Entry Level Job Search
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Graduates And The Search For An Initial Role
You have just had your diploma framed and are ready to face the real world time to get a job! Although it would probably be nice to have a position handed to you, employers may not be knocking down your door at this point. However, this does not mean you cannot find a great job after graduation.
Keep an open mind
One mistake new graduates often make is deciding what the dream position will hold and leaving no room for variation. If you are looking for a job to fit your mold, you may be looking for a long time! However, if you perform your search with a mindset that an "imperfect" position may hold promise, you are much more likely to find something you can live with.
Get your foot in the door
Along the same lines, you may not be able to walk into a career at the top or even the middle. The important thing is to get your foot in the door and give yourself the opportunity to work your way up. Years ago a college degree would guarantee an upper level position; this is not necessarily the case anymore. It is better to start at the bottom than to not start at all you will have the chance to prove yourself later.
Resume
Have an impressive resume ready to submit to any potential employers. If you need help with this, hire a professional. It will be worth the money to obtain employment quickly than to scrimp and be jobless. Be sure to customize your resume for each position you are applying for. This will increase your chances of getting an interview.
Check the obvious sources
You should, of course, check the obvious sources for employment openings. Look in the classified section of your local papers, online employment sources, and employment agencies. There are an abundance of jobs available; you just have to sort through them.
Network
This is an aspect often overlooked in the search for employment. If you are looking for a position in a particular field, associate with people in that field! This may be done by joining local associations or simply making a few phone calls and inviting people to lunch. This may seem like being intrusive but a lot of people will appreciate your initiative. The more people you know, the better your chances are of knowing when a position becomes available. This will allow you to tap into an employment pool before it becomes common knowledge or widely advertised. Also, people are more likely to hire someone they know or are familiar with.
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Leaving College - A Guide To Graduate Job Hunting
Believe it or not, you can start your job search in your senior year, long before you graduate. Beginning this early will give you the time you need to consider your options, gather all the necessary experience and tools, and focus yourself to be ready right out of the gate. So don't put this off. If you only have a month to graduation, start now. If you have nine months to graduation, start now. Whatever your situation, there is a lot to be done, so do yourself a favor and get a head start. You can bet that some of the other students will.
First things first: decide on a career plan. You may not know exactly which job you want in your particular field. So now is the time to discuss your options with faculty advisors or professors. You can even do informational interviews with professionals in your field to find out their ideas for career choices. These people are usually quite happy to take time out to talk to you about their jobs and the industry they love.
Next, you'll need some experience. This is often the sticking point with graduates, as they need experience to get a job, and they need a job to get experience. But your senior year is a great time to apply for an internship or spend a little time volunteering. You can also take some part-time work. Even if it's outside of your field, it will be an example of your work ethic and sense of responsibility.
Register with your college's career services office where there is a wealth of information and experience. You can register your resume and get involved in their student recruitment program. Companies go to this office directly to find qualified students for positions on a regular basis. The people in this office can also help you to come up with a job search plan. You need an outline of your goals and what it will take to get there.
Now, polish your resume and cover letter and do some research into how to do effective follow ups. Again, your career services office will be a great resource in these areas. You should also spend some time practicing your interview skills. This is not just a casual conversation with someone. You need to come across as confident and respectful. Write out some potential questions and practice your answers with a friend.
Networking is one of the hardest things for students to do. You may feel intimidated by speaking to people who are established in your field. Try to overcome this by remembering that they started where you are now and will likely feel very pleased to help someone else come up behind them. Get some contacts in your industry through professors and other informational interviews. Ask about openings and send your resume for consideration.
Finally, attend career fairs and conferences whenever possible. You can meet some very informative people here and make valuable contacts. Always follow up with a thank you note or phone call to every person who gives you a business card, whether they are at a company you like or not. This person could be the link to the right job elsewhere. That's what networking is all about.
With the right attitude, some honesty, and persistence, you can find a great job right out of college and be well on your way to a quality career.
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Making The Transition From College To Career
While graduation is a pleasurable and satisfying time for most people, it may also be a stressful transition period. Not only do you typically walk away with a stack of student loan debt, you also have the obligation to earn enough money to "justify" your education and pay for your monthly expenses.
Finding a job is the first step into the real world. This is particularly difficult for recent graduates as limited experience is a roadblock into many positions. For this reason, many people will be forced into entry-level positions, which are rarely compensated adequately. Employers often feel justified in this because they have to train you and go through the period of time when you are less productive because you are in the learning process. Just be careful this "entry-level" label does not stick on you forever and, that at some point, you will be paid well for your effort.
The search for employment may also be grueling if there is simply nothing available in the field in which you have trained. Many graduates are forced into mediocre occupations because they simply could not find adequate employment or become disenchanted after the perfect job was not handed to them. Be careful to stay persistent in your search and not give up. A good position is available for you; it is just waiting to present itself.
Another transitional challenge graduates often encounter is the stringent scheduling requirements of employment. While this may seem minor, if you have spent the last 4-8 years taking off when you want to and simply making up the work, it may be arduous to be expected to be somewhere every day rain or shine. Do your best to be punctual and maintain exceptional work attendance, especially during your first months of employment. You do not want your boss to regret hiring you.
While some of the difficulties of this period are structural, others are emotional or mental in nature. Graduating from college and entering the workforce means you are an adult with certain responsibilities. This may be simple for some, but for other people that have had little experience taking care of themselves or being responsible for anything, this may prove to be a difficult mindset to attain. Some recent graduates do not want to consider themselves as being like their parents or old and stagnant, so they in turn rebel against responsibility in general. This is childish and counter- productive. Try to be realistic in your frame of mind and proceed with this way of thinking.
Other transitional roadblocks may be as simple as having to change your routine. Again, this may seem minor, but people get set in their ways and it is often difficult to change, especially conditioning that has been years in the making. When you experience the growing pains of entering the real world, remember you are not alone on this transition. Many people find it a difficult period, but the end result is well worth the effort - independence.
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The Challenges For Entry-level Job Seekers
Starting at the bottom is not a great place, but most individuals will have to start a position at entry-level in order to prove themselves worthy of a better position. However, this does not come without challenges and sacrifices in the process of climbing the ladder of success.
Pay
One of the most grueling aspects of an entry-level position is the pay, or lack thereof. While many people do not mind "working their way up", they often find it disheartening that they have to work three jobs to afford the effort. With any luck, you will find a company that is understanding of your need for sleep and is willing to pay you adequately for your time.
Low man on the totem pole
Another challenging aspect of an entry-level position is that you are "below" everyone else in the company. What does this mean? You have absolutely no seniority, so you will be the first to get all the work no one else wants and you will be last in line to take vacation time, if you even have any. You will also be the one turned to in order to do all of the really challenging jobs, which may include making the coffee, taking the trash out, or finding out what smells funny in the office refrigerator. Do not lose faith; with any luck, in time you will be the one delegating these duties to the new person.
Finding a job in the first place
Actually, finding an entry-level job in the first place is quite an accomplishment. Most companies require years of experience to qualify for a position, so it becomes difficult for someone without experience to find employment that does not require the phrase, "do you want fries with that?"
You have to overcome a lot of obstacles, but the effort will be worth it in a few years when you finally get that corner office.
Make Employers Chase You, With an Irresistible Resume and Cover Letter in Just 24-48 Hours by Your Own Certified Resume Writer.
Call or E-mail Now to Start. You Will Be Delighted with the Results Your New Resume Will Bring.
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