How College Grads Can Prepare Themselves For Their Job Search

For many college grads, the job search after graduation can be stressful and sometimes confusing. Where does one begin on this journey into the "real world”?. My journey at Blend360 started by simply replying to a LinkedIn message I had received. Little did I know that by connecting with one person and giving them 15 minutes of my time, landed me here at Blend. Here are a few resources you can utilize while still in school to prepare for your job search.

Something I wish I utilized more in college would be the on-campus career center. Many schools have a career center, and they can offer a ton of resources and guidance in helping you navigate the job market. Most of the time, they are also able to help with resumes and cover letters. This is the first and most important step before you begin applying to jobs. You want to make sure you have an updated and organized version of your resume to send to companies. Many schools also put together job fairs, I would highly recommend attending these job fairs if possible. Many job fairs also provide you with personal business cards that you can use at the fair and in the future. Attending the career fair is a  great way to learn about companies and new industries you may not have heard of before. It also is a good learning experience for your personal development and can help you decide what you like and don’t like regarding industry and the company.

Someone once told me to use LinkedIn like any other social media app. Just like Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, in order to fully utilize LinkedIn, you should be checking in often. LinkedIn is a great place to connect with other professionals and start networking. Checking LinkedIn often will give you an idea of what kind of jobs are out there and what companies have to offer. Also, if you already have an influx of messages from people that reached out, but you weren't looking for a job at the time, now is a great opportunity to reach back out and connect. That opportunity might have sailed but that doesn’t mean that there won't be others. Another resource that can be helpful is reaching out to alumni from your college. Specifically, alumni that are in a certain professions or industries that you are interested in. It is super easy to start conversation with someone that you have something in common with, so reaching out to a fellow alum can get the ball rolling for future networking opportunities!

It's never too late to start your professional journey and it’s going to look different for everyone. Start by identifying your passions or interests and then do your research on what job market draws your attention. Networking can be one of the most beneficial ways to get your foot in the door!

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