After graduation, one of the biggest questions on your mind might be where to find jobs. It’s true that there are tons of great jobs out there, but they’re often hard to find and apply to—especially if you don’t have much work experience or connections in your field. But not to worry—if you follow these 10 tips, you’ll have no problem finding jobs after graduation!
1) Create a resume
After graduation, you’ll probably have time on your hands while you look for a job. Now is a great time to create a resume. Creating a good resume is easier said than done; there are lots of tips and tricks out there, but it can be tough to understand which advice applies specifically to you. That’s why we created The Ultimate Guide To Resumes – our very own guide with expert advice and real-life examples of people who have found success with resumes they’ve created using these same tips. Before building your resume from scratch, we recommend checking out our free guide and customizing one that works for you! Use our free step-by-step checklist when creating yours so you don’t miss any crucial details!
Your resume is one of your best tools when applying for jobs. It’s a summary of everything you can offer, so it’s essential that it be both detailed and professional looking. Remember that you won’t have time to write a new resume for every job application, so make sure yours is clean and free of errors before submitting it!
2) Create a portfolio
Creating a portfolio of your work is important for finding jobs both in and out of school. (A portfolio is basically a collection of samples showcasing your best work.) If you’re applying for part-time or full-time jobs, you might also want to include a cover letter with your resume—explaining why you’re interested in working for that particular company and why you think you’d be a good fit. No matter what kind of job you’re looking for, it never hurts to make connections with people who can help get your foot in the door. Networking events are great places to meet professionals who could potentially hire you down the line.
When it comes to resumes, you’ll have a lot of options to choose from. In most cases, you’ll want a one-page resume listing your education, skills and professional experience. If you have internships or volunteer experience relevant to your career goals, be sure those are included on your resume as well. Use bullet points for each of these items and format it so that all of your achievements are listed in reverse chronological order (most recent first). If you’re applying for part-time or full-time jobs, always make sure that whatever work experience you list is tailored towards what employers are looking for in candidates.
3) Register on different job boards
The Internet has made finding part-time and full-time jobs as a recent grad much easier. There are many websites and apps devoted solely to connecting new grads with potential employers; however, it’s a good idea to register on multiple boards so you have multiple options available when you’re ready for a job. Some of your best options will likely be specialized sites—for example, if you majored in education, look for job boards that cater specifically to educators. The same goes for job titles—if you’re interested in working in business development, look at business development-focused sites. If nothing else, having multiple board registrations can help increase your chances of getting noticed by recruiters who search across numerous boards.
4) Attend recruitment events and meet recruiters
Professional networking events aren’t just for new graduates—it’s a great way to meet and chat with recruiters. Recruiters love talking about their company and what it’s like to work there. They also love meeting new people, so you’ll have some of their undivided attention if you approach them in a positive manner. If you’re really interested in working at a particular company, tell them! Companies value applicants who genuinely want to work for them.
It’s also helpful to make a list of companies you’re interested in working for, and then learn as much as you can about them online. Use LinkedIn or your network to get connected with someone at each company—it could be anyone from an entry-level employee to a senior manager. Once you connect with them, make sure they know what you’re doing post-graduation and that you’d love for them to help out with any opportunities that might arise.
5) Network with friends and family members in the industry
Even if you have no connections or friends in your desired field, you can still find jobs after graduation. Networking is an important part of getting a job and it’s not as difficult as you think. Start small by connecting with family members and friends who might be able to point you in the right direction. It’s important to connect early in your career so that when those right direction opportunities arise, they know they can trust you enough to put in a good word for you. Asking a friend or family member for a referral is like giving them free advertising – so most will go out of their way to make sure they help! Networking at networking events is another easy way to meet people who might know about openings.
6) Create profiles on job search engines like Indeed, Simply Hired, Career Builder
You can use these sites as job search engines. When you register with one, you’ll be able to post your resume and applications for jobs that interest you. Keep in mind that many employers don’t use these sites; instead, they post jobs on their own websites or on job boards that specialize in particular industries. But sometimes, employers will search these sites—and a job posting is often just an advertisement for more information that they want candidates to apply directly through email or by visiting their website. It doesn’t hurt to give it a shot, but make sure you take other steps at the same time (see below).
You should also create a profile on LinkedIn, which is a social networking site for people in professional occupations. Unlike other sites, it’s not just about finding jobs—it’s about keeping your name and skills current and being visible to people who might hire you in future positions. Make sure that all of your profiles are complete, with plenty of current details so potential employers can get an idea of who you are and what you can offer them.
Didn’t think these were good enough?
7) Make your social media accounts professional
Don’t have social media accounts? Now is a good time to consider making them. Make sure they are professional, though—you don’t want employers (or clients) seeing any inappropriate or unprofessional content. If you do have accounts, now is a good time to revisit your privacy settings and ensure only your closest friends and family can see what you post. Also double-check that anything job-related is locked down with passwords, so people can’t find it if they come across your profile when searching for potential employees online. Just make sure not to lock yourself out of your own account!
Tweak your privacy settings. Change your accounts to private, and lock down anything job-related. That way, even if a potential employer does a social media search on you, they won’t be able to see potentially damaging information.
8) Have some patience when applying for jobs
You’ve got a degree, so it’s time to start looking for jobs. Unfortunately, even if you’re prepared with a resume and cover letter (see below), employers can be picky about who they want to hire. It’s easy to get discouraged when you apply for several positions and don’t hear back from any of them—but don’t give up! Instead, try refining your resume or searching in more locations (many job boards are now social media apps) for positions that seem like a good fit. Remember: The best way to make a great first impression is through excellent communication, so keep applying for jobs until someone gives you a chance!
If you’re turned down for a job, that doesn’t mean it’s over. Keep in mind that hiring managers don’t want just anyone; they want someone who will be a good fit for their team. If you can show that you can meet their needs and wants, there is a better chance of them giving you another interview or even making an offer.
9) Treat applying for jobs as an important activity
Treat finding a job as an important activity you need to put effort into. Like many activities, it’s easy to do things half-heartedly, but that doesn’t get you anywhere. Treat finding a job as something fun and exciting – go out and have some fun with it. You will almost certainly be rewarded with results if you invest your time in applying for jobs. Make sure you take care of each application properly – make use of templates if necessary and don’t forget any details like putting your contact details on it correctly! The worst thing that can happen is that someone actually wants to speak with you about a possible job opportunity, so it’s definitely worth putting in some effort.
Some great ways you can find jobs are through your local job board, at companies you’re already interested in and researching other companies you might want to work for. Some great places to start are with internships and part-time jobs which will give you a taste of what working there is like before committing long term.
10) Don’t give up!
Having a degree is great, but it doesn’t guarantee you success or even a job. The good news is that there are dozens of ways you can find work, and many of them don’t require formal applications or interviews. From taking advantage of your contacts to reaching out directly to hiring managers, here are ten tips on how to find jobs post-graduation. Some will help you earn money right away; others will give you a leg up when it comes time to look for full-time employment. And no matter what happens, remember: It’s never too late to start over. Good luck!
Don’t limit yourself!: It might be tempting to only apply for jobs with large companies or in fields where your skills are most applicable—but doing so could actually hurt your chances of landing a gig. For example, if you graduated with an accounting degree but want to be an entrepreneur, applying for accounting positions at big companies could limit your exposure to other industries and companies that could be more interested in what you have to offer.