Finding a job post graduation is difficult. Don’t think that just because you have your Bachelors degree or master’s degree that you are special, and will have hundreds of headhunters begging you to take a job. You most likely wont. Here are some facts for you:
20% of graduates that have a job offer before graduation
5.6% unemployment rate for graduates between ages 21-24
43% of college graduates work in jobs that don’t require a college degree
Ok so what’s the point? I have student loans that I have to pay off and Sallie Mae will come knocking at my door six months post graduation.
The point is your degree is only the first step of your journey. What you do with your degree is what opens doors for you, not the physical paper.
For the rest of us that are not fortunate enough to have a solid job offer right when we graduate don’t get defeated. The next 3-6 months of job hunting are going to be difficult but you can get through it. Before I list out some of the things you need to do to land that job quicker here’s some general job-hunting advice.
Use every opportunity as a learning opportunity. Keep every business card that you get because you don’t know if you’ll need them in your future career. Stay focused on your goal and don’t get defeated.
Enough of the pep-talk, lets get to down to some specific tips you can use to help and speed up and enhance your job search.
Identify Your Goal
This is the first and most important you should do in your job search. If you don’t have a goal what are you working towards you will not have long-term success. You need to determine what your end goal so that you can take the path that will get you closer to that goal. For instance it’s a waste of time to work an accounting job for 2 years if your end goal is to be a Marketing Director. When you eventually start looking for a job in marketing that experience will not be relevant. (At the same time some experience is better than none).
Once you know your end goal make sure you are applying to jobs that will help you get to that goal. My end goal is to be a Chief Marketing Office (CMO). Something I often do is look at a job description of CMOs or Directors to make sure I’m getting the skills needed to become this.
Tailor Your Resume To Specific Jobs
Too often after we’ve received several rejections we begin to have self-doubt, which leads us to start applying for any and every job. That’s the wrong tactic. Recruiters and managers can tell the difference between a shotgun application and an application from an applicant that is truly interested in the specific job opening.
Your resume is one of the most important things to getting a job. This is the first piece of ‘you’ that the recruiter or hiring manager will see. Most hiring mangers and recruiters spend less than 15 seconds reviewing each resume. Usually what they are skimming the resume for is specific and technical skills that are relevant to the position they are hiring for.
For this reason, it is vital that your resume is tailored to the specific jobs they are applying for. Your resume should answer all of the needs of the job description. If the job is looking for a specific skill you better list it on your resume. Vague resumes are the first to get tossed to the side.
First Impressions Matter
People underestimate the magnitude of a first impression. The reality is no matter how un-bias we all try to be we are humans so there will always be some bias. I have had some interviews and the person came in with crazy piercings or a crazy hair colors, and unprofessionally dressed. Sadly, that was all I could focus on rather than what the individuals had to say.
Most interviewers know within the first 5 minutes whether you are going to get the job or not. So if we are being honest you can’t say that judgment call is coming only from your qualifications but the reality is it is also from your appearance. Go into the interview dressed to impress. Any thing you think someone could judge you by avoid it.
Google Yourself
We live in a world where your first impression does not always happen when you walk in the door for the interview. But the Internet has made it simple to search your name and see whatever photos are online of you or associations you are a part of. It is really important to Google yourself.
If a manager or recruiter is impressed enough with your resume to consider giving you an interview opportunity chances are they’ll Google you. This is to see if there are any red flags. Google has made it easy to find out about any one. Make sure when your future employer Googles you they like what they see. Update your LinkedIn photos and get rid of any crap that’s online.
Get Certifications
Most, if not every job has technical certifications that you can obtain to give you a leg-up in the application process. Google! It’s not hard to find these either online or in a classroom setting. Once you find a certification related to your field, go for it. As you are applying for jobs, work on getting certified. This is your opportunity for personal development, because you should never stop investing in yourself.
Use Staffing Agencies
I am a huge supporter of staffing agencies. Why not have someone else helping you search for a job while you are searching too. Find a staffing agency specific to your field and use them to help you get a job. Staffing agencies only benefit when they find you a job. This does not mean sit back and let them do all the work. It means use them as a partner in your job search. You’d be surprised how often people, even executives, use staffing agencies.
Entry-Level Jobs Ok
Don’t be afraid of entry-level jobs. They are your opportunity to be a ‘sponge’ and learn as much as you can. I’m a huge advocate of working your way up and can say that I chose to do that in my career. After graduating with my MBA I decided to take an entry-level job because I personally wanted to learn everything about the industry. I wanted to do this, so when I became a manager I understood every aspect of the business.
What you learn in school is much different than the actual practice of the occupation. Entry-level jobs give you the chance to learn as much as you can without the pressure of people expecting you to know everything.
Don’t Give Up
The job-search journey is difficult and no one is denying that. But I truly believe you can make it. Don’t give let doubt, or defeat, get the best of you. Stay faithful and keep striving towards your goal. In due time you will land that perfect job.
Author,
JoeSandra Odunze
Founder, The Corporate Minority
@CorporateMinority // #CorporateMinority
