This article originally appeared in Careersidekick.com by Biron Clark
If you have no job after college, whether you just graduated or have been searching for 1-2 years, don’t feel bad. You’re NOT alone. Follow these steps to boost your chances of landing a good job after graduation.
1. Network as Much as Possible
One of the common themes among people with no job after college is that they applied only online and didn’t build/use their network. Now you might not have a very big network, that’s okay. Networking and having direct conversations is still a valuable tactic to use as much as you can. Even if you have no existing network right now, you can talk to your academic advisors and former professors. Talk to classmates and friends, too. Tell your parents and family you’re job searching (and what you’re looking for) so that they can tell their colleagues. If people don’t know you’re job hunting, they can’t help you. If you want detailed steps on how to build your network (including by “cold” messaging people who you think could introduce you to great companies).
The bottom line is: if you’re not making the most of the people you know, and taking steps to meet new people and grow your network, you’re leaving a BIG opportunity on the table. And it’s never too late to start this. Whether you’re 22 or 52, you should start networking this year, and you’ll be glad you did in the future.
Types of people you can network with and ask for help in finding a job
- Friends/classmates from school
- Family members
- Family members of good friends
- Former college professors and academic advisors
- Former managers/bosses from any internships or part-time jobs you’ve held
Ways to meet new people to grow your network after graduation
- Go to local meetups related to the industry you are interested in. Facebook groups are great ways to find these events.
- Contact people on LinkedIn and ask a question about their experience working for their employer (explain that you’re job searching and curious what the work environment is like).
2. Apply Directly to Growth-Stage Companies
There’s one type of company that typically LOVES to hire entry level people. Fast-growing, new companies. Growth-stage companies. By applying to growth-stage companies, you multiply the chance that they’re looking for entry level people. Fast-growing companies often like to train people and promote from within as they build their company culture and expand their operations. You also greatly increase the chance you’ll be selected in the interview, because they’re often hiring multiple people at the same time, for the same role. Would you rather interview against 10 other people for one open position? Or interview with 10 other people for six open positions? The choice is pretty obvious.
3. Apply Directly for Jobs on LinkedIn
This method lets you avoid having to create an account on multiple sites, and avoid having to fill in personal details over and over which is a huge waste of time.
4. Improve your Interview Skills
Think about this for a second – when you go into the interview, the hiring manager has never seen you work a single day in your life. So they’re deciding whether to hire entirely based on what you say. This is the power of interview skills. What you say in the interview has the power to get you hired for the top, highest-paying jobs out there. Or if you’re making interview mistakes, employers won’t give you a chance to show what you’re capable of. It could definitely be the reason you have no job after college. The bottom line is building great interview skills can change your career and allow you to get the best jobs.
5. Consider Relocating
Some regions just don’t have many job opportunities. If you think your location is holding you back, and your personal life allows for it, consider relocating.
How to Finally Get Hired if You Can’t Find a Job After College – Quick Review:
If you read the steps above, you now know some potential tactics to try if you have no job after graduating. Those steps are:
- Use your network whenever possible. Always try to get introduced to a company.
- Apply directly to companies on their website when you can, and look for growth-stage companies because they hire more entry-level people.
- Try applying on LinkedIn to avoid the hassle of having to register an account on multiple job sites or company “Career” pages.
- Improve your interview skills so that you’re able to take advantage each time you get an interview.
- Consider relocating or remote work to expand your job opportunities.
If you follow the steps above, you’ll boost your odds of getting hired, whether you just graduated or are one, two, or even three years after graduation with no job.
Most importantly, don’t give up. You only need one good job offer, and with the tactics above, that can happen in a matter of weeks. And don’t forget that career services is here to assist recent alumni, up to one year after your graduation.