Apply for Jobs After College
Applying for jobs can be exhausting and discouraging, especially if you've been searching for employment for a long time. To increase your chances of getting hired soon after graduating from college, start your search while you're still in school. Sending out resumes and applications early can give you a head start on the rest of your graduating class. Don't expect to get the job--or the salary--of your dreams right off the bat, though. You can plan on starting in an entry-level position to gain experience.
Instructions
1. Go to your college's career counseling office and ask for assistance. Show a counselor your resume and get her advice on improving it. You may think you know all you need to about landing a job, but a counselor can likely show you better ways to market yourself. This is a good opportunity to ask for any help you need, including writing a cover letter and interviewing skills.
2. Check local, regional and national newspapers--if you don't mind relocating--and online job banks, such as Monster and CareerBuilder.com. Some job banks allow you to post your resume so that possible employers can view it. If you find any jobs that sound right for you, mail a copy of your resume and a cover letter detailing the skills you can bring to the position and requesting an interview. "Sell" yourself to your potential employer in your cover letter. Discuss your relevant experience and explain why you're the right person for the job
3. Network. Ask your friends, classmates, parents and parents' friends and co-workers if they know of any entry-level job openings. If you completed an internship in college, send a note to that company thanking them for the internship opportunity and informing them that you're graduating and would like to interview for a position. Call your internship supervisor and ask about any possible openings, either now or down the road.
4. Visit online networking sites, such as Facebook, MySpace, MyLife and LinkedIn. Post a professional looking profile or redo your existing profile. Potential employers may check out your online profile before deciding whether to grant an interview, so make your profile look professional by removing any potentially embarrassing material, such as photographs from parties.
5. Volunteer during any spare time you have between job searches. Listing a volunteer position on your resume may boost your credibility with a potential employer and can also create more networking opportunities. It's possible for a volunteer position to turn into a paid position.
6. Attend career or job fairs and treat them like actual interviews. Dress professionally, act sharp and bring copies of your resume to distribute to potential employers. Research the companies that will be represented before you go. Your chances of impressing a recruiter are a lot better if you know something about the company and position beforehand.
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