The job market is difficult right now. The unemployment rate is at a historic low, and more people are being hired than ever before. However, that doesn’t mean that it’s easy to get your foot in the door as a new grad. If you’re looking for work, here are five tips to help give you an edge:
Network, network, and then network some more
When it comes to landing a job, networking is your number one resource. You might know this already, but if you don’t, now is the time to start making connections.
Make sure that you use every networking event as an opportunity to meet new people and make connections with those who are in positions of power. One way that you can do this is by bringing business cards with you to the events so that when someone approaches you, they can have your contact information handy should they need it later on. If there’s ever an opportunity for a small talk with someone at one of these events (such as while waiting in line at the coffee station), be sure to take advantage of it! Most likely they’ll mention something about their job or ask what yours is like—this gives them something easy for both parties involved; for example: “Well, my title is Assistant Director at ABC Company.” And then hopefully it opens up into some kind of deeper conversation or interest from either party involved; perhaps even how each person got into their respective field/industry.”
The goal here isn’t necessarily asking someone outright if they know anyone who needs assistance finding qualified talent because that might come across as too aggressive or desperate; instead just focus on building relationships through mutual interests (e.g., hobbies). For example: “Hey my name is John Doe from XYZ Company and I was wondering if there were any openings here?” The answer most likely will be no but what matters most is developing rapport first rather than trying too hard right away because trust me — those who do care about helping others succeed will remember these conversations later down the road when looking back into future candidates’ backgrounds!
Be prepared to apply for more than one job
In a recent survey, it was reported that for graduates looking for jobs during tough economic times, applying to as many companies as possible is what helped them land a job right after school. They didn’t limit themselves to one or two applications. If you’re interested in working for a company but aren’t sure if they’re hiring or not, apply anyway! The worst thing that can happen is that someone will say no. You’ll at least have some experience under your belt and will be ready when the next opportunity arises.
Seek support from your school
If you’re lucky enough to attend a school that offers career center services, seek out their help. This can be done in person or online.
- When it comes to resumes and cover letters, the advice will often be similar: make sure they’re targeted towards the position and company you’re applying for.
- For interview prep, many schools will have mock interviews available through their career center—these are great opportunities for practice!
The best part about this suggestion is that it’s free. If your school doesn’t offer free resources like this, consider asking a friend who has encountered them to coach you on what worked well for them (and which parts seemed unnecessary).
Start early
Start early. If you’re planning to attend college, begin applying for jobs as soon as you know that you will be graduating. This allows employers time to review applications and decide who they want to interview if they have openings available after graduation. It also gives them an opportunity to check references and conduct background checks on job candidates before making final hiring decisions.
Pro tip: experts recommend looking for jobs 1-3 months before graduation.
Try to find a connection at the company
Another way to approach your job search is by initiating a connection with people who work at the company you want to work for. You can do that by reaching out on LinkedIn, or even just finding their contact information from an open source like TheLadders.com. Once you have a connection, be interested in learning more about what they do and ask for advice on how to get hired. Or better yet, send them an email asking if there are any open positions at their company that may be a good fit for you.
Landing your first job is harder than ever, but it’s not impossible. The key is to be prepared and to go into the interview with confidence in your abilities, so that you can present yourself as someone who will make a valuable addition to the company. Remember that companies are hiring new grads, even during tough economic times—and if they like what they see in you, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t offer you an opportunity.
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