7 answers
ella
Student
Burlington, Iowa
1
Question
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How do you get a job after college?
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7 answers
deborah kania
Marketing
48
Answers
New Bern, North Carolina
Updated
deborah’s Answer
Hello Ella! I appreciate your question because you are thinking ahead.
The biggest challenge for a college graduate is experience. To put yourself ahead of other new graduates, I suggest gaining experience while in school (summer job, internship, coop/apprenticeship, part-time job, or volunteer), as long as it doesn't put too much stress while going to school. In addition to general skills, try to gain experience related to the future first job you want. As you are starting your job search, networking with people you know is a powerful way to find the a first job.
I have included an article with some statistics and additional tips related to job search.
https://www.topresume.com/career-advice/7-top-job-search-statistics
The biggest challenge for a college graduate is experience. To put yourself ahead of other new graduates, I suggest gaining experience while in school (summer job, internship, coop/apprenticeship, part-time job, or volunteer), as long as it doesn't put too much stress while going to school. In addition to general skills, try to gain experience related to the future first job you want. As you are starting your job search, networking with people you know is a powerful way to find the a first job.
I have included an article with some statistics and additional tips related to job search.
deborah recommends the following next steps:
Kate Corvus
Sr. Technical Communications Specialist
2
Answers
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Updated
Kate’s Answer
Hi Ella,
Getting a job after college is less about a specific strategy and more about persistence and keeping a healthy mindset. So here are some things to keep in mind:
1) It can take a while to find something.
Even for people with decades of experience, it can takes months(!) to get a job offer. Be patient, be persistent, take breaks, and remember that the speed at which you find something is not a reflection on you or your skills.
2) Your first job out of college might not be your dream job.
It usually takes a few jobs (and a few years) to work your way up to a job that you *really* want to do. Instead of focusing on finding a Perfect job, think about which jobs will help you develop the skills and experience you need to get that job you really want in the future. You might want to start by looking at the requirements for a job you're really excited about, then figuring out the jobs you can do right now that will make you a great applicant later on.
3) Take it at your own pace.
Some people are comfortable applying to tons of jobs every week, while others prefer to be selective about each application. Figure out how many jobs you can apply to comfortably each week without burning out. Like they say: It's a marathon, not a sprint.
4) Try not to take rejections personally.
Very very few rejections are about you as a person. Again, it can be easy to get discouraged during the job application process, especially when you're fresh out of college and eager to get started, but this is all a very normal part of the job-seeking process. Be gentle with yourself.
As for practical tips for acing your applications and job interviews? I'll add those below.
Best of luck,
~ Kate
Read up on best practices for resume-writing and interviewing: https://www.askamanager.org/2020/07/heres-a-bunch-of-help-finding-a-new-job.html
Understand how resume scanning software works: https://www.coursera.org/articles/resume-keywords
Set up a professional profile on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/
Use Google Sheets or Coda to keep track of your applications: https://coda.io/@elumenous/job-application-tracker
Identify the right job sites for your field, then set up relevant job alerts: https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/landing-job/10-best-job-search-websites
Getting a job after college is less about a specific strategy and more about persistence and keeping a healthy mindset. So here are some things to keep in mind:
1) It can take a while to find something.
Even for people with decades of experience, it can takes months(!) to get a job offer. Be patient, be persistent, take breaks, and remember that the speed at which you find something is not a reflection on you or your skills.
2) Your first job out of college might not be your dream job.
It usually takes a few jobs (and a few years) to work your way up to a job that you *really* want to do. Instead of focusing on finding a Perfect job, think about which jobs will help you develop the skills and experience you need to get that job you really want in the future. You might want to start by looking at the requirements for a job you're really excited about, then figuring out the jobs you can do right now that will make you a great applicant later on.
3) Take it at your own pace.
Some people are comfortable applying to tons of jobs every week, while others prefer to be selective about each application. Figure out how many jobs you can apply to comfortably each week without burning out. Like they say: It's a marathon, not a sprint.
4) Try not to take rejections personally.
Very very few rejections are about you as a person. Again, it can be easy to get discouraged during the job application process, especially when you're fresh out of college and eager to get started, but this is all a very normal part of the job-seeking process. Be gentle with yourself.
As for practical tips for acing your applications and job interviews? I'll add those below.
Best of luck,
~ Kate
Kate recommends the following next steps:
Janak Kapadia
Account Executive
5
Answers
San Jose, California
Updated
Janak’s Answer
Discover a subject that ignites your passion and begin exploring companies in that area through a simple Google search.
After identifying these companies, look out for entry-level positions and ensure you meet most of the qualifications. This is your stepping stone to success!
After identifying these companies, look out for entry-level positions and ensure you meet most of the qualifications. This is your stepping stone to success!
Shiya Walker
5
Answers
Updated
Shiya’s Answer
Hello there! I strongly suggest attending career fairs and actively networking during your final year of college, specifically targeting those jobs that pique your interest. Moreover, seize the opportunity if your institution provides a spring or summer internship term. It's an excellent platform to establish connections and create a positive impression at a potential workplace.
Wishing you all the success in your exciting journey!
Wishing you all the success in your exciting journey!
Amy Delle
Customer Service
2
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Amy’s Answer
Make sure to participate in networking events and job fairs as often as you can. If you're currently in college, aim to secure an internship. It's an excellent opportunity to gain initial experience and make a positive impression in your desired field.
Andrea Francoeur
Writer Producer
1
Answer
Burbank, California
Updated
Andrea’s Answer
Hello!
When looking for your first job out of college, reach out to advisors on campus. They might have leads or information on opportunities.
Another option would be to reach out to a professor for their advice or knowledge. If you have found a professor that made a difference in your learning or felt like a potential mentor, they could provide excellent direction for you.
As others have answered, networking is important as you grow your career. And while networking is challenging for most people, you can start practicing now by reaching out to classmates and friends. The more you practice those kinds of conversations, the easier it will be to do them in the workplace.
One last piece of advice, don't let the lack of experience discourage you. Instead, focus on what you bring to the table. This could be communication skills, organization, time, and eagerness to learn. Once you map out what those items are you can project them confidently in interviews. Best of luck!
When looking for your first job out of college, reach out to advisors on campus. They might have leads or information on opportunities.
Another option would be to reach out to a professor for their advice or knowledge. If you have found a professor that made a difference in your learning or felt like a potential mentor, they could provide excellent direction for you.
As others have answered, networking is important as you grow your career. And while networking is challenging for most people, you can start practicing now by reaching out to classmates and friends. The more you practice those kinds of conversations, the easier it will be to do them in the workplace.
One last piece of advice, don't let the lack of experience discourage you. Instead, focus on what you bring to the table. This could be communication skills, organization, time, and eagerness to learn. Once you map out what those items are you can project them confidently in interviews. Best of luck!
Jennifer Norz
Director, Project Management in Customer Service relm
2
Answers
Carolina Shores, NC
Updated
Jennifer’s Answer
Hi Ella, I agree with Kates points. Be kind to yourself as you navigate the job search. Try to find organizations that offer 'mock interview's' to help build up your skill set for talking about yourself in a productive way. So many skills are transferrable. For example, if you work(ed) in the food industry, you have experience with sales, presentation skills, patience, collaboration, etc.
Networking is key, be it on LinkedIn, through your schools guidance counseling area, or through people you've worked with in the past. To note, most women (more than 60%) don't apply for a job unless they meet 100% of the skills. Please, be conscious of not following that rule! Push yourself to apply for jobs even if you think you'll never get it! Some companies are willing to train and find the 'soft skills' (ie: integrity, grit) are the more important to have as specific role skills can be taught (in most cases). Take some chances, you never know! Best of luck.
Networking is key, be it on LinkedIn, through your schools guidance counseling area, or through people you've worked with in the past. To note, most women (more than 60%) don't apply for a job unless they meet 100% of the skills. Please, be conscious of not following that rule! Push yourself to apply for jobs even if you think you'll never get it! Some companies are willing to train and find the 'soft skills' (ie: integrity, grit) are the more important to have as specific role skills can be taught (in most cases). Take some chances, you never know! Best of luck.