Entering the Workforce after College: 9 Tips for Launching Your Career
You’ve packed your cap and gown, said goodbye to classmates, and emptied your dorm room or shared apartment. A new chapter begins as you begin the transition from student to professional. Entering the workforce after college takes a lot of determination, not only when setting and going after life goals but also emotional effort. Navigating these new pathways doesn’t have to feel like wandering through a never-ending maze. These nine tips for launching the right career will help.
1. Set Aside Your College Life
In most cases, graduating college students move to a new location and transform their everyday lives from classes, studying, and socialization to something more mature and professional. This process looks different for everyone, so it’s impossible to tell you exactly what to do. Learn where to donate old textbooks so heavy boxes of unnecessary things don’t bog down your move. Store memorabilia and throw out the rest. Invest in a new career wardrobe.
2. Choose the Right Career Options
While you undoubtedly had ideas about your ideal job while still in college, the natural world might present alternatives. If you’re not lucky enough to land the perfect position right away, look outside traditional pathways. Adaptability helps a lot in today’s job market. It is essential to carefully weigh all your skills, even if they sit at the edges of your academic achievements, and if you want to discover a career and find a job that works for you.
3. Practice Interviewing
It would be best if you did more than practice answering a few basic questions to land the best career position. If necessary, take classes in communication, body language, tone of voice, professional presentation, and more. Role-play with someone who has up-to-date knowledge of the interviewing process. Get comfortable talking about yourself and asking questions about companies of interest.
4. Find Mentors or Professional Organizations
With the funds you accumulate when you make money selling books from college, invest in your future by joining a professional organization aligned with your industry or niche. These exist online and through local chambers of commerce and other state or national organizations. This is an excellent way to handle many other tips on this list. You can find experienced people willing to help with resume writing, interview skills, and plenty of networking opportunities.
5. Seek Out Networking Opportunities
Old-school networking included handing out business cards and shaking a lot of hands. That type won’t work in today’s modern, interconnected world. Most networking happens on the internet, of course, so seek out platforms where professionals in your industry gather. LinkedIn is a great place to start, but many other options exist.
This doesn’t mean you should avoid in-person events, however. Stepping a bit outside your comfort zone and making time in your busy schedule can put you in contact with people who are willing and able to help your career. Practicing networking can help you get more comfortable with the interview process, as you will get used to talking about yourself and the industry at large.
6. Make Your Resume Stand Out
While many applications are processed online, you still need a stellar resume to grab attention. Use a neat, non-cookie-cutter design tailored to the industry where you want to work. Include everything pertinent in professional, straightforward language. There are many resources online and resume experts who can help you create the best options for multiple job types. You want your resume to look different from everyone else’s and stand out for all the right reasons.
7. Improve Your Soft Skills
Hundreds of universities nationwide graduate millions of young adults looking for the right career opportunities. No matter what degree program you completed, you’re competing with thousands – even more when considering the international business opportunities digital communications offers.
You have the technical skills to succeed, but soft skills may tip you over from a ‘maybe’ to a ‘when can you start?’ These include communication, problem-solving skills, time management, teamwork, and creativity. Take post-college classes and professional seminars. Demonstrate these skills on your resume and during the interview to make the best impression.
8. Research Potential Employer’s Values
Unfortunately, you may not have the opportunity to be very picky when it comes to getting a job after college. However, starting by targeting companies whose values, goals, and brand identity align with your interests and beliefs makes sense. Consider their view of sustainability or how invested they are in cutting-edge advancements. Aligning your career with values leads to improved job satisfaction and the chance to find a lifelong position that fills more than your bank accounts.
9. Clean Up Your Personal Brand and Presence
One of the most important and often overlooked steps in transitioning from college student to professional employee involves identifying your brand and transforming it into something appropriate. You may think that personal brands are only for influencers or public figures, but that isn’t true. Presenting yourself to the world affects your current and future life. Hiring managers and the people you network with will check out your online presence.
Is that embarrassing photo your buddy took of you drunk at a frat party still on your social media page? Did you post multiple edgy political memes or off-color jokes? These are the last things you want a potential employer to see. Take some time to carefully examine your presence and clean up your brand online by removing things that could cause trouble or don’t align with your current, more professional focus.
Launching your career after college involves more than filling out a few applications and lucking out at an interview. While it’s best to start well before you graduate with things like networking and cleaning up your online identity, these nine tips can help the transition at any time. Pack away your cap and gown, sell or donate those unneeded textbooks, and prepare for a brighter future.
