How Does a College Graduate Seek Employment?

With the job market being as tight as it is today it is much harder for a college graduate to find employment once they graduate.  Gone are the days when major corporations visited campuses and made job offers to the majority of members of the senior class.  Being flexible, perseverance, and creativity will all help you find a job.  The following tips will get you started on your job search.

• Create a plan - You just spent a lot of money to get your degree and hopefully you have some type of idea of what you want to do with it.  Sit down and write out a plan of your employment options.  This will give you a general idea of the direction in which you need to start to look. 


• Be creative - While your degree should have some influence upon your career choices, you need to look in others fields that you can transfer your skills to.  Link the skills and abilities that you just gathered in school and combine them with your interest; you will be surprised at how you may be able to market yourself.


• Understand how to write a cover letter and a resume - Your resume should never be sent without a cover letter.  Learn how to use the words that are contained within the ad or the job description in your cover letter and how to reflect your experiences.  There are many online sites that can teach you these skills.


• Be prepared - Always keep a skeleton outline of your resume handy online or on a thumb drive that you will be able to produce in minutes.  Keep some in your briefcase or in the car.  You never know when you may be asked to leave a resume.  A quick trip to the coffee shop or office supply store will allow you to have one in hand that is written for the job that you are applying for.


• Volunteer - Find agencies in which you have an interest and volunteer.  While there may not be volunteer positions available in the company that you want to work for, volunteering will give you a chance to network with people who know.  The key to getting through the door is to make a connection.


• Learn to interview - If you did not learn this skill in college, practice with your friends and family.  You will have approximately 30 minutes to an hour to make an impression on a potential employer.  Listen to the feedback that your circle gives you and make the required changes.  Know that you are up against still competition and the first impression is the lasting impression.


• Apply - Most people are not going to find a job sitting at home watching television.  Your job search is currently your job and you should work like it.  Spend time online on career sites such as Indeed, Monster, CareerBuilders and more.  Visit your employment security commission and see if anything they have to offer.  Follow up on the applications that you send out by tracking and keeping a list of the companies you apply with and the positions you apply for.  If you have not heard back in two weeks call or send them a letter inquiring about the status of your application.