How to Look for Work Fresh From College
When competing with thousands of other recent college graduates in the job market, being properly prepared can be the difference between success and failure. Job hunting requires more than just randomly filling out applications and waiting by the phone. Instead of searching for a job like you're looking for a needle in a haystack, make a strategic sweep of the local job market. When opportunities do pop up, have a plan of attack so you're ready to strike.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Visit your college career center. Seek advice from counselors and check for possible job leads.
-
2
Research the job market in the fields that interest you. Check the US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics to see what type of qualifications are desirable in entry-level candidates.
-
3
Update your resume. Highlight the strengths you possess that are relevant in your chosen career path. If you don't have a strong work history, highlight experience gained from volunteering, internships, extracurricular activities or special studies. Perfect the spelling, grammar and format.
-
4
Make copies of your resume on quality paper and keep a folder with you at all times. Use technology to your advantage by posting your resume on job search boards. Make a free professional website and upload your resume on it as well so you can post links to it where relevant.
-
5
Get professional looking attire so you're ready when that first interview hits. Keep it clean, pressed and ready to go, right down to a pair of polished shoes.
-
6
Rehearse interviews. Don't wait to be surprised by questions you don't know how to answer. Research common interview questions and think through your answers. Practice saying them with a friend or in the mirror.
-
7
Search listings regularly for new postings. Don't just rely on print newspapers; many local newspapers update job listings daily online, which will give you an edge over those who wait for the Sunday paper to come out. Check employment agencies, both online and in person, and hit every career fair.
-
8
Research companies to which you are applying. Know what they're about and why you want to work for them. Be prepared to explain what skills and qualities you are bringing that the employer may consider valuable.
-
9
Tell everyone you are job hunting. Networking sometimes presents unexpected opportunities. Keep in touch with contacts you met at interviews and career fairs as well. Send a thank you card after an interview to keep your name in mind. Even if you were not right for one position, they might remember you for the next one.
-
10
Look for internships or volunteering opportunities. This can help you get your foot in the door, learn valuable skills, make contacts and show them you're willing to work hard. When an opening comes up, you will have connections and experience in the business that applicants off the street lack, giving you an edge.
-
1
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Goodshoot/Goodshoot/Getty Images
