Diploma to Paycheck: Job Search Tips for New Grads

Job search tips for new college grads

Here are a few things you can do right now to take advantage of these job market projections and make yourself marketable as a recent college graduate.

1. Don’t delay your search (if you haven’t already started).

The most crucial job search advice for college students is to start early, according to Jason Weingarten, co-founder and co-CEO of Entrée.

“If soon-to-be grads are just starting their job search, they are already behind,” he told Business News Daily. “As early as freshman year, college students should begin building their networks by attending club events, networking with faculty members, securing leadership roles within campus organizations and lining up internships.”

Geoff Gross, founder and CEO of Medical Guardian, said that even if you’re not keen on a particular career opportunity, the job application process can still be helpful. Get as much interviewing experience as possible to bolster your interview skills; this way, when your dream job does come along, you’ll know exactly how to impress the hiring manager.

“When it comes to applying for jobs, don’t hold back,” Gross said. “Even if the job description doesn’t sound exactly like the type of work you want to do, it never hurts to apply [if you’re qualified].”

2. Show what you’ve learned.

Recent grads generally must find a job with limited work experience; however, even if you’ve had only one or two brief internships or volunteer opportunities, you can still be a valuable employee.

“When I’m hiring, I’m impressed by candidates that highlight life experiences over skills,” said Cynthia Davies, managing partner at One of One Brands. “[Demonstrate] what you have learned about life and how you can apply what you’ve taken away from your background to your job — what makes you a well-rounded person.”

3. Polish your social media presence.

Job searching in the digital age means social media will be involved in your process. So, recent grads should build a solid digital presence to make themselves findable online, according to Susan Vitale, board member at FORA.

“Social networking sites are great ways to show off your professional skills and expand your network,” Vitale said. “They also offer candidates opportunities to connect with and interact with companies to increase their chances of being noticed.”

Many companies have shifted from in-person to virtual models for the hiring process. The most obvious example is using video conferencing services, such as Zoom, to host meetings.

As such, recent graduates and job seekers should be especially proactive about networking online. Graduates should take advantage of LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram. These sites allow job seekers to find hiring managers’ profiles and reach out to them directly about open positions.

Students should keep in mind during the hiring processthat hiring managers can also search for and see a candidate’s profile, according to Alexa Merschel, managing director, talent acquisitions strategy, operations and onboarding leader at PwC.

“Students should not forget that some of those people [on social media] are potential employers and future colleagues,” she said. “The best personal brands include a professional and appropriate online presence.” Because of this employer social media screening, job seekers may want to consider getting rid of questionable tweets and party photos.

4. Do some offline networking.

Digital networking is booming, but speaking with like-minded professionals or seasoned leaders face-to-face may influence your ultimate career path.

“[In-person] networking might be the biggest thing that makes students feel uncomfortable, but doing so will set you apart from the crowd,” Gross said. “Keep up-to-date resumes and business cards with you wherever you go — you never know when an opportunity to network will happen and what could come of it.”

5. Know where you want to go.

Only a lucky few go into college knowing the exact career they want. However, by graduation day, you should have some idea of where you want to land, said Monica Smith, founder and CEO of Marketsmith Inc. She encourages new grads to create personal road maps for the next one, five and 10 years. It may change as you go, she said, but this tool will at least help you get moving on your journey.

“Define what’s important to you,” Smith said. “Pitch your plan to anyone who will listen, and before you know it, you’ll acquire the interviewing skills you need to put your plan into action.”

In recent years, many companies have started hiring for temporary or permanent remote positions. You can view this situation as an opportunity to work from home or travel while working. On the other hand, you might not be as pleased with this shift if you work more productively in offices or prefer hands-on training.

It’s important not to stress if your first job or working environment isn’t your dream job — or a position you thought you’d ever find yourself in — but still presents immense value. Joe Weinlick, chief operating officer at Catalyst Experiential, reminds new grads that regardless of where they end up, their first job is often a gateway to every job afterward.

The current state of the job market

Analysts say the current job market is shifting from candidate- to employer-driven. This means that while applicants had a greater voice in standards and expectations in recent years, the market is changing to give employers the upper hand. Here are a few more things to consider:

Salaries: Salaries are only expected to rise 4 percent this year, compared to 4.4 percent in 2023, according to Willis Towers Watson. There’s still reason for optimism, though. Over 43 percent of surveyed employers said they have plans to raise starting salaries, reported a 2023 National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) survey.

Hiring: Hiring for new graduates is expected to decline by 1.9 percent, noted the NACE report. However, more than three quarters of employer respondents said the job market still looks strong for the class of 2024.

Prepare today for tomorrow’s job search

Transitioning from student to employee can be quite a change. If you’re brand new to the job search, it can be difficult to know where to start; this is especially true if you focus on declines in the current job market. But there’s no reason to get discouraged. Follow these tips and focus on all of the incredible skills you have to offer your future employer. When the right opportunity comes along, you’ll be glad you did when you score that first interview.

Natalie Hamingson, Shayna Waltower and Nicole Fallon contributed to this article. Source interviews were conducted for a previous version of this article.