Quick Tips for the Graduate

Facing the job market as a new graduate can be an intimidating thing, whether you're leaving college or high school. As a job seeker, you are up against hundreds of other candidates when you compete for a job. By preparing adequately and arming yourself with excellent materials, you can enter the job market with confidence.

Update Your Resume

A resume is an essential tool for a job seeker. Before you do anything else, make sure yours is polished and professional. Send it to trusted friends for proofreading, and bring it to your school's career center for a free evaluation. Don't worry if it seems empty; employers don't expect a new graduate to have an extensive work history. Instead, communicate your value by adding information about research projects, internships, co-ops or relevant volunteer work. Other potential resume items are campus leadership roles, student government work and student group participation.

Be Proactive

After four years of hard work, you may feel entitled to sit back and relax, but complacency is a mistake for a new graduate. By being proactive, you can get a jump on the competition. Decide what sets you apart as a candidate, and start practicing your elevator pitch. Create a professional website and optimize it with your name, school name and field of study; doing so helps curious employers find updated, relevant information. Seek letters of recommendation from old bosses, prepare a portfolio of professional work samples and cultivate social media relationships with industry contacts.

Utilize Former Professors

Former professors are a valuable resource for a new graduate; it is not uncommon for professors to receive job postings from professional colleagues and former students. Establish contact by sending your resume to old teachers with a request for feedback. If the conversation progresses, inquire about job openings or request that the professor connect you to alumni in the field. Even if the search comes up empty, this strategy increases name recognition and improves your chances of a job referral down the road.

Reach Out to Existing Contacts

As a new graduate, your professional network is bigger than you think. Former classmates, internship supervisors and on-campus employers are an easy place to start. Identify the people who are likely to have a positive impression of you, either personally or professionally, and write a short, personalized email to each person. Mention your graduation, state the type of job you hope to find and end the email with a request that the recipient pass on any potential job postings. Make sure to attach your resume so contacts can forward it on to potential employers.

Entering the professional world can be an overwhelming process for a new graduate. By utilizing your resources and contacts, however, you can smooth the transition and shorten the job search.

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