How to find an entry-level job after graduation

Though an entry-level job requires no experience, many employers want entry-level candidates to have at least some sense of how to conduct their responsibilities. That's why getting a job after high school or college is often challenging. However, with a bit of planning and strategic effort, you can maximize your chances of obtaining employment after graduation.

Look into internships

Internships are short-term work opportunities that organizations typically make available to students. Internships allow people with little to no professional experience to learn through immersion in their target fields. They not only gain valuable practical knowledge but also have the opportunity to network with people who can help advance their careers.

Most internships are for college students and graduates, so if you're currently enrolled or you've recently earned your degree, take advantage of the following resources to land an internship in your desired profession:

• College career centers.
• On-campus career events.
• Faculty connections.

Look into part-time jobs

Part-time work is something that both high schoolers and college students can leverage to gain full-time employment after graduation. It offers the same advantages as an internship, except that it may not offer you experience in your chosen profession. However, it can help you develop transferable skills that should come in handy in your target occupation, such as:

• Adaptability.
• Communication.
• Customer service.
• Decision-making.
• Organization.
• Problem solving.
• Teamwork.
• Time management.

If you're comfortable going with the flow of whatever life gives you, you can even transition from your part-time position into a full-time role at the same organization. In that case, you'll have already gained entry-level experience as a part-timer, allowing you to focus instead on building a career.

Get a head start on networking

Networking isn't limited to internships. As a student, you may be surprised to realize just how many people you meet who can help you professionally. For example, faculty members stand a good chance of knowing someone looking for an up-and-comer to fill an entry-level role. If not, they might know someone who knows someone. The value of networking is that it entwines you within a complex web, any strand of which can lead you to a terrific opportunity. 

Find a mentor

A mentor is someone with expertise in a target field who is willing to help you develop your career. A good mentor has already gone down the path you want to travel, so they can guide you expertly and help you avoid pitfalls.

The best place to start when seeking a mentor is, again, your school's faculty. Speak candidly with a teacher or professor you trust about your desire for mentorship. They may be able to point you in the right direction. Consider asking your co-workers, friends, and family members whether they know anyone with experience in your target occupation. 

When you find a prospective mentor, reach out to them directly, either in writing or by telephone. Explain why you're reaching out, describe your situation, and explicitly request to be their mentee. If they're unable to commit to a mentorship, use them as another networking strand to find someone who can.

Learn new skills

Every profession requires a certain set of hard and soft skills. For example, getting an entry-level IT job may require you to be proficient in coding, adept at technical writing, and knowledgeable about operating systems. If you don't already have these skills, work on developing them so that you have something to highlight as you look for work.

Industries are constantly evolving, requiring ever-newer skills for candidates to qualify. Looking again at the IT industry, you can see that some of the most marketable skills have come into demand in just the past few years — artificial intelligence and cloud computing, for example. Staying current on IT trends would allow you to stay ahead of the competition and improve your chances of getting an entry-level IT job.

Polish your resume

When you graduate, you join a huge number of people around your age who are striving to transition into the workforce. Consequently, the level of competition for entry-level work is always going to be high. To stand out from your competitors, you need to know how to present yourself in the most appealing light through your resume.

Start by identifying any formal or informal role you've fulfilled that could qualify as relevant experience in your chosen field. Using the example of an IT position, you could include a stint as a tech tutor or even those times you've helped friends, family, and neighbors with their computer problems. If you've landed an internship or relevant part-time work, you should certainly include those on your resume.

For every potential entry-level position you find, look through the job listing for keywords to incorporate into your resume. Keep in mind that every resume you submit should be slightly different so that it's tailored precisely to the employer who receives it. 

Say, for example, you find a job whose duties include "working directly with internal computer system users and providing basic IT support.” You could write that verbatim under one of your formal or informal experiences. This improves your odds of getting past the screening software, getting your resume in front of the hiring manager, and getting an entry-level IT job.

"When you graduate, you join a huge number of people around your age who are striving to transition into the workforce. Consequently, the level of competition for entry-level work is always going to be high. To stand out from your competitors, you need to know how to present yourself in the most appealing light through your resume."

The last thing you can do to help yourself get an entry-level job after graduation is to use the free digital tools at your disposal. With CareerBuilder, you can create an online profile that employers can find. Along with the strategies described above, CareerBuilder can further improve your chances of finding a job suited to your needs and preferences. 

More tips about finding a job

Part of finding a job is knowing your industry, and part of knowing your industry is understanding what entry-level jobs it may have to offer.

Sometimes, relocating to a different city can help you land a job. If that seems like a plan for you, you'd do well to acquaint yourself with some of the best local job markets.