So you’ve just graduated from college and are now entering the scary world of real-life adult problems. You have to now get a job, not just any old job, but one that helps you grow, gives you learning opportunities, and most importantly paves the way for your future. This first step sometimes feels like it carries a lot of weight and it deff does! This is why it’s so important to land a job and start the experience clock that will unlock your earning potential. Finding a first job after college can be tricky, especially if this is your first time being out on your own. You no longer have professors and parents monitoring your every move or guiding you on what career path to take. Now it’s up to you to figure things out, sell yourself in the interviews, and understand what jobs you’ll need to target. But that doesn’t mean it has to be hard, indeed getting a first job after college doesn’t have to be so difficult if you know where to look and how exactly to go about it. Overall the widely reporter number for how long it take to land your first job post college is 6-9 months. These are the averages however and can definitely lead to 12+ months in many cases. This causes some stress when we consider student loan repayments begin 6 months after a college grad finishes with a degree in hand.
Here are some helpful tips on how to find your first job after college:
The first step in the process of finding your first job after college is to do some research and network. You need to know what jobs are out there, what employers are hiring, and also what you want to do. Now, this may seem like a daunting task especially if you’re someone who likes to just jump into things rather than plan ahead. But it’s important to know what exactly you want to do and what skills you need for that job. This will help you narrow down your options and also make you more focused in your job search. Part of research and networking also means knowing what the current job market is like. Is there a hiring shortage in your field? Are there other fields where there are more job openings? What are the salary expectations in your field? Knowing these things will make your job search a lot easier and help you find a job faster.
A helpful tip would to begin with the your desired role. Such as I’d like to work in marketing. Next you’ll isolate an industry that you like such as do you like B2B businesses where you’ll be marketing to other businesses or if you like B2C where you’re marketing to the end consumer. Finally you can choose your company size, from startups to Fortune 500 companies there is no shortage of opportunities. This is the very reason that planning what you want is essential with millions of jobs available at any given moment.
Next up on the list of how to find your first job after college is through networking events. Networking is crucial in any job search, not just a post-grad one. For example, you could join a student network like AIESEC and attend conferences and meetups where you can meet people from the industry and get your name out there. Another way to network with people in your industry is through online communities. There are tons of online networking platforms designed especially for young people in the job market like career fair, clubs, and resume events. You can also try joining or setting up a LinkedIn group focused on your industry or field of study. Also consider reaching out to professors in your desired industry, they’ll likely have great connections to employers in your area from their previous experience. Also consider career centers where Universities pour a considerable amount of resources into getting you hired. This is actually a metric they get rated and ranked on, therefore it is in their best interest to support you as much as possible.
Job portals are your best bet when it comes to finding your first job after college. There are tons of job portals out there, but only a few of them specialize in college graduates. These job portals are designed for recent graduates and help them find jobs more easily. What’s great about them is that you don’t have to just be looking for jobs in your local area. You can search for jobs anywhere in the world. What’s even better is that most job portals also have tools to help you out with your resume, cover letter, and other important job search documents. Another great thing about online job portals is that most of them are free to use. There are some portals that charge a small fee, but usually, they’re worth the investment.
If you’re someone who likes action and doesn’t like just sitting around waiting for opportunities, then unconferences are for you. Unconferences are conferences where the program is created and developed as the event progresses. This means that you actually get to create the events and conferences that you want to attend. Not only do you get to create your own events, but you also get to meet and network with like-minded people. This is a great opportunity to meet people who can help you out in your job search, especially if you’re looking for your first job after college. There are a ton of unconferences out there that you can attend and create events for. Some of the most popular unconferences include BarCamp, FooCamp, EdCamp, Open Source Bridge, and Open Air.
If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed by the whole online job search thing, then it might be a good idea to go old school and go to a career fair. Career fairs are events where companies come together and invite potential candidates to interview with them or fill out job applications. This is a great way to find your first job after college because you don’t have to spend hours on end applying to jobs online and waiting for replies. You can just go to a career fair and meet people face to face. What’s more, it’s a great way to meet different people and network with others in your field. There are a few things to keep in mind when you’re going to a career fair. First, make sure you research the companies that you want to attend the fair for. Second, make sure your resume is up to date and that you have copies of it with you. Third, have a couple of questions prepared that you can ask the potential employers at the fair.
Finally, when looking for your first job after college, you may have to go through a company interview or two. This is nothing to be scared of or intimidated by. It’s a way for both you and the company to see if you are a good fit. A lot of people worry about what kind of questions they’re going to be asked, but the good news is that most interview questions are pretty standard. You can find a list of some common interview questions here. Remember, though, interviews are two-way streets. While you want to show the company that you are the best candidate, the company also wants to make sure that you are a good fit for the organization. This means that you should research the company before you go to the interview and come prepared with questions for the interviewers as well.
As you can see, finding a first job after college can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right approach, it can be quick, easy, and best of all, fruitful. The key to finding a great first job after college is to be prepared, know what you’re looking for, and be ready to put in the work to find it. With these tips, you can find your first job after college and start building a great career and life after school.