You just got your degree, now what? In most cases, you’re either going to begin working or pursuing another degree. If you’re one of the many who are looking to work afterwards, it can be difficult to find the right job after college. 53% of graduates are either unemployed or working in a job that doesn’t require a Bachelor’s Degree. With companies struggling to fill jobs, now is a great time to bolster your resume and land that job.
Update Your Resume
Your resume is the first impression that the person who will be hiring you has, so you want to make sure it’s in tip top shape. Make sure that you have all your most recent positions listed with the correct dates and have 3-4 points about each position. Also, do not make the points a copy and paste of the job description, make them quantifiable achievements you had. For example, as the manager of XYZ Stores, do not put “I managed day to day operations of the store”. Instead use something like “Increased sales of stores by 20% by implementing….” and so on. You want to highlight what you achieved in the position to make yourself stand out. Make the reader know what you bring to the table. Use this link to write an amazing resume.
Utilize Your Network to help you get a job after college
The phrase “It’s not about what you know, but who you know” is a phrase for a reason. If you have a connection to someone in an organization, it greatly increases your chances of getting an interview and getting hired. Referrals make up 7% of applications, but 40% of hires, so getting a referral will greatly increase your odds of getting hired. Attend a career fair or networking event in your area to get in front of people who can refer you to their HR department. A personal connection is better than sending a resume online.
Use Job Board Websites
However, sometimes you need to just put your resume out there and hope for the best. Sites like Indeed are great when you’re looking for a job. Even if you don’t know anybody, you can still get an interview with a strong resume and cover letter. If you updated your resume and wrote a solid cover letter, you still have a good chance of getting an interview. Make sure you apply to all the relevant jobs that you can. It may be time consuming, but it’s worth it to get a good job. Remember to tailor your cover letter and resume to the job you’re applying for to increase your odds.
Ace the Interview to Get a Job After College
Once your resume gets you into the interview room, you still have to impress more than the other candidates. Make sure you practice some common interview questions so that you can answer many scenarios. Try to think of about 5 stories that you can bring up that follow the S.T.A.R. method; make sure they cover different skills through scenarios you’ve been in. Having some stories that can cover a variety of questions will allow you to speak in any situation and ace the interview.
Getting a job can be a long and frustrating process, but you can make it as easy as possible for yourself. The more you practice and continue to apply to programs, the better you will get. You will start to understand what the hiring managers look for and can begin to tailor to them. If you are struggling to find a job, don’t give up hope. There’s plenty of positions out there for you.
