5 Best Job Search Techniques for Recent College Grads
Perfecting the Job Search for Recent College Grads
Graduating from college can come with mixed emotions.
On one hand, you achieved a huge accomplishment. You’re officially an adult in the real world!
On the other hand, there’s pressure to secure your first job out of college and become an adult in the real word. It’s a fine line between excitement and being overwhelmed.
You’ll likely hear “What are your plans now?” at every graduation celebration you attend. So what do you do if you haven’t landed your first job?
Here tips for perfecting the job search for recent college grads.
Develop Job Goals
Have you thought about what you want to do post-grad? If not, take some time and map out potential career paths. Take personality assessments to understand yourself on a deeper level. While you likely won’t land your dream job right out of college, there’s a chance you could be in your dream industry, so take time to set your goals. If you feel lost, our career exploration coaching can help you find your path.
Update Your Resume + LinkedIn Profile
Give your resume and LinkedIn profile a big refresh post-grad. Add in key college coursework and assignments, clubs and associations, and internship or work experience you earned during undergrad. Your resume and LinkedIn profile are your professional first impressions, so make it count! The job search for recent college grads includes showcasing the skills you learned in college.
Network, Network, Network
“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” Networking is invaluable for connecting with like-minded professionals and gaining job referrals. Participate in alumni events at your alma mater, join LinkedIn groups, and attend networking events in your area. If you aren’t sure where to find groups for networking, you can search for relevant events on Meetup and EventBrite. Put yourself out there and build a valuable professional network. Learn more about networking etiquette here.
Don’t be Afraid to Reach Out
Did you connect on LinkedIn with a junior employee at your dream company? Reach out to them and ask them questions about their path and how they got there. Find employees who work in your goal industry and send them a thoughtful, custom message on LinkedIn. Simply putting yourself out there and following up with networking connections can open the right doors for great career moves.
Internships Can be Key
There’s often pressure to land an entry-level job out of college, but for the industries that require experience, an internship is a great start! Internships are also a great way to get your foot in the door at exceptional companies. Oftentimes, companies hire interns when the internship is over. So get out there, don’t overlook internships, and work hard.
Remember that your first entry-level job out of college likely won't be your dream job. Understand your overall career plan and take the first step toward it. If you’re a recent grad and don’t know where to begin, we’d love to hear from you. We work with students and recent grads that need help pinpointing a great career path that aligns their personality with their goals.