Leaving College - A Guide To Graduate Job Hunting

Believe it or not, you can start your job search in your senior year, long before you graduate. Beginning this early will give you the time you need to consider your options, gather all the necessary experience and tools, and focus yourself to be ready right out of the gate. So don't put this off. If you only have a month to graduation, start now. If you have nine months to graduation, start now. Whatever your situation, there is a lot to be done, so do yourself a favor and get a head start. You can bet that some of the other students will.

First things first: decide on a career plan. You may not know exactly which job you want in your particular field. So now is the time to discuss your options with faculty advisors or professors. You can even do informational interviews with professionals in your field to find out their ideas for career choices. These people are usually quite happy to take time out to talk to you about their jobs and the industry they love.

Next, you'll need some experience. This is often the sticking point with graduates, as they need experience to get a job, and they need a job to get experience. But your senior year is a great time to apply for an internship or spend a little time volunteering. You can also take some part-time work. Even if it's outside of your field, it will be an example of your work ethic and sense of responsibility.

Register with your college's career services office where there is a wealth of information and experience. You can register your resume and get involved in their student recruitment program. Companies go to this office directly to find qualified students for positions on a regular basis. The people in this office can also help you to come up with a job search plan. You need an outline of your goals and what it will take to get there.

Now, polish your resume and cover letter and do some research into how to do effective follow ups. Again, your career services office will be a great resource in these areas. You should also spend some time practicing your interview skills. This is not just a casual conversation with someone. You need to come across as confident and respectful. Write out some potential questions and practice your answers with a friend.

Networking is one of the hardest things for students to do. You may feel intimidated by speaking to people who are established in your field. Try to overcome this by remembering that they started where you are now and will likely feel very pleased to help someone else come up behind them. Get some contacts in your industry through professors and other informational interviews. Ask about openings and send your resume for consideration.

Finally, attend career fairs and conferences whenever possible. You can meet some very informative people here and make valuable contacts. Always follow up with a thank you note or phone call to every person who gives you a business card, whether they are at a company you like or not. This person could be the link to the right job elsewhere. That's what networking is all about.

With the right attitude, some honesty, and persistence, you can find a great job right out of college and be well on your way to a quality career.

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