We all have the assumption that once you graduate, the cushy high-paying job is going to follow. Sure, while this is the case with some degrees such as engineering and nursing, some graduates often have a hard time finding a job, even with a degree.
So, the question is: What the heck am I doing wrong? It could be a few things.
Let’s take a look at why most people struggle to find a job, even with a college degree.
1. Focus on what you love
Stop focusing on what your degree is in, but rather, look for jobs that interest you. Remember, when you start this job, you’re going to be stuck with it for quite some time, and if you hate it, you’re in for a world of depression. Spending the time to focus on a job you love can truly show your passion during an interview when you find an interesting job. It can also motivate you to create the perfect resume to at least land a phone call.
2. Put effort into your interview
Let’s say you do nail an interview for a job you love. Instead of showing up to the interview in your boring suit and folder with a resume, take it one step further. For example, what if you were to show up to an agency looking for an in-house marketer. In this scenario, you could create a small presentation showing them what they are doing wrong and how you would fix it. Yes, it’s going to take time, but companies will respect this and will remember you if your presentation was awesome. Remember, you get what you put in.
3. Use LinkedIn
If you’re not on LinkedIn, start taking advantage. This is a great way to network with companies you’re interested in and gets you out there. Creating a compelling profile can often lead to recruiters asking if you’re interested in a job, and a lot of times, this can lead to some lucrative jobs opportunities.
4. Tailor your resume
Don’t send out the same generic resume over and over again. For each job, make sure you’re tailoring your resume for the specific job because this will show the HR department you actually read the job description and meet their wants and needs. Yes, while it’s so easy to copy and paste 100 times, this laziness will show in your efforts.
5. Too much education?
If you have two degrees or too many certifications, you may be overqualified. While some people question this tactic, it is okay to leave education off your resume if you assume it will lead to an interview. As long as the salary makes sense and you feel you can enjoy the job, there’s nothing wrong with this tactic.
6. Don’t take it personally
Getting rejected over and over again can really stink. Don’t take this personally. For most job titles, especially if they are demand, you can expect hundreds of people to be applying for this position. While it’s only natural to get rejected, you should start to rethink your approach if you haven’t landed a resume after 50 or so submissions. Keep your head up because rejection is only natural. You won’t land the first job you apply for.
7. Focus on strengths
Being fresh out of college will often mean you don’t have any real-world corporate experience. This is okay. Don’t focus on your weaknesses such as this, but rather, focus on what you can bring to a company. During your interviews, your inexperience should be a moot point.
8. Focus on networking
Like LinkedIn, focus on meeting new people face to face. This can be done via the following ways:
- Alumni Associations
- Networking Conferences
- Organizations
- Career Fairs
- Job Shadowing
Just keep in mind job searching doesn’t have to be about sending out resumes day after day.
9. Volunteer
Those who don’t have experience may want to consider volunteering while looking for a job. This can work in two ways: It can be a wonderful resume booster, and it can fill your resume gap. With thousands of volunteering opportunities out there, try to find one that closely relates to the field you want to enter.
10. Your resume
Lastly, you could have all the talent in the world, but if your resume isn’t portraying these skills, it may be ending up in the trash bin. Make an effort to have a few people look at your resume and see what they think. If you can afford it, it also doesn’t hurt to have a professional look over it as well.
Job hunting can be a struggle, especially if you’re fresh out of school. Whether you have a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration, an MBA, or no degree at all, if you look hard enough, you’ll find the right career. Keep your chin up, don’t get discouraged and try to implement these tips to see if you can land that dream job Good luck!
About the Author:
Stephanie is from howmuchisit – a cost-helping database designed to help consumers find out what unknown things cost from life.