How to find a job after college: a guide for recent college graduates

Graduating from college is an exciting and challenging time for many young adults. You may be wondering what to expect when it comes to job searching after college as you prepare to enter the workforce. The post-college job search can be intimidating, but with the right approach and resources, you can make the process more effective and less stressful.

Learn about a few common difficulties college grads encounter when seeking employment, and get advice on overcoming them as you learn our nine tips for landing a job after graduation. Understanding what to expect on the job search and developing an efficient job search strategy after graduation will prepare you to find a meaningful career path that meets your goals.

Why your first job out of college matters

Even if your first job out of college doesn't exactly fit with your chosen field of study or industry, it's still one of the most crucial jobs you'll have. Finding a job that at least aligns with your desired field is essential, even if you don't start out in your dream position.

A college graduate's first job can markedly influence their career trajectory. Graduates are more likely to remain in that position or one that is related to it for the following five years, especially when hired for a job that is unrelated to their field of study.

Your first post-college job is integral for many reasons, including helping you to develop your professional skills, enhancing the required competencies for your position or industry, increasing your knowledge of the industry, discovering your short and long-term goals, and expanding your network. You also avoid unemployment while taking on new challenges and gaining invaluable professional experience.

What to expect when you're looking for a job after college

While your college career may come to an end with graduation, your professional life only just gets started. If you're like many recent graduates, you are overwhelmed just thinking about how you're going to compete in this job market. Your concerns are valid; finding work after graduation can be quite challenging. Here are some job-search statistics for recent graduates:

On average, finding a job after college takes three to six months.
Compared to the Class of 2022, employers expect to hire 14.7% more new college graduates in 2023.
As of March 2022, 41.4% of recent college graduates held jobs that didn't require a degree.
Compared to the national average of 3.6%, the unemployment rate among recent graduates is higher at 4.1%.

In addition to these sobering statistics, recent graduates entering the workforce must contend with fierce competition from both graduate and non-graduate job seekers, employers' reluctance to hire employees with little to no work experience, and low-paying entry-level positions.

"The first job a recent college graduate obtains following graduation considerably impacts their career trajectory. Graduates are more likely to remain in that position or one that is related to it for the following five years, especially when hired for a job that is unrelated to their field of study."

9 tips to finding a job after college

Finding a job after graduation is not all bad news, though. You can take control of the job search process by using a few straightforward strategies to secure a job that will help launch your career now that you know what to expect from the job market. Below are nine tips to help you secure a job after college.

Conduct research on your desired job market

It might not be obvious how to apply what you learned to the job market, even if you graduated with a specific major and career path in mind. Do some research on possible jobs and career paths. Start by looking into the open positions and selecting those that best suit your interests and skill set. It's essential to keep in mind that the skills you learned in college can be applied in a variety of situations.

Create a resume that pops

Having a well-written resume will give you a clear advantage as you start your job search. It represents your work history and gives recruiters and employers their first impression of you. Take the time to create a resume that accurately reflects you, your skills, and the position you want. When you're ready, create a CareerBuilder profile so employers can find you.

Leverage the experience you gained during college

You probably participated in clubs and organizations at school, attended conferences and seminars, or worked as a teaching or research assistant in college. These experiences can be used to demonstrate that you have the necessary qualifications for a position, such as time management and communication abilities.

Make use of your college's alumni network

Most colleges keep an online database of alumni, or graduates, that you can use to find the contact information of people who work within your chosen field or a specific company. Many alumni are eager to assist new graduates. The best way to approach alumni, though, requires careful planning. To learn more about someone's job and workplace, ask if they're available for a brief phone conversation. The person might be willing to assist you in getting a foot in the door if you make an excellent first impression.

Consider applying to internships and fellowships

Post-graduate fellowships and internships are excellent ways to gain practical experience, hone your skills, get a glimpse of what working in that field might be like, and establish contacts that may help you advance your career. While many businesses offer internships, government, and academic institutions typically provide fellowships.

Apply directly on company websites

Applying for a job directly on a company's website rather than through a job site is another way to stand out from the competition because it is more personalized and demonstrates your genuine interest in working for them. Some employers are actively searching for candidates and will regularly update their websites with the most recent job openings. Even if they don't currently have any openings, it might be worthwhile to email a company you really want to work for, if only to get on their radar for future positions.

Leverage your college's career services office

Even after you graduate, you can visit your college's career services office to look for new job opportunities and get advice on how to improve your resume and interviewing skills. Most university career centers receive contact information from local employers, and many universities keep a database of employers with open positions who are willing to hire students from their institutions.

Join a professional organization or network

Become a member of a professional or governmental organization in your field or industry. Several professional associations host conferences where you can gain valuable knowledge and network with seasoned professionals who are frequently eager to assist recent graduates with advice and employment opportunities.

Practice your interview skills

A significant portion of the job search process involves interviews. Many people find that conducting compelling interviews is a skill that they have practiced and improved over time. Although it's impossible to predict what will be asked of you during each interview, there are several ways to prepare to respond to any question so that you have a great first impression, such as: