8 Tips For College Graduates Trying to Land a Job

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As a recent college graduate from the University of Delaware, I am frequently asked about my experiences finding a job in today’s job market. Many adults I speak with express sympathy for my generation and wonder what kind of opportunities lay ahead for the many recent college graduates who are struggling to find entry-level employment. Some turn to part-time jobs, such as waiting tables. Others look to entrepreneurship. The larger population considers job-hunting as their full-time jobs.

I cannot speak on behalf of what lies ahead or compare the job market of today with that of a decade ago. What I can provide is a first-hand perspective as a recent graduate actively seeking professional employment – one that interests me – and offer advice for those whom share my circumstances.

Here are 8 Tips For College Graduates Trying to Land a Job:

 

1)     Know What You Want and Don’t Want

Before you can make any attempts at moving forward, you must first define what you want. A lot of friends I speak with who are looking for jobs simply apply to everything and anything – even positions they may not be qualified for or would never be fulfilled doing.

Think about the location, industry, job responsibilities, and time commitment for your ideal job. Naturally, even in a perfect world landing your ideal job is unlikely at first. You will have to make sacrifices in today’s job market between what you want and what you get. Knowing what you want and where you want to be allows you to create a plan.

2)       Create Structure

As an unemployed college grad,I have a lot of free time. My advice is to not waste that time. Create structure around your days, manage your time effectively, and get on a concrete schedule. For example:

Morning:

• Wake up at 9:00 am, respond to emails, and follow up on previous applications
• Research companies in the industries you are interested in
• Create Excel spreadsheet of job openings you are qualified to apply for

Afternoon:

• Choose top 2-3 positions you are interested in applying for
• Write customized cover letter for each position
• Apply to top 2-3 job opportunities
• Record a follow up date for your application submission

Evening:

• Work on your own stuff
• Relax
• Bed by 12:30 am

3)    Put in the legwork

I know a couple of friends who were offered really great jobs. Situations like that are great, but they are also rare. If you are determined to get a great job, you need to be willing to put in the necessary legwork – meaning stick to the schedule you create and be open minded about what you apply to. Do your research, create a customized cover letter for every application, and tweak your resume to fit the needs of the position you are applying for. This is not the time to be lazy.

4)    Give Your Resume a Makeover

Recent grads should take advantage of their free time to freshen up their resume. Have friends read it over and make suggestions for improvements. Reach out to your Career Services center at your college and see what resources they have available to you.  Up to a few months ago, my resume was in the exact same format I created it three years ago. I gave it a nice makeover and feel much more confident when I hit the “submit” button on applications.

5)    Be Persistent and Follow Up Often

It takes a lot of work to apply to even just one position. You have to write the cover letter, research the position, research the company and industry, and customize your resume. Do not allow your hard work to go to waste. Make sure you follow up at least 3 – 5 days after submitting your application. If you do not get a response the first time, try again two days after your first follow up. If no response the second time, keep trying until you do get a response. Do not view it as spamming. Often times, a lot of people apply to one single position and your emails and voicemails can easily get lost in the clutter.

6)    Continue Gaining Experience On The Side

Just because you graduated does not mean you should stop learning. If anything, you should be learning more on your own now than you ever attempted to learn on your own in college. Why? Because you need to set yourself apart from other applicants as well as compete with those who already have jobs. Do not let yourself fall behind in experience or knowledge.

7) Just Ask…

A friend of mine who is a current senior at the University of Delaware had a brilliant idea: he called the company he wanted to intern for and asked if there were any open positions. He simply called the HR Director, inquired about available opportunities, and got hired a week later. It does not hurt putting yourself out there and asking. In fact, the HR Director admitted that she was impressed he had the drive to reach out to her personally. Try it out!

8)     Utilize Your Networks

I saved being cliché for the end. Really try to utilize your networks and explore opportunities at companies your friends work at. For starters, HR Managers turn to recently hired employees for leads to fill open positions. The ability to use a friends name as a reference is also a plus when reaching out to an employer directly. In the end, your biggest resource may be your personal network.

About the Author

Matthew Racz is the founder of Start It Up TV – an entrepreneurial Web Show featuring video interviews with college entrepreneurs. The goal of SIUTV is to inspire, educate and connect current and aspiring college entrepreneurs. Matthew is a strong advocator and supporter of college entrepreneurship.

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