6 Tips for Obtaining a Job Post-Graduation

By Victoria Robertson on May 4, 2017

It’s officially May, and that means graduation is just around the corner for some of you!

For some, you already have jobs lined up and ready to go immediately following school, but for others, the job search is just beginning. And trust me, job hunting is extremely stressful.

So, to help those of you that are new to the job market, here are six tips for obtaining a job post-graduation.

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1. Build a strong resume

Most individuals are going to leave college with no experience whatsoever — that’s just the truth of the matter. Still, it’s important to compile your skills into a resume as this is truly going to be the strongest and most efficient way of catching an organization’s eye.

On your resume, you will want to include any information that demonstrates your hard-working and positive attitude, your dedication, and your tangible skills.

Utilize your GPA, honor society memberships, extracurriculars, internships etc. to your advantage here. Basically, if you did it and it’s relevant, use it.

That being said, do not lie on your resume. This will only hurt your chances and potentially burn bridges for you. So be truthful and include as much relevant information as you can.

2. Put your resume out there

Once you craft your resume, don’t hesitate in putting it out there. Post your resume to job sites, utilize LinkedIn to your advantage, send your resume directly to organizations — the more places you can advertise yourself, the better.

Sure, you’ll get a few calls that won’t pan out, but you’ll also begin receiving calls from recruiters and directly from organizations that are interested in you, so posting your resume is the most beneficial for you.

And as an added tip, be sure to include your contact information — a resume with no contact information doesn’t work for you, as nobody has any means of reaching you directly. This will ultimately limit the opportunities that come your way.

3. Go shopping

The more professional you look during your interviews, the better. It’s always important to dress up rather than dress down on these occasions, and by having a wardrobe prepared for interviews, you’ll be ahead of the game.

Many college grads scramble at the last minute for suits and such, but by proactively going out and purchasing these items, you’ll be ready when that first interview request comes through.

And when shopping for interview-wear, don’t skimp. Cheaper isn’t always better in this case. So while you don’t need to spend a small fortune on clothes, you shouldn’t be hitting up the local Walmart either.

4. Be prepared

Always prepare before your interviews. You’ll want to go over the company’s website, search individuals that work there in similar roles on LinkedIn, and be prepared to speak to the job description in terms of your experience.

When you’re applying for an entry-level position, a lot of the questioning will be around what your career goals are, how you’re prepared to enter the workforce and what experiences you underwent in college that will help you in your professional career.

These are all items that you want to be able to speak to.

The best thing you can do is have a friend, family member, or professor mock interview you or even Google search frequently asked interview questions so you can prepare answers for them. While you won’t ever truly know what questions will arise in an interview, the more prepared you are for the basics, the better.

5. Don’t feel discouraged

The job market is a tough place, and you’re going to face quite a bit of rejection when you’re just getting started. So again, be prepared for this.

It’s not a reflection on you, but on the job market itself. The truth is, you’re leaving college without experience, and employers are looking for experience. It’s a catch-22, but it’s the reality of the workforce.

So know that it’s possible you won’t get a job right away, but be patient at the same time. Just because you don’t have a position lined up now doesn’t mean something won’t come up soon.

6. Be flexible

This is perhaps the most important advice I can give you: you aren’t going to land your dream job directly out of college. In fact, you might not even land a job that is in any way similar to your dream job.

This isn’t a bad thing.

Most people aren’t truly beginning their careers until they’re in their late twenties, so utilize your early twenties to test industries and determine where you want to end up.

While you shouldn’t job hop by any means, you also shouldn’t limit yourself when it comes to your job search, as you’ll be missing out on countless opportunities by doing so.

You should never be unhappy in your role, but you shouldn’t limit yourself to the “dream job” right off the bat, either.

Keep these tips in mind when beginning your job search and remember that you are entering the workforce for the first time. You likely won’t get it right the first time around, but you can always use it as a learning experience!

Happy hunting!

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