It’s that time of year when the sun starts shining, temperatures start rising, and nearly 1.8 million college grads start the most grueling exercise of their college careers: hunting for that first job after college.
Thankfully, the job market isn’t as dreary for the Class of 2014. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the country finally surpassed the number of jobs it had pre-recession. Now, with nearly 138.5 million jobs, the job market is looking better and better for everyone, recent grads and experienced professionals alike.
Lucky for new college grads, employers are expecting to hire more new graduates 8.6 percent more than they did last year, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Though natural science majors are fare better than their liberal arts counterparts, college graduate are more likely to be hired in today’s market.
But how do you make it from graduation day to first day on the job? Here are our tips for recent graduates (and anyone looking for a job):
1. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Many people will tell you it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. Much of the time this is true. Reaching out to your personal network, your parents’ network, and your alumni network is not only easier than ever (thanks LinkedIn!), but it’s also essential. You might not get a job offer, but you’ll find that people are always willing to answer questions and talk about their own journeys – a perfect learning opportunity for you!
2. Build Your Personal Brand
You may think branding is only for big corporations, but personal branding is a great way to set yourself apart from the pack. Employers get hundreds of job applications for an open position. If you have a brand presence on social media or a personal website showcasing all of your work, you’ll set yourself apart instantly. Most important tip – build that LinkedIn profile as soon as possible. It’s the most important social network for professionals!
3. Embrace rejection.
Most likely you’re going to experience some rejection during your job search. Expecting to land a job from your first application isn’t realistic. Though it’s often difficult to hear rejection, it’s essential to keep your head up. Learning to bounce back from rejection is a skill that you’ll need throughout your career; developing it now will only make things easier later on.
4. Know your skills and what value you bring.
Too often, job seekers don’t understand what skills, hard or soft, that they bring to the table. If you don’t have a lot of hard skills, play up those soft skills. Effective communication, project management, leadership, and interpersonal skills are often what job candidates are missing.
5. Find a mentor.
Don’t discount the value of a good mentor in your field. Finding someone you feel comfortable with that has your dream career, someone you can bounce ideas off of who understands the field and struggles of your chosen career is one of the most important things you can do to succeed. A career means continuous learning and improvement, and learning directly from someone can be a seriously rewarding experience.
Job searching is part hard work, part perseverance, and part luck. If you balance those three things, you’ll find a job in no time.
We are always hiring at RGBSI. If you’re looking for a job, be sure to check out our job portal. Happy hunting!
