Are you a recent college graduate feeling overwhelmed by the job search process? You're not alone. Every year, millions of college graduates enter the workforce and are faced with the daunting task of finding a job that aligns with their skills and interests. Fortunately, Reddit provides a wealth of advice from those who have already gone through the job search process. In this article, we'll explore how to get a job after college according to Reddit users. From résumé tips to networking advice, Reddit has a wealth of advice for college graduates looking to start their career. Additionally, we'll provide helpful links to other Reddit threads to help make your job search as stress-free as possible. So, if you're looking for advice on how to make the most of your job search, look no further than Reddit.
Build a strong résumé: When looking for a job after college, your résumé is your first impression on hiring managers. A strong résumé will demonstrate not only your work experience, but also your communication and critical thinking skills. Start by outlining your skills and strengths, and then look for jobs that align with those qualities.
Use online job boards: Logging into Monster.com and typing “entry-level marketing jobs” isn’t the most efficient way to find a job after college. Instead, use online job boards like Indeed and ZoomInfo to search for jobs in your area of expertise. You can also use these sites to identify companies that interest you and then use those as a resource when building your résumé.
Get connected: Don’t send out a ton of résumés without first making connections at the companies you’re interested in working for. Talk to friends and family who might know people at companies you’d like to work for, or attend networking events to meet new people.
Save money: College graduates often struggle to pay off student loans, pay the rent, and save money for the future. While you can’t control your student loan payments, there are a few things you can do to save money during your job search. For example, meal-planning, using public transportation, and staying away from impulse shopping can help you save money during your job search.
Use LinkedIn: LinkedIn is a social network designed for connecting with professionals. Use LinkedIn to find and connect with hiring managers, mentors, and fellow professionals in your field. Doing so will help you build a network of connections that can help you land your dream job after college.
Don’t be sleazy: Your first instinct when networking might be to offer to do something in exchange for a connection at a company. Don’t be sleazy; networking isn’t transactional, it’s relational. Instead, focus on offering value to others, and you’ll be surprised how often that pays off.
Keep your network fresh: A network is like a garden: It needs to be watered once in a while. Keep in touch with your network members on a regular basis. Send a brief but thoughtful email every few months to members of your network.
Create an elevator pitch: An elevator pitch is a short and concise introduction about yourself that you can share with networking contacts. An elevator pitch should be easy to remember and communicate who you are, what you do, and why people would want to keep in touch with you.
Prepare for the interview: The interview is the most crucial part of your job search after college. You can’t walk into an interview without preparing for it. Practice answering typical interview questions, research the company you’re interviewing with, and prepare a few questions for the interviewer.
Bring a portfolio: If you’re interviewing for a creative position or a job in the design field, bring a portfolio of your best work to the interview. This will help hiring managers understand the type of work you do and how you excel at your craft.
Be honest: If you’re interviewing for a position and you have a disability that might affect the job, be honest. Don’t worry about scaring the hiring manager off; they’re looking for the best candidate for the job. If you have a disability and you’re worried it might hold you back, share that with the hiring manager and offer suggestions on how you might continue to excel in the position.
Be yourself: When interviewing, don’t act like someone you’re not. Be yourself and let hiring managers get to know the real you.
Reddit Jobs: The Reddit Jobs sub-Reddit is a community of more than 8 million people who discuss jobs, companies, and interview tips. This sub-Reddit is a great resource for recent college graduates looking for job search advice.
Indeed: Indeed is a job search engine that sorts jobs by industry and location. Use Indeed to search for jobs in your area of expertise and save them to a job board. This will help you track your job search and identify companies you might want to apply to.
ZoomInfo: ZoomInfo is a search engine for businesses. Use ZoomInfo to identify companies you’d like to work for and see what types of jobs they’re hiring for. This will help you tailor your résumé and networking strategy based on companies you’d like to work for.
Network: Networking is the most effective way to find a job after college, according to a study by the Pew Research Center. While you should always be focused on strategies that will get you a job, a job you really want, you should first focus on building a network.
Stay positive: A job search can feel like a roller coaster, and sometimes it’s easy to get discouraged. Stay positive throughout the job search and you’ll be amazed at what happens.
Be authentic: Don’t try to be someone you’re not. Be authentic and let your personality show in your résumé and interview.
Be patient: There are millions of college graduates looking for jobs each year. It might take some time to find the right job for you.
Get involved: Get involved in your community and volunteer. Not only will this help you expand your network, but it’ll also show potential employers that you’re dedicated to making a difference in the world around you.
What is a recruiter? A recruiter is someone who works for a company, but also looks for talent outside of their company. Some companies outsource their recruiting efforts to independent recruiters who specialize in finding talent for certain industries. - How do I get in touch with a recruiter? You can find a recruiter by searching for “recruitment agencies” in your area. Once you’ve identified agencies, you can send them a résumé, or a link to your LinkedIn Profile. A recruiter can then review your information and decide if you’d be a good fit for one of their clients. - How do I prepare for a recruiter phone call? A recruiter might reach out to you via phone call. Be prepared for the call and be sure to have a copy of your résumé and LinkedIn Profile with you. - How do I handle questions during a phone call? A recruiter may ask you a variety of questions, such as: What do you know about our company? What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? What are your goals?