If you’re graduating this year, you may have some classmates who have already landed their first job. Some industries, such as management consulting, public audit and investment banking, recruit as early as the fall before graduation (even summer if you consider interns that are converted into full-time hires). But most industries recruit much later in the academic year, so if you haven’t landed yet and are graduating soon, you shouldn’t panic. Here are 10 actions you can take, while still in school, to land a job:
Block time for your job search
If you haven’t done much for your job search to date, you aren’t going to magically find extra time now that finals, end-of-school celebration activities, and the move/ transition after graduation are all coming due on top of your classes and part-time work. You need to proactively schedule time for your job search – time to work on your job search material, time to research companies and respond to job listings, time to network and speak with leads, and time to interview. You’ll need several hours per week to dedicate to your search, and some of that time needs to be during normal business hours.
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Take advantage of Career Services
Most colleges have a Career Services office that provides information on companies and types of jobs, job listings, contact with alumni, and sometimes actual employer visits and interviews. These services are included in your tuition, so take advantage of the resources available to you. Take note in your calendar of any deadlines for applying for jobs or signing up for workshops or special services.
Inventory your network
Yes, even as a student, you have a network – your professors (some of whom consult to businesses that might be hiring), classmates (some of whom have had internships at companies you’re interested in), parent connections, colleagues from past jobs, classmates from past schools and outside programs. You’ll use your network to get information about companies, jobs and people, so you want to know who is available for you to tap into. Make a list, and start reaching out to say hello.
Update your marketing
I say marketing and not resume because your marketing is not just your resume, but also your LinkedIn profile, your cover letter, and the way you introduce yourself when you reach out to your network (see above). Career Services might have templates and samples for you to use if you are starting from scratch. Or you can easily find examples online.
Refine your pitch with friendly contacts
A key part of your marketing will be how you talk about yourself and what you’re interested in. Even experienced professionals need to practice this, so check with your Career Services Office to see if you can practice yours with a coach there and get feedback. Or there might be student/ alumni mixers where you can introduce yourself in a friendly, supportive environment.
Keep an idea journal
As you start working on your marketing, your network, and your overall search, you will hear about companies, types of jobs, news and trends, and even specific people you should reach out to. Keep an idea journal so you keep track of these bits of information and can follow up when you’re ready. You might get a recommendation to speak with someone, but you want to have your resume ready. This could take a few days, and you don’t want to forget to circle back to that person. You need a journal or some other system to capture information and next steps.
Research on a regular basis
As you hear of companies, jobs and people, you’ll need more information than just a name or short description. For companies that interest you, you’ll want to visit their website, look at the backgrounds of people who work there (sometimes on their site or you can use LinkedIn to research), look at jobs they have posted, and do an Internet search to capture recent news. You’ll likely consider dozens of companies as you look for a job, so plan on researching three or more companies per week so you don’t get too far behind leads as you hear about them.
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Respond on a regular basis
Marketing, networking, and research are all about preparing you to be competitive when you get in front of potential employers. You also want to leave room in your schedule for responding to opportunities and leads. When you see a posting, time is of the essence – look at your network to see if you know someone who can refer you, but also apply directly. If you get a call from an employer or from a networking contact willing to meet, respond to these within the same day or next day if you can to keep the momentum.
Practice interviewing skills
Interviewing should feel conversational but it’s not structured like a conversation, so it’s a new and distinct skill if you’re new to the job market. Your Career Services office may offer practice sessions, or work with a mentor, coach or someone in your network who has hired before and can give you a real-life simulation of what an interview is like and constructive feedback. Be sure to tap someone who is updated on today’s market and not your longtime retired family friend who may give you outdated information!
Track your results and troubleshoot
If you put in the hours and spread your efforts among marketing, networking, research, and responding to live leads, you should see results. How many interviews, meetings or even calls are you getting? How many people are you reaching out to? How many actual jobs are you applying to? If you don’t get at least some exploratory meetings after a few weeks (and you’re really putting in the time), then something is off. Work with your Career Services, mentor, coach or other experienced professional to help you figure out if you’re not marketing yourself properly or going after the wrong jobs or actually not putting in enough time and effort.
There is no magic bullet to landing your first full-time job. It will result from a combination of effort and a variety of job search activities. Block out the time, mix and match your efforts, and troubleshoot as needed till you land.
