updating since you were in high school is “good enough,” I promise, it’s not. As tedious as it is, I highly recommend having one or two professionals take a look at your resume and see what you can improve.
Here are some tips I’ve learned:
- Keep it to one page. No, you don’t need to highlight your barista job while applying for a communications role, no matter how long you’ve been working there. Only include relevant experience.
- Lead each experience description with strong action verbs to grab the employer’s attention.
- Use specific figures to demonstrate your impact and why what you did was impressive.
- Include your contact info, link to your portfolio, and specific skills at the top of the page.
Ohio State has great resources for perfecting your resume. I created mine using a template geared specifically for jobs in writing, which I found on the College of Arts and Sciences Career Success page. You can also visit the Career Studio for in-person help and advice.
get the experience
Especially when you are just starting out, it can be easy to believe that you know exactly what you want out of your future career. While it’s definitely important to set goals and work hard to achieve them, it’s also important to know when those goals need to change or what seemingly off-the-path steps you’ll need to take to get there.
I came to OSU with the dream of working in book publishing. While that has always been and still is a goal of mine, I have made a point throughout these four years not to limit myself to any one experience. I’ve completed internships, part-time gigs, and been involved in organizations while also pursuing my degree. I have said yes to every opportunity, and because of that, I’ve gained experience in journalism, PR, communications, social media marketing, new genres of creative writing, and more. Now, I have a wide range of experiences that I can apply to a wide range of careers, increasing the amount of opportunities I may have. In addition, I discovered new passions that, had I stuck to one thing, I would never have tried.
Remember–nothing is permanent, but everything is a lesson!
create a portfolio
Having a good resume is crucial, but it really is hard to condense everything you’ve done and everything you’re capable of doing into one page. Creating an extended portfolio with tangible examples of your accomplishments will only help you stand out more.
As most of us know, LinkedIn is a must-have when it comes to job searching. It is important to keep that profile updated and professional-looking, and posting when you do something worth noting. But I would recommend going one step further and creating a website for yourself.
It doesn’t have to be expensive and complicated. I use a simple Google Site, which is really easy to navigate. Including a short introduction, longer descriptions of your accomplishments, links to any public work like articles or photos, etc. will do. Having a website tells employers more about you and shows that you’re professional and willing to put in the necessary effort.
Check out my website here.
make connections
Arguably the best advice I have when it comes to searching for jobs is making connections with people who are where you want to be. Unfortunately, right now, it’s all about who you know. While it’s important to constantly be applying for jobs, I’ve been told that landing something you found through a posting is like winning the lottery. Having real conversations with real professionals is the absolute best way to make yourself stand out from the sea of other applicants.
Don’t think you know anyone? I bet you do. Here are some places to search:
- Send emails to your past and present professors.
- Connect with people on LinkedIn and send them a message or email. The worst they can do is not respond!
- Think about all of the established adults in your life. Maybe they worked with someone in the past, they have a friend from college, or maybe they themselves would be a good resource. Most likely, someone knows someone to help you out.
- Reach out to your advisors and see if they have any alumni they can connect you with.
When you are making these connections, ask to do an informational interview with them. These help you gain advice, ins for future openings, and allow you to practice marketing yourself for job interviews.
Here are some questions you can ask:
- What has the evolution of your career looked like?
- What’s something you did when you were in my position that made you stand out to employers?
- After gaining professional experience in this field, what’s something you weren’t expecting you would have to know how to do?
- Is there anyone else you know who you think could be helpful for me to speak with?
Make sure to thank each contact and occasionally follow up with updates about what you’re doing. It’s never too early to start reaching out, either. You never know where a connection could lead!
be confident
No matter how nervous you are, no matter how qualified you feel, and no matter how big or small the opportunity is, go into every step of this journey with as much confidence as you can muster. When applying for jobs, write about your accomplishments and abilities with as much recognition as they deserve. Don’t be afraid to hype yourself up–they want to see what you can do! When meeting people in person, shake their hand, hold eye contact, and smile. If you conduct yourself professionally, you’ll come off as prepared and qualified.
Most of all, maintain the confidence that you will succeed. Like I said–getting this first job can sometimes feel hopeless. But as long as you continue to believe in yourself and give it your all, something will work out!
Good luck, Buckeyes!