7 Tips to Jumpstart your Job Search after Graduation

With college graduation around the corner, now is the right time to start looking for an internship or even possibly a job. College graduates are entering the workforce at a time when Baby Boomers are reaching retirement age, and companies are being left with vacant positions that need to be filled. To ensure that your transition from college student to full-time employee is a smooth one, try out these seven tips below.

Visit Career Services. College campuses offer a number of resources to help their students search for jobs and internships as well as assist them with their résumés and cover letters. Use these services while you’re still in school because it can be costly paying for them on your own.

Build a Network. Though college life can be busy, it’s important to make time for networking. Social clubs, career-related organizations and job fairs can help you connect with prospective employers. Networking at every opportunity will link you to individuals who can help you in your job search.

Land an Internship. Internships give you more than just on-the-job training; they often lead to a permanent position within the company. Even if you don’t land the job at your company, your experience will help your résumé stand apart from other applicants.

Practice Interviewing. Interviews can be nerve wracking – but you can gain confidence by practicing with friends. Practicing interviewing equips you with what to expect and how to act in a professional setting.

Be Flexible. Don’t limit yourself in your job search. You could miss out on a great opportunity if you focus too much on a specific job title or company. Some companies may offer you the position you want and maybe even the pay but no growth potential. And the prestige of working for some companies may come with little incentives such as low benefits and little pay. Smaller or lesser known companies may offer opportunities for growth, flexibility and benefits. So make sure you keep your options open so you can see the full value of what each job opportunity has to offer.

Prepare for interviews. Once you land an interview, make sure you research the company and its industry. Also, make sure you know where the company is located. It is equally important to dress appropriately. When in doubt, call the company and ask a receptionist or HR rep what the dress code policy is. Being prepared will give the employer a great first impression of you.

Show your personality. During the interview, let the interviewer see a little bit of your personality. Tell them a funny story about when you were younger, or share about your interests or hobbies outside of work. Letting prospective employers see a little bit of who you are differentiates you from other candidates. But, make sure you stay focused and professional during your interview, don’t reveal too much information or details that would make potential employers uncomfortable. Be sure to highlight your credentials and qualifications above anything else.

Finding a job after you graduate can be difficult, but with these seven tips, you can increase your chances of landing a job and decrease your stress level.

Comments

[Jennifer Finestine]

These are great tips. There's some more good ones I used when I graduated last fall from college. I came across a site called http://www.jobrific.com and they had a lot of good advice and articles for those searching for work after college life. Plus, I got a good job from their job board. That always helps!

[rosana hanif]

Employmen History
2008-present
I have great experiance on computers. At my job at Conagra foods i was responsible for transfering shop order to shop order, and performing in the b-pix.
2008 to present
Conagra Foods
Machine Operator
I started out as a temporary worker. Then i got hires as a full time at the popcorn line. There i was responsible for running the shrink wrapper and the wrappers for the popcorn balls. I was then transfered to the bar lines. In the bar lines i was responsible for staring up the line, taking the weight, lenght, hight, width, apeture and moistures of the bars and make sure they were perfect. I was then peomoted to rilef operator. As a rilef operator i was responsible for performing computer skills and giving rilef to the operators on different lines, such as barline, one, three, four and popcorn.

2006 to 2007
Mc Donalds
Manager in Training

At mc donald i started out as a regular crew and then i got moved up to crew trainer, then i was employee of the month. I was then promoted to Manager in Training. As a Manager in Training i was responsible for running the store, counting tills and aduits.