It’s back-to-school season as we enter the final days of summer. But for those who graduated in the spring or summer, your life is entering a new stage. For new grads, you’re entering a challenging job market and might not have the experience to navigate these uneasy waters.
It’s hard out there for all job seekers, but it can be particularly difficult if this is your first serious job search. To help you get started on the path to your new career, we’ll look at some good habits to get into and some ways to stand out in your search.
Know what you want
As a new grad, it can be easy to think that you need to take what you can get for your first job and that you should throw out as many applications as possible to maximize your chances of getting hired. But throwing applications into the void shouldn’t be your main strategy. You need to know what you want and create a plan to get it.
Try to align your skills and passions and find roles and organizations that align. Learn how to research target companies and find places you think will set your career on the right path. Consider roles seemingly outside of your initial thoughts; you might find some exciting options. Once that’s done, Forbes’ Robin Ryan says to do a targeted search, applying directly from company websites rather than relying solely on job boards.
“Your first job out of school likely won’t make or break your career, but it can still be a step in the right direction. On average, it takes three to six months to find a job — plenty of time to pause and reflect on what you might want.” –Rachel DuRose, HBR
Learn to showcase soft skills
When you’re first starting your search, you probably won’t have a ton of relevant experience unless you were particularly lucky in finding relevant internships. Entry-level job postings are notorious for asking for far too much for someone new to an industry or the workforce in general. Remember that job descriptions are a wishlist and few applicants will meet every requirement.
Instead, what you want to do is highlight how to soft skills you possess will allow you to bring value to that organization and get the job done. Skills like adaptability, flexibility, and autonomy are just a few hot skills job seekers are looking for. Career strategist Melissa Duran says this is where tailoring your resume comes in. Avoid using buzzwords or generic language and instead, find ways to highlight your skills and show you you used them to solve problems in the roles you’ve had.
Look at continuing education
Just because you graduated doesn’t mean your education has to stop. If you want a long, successful career, you’ll constantly need to learn new skills. People skills are always important, technology is always evolving, and new ways to approach industry issues will manifest. In order to stay on top, you may need to find ways to upskill outside of your current organization.
iHire writes that employers’ preferred qualifications change over time and that college won’t teach you everything you need to know to succeed in the workplace. This doesn’t mean you need to immediately go back to school and get a Master’s degree and put yourself in deeper debt. There are plenty of online certification courses that are free or inexpensive. Even if it’s not a skill you need right now, these courses can help you get ahead of other applicants. It’s always good to keep learning, and these types of courses will keep your brain in good shape!
Don’t stop networking
One of the biggest benefits of college is having access to so many potential networking opportunities. Between student organizations, career fairs, and alumni groups, the university experience can introduce you to many people who can assist with your career. Recent grads also had to navigate this process during the pandemic, which taught students how to do this remotely as well. Don’t stop just because you got your degree—keep networking!
If your current network can’t help you land a job right now, they might be able to put you in touch with someone who can, or you can reach out on your own. HBR’s Rachel DuBose says to reach out to employees of companies you’re interested in and ask for an informational interview. These informal conversations can give you a deeper understanding of that company or industry and give you pointers you may not have considered. Just remember to not be pushy!
“It’s not just what you know, it’s who you know. Leverage platforms like LinkedIn to connect with professionals in your target field. Participate in industry events, attend workshops, and join online communities.” —Careerflow
Take control of your story
College is a transitional period of life where young people learn more about themselves and their goals. You might change majors multiple times, experience an eye-opening lecture or internship, or meet a mentor who inspires you to take a new path. As a result, your resume and skills may be a bit all over the place when you graduate. You may have resume gaps. That may seem daunting if you’re competing against others with a more straightforward path, but it’s not a deal-breaker. You’re in control of your own story, and these extra experiences allow you to bring a lot to the table.
When applying for jobs, how you tailor your resume, cover letters, and LinkedIn allows you to tell your story. You can talk about how varied experiences allow you to solve problems for an employer, and you can discuss how your skills will transfer. Keep in mind your biggest victories and the lessons you learned. Not only will you learn how to adapt your skills, but focusing on your success will help you build confidence.
Wrap up
As a recent graduate, you’re entering a tough job market and you’ll have plenty of competition. But it isn’t all doom and gloom. If you take a measured approach to your job search, do the little things right, and keep growing your network and as a professional, you’ll be well-positioned to set yourself apart from your peers and land that coveted first role.
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