With the job market slowly bouncing back, it’s still not an easy task for college students to find employment after graduation. So how can college seniors prepare themselves for the great job search ahead of them? Here are a few tips to get them started on the right path:
-
Get involved in college: Industry experience while in college may be more important to employers than an impressive G.P.A. Staying active in a collegiate chapter of an industry organization, volunteering or having a part-time job while in college will not only boost your resume, but may give you the connections you need to find the perfect job out of college.
-
Talk to a working professional in your field: Find a mentor in your chosen field and job-shadow them for a day, or interview him or her to find out the qualities and skill sets needed for performing a job in your industry. Is there a college course they’d recommend you take to enhance your experience? Adjust your class schedule to correspond to the suggestions.
-
Work as an intern: While many colleges and universities require an internship in order to graduate, if you seek out a (paid or unpaid) internship experience during any of your college years, you’ll gain real-world experience and make lasting connections. It may also help you determine what type of job suits you best upon graduation.
-
Create an extensive online profile: Before you graduate, you should have a professional-looking, interactive resume in various formats. Start with a comprehensive profile on LinkedIn, as well as on job search sites such as Monster.com and CareerBuilder.com. These profiles should have an accurate educational summary, job history with responsibilities and multiple references.
-
Create a blog or portfolio page: Showcase your recent work or discuss industry topics on your own blog or portfolio page. This will give employers and recruiters an idea of your personality and your capabilities, and will help you stand out from other job candidates.
-
Double-check your social media trail: Remove or un-tag any unprofessional photos, comments or posts you may have left on social media websites. Resolve to post with professionalism in the future and use your social media profiles to enhance, not threaten, your job search.
- Start early: It’s never too early to start the job hunt – even six months prior to graduating. Attend collegiate career fairs in your area, talk to recruiters like That’s Good HR, and start identifying and learning about potential employers for which you’d like to work.
Following these seven tips will help new graduates stay one step ahead of their peers when preparing to enter the workforce.
