College is a significant investment for many. And as a student who has put in all the work earning a degree, the next big step is getting your first job after college. With the stiffer competition nowadays, it’s understandable that you find this thought exciting and equally daunting. But students looking for work should realize that while it is hard to land an ideal job right after graduating, they’re still in a better position than those without degrees. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment rate for high school graduates was 5.3%, which is higher than the 3.8% unemployment rate for degree- or associate degree-holders.
Why You May Find It Hard to Land A Job
Landing a first job after college is challenging even in the best of circumstances, but there are also key mistakes that most students make which could affect their chances of getting hired. These include:
Not Expanding Your Options
Even if you’re earnestly after a job in your field, oftentimes, your college major does not totally provide a straightforward path to a job opportunity. If you’re an education major, you don’t have to limit your options with teaching alone. You can enter marketing or human development work. In short, you may need to explore other types of job in other fields when you’re starting out.
Being lax in preparation
Many students think it’s okay to postpone writing their resumes, cover letters, and other application documents. Others even lazily stick to a template resume that’s not totally aligned with what they are applying for. Aside from that, many also take for granted the importance of practicing good interview skills and making the right impression during job application.
Not being proactive enough
Your resume is your personal marketing tool that showcases your skills, achievements and experience. Hence, you have to include all relevant internships, volunteer work, and other experience valued by employers. Being active while still in college can make the difference between landing a sought after job from being overlooked by employers.
Not looking earlier
Applying for jobs take time, and on average, you need at least six months waiting period before you would hear from organizations you applied for. Whatever industry you want to be in, don’t wait until being a minted graduate before you start your job hunt. Get on it even before graduation.
Top Techniques in Getting Your First Job After College
Since you’re still in the beginning of your career journey, don’t fret if you’re struggling to find work after school. You have a lot of time to get back on track. Consider these tips to boost your chances of getting hired:
1. Engage in Networking
Not all jobs are advertised online or on classifieds. And according to research, nearly 2 in 3 millennial employees note that their employers do not know how to use social media to promote job openings. That’s unfortunate, because 89% of young job seekers use social media to find a job!
So how can you increase your chances? By networking. It’s not enough that you search online for work that suits your skills and values. You have to go out there and seek where these jobs are.
Talk to your family members, friends, colleagues, and professors and inquire about leads. You can also join organizations related to your field. That way, you’re able to learn about openings that may not be advertised publicly.
The best approach? Talk with them about their field. Ask about the kind of tasks that they do, and what type of skills required each day in their line of work. When you try to seek advice instead of outright asking for people to hire you, you’ll seem less aggressive about it.
2. Make Your Resume Stand Out
Once you’ve researched what types of jobs you want to apply for, craft separate resumes and cover letters for each one. Don’t feel like that’s necessary? Consider this finding: on average, every corporate position attracts 250 resumes. Only 4 to 6 are shortlisted, and only one will land that job! Taking the template approach will just get your resume buried in a pile of others like it. Even if it’s an entry-level job, for sure there are several if not hundreds of others vying for the position. You have to anchor your application documents so that your skills and experiences tailor fit a job’s requirements.
3. Do Internships
College is a time of experiencing a lot of things, but it’s important that you keep focused on what activities can give you a leg-up by the time you’ve finished studies. Do as many internships as possible during your college years. This builds your resume and widens your skills.
And in case you find that you’re still unqualified for a certain position you really want to get, explore the possibility of doing an internship. The organization might be more encouraged to hire you if you’re able to excel as an intern. If the pay is an issue, you can pair an internship with a basic paying job.
4. Expand Your Job Search
Your first job matters, because it’s your jumping off point in what profession or career you want to pursue.
But as what we’ve said, sometimes you need to go beyond your college major. You may have to consider other work where you can still use skills and knowledge gained in your major. It’s important to keep an open mind when looking for a job.
Making the decision – either to take a job outside your major or even move to another city or state for an opportunity – can be hard, it will give you experiences that will ultimately shape how you view your career.
And don’t limit your job search online or on a classifieds page. Seek out niche groups or boards that are associated with your degree. Research about trusted companies within your chosen career. And combine your online efforts with personal networking interactions.
5. Be Persistent
With more and more people looking for jobs, it’s not unusual for college graduates to give out dozens of resumes and cover letters and not get a single callback or interview. And even if you’re interviewed there’s no guarantee that you got the job. Yes, it’s tough, but you can let these hitches hamper your job search. A persistent attitude is your key to finding the right work for you. If your previous send outs didn’t bring results, send out another batch! In case you are eyeing a certain organization, follow up to make sure they have received your application. This type of attitude can make potential employers see your grit and willingness to put yourself out there to get the results you aim for. There’s no harm in being proactive, and you can be rewarded with a job in the end.
Getting your first job after college might seem as hard as completing your degree itself, but the satisfaction of landing a position you aspire for will outweigh any challenges you might encounter in hunting for that job. The key is to stay persistent and proactive in your efforts, while at the same time keeping an open mind about your options.