Finding a job after graduation can be hard enough, not to mention trying to determine the career path you want to start out on. One major question you have to ask yourself, and a question that will be asked to you as your graduation draws closer is, "What are you going to do now?"
For some the answer is to pursue further education in the form of a Master's Degree or some other degree program. Some opt to take a break to relax, travel, and not jump right into a career-focused life. Some have already had their jobs lined up prior to graduation through internships, practicum placement, or co-op programs offered through their degree. If you're not among those previously mentioned, don't be scared the majority of graduates have no idea where to go next or how they are going to answer that daunting question. If you fall into the latter category, read this post! If you fall into the first category, read this post! ...You will need this information when relaxing and taken 'er easy gets boring.
First thing you need to know and accept is that finding a job you want and will enjoy is not easy!! Especially, when you're looking in specialized fields or within a certain degree. This isn't to say it will be impossible or it won't happen, it will! You just need to be patient, persistent, confident, put in a lot of hard work (kinda like you did to get that shiny degree shaped piece of paper you just got) and follow these tips:
- START EARLY
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You've heard it before and you'll hear it again. Start looking, researching, and applying for jobs you are interested in well before graduation. Another good idea is to start searching/applying for internships, practicum positions, or entry level positions in a company you see yourself working for when you graduate while you are still completing your degree. This puts you on the radar of potential employers nice and early. Did I mention you need to start EARLY! Graduation comes way faster than you think. How early is early? If you graduate at the end of Winter term, start the research and preparation process in Fall and start applying for jobs in January.
- FOCUS YOUR JOB SEARCH
- Ask yourself some important questions to really figure out what kind of job you want and with what type of organization. Think of your dream job and visualize how you're going to get there. What type of atmosphere is it? Relaxed, formal, high-stress? How much do you expect to get paid...how much do you need to get paid in order to pay bills, debt, entertainment costs, etc. ? Are you an entrepreneur at heart and don't want to work your way up a corporate ladder?...do you want to make your own ladder right away? ...or do you want to gain experience before embarking on your own? If you do see yourself moving your way up through a company, apply for jobs at organizations that provide a good environment for growth, learning, and promotion opportunities.
- RESEARCH and PREPARATION
One commonly undervalued and underused tactic in the job search is research. Don't just Google around for jobs or look through the classifieds and hope your dream company is hiring. Start researching early about the job market in your field and what the standard entry level positions are like. Then research companies you want to work for and compile a list with contact information, relevant career information, and general company info. In conjunction with jobs already posted throughout the web, e-mailing/dropping off resumes to potential employers about your interest in working for their company puts you on their radar and allows you to tap into the hidden job market (find more info on the Hidden Job Market).
Speak with people in the field in order to get their opinion on the current job market, and ask them to tell you about their experience, how they got started and the road they took. You can get in touch with these people through Alumni programs, Career Fairs, school career councilors, or friends and family. Because you are starting early, and will still be at your school daily, take advantage of your school's career-related workshops on resumé and cover letter writing, interview skills, job search tips, etc. Their value cannot be underestimated. One major tip I want to leave you with is this: Make a specialized resume AND cover letter for each individual job you apply for. It will be more work, but it will substantially increase your chances of getting a call.
Call previous employers or even past interviews, where you didn't get the job. Ask them to tell you about their experience working with you, what areas do you need to work on, and where you excel. Sometimes it's hard for us to see those qualities and flaws in ourselves, but we need to know them to improve and use it all to our advantage.- BE PREPARED TO START AT THE BOTTOM OF THE TOTEM POLE
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This is a major thing all graduates need to realize. Chances are you won't be making that $100,000 per year you were hoping for straight out of graduation. You can and will work your way up to it! But for now, you must start at the bottom. It sucks, I know. But it will be worth it. Work hard, make good impressions. Do what you love and the money will come.
- PERSISTENCE, PERSISTENCE, PERSISTENCE
If you don't get a call for an interview, please do not be discouraged. Finding a job that you actually want will take weeks, maybe even months. But it will come. The more resumes you send you, the higher the chances are of getting a call back. Even if a job doesn't fit EXACTLY into what you dreamed your job would be like, try it out! Experience is experience, as a new graduate you need all the experience you can get! It all looks good on a resume. You can still continue your search, but gaining valuable experience in the meantime. If a company you spoke with claims they have no positions in that field, inquire about other positions, even receptionist, clerk, mail-boy. Get yourself in and work hard to get noticed and when a position in your field becomes available be ready to pounce!
You can do this!