New College Grad? Here’s How to Land that First Job
By Paul Bremer, for Revive Your Life
Photo by Alex @ Faraway
Raised in a culture that strives to achieve the American dream, children in this country are strongly encouraged to ponder the question “What do you want to be when you grow up,” from an early age. With a blissfully positive and idealistic view of the world, children embark on a journey of the imagination providing endless career possibilities. Some wish to follow in the footsteps of their parents while others set their sights high on lunar discoveries as NASA astronauts or top billing as a Hollywood movie star. They believe the world is their oyster and can be anything the set their minds to.
If only real life could whisk us away to professional success and fulfillment with three clicks of our heels. The truth is, that bubble is inevitably burst when we do in fact grow up and learn that even with a college education under our belts, the struggle to achieve that dream continues.
The Bureau of Labor statistics reports the current unemployment rate is a threatening 9.1%. College seniors and recent graduates are beginning to discover that the real world won’t necessarily bow down to a college degree and soon find themselves jobless and drowning in student loan debt. A feeling of helplessness sets in. Recent graduates often feel completely alone and unsure of what resources they can turn to. However, the situation is not hopeless. If graduates stay patient and proactive, the fruits of their labor will eventually pay off.
Your Resume Must Sparkle
A standard in the career world, one’s resume can often make or break potential employment. While its important to sufficiently fill your resume with all acquired skills and experience, do not exhaust all energy on trying to impress with a bulky list of previous work. Try to make your resume stand out in more ways than one. Remember, you will often not have the opportunity to sell yourself to a potential employer face to face. In these cases, that single document will represent you.
Think of yourself as the resume sitting on an office desk in a pile of hundreds. The value of first impressions applies here. What will initially attract someone to you when you are just like everyone else in the bunch? Experiment with using different colored high quality resume paper. You’ll pop amongst the bland whites and beiges. Use your imagination… Perhaps flip the layout so the page lies horizontally as opposed to the standard vertical 8.5″ x 11″. Small changes will naturally attract the human eye as well as show your own unique aesthetic and originality.
List your references directly instead of the common “available upon request.” Why? Imagine an employer who’s narrowed the field down to two. Both candidates appear to have the same level of experience on paper and it’s now time to contact professional references. One resume has references conveniently listed while the other applicant must be contacted for their list of numbers. Will the employer more likely opt for the resume with the “ready-to-call” references or take the time and risk of playing phone tag with the applicant to gather phone numbers himself? Keep your resume functional, efficient and original.
Think Outside the Box
Being proactive is key in finding your first post-college job. Accept the fact that you may have to take a side job to support yourself while on the quest for a career. In the meantime, create your own work so you’ll have more material to show an employer. Don’t wait for the work to come to you. If you’re a writer, write a film review after you see a movie. If advertising is your field, choose a favorite product and create an ad campaign for it. All work, paid or not, is valuable experience. Take the things that interest you in your everyday life and integrate it with your career objectives. Volunteer and freelance work are also worthwhile options.
Who You Know Matters Most
You are not as alone as you think in your job search. While its ultimately up to you to market yourself, there are assuredly people in your life who can and will help you. Keep in contact with college professors, former employers, etc… These people can offer valuable advice and connect you with others in your field. For the most part, they will be more than happy to help you find success. A strong recommendation is a hot commodity. The more people you know, the better your chances of finding an employer who seeks your level of expertise.
Be Patient
It is not impossible to achieve the dreams you formed as an innocent child or educated adult. In time, your work and dedication will pay off if you are persistent and diligent. Make phone calls and knock on doors. Be heard. Be noticed. You are in control of your own career path, so take the wheel.
Have you recently graduated or otherwise embarked on a job search? Please share your tips for success with our readers in the comments section below!
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2 Responses to “New College Grad? Here’s How to Land that First Job”
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Agree with the last point “Be Patient”. It may take time to settle in a comfort position. And sometimes we may not achieve what we dreamed of. Just be patient and try our level best!
Very motivating post, even for a current college student like me!
It took me 2 years after graduate school to get a job in my field. While working as a secretary I volunteered in my field to get more experience, exposure, stay up to date, and meet people in the field. I also joined listservs and contacted people at other agencies to do informationall interviews!