How can a recent graduate find a job

Contact someone in your desired industry that also graduated from your college or university, meet up with them for a coffee and then ask them to pass your resume to an employer.

If you're unemployed as you search for work, you can minimize your stress and avoid building debt by eliminating unnecessary costs. Some strategies for this are:. Figure out how much money you have and can spend every month for a specific amount of time, like a year. Then try to limit your spending to stay within your monthly budget. There are quite a few effective budgeting strategies available, so find one that works for you and your specific needs.

Many lenders provide a six-month grace period before you have to start making payments toward your student loan, but you may need more time than that. You can get more time by requesting to temporarily suspend your loan payments until you start receiving an income. Moving back in with your parents as you look for a job can be a great way to save money on rent, utilities and even food.

If your desired field or industry is competitive, it may take you some time to build your career. Remember to be patient and open to new opportunities. It's also important to keep yourself open to any position that allows you to build relevant and transferable skills.

If you were planning on returning to school eventually, it can be less of a transition to pursue your next degree directly after college. Regardless of whether you want to earn another degree, even just taking a class or two to further develop your skills and expertise can be a great use of your time as you search for work.

Additionally, using this time to get extra training, licenses and certifications can benefit your resume and, therefore, your career. Searching for a job requires a lot of time, but it's important that you continue to better yourself and enjoy your hobbies.

Consider taking on temporary work or a part-time job during this time. When a candidate has even a part-time job, it indicates to employers that they're motivated, responsible, and have a strong work ethic.

Sometimes it can be helpful to look outside of your city, or even your state, for work opportunities. Avoid moving before you are hired, but consider making a list of places where you would enjoy building your career and life and then begin looking into opportunities. If you have been looking for a job for several months, perhaps your search is too narrow. Consider looking outside of specific industries and career types.

Even if you're qualified for a higher-level position, it can be helpful to at least start in a more entry-level role so that you can gain experience and progress naturally. Aside from practicing your interviewing and communication skills so that you can impress hiring managers, it can be helpful to ask your interviewer what skills they feel that you should improve after you have been overlooked for a role. Even if your current job is unrelated to your desired career path, it can be used as an opportunity to apply your skills and expertise.

Look for additional responsibilities that you can take on and chances to contribute in a meaningful way. These experiences can be a great addition to your resume, show prospective employers your work ethic, demonstrate your ability to take initiative and, ultimately, bolster your chances of getting hired.

Conducting informational interviews with professionals in your field can help you network, explore potential career paths, get advice on writing effective cover letters and resumes , and learn more about potential job leads. LinkedIn is a handy resource for reaching out to professionals, forging industry connections, and identifying potential mentors. Consider, too, sharing your goals with a mentor who can hold you accountable.

Studies on goal-setting show that you're most likely to achieve goals that are written down, that are shared with someone, and that are subject to accountability. If, after some time, you're still struggling to find a job, rethink your strategies. Establish a routine for yourself as you would for any other activity; job hunting is a full-time endeavor, after all.

Budget time each day for searching for job postings, tailoring your cover letter and resume, and submitting applications.

Remember to be realistic about the process and don't rely on shortcuts — applying to 30 jobs a day without tweaking your resume or reassessing your approach is much less likely to get you interviews than sending out five quality applications. Job hunting is a full-time endeavor. Regularly rework your materials and techniques. If your resume isn't gaining traction, you might need to scrap it and start over. Ask friends and family to read your cover letter and offer feedback.

If you're struggling with interviews, record yourself giving a short pitch about who you are and what you're looking for. You can also reach out to your college's or alumni association's career services for support and resources. Most importantly, make sure you're taking care of yourself during this tricky time. Burnout from the job hunt can lead to cynicism and anxiety, which can manifest during interviews or conversations with professionals.

Remember that plenty of college grads have trouble securing jobs, despite being qualified. The skills that make you great in your field might not be the same as those needed to persuade employers to hire you.

Use this time to master the craft of presenting yourself as a serious, committed professional. View the most relevant school for your interests and compare them by tuition, programs, acceptance rate, and other factors important to find your college home. Share on Social. Create a Job Application Tracking System A job application tracking system can help you keep track of which positions you've applied for, when you applied, whether you received a positive or negative response, and how far in the hiring process you made it e.

Prepare to Ace the Interview If your resume is getting you lots of interviews but no job offers, it's time to focus on how you're performing in person. Below are some tips to help you ace your job interviews: Dress for Success: We all make snap judgments based on appearance, and this is especially true for interviews. Find an outfit that's professional but still expresses your identity.

Monster can make your job search easier —free of charge. Let us help you go from new grad to new hire in less time than it takes to unpack all your boxes of dorm stuff. Thank you! You are now a Monster member—and you'll receive more content in your inbox soon. By continuing, you agree to Monster's privacy policy , terms of use and use of cookies.

Search Career Advice. Daniel Bortz, Monster contributor. Welcome to the job search. Related Articles. Browse articles by Find The Right Career Path. Professional Development.

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