Finding a job after college can be stressful – not only do you want to start using your degree, you might have student loans to begin paying back or other financial obligations that make finding a job an urgent concern. Plus, it seems like every job posting always has some previous job history or experience requirement. This can seem like an impossible task sometimes because most of your attention over the last few years of your life was on obtaining your degree so you could get a job and not on work itself.
Here are a few ways to make it easier to find a job post-graduation:
- Prepare before graduation: Of course, the way to give yourself the best chance at post-college job success is to start planning and networking before graduation day. Sometimes this means making connections at an on-campus job fair, and other times it involves sending out resumes and emails to recruitment firms that specialize in your field or future industry. It might also mean asking peers and past classmates for their job plans and asking for referrals to help get your foot in the door.
- Make your experience matter: You might not have job experience, but chances are you have skills and qualifications that matter. Instead of posing your job search as a way for you to grow skills and experiences, make it about what you can offer your potential new employer. Find the links between your educational and extracurricular achievements and what the job requirements are. For instance, if you’re looking for a sales position and were also on the debate team or part of an honors business class, play that up in your conversations with recruiters.
- Know your resume is still a valuable tool: Not having job experience isn’t an excuse for having a subpar resume. Meet with your school’s job placement or alumni team to help you get your resume in the best shape possible so that you can use it to get the attention of more recruiters.
- Consider an internship: Internships are a great way to get exposure and also experience. If you’ve completed an internship with a company previously, reach out to their HR team to ask if they’re looking for any permanent help. If you haven’t done an internship yet, it might not be too late. Considering asking an organization you’d be interested in joining if they’d let you do an internship or trial period before hiring you fulltime. This can give both you and the company a sense of if it’s a good fit and also show your work ethic and desire to learn.
Get your foot in the door
If you’re looking for an entry-level position as a college graduate, get in touch with Open Systems today. A proactive search using all the resources available to you is one of the key ways to ensure that you get a job faster, and our team can help you find the right fit.
