Job Search Tips for the Recent College Grad
Whether you graduated this semester or have been looking for job since May, incorporate these five tips into your job-search strategy so you’ll be on the right track before the New Year.
1. Perfect Your Personal Brand
Invest in a professional resume that’s designed to highlight your relevant skills and make it past the electronic gatekeepers. Clean up your online presence by increasing the security settings on any profile dedicated for personal use, and updating or building out your professional profiles to align with your resume.
2. Harness the Power of 3
Use multiple methods to uncover job leads – both published and hidden. This includes applying to online job postings, utilizing your personal and professional network, and reaching out to relevant recruiters.
3. Nurture your Network
You are 10 times more likely to land an interview when you have an employee referral with your application. Expand your network by joining and actively participating in online and face-to-face groups related to your target industry and line of work. This will also help you uncover potential job opportunities.
4. Master the Informational Interview
As your network grows, seek out professionals who work in your targeted industry or company and take them out for a cup of coffee to pick their brain. The more you learn about the industry and its hiring practices, the better prepared you will be for the job search.
5. Fill in the Gaps
If you’re unemployed and looking for work, consider seeking out volunteer or internship opportunities where you can use your degree and gain relevant experience in your desired field. This will help you build your resume, grow your network, and it may lead to more permanent work.
Still trying to figure out what you want to do? Check out our article on finding your career path and Wetfeet’s careers and industry’s overview.
Amanda Augustine is the Job Search Expert for TheLadders, the online job-matching service for career-driven professionals. She is a Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC) and Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) who provides job search and career guidance for professionals looking to make their next career move. Have a question for Amanda? Submit your question here for a chance to have it answered in her weekly column, and be sure to follow @JobSearchAmanda on Twitter and "Like” her on Facebook for up-to-the-minute job-search advice.
Want to ask me your job-search questions face-to-face? Come join me at Job Central, Presented by TheLadders, on January 10th from 9am-3pm EST. See you there!