Top 10 Job Search Techniques for Recent Graduates

Congratulations on graduating! After spending countless dollars and studying for such a long period of time, I am sure that you are thrilled to finally enter the real world. But, are you genuinely ready for what awaits? It is my stipulation that you most likely are not ready. Too often, I have seen recently graduated men and women stumble into an employment office and practically bomb their first interview. Although college does a tremendous job of empowering us with the tools necessary to function on the job, it does awfully little to prepare us to actually get the job. To help you on your way, here is a list of techniques to utilize when searching for a job! Read them, study them, and apply them! Good luck!

Stick with Your Interests

Your major does not define you. You define you. Do not be afraid to pursue employment opportunities that may fall somewhat outside the confines of your specific major. Many tasks inherent to a specific position may in fact be learned on the job. In all honesty, your major is meant to merely get you in the door, not teach you everything involved with what comes after. If you, for instance, just graduated with a degree in office management, you could in turn use that to get a position as a retail store manager. Although managing an office is very different from maintaining a retail outlet, you have already proven that you possess the basic skills necessary to function as a manager. Everything else, you can learn on the job.

Seek Assistance

Every major University and College has a center specifically designed to aid recent graduates in finding a suitable job. They can help you practice your interviewing skills, locate quality jobs, and even place you in certain positions. Do not feel embarrassed or afraid to rely on them for assistance. They are there for you. In fact, you should have already contacted them before you even graduated. By the time that you graduate, you need to already be thoroughly prepared to hit the job market. Time is money, and wasted time equates to a loss of money.

Expand Your Search

Do not limit your job search to just the major job engines like careerbuilder and monster. Check out the local classifieds, Craigslist, and any trade organizations associated with your chosen field of study. Also consider attending job fairs, networking with individuals already employed in the field, and seeking a hookup from your friends and family. If your friend, for instance, works at a company engaged in the sort of work that you desire, there is nothing wrong with seeking his or her assistance with getting yourself through the door.

Send a Printed Copy

Instead of just emailing your resume and cover letter to a prospective employer, also mail them a printed copy. What with all the email that employers receive, they may accidentally skip over yours. By sending in a printed copy, you increase your chances of being noticed and also show that you are genuinely interested in obtaining a position with the company. If the company also accepts faxed documents, then fax your papers in as well. You need to discover all the methods available for contacting the company, and then utilize every single one of them.

Entry-Level is Okay

There is nothing wrong with starting with an entry-level position, even if you just graduated with a Masters or Ph.D. Once you acquire a position, you can then worry about climbing up the corporate ladder. By refraining from pursuing entry-level work, you are only hurting yourself. Many corporate executives started at an entry-level position, and then later rose up the ladder.

Use Common Sense

Never email your paperwork from the address of your current employer. It is disrespectful, unprofessional, and absolutely stupid. Your potential new employer will question your integrity, loyalty, and common sense. Furthermore, you may also lose your current job.

Research

You must research the position. This entails spending time to research the eligibilities and requirements of a particular career option. If you, for instance, intend to interview at a bankruptcy law office, then you should be well aware of the functions involved in serving at such a role. You should also be aware of the company's history. If you, for example, are applying for a management position at a local Walmart, you should thoroughly research Walmart's background and stock, as well as review any recent press releases from Walmart.

Prepare

Never try to wing a job interview. Practice speaking, answering questions, and also asking questions. Use all the knowledge obtained from your research to prepare well-thought-out answers and questions. If you do all the research, but fail to prepare, you may end up stumbling over your words. Worse case scenario, your mind may go completely blank from all the anxiety of being in an interview. This makes you appear insecure, incompetent, and potentially unhirable.

Look Professional

Always look professional, no matter what sort of work you are pursuing. Have your hair cut, your nails trimmed, and your clothes stiffly ironed. Even if you are interviewing at Toys-R-Us, a certain degree of professionalism and elegance is still required. In regards to seeking a job, being over-dressed is always better than being under-dressed. Job seekers want hi-quality associates who are confident, articulate, and intelligent enough to make wise decisions. Do not smear your image by strolling into an office looking shabby and half-ass. It is not worth it.

Work Hard

Lastly, once you obtain the position, work harder than you have ever done before. Get to work early, take short lunch breaks, and leave a little late. Prove to your supervisors that you are in fact better equipped for the functions of the job than your coworkers. At the end of the day, it is the most efficient and effective worker that makes it to the top. Never forget that!