How To Get A Job As A Recent Grad
Don't miss Hustle Summit on Friday, July 21st in NYC and on Thursday, September 27th in Chicago: hustlesummit.co.
You did it. You've worn the cap and gown, walked across the stage, shook hands, grabbed your diploma. This was it. It was your moment. You've officially graduated. Once the excitement has worn off, though, you may suddenly stop and think: “Oh, oh no, what...what do I do NOW?”
Now that you've entered the real world, are you wondering where in the heck you're supposed to get a job? Are you stressing about it? Don't. We've got you covered.
Here are 10 steps to help you get an awesome job after you graduate:
Update your Resume: updating your resume may seem like an obvious thing to do but you'd be surprised how many people forget to do it. Update your most recent job, change the font, give your resume a face lift. Make sure it fits on one page (https://www.findspark.com/ways-to-make-your-resume-one-page/), that your skills are updated, and that the resume has key words from specific jobs you have your eye on.
Spruce up your Portfolio(s): If you don’t have a website, GET ONE. If you do have one, it may be time to update your portfolio and make it stellar, even if you don’t know code. A portfolio could be anything from a blog to an online photography database. Whatever your talents are, you should make sure you shine by sprucing up your websites and portfolios. Employers will notice, we promise.
Get a professional email: Time to say bye bye to your .edu email and HELLO to your real world, real life email. If it’s available, make your email your first and last name or some variation of it. Before you send out any job applications or resumes, make sure you do this.
Get business cards: Get ahead in the professional world with beautifully designed business cards by MOO. It’s scientifically proven that someone with a good business card is more likely to put themselves out there than someone who doesn’t have one (probably).
Go to Networking events Networking is a HUGE part of the job hunt. The ability to make connections and put yourself out this is a very “adult” thing to do and it will get you ahead in the professional world. Ask questions. Network with other attendees. BE YOURSELF. If you’re staying in NYC this summer, attend Hustle Summit on Sep 27th. It’s the most epic networking event you’ll attend in your post-grad life, and it’ll help you make connections with like minded individuals and you’ll even have a chance to meet recruiters at some of your dream companies. Networking will get you ahead of the game and you’ll feel more confident about it after every event you attend.
Set up informational interviews An informational interview is a great tool for students and recent grads to use. Informational interviews allow you to connect with an organization, learn if a certain position is right for you, and even set yourself up as a future job candidate. Making this type of meeting with the company of your dreams happen may seem a little daunting, but it’s worth it once you land the chance to network with someone from your dream job. At FindSpark, when you become a Premium Member, you can join our mentorship program and find a mentor who can help you along the way. Essentially, even if you don’t end up landing a job at that position, you’ll at least have a connection for the future.
Stop being embarrassed by your social media profiles Just like updating your resume, business card, and portfolio is important, so is making sure your social media accounts are relevant and updated. Be yourself on social media, but remember that some people you may want to target may not approve of what you post. But don’t change yourself to fit into a little box to get hired. Be your best self and people will notice. Connect with people on LinkedIn and update your profile. Let people see that you’re viewing them. Follow relevant people and employers on Twitter. Make sure your email is in all of your profiles. Following these steps are a sure fire way to get yourself noticed.
Spend More time on Less Applications Arguably, this is the worst part about getting a job – applying. It can be incredibly daunting and you might want to cry. A great way to get through it, though, is to set apart ONE HOUR a day to apply to jobs. Spend that entire hour applying to two jobs and make sure you put in all your effort. This is a great way to keep the job hunt from feeling like a total grind and you’ll feel as if you’ve accomplished something big that day.
Send Sincere Follow Ups A great way to move forward with the job hunt is by keeping connections. .
Connect with the hiring manager and recruiter on LinkedIn (send a custom message) "Hey Name, It was really great meeting you today at (Company) for our interview. I look forward to connecting with you about career opportunities. -Your Name"
Shoot everyone you met with an email telling them “thank you” for their time
Follow the company on Twitter, LinkedIn, and sign up for any email list they have
If you had a really great connection with someone who you interviewed with, invite them to coffee after a month or two to reconnect
Know that once you connect with who you met in the process on social media, every one of your posts is a way of following up
Hiring managers appreciate thank you notes more than you realize. Just by doing something as simple as saying “thank you,” you’ll keep yourself ahead of the game and they’ll keep you in mind for job openings.
Don't get discouraged The job hunt can be scary and so can the real world. The best thing you can do is keep your head up. Breathe. Know that getting no’s means you’re trying and in the end, it’ll all be worth it.
Welcome to the real world.
Don't miss Hustle Summit on Friday, July 21st in NYC and on Thursday, September 27th in Chicago: hustlesummit.co.
#job #jobhunt #findspark #nyc #nycevents #nyccreatives #creative #networking #resume #recentgrad #classof2016
