About Career Blog

Tips & Tricks for Recent College Grads

So, you graduated in May and are still trying to figure out what you want to be when you grow up. Certainly, every situation is different. However, the number one most common problem for recent grads is that they do not know what to do with their degree. The following tricks and tips are intended to ease the pain of finding a new job…especially in this economy.

  • Make smart career choices. Do your homework on the jobs you are considering. Some industries are growing. Others are shrinking. Do online research. Talk with people such as alumni, parents, professors, and your college career office. Use these sources to help you understand as much as possible about your future career.
  • Be creative. There are, after all, other ways to search for a job besides the Internet. Even though search engines can help you find jobs in the comfort of your own home, it’s not the only alternative available to you. The number one way to find a job is to get out of your house and network. Talk to as many people as possible – ideally those in your field.
  • Do not box yourself into only working for a huge, international company. These large firms receive tons of resumes each day and yours could easily get lost in the maze of paperwork. Consider applying for positions at smaller companies with fewer than 100 employees. This strategy might at least get your foot in the door for an interview.
  • Proofread! Resumes with mistakes are absolutely unacceptable – and 99% of the time they end up in the “circular file.”
  • Make sure your resume reaches the right person. If possible, avoid sending your resume to a general human resource addresses. Instead, find out the name of the hiring manager and send your resume directly to her.
  • Be prepared for that all-important interview. Research the company. Learn as much as you can about the competition. Expect and prepare for all questions. Mind your manners. And, bring extra resumes.
  • Be choosy. Even though your main objective is to find a job, you must ultimately choose the position that’s best for you. Carefully weigh your career goals and how the position you’re considering can help you attain them. If you determine that the job will help you gain the experience that you need to move to the top, then go for it.

Above all, be patient. There is a lot of competition out there, and not nearly as many good jobs as there used to be. But with some perseverance and hard work, you’ll eventually land on your feet. Good luck!

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Posted by Seymour Jobs on 8/28/2009 09:49:00 AM
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This Is the True Story...

As graduation looms and seniors send off resumes and attend interviews, one thing is certain: life after college is uncertain and a bit scary. There are plenty of ways to combat that fear and prepare yourself for "the real world."

Although you may have had a part-time job and juggled other activities while taking classes, many students will find that the balance of a career and social life is much easier to maintain. Because they have already mastered the art of time management and scheduling, they have no problem acclimating to a 9-5 workweek and using outside time to relax or enjoy their hobbies.

The biggest shift for many is becoming completely independent from their parents and college lifestyle. While the hours may be earlier, many will find that their 40-or-so-hour workweek is much more lenient than the crazy noon-4 a.m. schedule they previously enjoyed.

Seniors should just remember that everything leading up to graduation can prepare them for life afterward, if utilized correctly. College is a time for learning and growing, both in and out of the classroom.

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Posted by Amanda on 4/10/2009 02:15:00 AM
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So I Graduated... Now What?

So, you graduated.  And your parents are ready for you to be in "the real world."  You however, may not be so eager to jump right into a career and the 9-5 routine.  Taking a break sounds perfect to you, after completing 17 years of school.

I've found that many of my friends from college feel the same way after donning their caps and gowns.  The job market isn't promising and they just don't feel like joining the workforce right away.  Is it really that bad if they don't get a "real" job right away?

In my opinion, not necessarily.  You've probably been told to use your degree following graduation, but I can understand and empathize with the burnout that earning a degree brings upon students.  I think students should just remember that there are a multitude of resources to help them find their perfect job and ease into post-graduation life.

Recruiters, for example, are an excellent outlet to alleviate some of the stress and find your dream job.  Using aids like that will surely help to find a good job without freaking out about being out on your own.  They can serve as a mentor and guide the process along.

Whatever you do, just make sure you think long-term.  Taking a few months off may still sound like a good idea, until you work out your income and expenses and realize you're seeing red.  Before making a big decision about your future, consider all of the awesome resources you have available!

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Posted by Amanda on 3/12/2009 01:15:00 PM
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Starting the job search

With the BLS reporting the first decline in job availability in the past five years and the reality that graduation is coming up in the next few months, I am officially prospecting for jobs.

I uploaded my resume to the PRSSA website, and I am going to as many networking events as possible. I went to dinner last night with my professors and some people in the PR industry, which was both interesting and informative.

I also need to start preparing for comps, which happen in the end of March.

in conclusion, life is getting stressful. I'm going to the gym.

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Posted by Christina on 2/20/2008 12:54:00 PM
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Exit Interview

I just completed my exit interview to graduate, and wow. I am going to be paying my loans off forever. Especially since I don't anticipate my first job to pay me well right off the bat, considering the economy and trends in PR. Not awesome. Not awesome at all.
So we will see in May when I graduate and consolidate.

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Posted by Christina on 2/18/2008 10:19:00 PM
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Graduation Celebration

I just spent a weekend in Tampa for karate, and I feel so refreshed now. But instead of getting back on track with my homework, I just finalized my post-graduation plans. The Monday after the ceremony, my friend and I are taking a cruise to Key West and Cozumel. I can't wait! Both are such fun stops!

In the short term, I have to write up a case study, write an annotated bibliography, start my promotions for our golf tournament and get back on track with my independent study. Plus career fair this week, coming up with a dinner for Valentine's Day (which I don't like on principle) and go to karate (open tournament is coming up next month)

Crazy! But at least I am not sick anymore!

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Posted by Christina on 2/11/2008 10:11:00 PM
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Welcome 2008!

Happy new year everyone!
I have been talking about resolutions, and here are my professional/school ones:

1. Concentrate on the present while planning for the future.
2. Start prospecting for jobs, beginning March/early April.
3. Streamline my resume since I am only applying for jobs within a certain field.
4. Start prepping early for comps and graduation.
5. Actually go to meetings and mixers with PRSSA (to my defense, last semester they were all during class time)


I'm ready to start the new year!

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Posted by Christina on 1/02/2008 11:04:00 AM
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Graduation and Jobs

I went to register my classes for next semester, and it hit me. This is the last time I will be registering for classes. May 8, I will proudly walk across the stage to pick up my diploma, and then it's back to the "real world" again.

Going through school again really helps you hone down certain things that are important to look for in a job search. I know I do not want to commute very far (fortunately there are alot of PR options close to me,) I would rather work for an organization that values sustainability if possible, and I need growth options and a challenge.

The other thing that I realize is that I want to take a vacation right after graduation. I didn't take a real vacation after undergrad, and I wish I had. I want to walk into my new job fresh, happy and relaxed, rather than stressed out and exhausted from my finals.

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Posted by Christina on 11/06/2007 02:53:00 PM
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Intern

My boss and I were talking this week about internships and how necessary they are for college grads right now. Everytime I tell my brother or one of my friends that they should get one before they graduate, I always get the same answer. "I don't want to work for free."

This is such a bad frame of mind, because without experience, you will not get a job, not even with a college degree. Well, you may get a job, but not one that will make you very much money. I know. I had to work in retail management for years before people would take me seriously.

Now that I am back in school I have made it a point to get internships and join PRSSA. And this seems to be a better route for me because they just asked me to stay on.

Thinking about this is much nicer than thinking about how our offensive line needs some serious work. boo to that!

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Posted by Christina on 10/13/2007 07:02:00 PM
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