The following is a guest post by Justin Epley.
Leaving college can be a stressful time. After years of structured learning, embarking on the journey of snagging a job can be confusing, even scary. Recent graduates are left wondering “How can I find a job?” or “Where should I even start my search?”
One thing graduates should keep in mind is many people have been in their shoes before. You will eventually find work, even when the hunt is more difficult than in prosperous times. You can speed up the process by streamlining your job search and thinking outside the box a bit.
Stick to industry-specific job boards
Many recent graduates flock to the monolithic jobs boards filled with jobs for all possible fields. While those websites can be useful for some job seekers, more often than not they leave you empty-handed due to the sheer amount of applicants and, in some cases, fake job postings.
If you want to use job boards, stick to the ones specific to your desired industry. They tend to be less crowded than all-in-one alternatives so your application won’t be overrun by hundreds of other hopefuls. They are also more focused, meaning you stand a better chance of seeing positions relevant to your skills and interests.
Set up informational interviews
One of the most challenging things for new graduates is getting their bearings and forming contacts in a fresh industry. Here is where informational interviews can be incredibly helpful – you get the chance to learn how to advance in your career from someone who has already navigated the waters.
Reach out to your contacts, shoot off an email to someone working at a company that interests you, or connect with established professionals through LinkedIn. Even a brief 15 minute conversation can supply you with a wealth of information about how to proceed with the job hunt.
Find potential employers listed in trade magazines and websites
Small and mid-sized businesses can be a great avenue for learning a variety of skills. Since they are smaller operations, they may be more likely to entrust you with a wide range of responsibilities, the successful completion of which you can leverage into career advancement opportunities.
It can be difficult to know who these companies are, as they don’t usually have the same kind of web presence as large companies do. However, staying current with the industry through trade publications can turn your attention to a business that, while small, is still doing interesting things that you would like to be involved in.
Start a blog
Want to prove that you are knowledgeable about the industry you aspire to work in? Start a professional blog. Posting excellent content regularly can help shape your professional brand. It demonstrates you are plugged into your industry and eager to participate in it.
Strike up conversations over Twitter
You never know what could blossom out of a bit of memorable dialogue over Twitter. While this may be more effective in some fields than others, reaching out to professionals in your field through this high-profile social media site can turn some heads and attract attention to your updates. It could be just enough rapport to get you a longer conversation, which could lead to a job.
Finding a job can be difficult even for qualified, experienced applicants, so it is of little surprise that recent graduates may struggle to find work. However, with a bit of persistence and creativity, your desired position will be in reach.
What other tips and tricks do you have for recent graduates? Share with us in the comments below!
Author:
Justin Epley is a freelance writer and is studying an online bachelor’s accounting program. His articles mainly appear in business and education blogs.
