10 Job Search Tips for College Grads

Congratulations on your college graduation! Now the real work begins. Once you’ve finished celebrating and the ink has dried on your diploma, your focus naturally shifts to the next big milestone: getting a job. Where do you start and what things should you focus on in order to see the best results? We’ve broken down the job search process to help you zero in on things that will directly impact your ability to hear these lovely little words, “You’re Hired!” Here are 10 job search tips for recent college grads:

1. Proofread Your Resume Multiple Times
Once isn’t enough! It’s hard to edit your own work and that’s why we recommend multiple proofreads. Ask a professor, relative, or friend with great writing skills to read your resume and offer suggestions for ways you improve polish and clarity.

2. Take Advantage of Career Centers
Most colleges have a career center where the main goal is to help you land a great job. Take advantage of all available resources! Book a session with a Career Advisor who can help you tweak your resume, practice for interviews, and find companies who are hiring new graduates.

3. Buy a Suit
If you show up to your interview dressed in anything other than a suit, you’re taking an unnecessary risk. A suit is an interview necessity, so dress to impress! We recommend black or navy, with the trousers and the jacket cut from the same fabric. It should fit you properly.

4. Update Your LinkedIn Profile
Creating or updating your LinkedIn profile is easy, and it adds credibility and professionalism to your candidacy. Update your degree, list responsibilities from jobs or internships, and upload a professional photo that highlights your face. The photo should reflect a neutral background with great lighting and professional dress.

5. Practice Talking About Yourself
Bragging about your strengths and accomplishments doesn’t come naturally to most people, but when you’re interviewing for a job, it’s really important that you do this well. Make a list of your 5 top strengths and how they will be valuable to a potential employer. Think of a strategic weakness too, and make sure it doesn’t have anything to do with the job description.

6. Research Target Companies
Where would you like to work? Research companies that interest you and make a list that outlines why you’d like to work there. Regularly check their careers page, look for job openings and networking opportunities, and seek out people who already work there to connect with on LinkedIn. Ask your connections about the company culture and to share exciting new projects that may be on the horizon.

7. Practice for Interviews
Interview preparation is about more than reviewing a job description and having a firm handshake. It’s about researching the company and the interviewer ahead of time, preparing several smart questions, and being able to demonstrate a strong interest in the company. You don’t just want ANY job, you want THIS job.

8. Don’t Waste Much Time on Job Boards
Applying to endless jobs on Monster and CareerBuilder can be a real waste of time. While it certainly can’t hurt to post your resume and apply to a few things that sound promising, the best way to get a job is by utilizing your existing network and reaching out to people you already know. Submitting your resume into an electronic black hole doesn’t typically yield the best results.

9. The Art of Networking
Take advantage of your existing network (and their connections). Develop a regular strategy to reach out to people using a few short messages that you can create in advance. Here is a sample: “Hi Jane, I’m starting a job search and John Smith suggested that I contact you. I’m sure your schedule is pretty hectic right now, but may I stop by your office for 5 to 10 minutes one day next week? I’d love to get your feedback on my resume.”

10. Look in the Mirror
Image is everything and you only get one chance to make a first impression. In college you can get away with bed hair and wrinkled clothes, but when you’re in the job market, you need to up your game!

Happy Job Hunting!