College seniors may be anxious about entering the job market. While we are in a period of low unemployment, the kinds of professional jobs that college graduates expect to work in could be in more demand. Luke Persichetti, a recent Yale University graduate residing in New York, offers 6 tips for students who are graduating and in need of work.
1. Start Before Graduation
When searching for a post-collegiate job, it is important to start before you graduate. While you are still a student, use your university’s career center and make sure that you take advantage of all its resources. It may have lists of job opportunities in your area and may be able to connect you with knowledgeable alumni who are members of your field of interest.
2. Think About Including More Jobs on Your Resume
You may believe that you can only include professional experience on your resume, but if you are just graduating from college with no work experience, you may come up short in this area. Try adding such positions as high school internships, jobs, and experiences. Be selective about the jobs you include, and do not include anything that reflects poorly on you as a person.
3. Be Flexible
Luke Persichetti advises that because there are few job opportunities in your field in your local area, you should keep an open mind. You may find that you can apply for a job that is not in your field and receive on-the-job training. College and university alumni networks are perfect for this type of job search. With a college or university in common, employers will be more likely to look favorably on your application even if you did not study in the field.
4. Make Use of Social Media
Social media can be a double-edged sword for post-collegiate job applicants according to Luke Persichetti, who has had first hand experience with both the positive and negative impacts of social media. First, applicants need to be sure that all their social media material reflects well on themselves as people. Remove all references to alcohol and partying. Be especially careful with photo tagging. Check your privacy settings to make sure you can’t be tagged in any photos without your permission. A good rule of thumb is to never write anything that you would be embarrassed to see on a billboard.
Social media also has a major upside. Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn can be helpful for job applicants by helping them put their best foot forward to the world. Connecting with people in your field will help your chances of landing a job. Also, your friends’ and family’s professional connections can view your resume and other information. Any kind of networking is beneficial for a job applicant.
5. Be Professional
One common criticism of recent graduates is that they don’t take their work seriously enough. When you are interviewing for a position and starting a new job, make sure that you behave as professionally as possible. Show up on time, properly dressed for the job, and be ready to work. Even if your job is a placeholder while you are looking for something in your field, take care of your reputation regardless. You will want a positive reference for your next job.
6. Research Thoroughly
Before you apply for a job, make sure that you know as much about the field as possible. Go beyond the company’s website and research the field on your own. When you do this, you will show your employer that you are curious, serious about the field, and are ready to be an independent thinker.
When you follow these 6 tips, you will have an easier time navigating the senior year career search. Luke Persichetti invites fellow students to explore all the opportunities available and wishes applicants the best in achieving their dreams.
