Did you know that, for individuals under 30 who earned a bachelor’s degree this past year, 73% are employed, with 11% still looking for work? (the remaining percentage are out of the labor force, or in school) It’s not always as tough as you might imagine to get a job, but it’s fair to say that things are, at least, fairly difficult.
Unfortunately, 37% of all degree holders in the U.S. are working for jobs that require a high school degree or less. You don’t just want a job; ideally, you want a career. Here are three top tips for finding a career after college, based on the latest information and research.
1. Finding a Career after College Resume Tips
Your resume is your ticket into your first job. Easy mistakes, however, are more frequent than you think. Many people simply lack the understanding of what employers are actually looking for. Make sure your resume is focused on explaining what you can do for someone- not what they can do for you. In other words, avoid saying on your resume that you want to build YOUR skills at a new job. Make sure to mention what you’ve achieved in easy to read, to the point language. Keep format in mind; a big block of text inhibits skimming and doesn’t tell the recruiter or employer where to look.
2. Do an Entry Level Job Search
One mistake a lot of applicants make is applying for jobs that are way beyond their experience and skill level. Although we all know stories of people who got and were great at jobs they were technically “unqualified” for, these cases are special, not the norm, and you’ll be wasting your time applying for a job that wants someone with 15 years in the field, when you haven’t even hit one yet. If you’re not sure what qualifies as “entry level careers” for your field of study, get in contact with the people who have the job you want in the future, and ask how they started out.
3. Be Wary of How Much Online Job Boards Actually Help
With everything online, it’s tempting to use aggregating sites like Monster, CareerBuilder, and LinkedIn to find your next big opening. However, they shouldn’t be the only avenue you pursue for starting a career. Nick Corcodilos, a headhunter for the past 30 years, has written about how job boards aren’t actually very efficient at connecting employees to employers. In fact, employers have said that only about 1.3% of their hires on average come from these sites. The takeaway? Don’t hesitate to post your information in multiple places, but be pro-active and get in contact with businesses in your local area via their own websites or mailboxes.
Have you found a career after college? See this link for more.
