No matter how well you do in school, finding a job after college can be hard.
Trust me, I’ve been there.
Before I found my current job, I went through pages and pages of online listings, networked as much as possible, scrolled through LinkedIn for hours, and still received at least two dozen rejection emails. I had just graduated college a semester early with a major in strategic communication and minors in multimedia journalism, marketing and organizational leadership.
While in school, I worked a part-time job in the university’s communications and marketing department, took an internship at the on-campus radio station, and served as the editor-in-chief of the student-ran newspaper. I never got below an A- in a class, and I graduated with the highest GPA out of anyone with my major. I took an unpaid internship at a nonprofit organization off campus, and also took on volunteer leadership roles on campus. I thought I was the perfect job candidate. Why wasn’t anybody hiring me?
To give the most generic answer possible, “That’s life.” Sure, I had great experience, but there were also millions of people in the world who had more experience than I did. Each year, millions of students graduate college in search of their first post-grad positions. Not only are you competing against those students, but you’re also competing against the hundreds of thousands of people who have been in the workforce for years and are looking for something new. It can be hard to prove yourself when you’re going up against odds like that.
And while it can feel nearly impossible to secure your first job after graduating college, there are steps you can take to increase your chances. With that being said, here are *10 tips for landing your first post-grad job.
Update your résumé, cover letters and LinkedIn profile.
Before you sell yourself in an interview, you must sell yourself on paper. Update your résumé with previous part-time jobs and internship experiences, but be specific. Did you help grow a company’s social media presence by 76 percent? Add that. Did you manage 13 student writers? Add that as well. This added detail will help your résumé stand out from others.
If you find yourself lacking on real world experience, include the work you completed while in college. Were you part of an athletics team? Did you participate in any clubs or organizations? Did you spend a few afternoons volunteering? Have you taken any courses that are relevant to the position? Let the employer know why you’re a perfect candidate for the position.
Establish a list of quality references.
Your résumé and cover letter may win over a hiring manager, but without a list of industry professionals willing to endorse your talents, odds are you won’t be the one to receive the final job offer. Reach out to former professors, managers and advisors to see if they would be willing to be listed as potential references. Keep updating this list the older you get.
Check new job postings frequently.
Unless you’re out there actively searching for jobs, there is a miniscule chance you’ll end up with one in your lap. Websites like Indeed.com, Glassdoor.com and even LinkedIn post new job openings every day. If you don’t see anything you’re interested in, try again the following day. If you have your eye on a few specific companies, check the job openings on their individual websites frequently. Many businesses only post their openings on their own websites, so unless you’re actively searching, you may miss the one you’ve been looking for.
Consider an internship.
I know that some recent or soon-to-be graduates may not want to hear this, but accepting an internship after college isn’t a bad thing. Not only do they serve as stepping stones for many recent graduates, but they can often turn into a fulltime job within a few months. If you find yourself lacking on former work experience, an internship may be perfect for you.
Accept that it may not be your dream job.
When looking for potential jobs, remember that you’re not looking for a forever job. If you get hired on and realize you could see yourself working in this role your whole life, good for you! If you accept a position that you’re not completely in love with, use it as a stepping stone to move yourself further in the future. Quit looking for a job that checks all your boxes and approach the job hunt with an open mind.
Apply, apply, apply.
With the previous “tip” being said, apply! Although I’m not saying you should send your résumé out to hundreds of random companies, but you should feel comfortable enough to apply for the positions you have an interest in. Even if you’re afraid you may not be the person they’re looking for, there is no penalty for trying.
Give your best first impression.
You scored an interview? Great! Let the interviewer see just why you’re the (wo)man for the job. In the days (or weeks) leading up to the interview, practice your responses to basic interview questions. Why are you interested in the position? What makes you a good fit for the spot? What are your biggest strengths and weaknesses? The more you practice in advance, the more confident you will feel.
First impressions can make or break a job interview, so make sure you’re dressed in a professional manner. Although I prefer wearing a blouse/skirt combination, you can never go wrong with a classic blazer and dress pants. Pick something that will impress your interviewer but will also make you feel comfortable. Bonus tip: If you know you’ll be walking around a lot, feel free to wear a (professional) pair of flats. There’s nothing worse than trying to walk around in heels when your feet are covered in blisters.
Follow up after the interview.
Whether it’s sending an email after a phone interview or sending a hand-written thank you card after an in-person interview, let employers know that you value their time. Reiterate your interest in the position and remind them why you’d be the perfect fit for the job.
Better yourself during your down time.
My biggest regret from time I was job hunting is the fact that I refused to better myself. Instead of picking up a new hobby, traveling with friends and family, or attempting to lose the weight I gained in college, I rotted away in my bed feeling sorry for myself. If I would have spent half the time I spent in bed actually trying to benefit myself, maybe I wouldn’t have hated my life so much.
Don’t give up.
Finding your first post-graduation job can be hard, but it’s never something you should stop searching for. You worked your butt off in school for the last 18 years. There’s a job out there that’s worth all the effort you have put in so far. Even when it feels like you’re wasting your time and there’s no reason to keep trying, don’t give up.
*Keep in mind, I am no expert. I’m just trying to help a few Bees.