This may be just the guide you need if you can’t find a job after college.
There are tons of guides out there that offer helpful resources when you’re trying to land your first job after college, however, I wanted to offer a little different perspective.
Don’t Panic!
First of all, do NOT panic! I know it’s stressful (I’ve been there) but actually having a positive mindset through the process will very much help you pull through this difficult time. Optimism can have a real impact on your ability to succeed. If you think about it, it makes total sense. Optimistic people are more likely to have a “go get em’ ” attitude and do what it takes to meet their goals.
You don’t want to slip into a state of apathy, because then it’s going to be very difficult to achieve the things you want. (I’ve also been there).
Don’t stop looking for a job
Even if you can’t find a job, keep at it. According to recent statistics, it takes an average of 3-6 months for recent graduates to land their first job after college. Of course, that is just an average, so for some, it may take much longer.
- Make sure you’re networking – companies are way more likely to interview you if you’ve been suggested to them by a current employee, family member, or friend.
- Make sure you’re on LinkedIn, and apply for jobs directly through LinkedIn
- Check out these job search sites aimed at college grads to try and cover all your bases
- Check to see if you have any local resources available to help you with your resume and cover letter. Often times employment agencies will provide these services for free.
- Consider jobs that are part-time or lower-paying to give yourself a foot in the door.
- Widen your search radius, if possible. The job you’re looking for might be impossible to find in your area.
In the meantime…
Gain experience
I know it’s the conundrum for many new grads. All the available entry-level jobs require years of experience, which you don’t have because you just graduated! Unless you have great connections, it can be so difficult to get a decent job with no experience.
There are a few things you can do to gain work experience after college:
- Seek out temp agencies! They can seriously help you find entry-level jobs to break into. The jobs might not be in your exact field, but it gives you a foot in the door to gain experience and make new connections.
- Find an internship. Even if you didn’t do one as an undergrad, you may be able to find one as a graduate. It probably won’t pay well (if at all) but you will gain valuable experience and connections to help land a “real” job later.
- Try offering any services you can for free to new business owners or individuals in need and try and gain some experience that way. For example, if you build websites, offer to create a website for someone who needs one. It’ll give you experience to put down and you can also use them as a reference. It’s a win-win!
Continue your education
This doesn’t have to mean enrolling yourself back in college. These days, there are tons of available online learning platforms that offer courses around any subject you may think of.
If you’re on the job search and realize you need to seriously brush up on some software or technical skills that relate to the jobs you’re applying for, platforms like Udemy or Coursera could be great options to check out.
These platforms offer courses for low cost and can help add skills to your resume and help you feel more confident.
Build an online portfolio
Don’t be afraid to create a website and showcase your skills! You can include your resume and a full portfolio of your work.
Your work could consist of school projects, side gigs, or your own projects you’ve done for others or in your free time.
Consider alternative ways to make money
It might be a while before you land a steady job. If you’re interested in checking out how you can earn some extra money online in the meantime, see the program that taught me how to build a business online and earn a full-time income!
If you’re completely lost and questioning whether you even want to use your degree (or maybe you’re thinking about going back to school) consider that there are in-demand fields right now that don’t require a degree at all. Check out why you might want to consider a degree in digital marketing if you’re looking for a new direction to take (without going back to school!)
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