If you’re like me, you graduated college without ever completing an internship. In my case, I worked full-time and was unable to add other responsibilities to my already full plate. Below are some tips that helped me in my own job search:
1. Work an entry-level job for a large company
This worked brilliantly for me. I worked a job I didn’t necessarily love – but paid the bills. It was for a huge company that offered a lot of opportunities in different departments. Upon graduating, I applied for different jobs outside of my department where I knew I could use my degree. I was able to land an amazing job 8 months after graduation.
2. Find a Mentor
If you have a job with a large firm, your mentor can be found within your company. If not, work with your family, friends and college professors to find someone who will take an interest in your future. Finding a mentor is pretty easy as long as you are comfortable bringing up your upcoming graduation as often as possible. If you mention that you are graduating with a marketing degree, someone might mention that their friend works in marketing. That opens up the opportunity to ask if they can mention you and see if you can get some time on their calendar to learn about their field.
3. Social Media
The obvious social media account for a job search is LinkedIn. Make sure you have your account updated and use it to interact with recruiters from different firms. Also make sure you leverage your Facebook friends list. Make a status update about your job search to see if anyone knows companies that would hire you.
4. Leverage Your College Professors
College professors love giving advice and tend to have a very large network. Take time to build relationships with your professors before actually asking them to help you find a job. This way they can get to know you and help find you a good fit.
5. Exploratory Interviews
Make sure you complete as many exploratory interviews as possible before you start your job search. Find individuals with jobs that interest you (networking events, guest speakers in college, etc) and ask to set up a meeting where you can ask questions about their job. Don’t use this to ask FOR a job – simply use it as a learning opportunity. The person you interview will appreciate the effort you made to learn about jobs before making a decision – and this will make it easier for you should you ever apply for a job in their firm. At the end of the interview, ask if there is anyone else they think you could speak to. They can help by doing a soft introduction so you continue to meet new people.
I have used all of these methods and continue to do so – as I believe we should always be thinking of our next career move. Make sure you give these a try and let me know how it works! Good luck!
Caffeinated 20s 