For many people, the period right after graduating college is the toughest for them to find a job. Lack of (the right type of) experience is usually the hardest obstacle to overcome. The following five tips will help increase the odds of snagging that entry-level position you have your eyes on.
Ask Professors to be References
One thing to keep in mind is that your most recent occupation was as a student. Work references exist to be able to put in a good word about your work ethic. It would certainly help your cause to be able to list two or three of your favorite professors that are able to vouch for you during the application process.
Continuing Old Jobs
Oddly enough, one of the most important things to potential employers is if you are currently employed. Many students are employed full or part-time whiling attending college, or perhaps just have summer jobs. It would a good idea to keep working or try to be rehired (assuming that no bridges were burned) as you stay on the job hunt for a position that you find more career-oriented. It is easier if the interim job gives you days off on weekdays or shifts that are not always during the normal office hours of potential interviewers.
Be Open to Relocating
You did not need to take statistics in college to realize that when you open the number of possible areas you are willing to work; you multiply your odds of getting hired. Noe Bernal the recruiter for Hajoca Careers tells us “we’re often trying to fill entry level positions in more than 20 states and over 50 locations. Someone who comes to us willing to move for the first few years of their career is someone who gets moved to the top of the applicant pile”. Sometimes relocation is not possible, which means you need to consider what your commute would be like. Increasing a commute is never desirable, but an extra hour of dread in the car is nothing compared to 8 hours of misery.
Do Not Neglect Cover Letters
Since your résumé will not be able to boast your skills based off of your occupational record you may need to do the explaining in your cover letter. Proper job postings usually describe the various attributes that the perfect candidate would hold. The cover letter is the perfect time to tell of situations that you succeeded in, during college or elsewhere, where you displayed some of the characteristics they are looking for.
Look at Jobs Not Related to Your Degree
Choosing a position not directly related to your major may seem counterintuitive, but if you have chosen a field that is not in demand, it helps to find a job that will allow you build skills. Many HR representatives just want to see that you can thrive in a professional environment. And often the aspiring English writer or sociologist can find a home in the business world thanks to the skills they learned from their major.
