Finding Your First Job After College

Back when I was in college, I wish someone had taken me aside and advised me to look into my future career options. I was so focused on exams and deadlines, I forgot that the entire point of college is to get you prepared for the working world. I certainly did my share of networking in college, understanding that it would boost my job prospects to have contacts in the industries I cared about. But I could’ve done more.

The current generation of college graduates will be facing great challenges. Today’s job market is extremely competitive indeed. For many entry-level positions, companies will receive tons of applications from job seekers, far more than there will be openings available. It can be daunting just to think about it.

A fresh college graduate is probably not familiar with the best strategies for finding gainful employment. She may send out resumes to the various companies that she is thinking about working for. Or she may be relying on her university’s job placement service to find a suitable position for her in the right industry. But if you want to improve your prospects of getting a great job, you will want to do something more.

 

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask

There are many people that you can get advice from when it comes to your career. You can start with people who are close to you like your family and friends, or you can find a career mentor. Don’t be afraid to ask. We have many articles that can help you adjust to your life after college, and you can also ask our career mentors if you have any specific questions that need answers. You can also look using your school’s career services office, and soak in all the practical advice that you can get – from creating an effective resume to learning more about the requirements and responsibilities of the job.  At the end of the day, a well thought out and informed decision can get you very far in clearing your career path to get a clear vision of the future that’s ahead of you.

 

Hone Your Skills

While it’s true that all kinds of experience count for something when applying for a job, it would do you better  to earn experience related to your the careers that interest you. One of the underutilized ways to hone your skills is to join industry-specific professional groups, be it on LinkedIn or better yet, in person. There are marketing organizations, accounting groups, and business networks that were created to facilitate both alumni and students of universities. This is a great place to find internships and relationships in your industry of choice.

 

Utilize the Power of the Internet

Fortunately, the web is host to a wealth of tools and resources for the enterprising job seeker. You can research companies, learn about industry trends, and even take online courses that will equip you with in-demand skills. You can also get a lot of utility from job hunting websites. There are a few different ones out there—I’ve been happily using the StartJobs website.

I admire the simplicity of the StartJobs search engine site. You only enter a job title and a US location, and click continue. The algorithmic search results will then list available entry-level and hourly positions in a range of industries. The search list can be further sorted by radius from your location, giving you more flexibility. This makes StartJobs a very helpful tool, as you can easily explore beyond your industry and your immediate area, to discover job prospects in nearly unlimited fashion.

 

The idea of finding your first job can be nerve-wracking. Create an advantage for yourself in the job market by taking the first steps by being brave and making smart decisions even before you get out of university. Good luck!