How to Get a Job with a Bachelor's Degree in Communications

You've got the degree, so now what? It would be nice if there were a fail-proof way of getting a job with your bachelor's degree, but there isn't. That's the bad news. The good news is that there are steps you can take to give yourself a better-than-average shot.

Instructions

1. Produce a great portfolio. Many schools gear your last year's work in bachelor's degree courses toward the completion of a portfolio, but not all. You need an effective cover letter, resume and examples of your work. Describe everything you've done and everything you're doing. Keep it up-to-date and always have it with you during the job hunt.

2. Get volunteer experience. Ideally students should get volunteer experience while they're still in school, but there's nothing stopping you after you graduate. Volunteer for as many projects as you can handle during your job search. This boosts your portfolio and makes your application look better.

3. Join up with professional organizations. Being involved in an industry organization lets you network with other professionals and observe your competition in action. This can often open new job doors.

4. Practice your interview skills. The interview process is designed to make you nervous, but you can avoid sweating palms by practicing with friends and family. Focus on the way you present yourself. Make good eye contact, breathe deeply, and speak clearly. Standard questions include "Why did you choose this career?" and "How do you evaluate success?"

5. Prepare for your interviews individually. Research the company you're interviewing with. This gets you ready for possible questions they might ask, and you'll look more professional when you can ask questions yourself. Put some thought into your appearance, bring your growing portfolio and be yourself.

6. Don't stop with the interview. A couple of days after your interview, call to thank the employer for their time. Instead of a phone call, you could send off an email or a letter that reemphasizes your interest in the position.

7. With your bachelor's degree in hand, you can generate more job offers if you did well in your interviews. First, ask the company offering a position for time to consider the offer. Then, let other employers you've interviewed with know that you've received an offer and have a certain amount of days before you must give a decision.

Tips & Warnings

• A bachelor's degree in communications will qualify you for jobs in journalism, marketing, advertising, and many other fields.

• Practice your pitch at home. When you're at an organization gathering or networking over lunch, you want to feel comfortable and know you have something to say. The pitch is an outline of things you can say to sound like a professional with a goal in mind.

• Being a professional in communications means that you do one thing really great: communicate. Be social, attend trade shows and join clubs that let you meet potential employers and business contacts.

• Having a bachelor's degree in communications doesn't mean you're done learning. Expand your creativity by doing as much challenging work as you can get your hands on. Even volunteer projects keep your inspirational fountain flowing.