You have worked hard for the many years you have been in college, and now it’s time to face the real world. It’s time to work on your resume and seek job opportunities. It’s a scary thought. Think of all those who graduated the same year as you or before you and most of them are gunning for the same positions you are. It doesn’t have to be a scary task though. A little due diligence, some time and energy will get you a rewarding career that utilizes your major.

Tips to help you get a job out of college

Start your search early
Don’t put off your job search until you graduate. The last months of college are exciting, and you may want to enjoy every bit of them. However, don’t forget you have an after-college life. Don’t hold off on finding a job because it can take months or years to land one. Instead, concentrate on after college activities that allow you to gain valuable skills and experiences to increase your chances of landing a job. Start building your networks while still in college to increase the number of connections and resources needed to start your job search.

Research
Do some research on the type of jobs that fit your major. Consider your experiences, passions, and skills too, and narrow your job search to specific roles in your industry. Doing this ensures you do not waste time and effort applying for any job that’s remotely relevant to your major. Applying to every entry-level position advertised makes you look confused and unfocused.

Update your resume
After choosing the jobs that you would like to apply for, update your resume to highlight skills, qualities, education and experiences that suit each specific position. Understand the connection between the employer’s needs and what you bring to the table. Focus on what the employer needs, not what you need when drafting your resume and cover letter. Why should the employer hire you? What makes you the ideal candidate? What makes you an asset to the company? How are you going to help solve their problems better than other candidates applying for the same position? Your resume should sell your skills and qualities to the potential employer.

However, you do not want to sound like a robot in your resume. Include other things like unique interests, experiences, and fun facts about you. Your interests may be the same as those of your hiring manager and this could give you an opportunity to build rapport and be memorable. For example, if you played basketball while in college, the interviewer may want to talk to you about the latest Lakers game.

Prepare an elevator pitch
The elevator pitch should help you tell people interesting things about you that grab their attention. It’s your opportunity to impress, in 30 seconds or less. The elevator pitch highlights your experience and background in the shortest time possible. It should tell the potential employer who you are, what you are currently doing and what you would love to do. It shares your credentials and expertise effectively and in a short time to people who do not know you.

The pitch is a great way to introduce yourself during career expos, networking events or job fairs to company representatives and hiring managers. It would be best if you also used it as your LinkedIn summary or on your twitter bio. The trick is to practice it until it comes naturally to you without sounding like a robot. Vary it into different conversations and be flexible with it. Don’t use the same pitch for every potential employer you meet. Tailor it to the industry, position and potential employer.

Visit the career center at the college
A career advisor can help you discuss and streamline your goals. They will help brush up your resume and cover letters. They will also provide career advice on how to prepare for interviews and how to plan your job search. The career center will also be a great place to learn about career fairs or recruiter events.

Start networking
Networking is one of the effective ways to land a job. Reach out to family, friends, past teachers, coaches, college counselors, mentors, and acquaintances who can connect you to potential employers. Be wise about how you go about this. Asking directly for a job may not get you far. Show your curiosity about the work they do. What skills are needed? What are the work requirements? What are the qualifications? What is the best way to find a job in their field? What do they think of your resume and which areas need improvement?

Once they have seen your resume, ask them if they know of a position that can be suitable for you, given your background. This kind of networking showcases your interpersonal skills. Your connections will be inclined to put you in touch with other contacts who can hire you. Remember to keep in touch with your network. Your connection may not be willing to help you if you reach out two years later asking for a favor. Occasionally send them updates on what you are doing, comment on their posts on LinkedIn or share an article they wrote on your social sites.

Diversify your job search
Carry out internet searches on other niche specific boards and attend job fairs, conferences and networking events. Join LinkedIn groups and reach out to alumni working in industries that interest you. Keep yourself updated with new postings so that you apply within the first 48 hours. You can make sure of this by making it a morning or evening routine to check out new jobs.

Another way to get a job is to walk into a company you want to work for armed with your resume, cover letter, and portfolio. Tell them you want a job. They will most likely offer you some forms to fill in, and if the position is available, you may get hired if you meet their requirements. If not, then they will most likely call you up when the role becomes available.

Tailor your resume and cover letter for specific positions
Don’t use one resume to apply for all job posts. Tailor it so that it contains the right keywords. Make sure the resume mirrors the language used in the job description. Include examples, skills, qualities, and requirements needed for the specific role. The same goes for your cover letter. Make sure it expounds on qualities and skills required for the position using relevant examples.

Leverage the power of LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a professional networking site. Its benefits are endless especially for someone looking for a job. To begin leveraging LinkedIn, create your profile. The profile will allow you to meet and gather information on companies, potential employers and industries. You can also follow influencers to amass knowledge and tips on the industry.

LinkedIn will be your digital resume and will showcase your portfolio for easy access by hiring managers. Include your skills, internships, relevant experiences and examples of work done. A college graduate can include presentations you did while in college, internships or work you did.

Keep your social media clean
Social media sites are exciting. They are an opportunity to share with your friends and family things that are happening in your life. However, when looking for a job, make sure that you only post things that you would have no problem with your parent or future boss seeing.

Social media sites are not private. Employers will not hire you if you are posting cursive and vile words or obscene pictures. Your future employer can search your social media and make judgments that you don’t want them making depending on updates you put up.

Include recommendations in your applications
Request people you have either worked with or who can vouch for your skills and qualities to write you a recommendation letter. This includes mentors, coaches, professors or your supervisor at an internship you attended. The recommendations should be relevant to the industry or type of jobs you want. For example, a recommendation from your professor vouching for your skills in and out of the classroom, your work ethic, critical thinking skills, and leadership skills can help you land a job.

Prepare effectively for the interview
Just because you land an interview does not mean the job is yours. You must be thorough about it. Research the company, research your interviewer (if provided), prepare a clean, edited and updated resume, prepare an updated portfolio and carry several copies of them. A panel may interview you, and it’s more convenient if each has a copy of your documents.

Be prepared for the interview and communicate eloquently about what makes you unique. After the interview, stay in touch by sending a thank you note to the interviewers. Reference something discussed during the meeting to show that you paid attention and that you care about the position.

Finding a job after college can be stressful. It can also be terrifying if friends or peers you graduated with are getting jobs, but you are not. However, it’s important to realize that you are all different. You may have liked the same things while in college but your situations once out of college change.
You also have different dreams, goals, strengths, and weaknesses. Their successes should not dampen your spirits but make you better focused on what you want to achieve.