mindyKNOWS Articles
Second Semester Tips to Land the Post-College Job
It’s the start of a new college semester, and for many, the final one before graduation.
Your student may tell you that the post-grad job search is “under control”… but you don’t feel so confident. You wonder…
- Is your daughter attending the career fair or using campus resources?
- Is your son networking with the right people?
- Does your student know what jobs to apply for?
Students know they need to plan for their future, but are often intimidated and overwhelmed by the process. Where do they start?
Here are 4 steps to jump-start the search for soon-to-be grads.
1. Focus
When the internship or job search gets difficult, students can be desperate and will apply to a lot of different jobs. They say, “I will do anything! I will work for anyone!” This is not what employers want to hear. Employers want candidates to have clarity about what they want to pursue. If unsure what to do, help them think about their skills. Are they great at writing, problem-solving, or communicating? Direct them toward opportunities that can leverage these skills. The chance for success is greater when students narrow down the area they want to pursue.
2. Perfect the resume and LinkedIn profile
The resume should focus on what was accomplished in past work experience, clubs, and classes. Being concise is key and the focus should be on skills. If your student is in the creative or writing space, an online portfolio link should also be added to the resume. Is the resume ready? Access our free Resume Checklist.
A completed LinkedIn profile is a must. This is an excellent way to connect with professors, peers, alumni, and industry experts. LinkedIn is the best platform for researching companies and identifying job opportunities, but it is most valuable for networking and connecting with contacts in the field of interest. Is your student struggling with navigating LinkedIn? Get the Ace the LinkedIn Profile Checklist.
3. Attend the Spring Career Fair
Did you know that many college students AVOID going to the Career Fair? Students are intimidated and overwhelmed. They may not have clarity on a career. Or maybe they don’t know what to say about themselves when meeting a recruiter. This is the one time recruiters come to campus looking for your student. They should go. They can plan by looking at the company list ahead of time, prioritizing the top 5-7 they want to meet, and practicing their elevator pitch. Your grad can get the essential Ace the Career Fair Guide.
4. Network
Did you know that 80% of employers hire new employees based on referrals? Parents are great resources to help with referrals. However, your student must be prepared to meet anyone you may introduce them to. There are too many stories where parents make introductions and the kids blow it because they were too casual and thought mom or dad would take care of things. Referrals with preparation have the most success.
There are no shortcuts to landing a job after college. Students need to balance finishing strong academically with putting effort into their career search. There are many opportunities; they just need to put in the time to make them happen.
If you would like to learn more about how Next Great Step helps students land an internship or first job, reach out for a complimentary consultation. Our next Group Coaching program starts in a few weeks!
Join us. We are hosting a FREE Open Office Hours on Wednesday 1/29 at 7 pm EST. We will address:
- Challenges that grads, students, and their parents are seeing in the job search
- The hiring outlook and industry trends
- Actionable tips and guidance to land the first job or internship
- Answer your questions and more
This session is for parents, students, grads, and concerned family members looking for job search guidance. REGISTER TODAY!
Beth Hendler-Grunt is the founder and president of Next Great Step. The firm’s sole focus is to guide college students and recent grads to help them to land the job they deserve. She leverages techniques and insights of advising CEOs and brings those secrets to students to help them stand out and get the job. She has enabled hundreds of clients to achieve success where 90% of clients land the job of their choice. Ms. Hendler-Grunt is the author of the Amazon #1 Best Seller, “The Next Great Step: The Parents’ Guide to Launching Your New Grad into A Career”. This is a must-have resource for parents. Ms. Hendler-Grunt has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, NBC News, Kiplinger, CNN, Fortune, and many other media outlets. Her clients have landed jobs at Amazon, Yelp, JP Morgan, EY, and Major League Baseball to name a few. She is also the mom of a college senior and grad school student… so she gets it.