Getting started on your job search can feel overwhelming, particularly if you’re experiencing pressure from the people in your life to land something quickly upon graduation. However, if you postpone the inevitable until after you’ve already graduated, you’ll feel even more overwhelmed and may lose out on the opportunity to use important resources made available to you by your college or university. Here are some easy steps you can take in order to take the stress out of the job hunt:
Make both a short and a long-term plan
It may feel as if you have months upon months to get started on your job search, but in reality the last few months of college will pass quickly. In order to make the most of this time, consider making a timeline that breaks up how you’ll spend the days, weeks, and months before graduation. What will you do each day? On a weekly basis, how will you approach the job search? On a broader scale, what can you be doing each month to make it easier to find a job when school is over? Staying organized and creating a plan of action can make the search seem far less daunting when you have your diploma in your hand and you’re ready to start working.
Make connections with alumni
Many college students think that “networking” is a dirty word, when it’s actually one of the most important things you can do in order to land a job after graduation. Even if you’re qualified and passionate, if no one knows you’re looking, it’s hard to find an opportunity in a competitive market. Make it easier for yourself by getting in contact with alumni who are currently working in your field. You don’t have to feel as if you’re asking them for favors. You’re simply getting to know them and learning about what the business is like from people who are actually living it each day. As your relationship builds and develops, they may even consider you should a position within their company open up.
Lastly, students should make an appointment with the Career Services office at their school. These professionals can help take some of the panic out of job hunting, and can point students in the right direction when it comes to landing an opportunity that they’ll love once school is over.
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