{"id":2467,"date":"2020-05-29T15:28:27","date_gmt":"2020-05-29T15:28:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/abound.college\/mba\/?post_type=advice&p=2467"},"modified":"2020-06-02T15:01:08","modified_gmt":"2020-06-02T15:01:08","slug":"how-to-find-a-better-job-after-finishing-college","status":"publish","type":"advice","link":"https:\/\/abound.college\/mba\/advice\/how-to-find-a-better-job-after-finishing-college\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Find a Better Job After Finishing College?"},"content":{"rendered":"

You went to class, you studied, you put in the work, and you did it! Congratulations on finishing college. Now comes the fun part: finding a better job. Fortunately, as an adult with life and work experience, finding a better job to suit your new degree shouldn\u2019t take too much blood, sweat, or tears. It will, however, take some time, effort, and a lot of patience. Continue reading for tips on how to tailor your r\u00e9sum\u00e9, use social media, and craft a personal brand to get you your dream job.<\/span><\/p>\n

Start your job search:\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/h3>\n

This might sound obvious; if you\u2019re reading this, you\u2019ve already started your search, right? Yes and no. Just because you\u2019re looking for a job, that doesn\u2019t necessarily mean you\u2019re doing everything you can effectively. With a focused and strategic plan, you will be able to land a job more quickly. If you finished college to advance in the field you\u2019re already in, then you likely already know where to start. If your new degree is opening unfamiliar doors, then take a moment to explore your options. Don\u2019t be afraid to consult the career center at your school; the staff there can help you identify career paths suited to your strengths and goals. Create a list of jobs you\u2019re interested in and qualified for and start exploring.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The early bird gets the worm (and the job):<\/span><\/i><\/h3>\n

This adage is especially relevant when it comes to your job search. StartWire, a job search engine, <\/span>reported<\/span><\/a> that more than 50% of jobs were filled by candidates who had applied within the first week of a posting. Set up a job alert on Indeed, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, or Monster so that you can be notified of every new posting. Of course, if you\u2019re not one of the first applicants, don\u2019t be discouraged. Apply anyway! It doesn\u2019t hurt to try your chances, especially if you have specialized skills.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tailor your r\u00e9sum\u00e9:\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/h3>\n

It might be tempting to submit your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 seconds after finding a job posting, but you need to make some changes. It\u2019s common sense that a recruiter will recognize and condemn a generic r\u00e9sum\u00e9 or cover letter, but in this age of technology and automation, your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 might not even make it to the discerning eye of a recruiter in the first place. Many companies use recruiting software that automatically sorts through applications that don\u2019t feature the right keywords. To avoid having your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 fall through the cracks, take the time to make sure it features relevant language from the job posting. Now, this doesn\u2019t mean you should list that you\u2019re a photoshop expert or fluent in Mandarin just because that\u2019s listed in the posting. Rather, look for the hard and soft skills you <\/span>do<\/span><\/i> have and emphasize them in your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 and cover letter. You\u2019ll make it past the AI gatekeepers and reach the human eyes of a recruiter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Create a personal brand:\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/h3>\n

As unique individuals, we all have a personal brand\u2014it’s called our personality! In the professional world, however, it is important to make sure your brand is clear, distinctive, and uniquely yours. Producing original content like articles, videos, and blogs is a great way to showcase your skills and individuality. It\u2019s also a great way to position yourself as a unique asset to potential employers. This is a step you\u2019ll work on throughout your career and, like a fine wine, will only get better with age. Don\u2019t stress too much about it if you don\u2019t have a sparkly website or portfolio just yet.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Use social media:\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/h3>\n

Instagram and Twitter aren\u2019t just for Gen Z. As an adult job seeker, you should embrace social media in your job search. In fact, a <\/span>report<\/span><\/a> by the Society for Human Resource Management found that 84% of companies use social media to recruit. But don\u2019t worry, you don\u2019t need to download every app; research the leaders in your industry and find out what they use. You\u2019ll likely spend most of your time liking and sharing content on LinkedIn or Twitter, but it can vary. Your social media profiles are an extension of your personal brand, so be judicious with what you post. Keep the personal stuff for a private page you share with family and friends.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pro tip: Make your account private or delete anything questionable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Prepare for the interview:\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/h3>\n

As an adult, you\u2019re probably no stranger to job interviews, but it\u2019s still important to be well prepared. Do plenty of research on the company beforehand so you can tailor your answers. Every recruiter will have a different interview style, but you can expect a few commonalities:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

General questions:<\/b> These questions are anything but basic. Thoughtful answers will make you a memorable candidate.<\/span><\/p>\n