Tips For Job Hunting After College
You did it! You’ve graduated college. You are ready to take on the world. The only problem is that you don’t have a job yet, just a diploma! Trying to find a job after graduation can be stressful, especially if you don’t know where to start. The good news is that there is an array of resources out there to help you figure it out. If you still feel lost, here is your guide for the best tips for job hunting after college!
1. Join your school’s alumni organization!
Most schools have an alumni organization designed to provide new grads with the tools to make the transition from the university life to the real world. Besides having perks like discounts for certain university services, an alumni group gives you the opportunity to network with experienced former students, some of which might work for the companies you want to work for in the future. Some organizations host meet and greets, job fairs, and have access to job boards which will help you find the job of your dreams! This is one of the best tips for job hunting!
2. Visit the university Career Center.
The Career Center’s entire purpose is to help you jumpstart your career. The center organizes events with recruiters, sets up workshops, offers free resume critiques, and gives opportunities for networking. Take advantage of these services while you can. Most universities give free access to these services to new alumni for a year. This is a great opportunity for you to create a resume and learn from professionals what it takes to get your ideal job!
3. Check the job boards!
Job boards are filled with thousands of entry- level positions. Websites like Monster.com,, Indeed.com, and even Craigslist makes it easy for you to apply online. These websites allow you to upload a resume and then they tailor job openings according to your qualifications. Applying could not get any easier! You could also check the job boards posted around your university’s campus. You might get lucky and find a research assistant job or teaching assistant job from professors looking for some extra help. This is definitely one of the best tips for job hunting.
4. Attend a job fair!
Colleges and universities often host job fairs for their students, but most events are also open to their alumni. The fair is an opportunity for you to meet employers and sometimes even interview with recruiters on the spot. Be sure to come prepared for a job fair, dressed in appropriate business casual attire and a few copies of your resume to show to potential employers at the event. Who knows? You might walk out with a job!
5. Tailor your resume.
Oftentimes, employers discard resumes they feel are too general for the positions they are trying to fill. A good way to avoid this would be to tailor your resume according to the position for which you are applying. For instance, if you are applying for a teaching position, be sure to list any tutoring experience or supervisory aid work you might have done. However, you can skip including your time spent working at Starbucks since it isn’t really relevant for the position.
6. Include a cover letter.
One of the biggest mistakes that job seekers can make is to not include a cover letter with their resume. A cover letter is your opportunity to tell the employer why you are interested in a certain position in your own words. People call this an interview on paper. Including a cover letter with your resume boosts you chances of getting a call back because employers could tell you really took the time to write a letter and explain to them why working for them is important to you!
