The time leading up to graduation and immediately following can make you feel like your life is in limbo. You’ve accomplished a huge milestone and are figuring out your next steps in regards to what and where you want your first post college job to be. The good news for recent college graduates is that you’re entering a strong job market. According to NACE’s Job Outlook 2022 report, “Employers plan to hire 26.6% more new graduates from the Class of 2022 than they did from the Class of 2021”. So instead of feeling daunted and overwhelmed with your job search, here are some simple tips and strategies to follow to start your professional career on the right note.
Network
Networking is without a doubt one of the most effective ways to land a job. In an article on CNBC, they state that “research has long shown that anywhere from half to upwards of 80% of jobs are filled through networking.” If you haven’t already, set up a LinkedIn account and start getting connected to past employers or co-workers, classmates, professors, and anyone else you know that can possibly further your professional career. Reach out to your network and let them know you’re on the job market and see if they know about any good opportunities. Having connections at companies you’re interested in is a great way to get your foot in the door.
Attend Job Fairs
Another step to finding job opportunities is to attend job/career fairs. With it being graduation season, many campuses are holding job fairs with local recruiters and companies that are hiring; you can also Google career fairs in your local area to see if there are any upcoming events. When attending a job fair, you’ll want to prepare somewhat like you would for an interview. You’ll want to dress professionally, have copies of your resume, have a prepared short elevator pitch about yourself and your skillset, and have done some research ahead of time on what companies are going to be there. Glassdoor has a great article on what to do to prepare for a job fair to make a positive impression.
Reach Out to a Recruiter
Another helpful strategy is to work with a staffing agency. A recruiter will be able to review your skillsets, education, and interests, and identify companies and roles that would be a good fit. Agencies can have access to positions that you might not otherwise find posted and will be able to get your resume in front of the right people. In addition, recruiters can help with resume revisions and give you pointers and suggestions for preparing for your interview. You’ll want to make sure you’re working with a reputable company though so here are some questions to ask when considering a staffing agency.