Securing an entry-level job right out of college has never been more difficult than in today’s digital world — especially when you’re a new graduate and no longer a graduating senior.
Is there a difference? A huge one. You’re excluded from the vast majority of entry-level positions geared toward graduating college students. Now you’re competing with those who have 1–2 years of professional experience under their belt.
While online application systems provide convenient benefits like instant access to new job postings or the ability to search for positions in a specific location, you’re also globally competing with thousands of others. You can be as particular as you’d like with finding your ideal job, but this also holds true for employers searching for the perfect candidate.
When I graduated last June, I thought I would be able to find a job within a few months. I was very wrong. But, I learned through trial and error. I took in a lot of valuable advice from my peers, mentors, family members, and…online Reddit users.
232 job applications later, I’m one year into my new job, and I love it. Was it mentally and physically exhausting to apply for jobs 8 months straight? Definitely. It’s easy to fall into downward spiral thinking when everyone you know is already working.
But in this digital world, there is also a silver lining. You have access to all the resources you’ll need.
With many of my college friends graduating during the pandemic, I wanted to share some of the things I learned during my job search that helped me secure my first full-time job. Here’s a list of protips I gathered through my experience and from the many inspirational individuals in my life. I hope they find you well.
1. Create a Schedule That Balances Out Your Job Search to Prevent Burnout
Technically, this does not require the use of digital tools.
But, burnout is real. Accept that it may take you a few weeks, months, or even a year until you find your ideal position in your field. You will find yourself feeling more productive if you approach this situation with an accepting mindset, as opposed to having a “why me?” attitude.
Take this time to work on yourself. Build a weekly M-F schedule and commit to it. Reserve the weekends for relaxing activities. Although your top priority is securing a job, you can also make time for your hobbies, personal commitments, socializing with friends or family, and so forth.
Constantly sifting through online job listings without any mental breaks is draining and unproductive. To increase your productivity, schedule time to work on your personal goals or engage in fun activities. I felt motivated to apply for jobs if I knew I would be able to do something I actually enjoy afterward.
Having a well-balanced schedule will also allow you to rebuild healthy habits (no more staying up until 3 a.m. studying for a midterm) and keep you sane throughout the process. It’s a win-win situation. Cherish it.
2. It’s Okay to Ask For Help From Working Professionals
There are a few basic elements to creating an excellent resume that everyone should consider. Use past tense verbs when writing about a past experience and begin each line with a concise action word. Perform a Google search for recommended resume action verbs if you’re stuck. But, don’t hide your inexperience with hundred-dollar words — it won’t work.
You should also quantify your achievements using metrics to provide context. Then, generate a clean, simple resume on a Word document.
However, there is some debate on preferred formatting. If you’re applying for a job that requires creativity, versus technical skills, consider designing your resume using a free program like Canva. Export it as a PDF file and ensure that format is accepted. I’ve seen beautifully designed resumes with lines of missing text — unfortunate but the reality of online application systems.
Creating a strong resume also requires several rounds of writing and editing. A missing period or misspelled word is enough for disqualification (especially if the job lists attention to detail as a requirement). I recommend running your resume through Grammarly, one of my favorite free tools for proofreading.
Most importantly, make sure your resume is seen by the right pair of eyes. Experienced professionals can guide you on what relevant information to include depending on the industry and job level. You might struggle with wanting to include every detail of your life on your resume. Be selective. Cut it down.
I’ll be honest. Nobody I knew personally was working in my field of interest. So I sought out help from online communities via Reddit. There’s literally a subreddit dedicated to resumes. You post your resume (as bad as it might look), and you receive constructive criticism in return from users who want to help. It’s as easy as it sounds.
I’ve seen users get absolutely destroyed while receiving some of the best free advice out there. Be open to it. If there are 5 individuals telling you to not put down your hobbies on your resume for that technical job, take the hint. Pick and choose wisely.
3. Take Every Interview Even If You Don’t Like the Company
Feeling overwhelmed by just the thought of job searching is common. Try to approach your job search with a goal-setting perspective. You need to devise a specific plan to get yourself started. Otherwise, procrastination and avoidance will easily creep in.
Start with a small list of 10 to 15 companies. Make sure you have a diverse selection of companies including your top employers, some local/out-of-state businesses, a few organizations you’ve never heard of before, and lastly, companies you don’t think you would want to work for.
What’s the point of including places you don’t like? Think of job searching as a game. You’re pretty much at level 0 right now in terms of resume writing and interview experience. Your goal is to secure a full-time job, but you’re not really sure what to expect because you haven’t done this before.
If you manage to secure an interview at a company you’re not interested in, take the opportunity. It’s a way for you to gain experience. You may also discover what you do and don’t like in a company. The more exposure you have to different communication styles, the better prepared you will be when you take on an interview for a company you do care about.
4. Follow Recruiters with a LinkedIn Presence for Opportunities and Guidance
I underestimated the power of LinkedIn during my job search. I thought updating my profile was enough to establish my professional presence. After a year of producing corporate social media content for LinkedIn, I inadvertently realized the potential of online networking.
In this digital world, most recruiters have an online presence. This is especially true for technology companies.
I follow a lot of job talent developers (Madeline Mann and Lydia Huang are some of my favorites) just to stay up to date with the latest professional tips and tricks. Other frequently published content includes:
- Advice on interviewing at their company.
- Details on upcoming virtual career fairs or online webinars.
- Direct job opportunities within their company with specific instructions on how to get your application seen.
- Shared posts from other recruiters promoting open positions.
- First-hand experiences of what to do and what not to do from an interviewer and interviewee perspective — this is highly insightful for you to be aware of different interviewing styles or red flags.
What I find to be the most valuable is that most recruiters have a network of their own that you can tap into. Look into the comments to see who else is engaging with the post. Often, you’ll find a crowd of recruiters that you can now also follow for more job opportunities and helpful content.
5. Be Strategic When Applying for Different Positions to Save Time and Energy
I was always told to apply for every position possible, even if it requires 10 years of experience I don’t have. Don’t waste your effort on applying to jobs you know you’re not qualified for at all.
Some required skills are a must, others can be learned on the job. Know the difference. If you’re fresh out of college, then you shouldn’t be looking at director-level job postings that require decades of industry experience. If the job requires both a Master’s degree and a professional certificate, you might want to opt-out if you have neither. Use good judgment.
This doesn’t mean you should disqualify yourself from every potential job. Recruiters understand that they won’t find the perfect candidate. They are looking for someone who has both the potential and skills to be successful on the job.
Let’s say you’re applying for a job that requires 2 years of industry experience that you don’t have. But, you do have academic or internship experience in a related field and you qualify for more than half of the required skills. In this case, you should apply. That’s what I did!
Review the requirements and cater your resume to these specifics. Does the job require regularly communicating with customers? Include experiences in your resume that highlight these skills in action. I swapped out specific lines from my resume to include relevant experiences depending on the job requirements.
6. Stay Organized and Track Your Applications On an Excel Sheet
When I first started job searching, I didn’t even know what to search for on the recruitment page. You’ll find that companies have different position titles listed, for essentially the same job. By tracking your applications, you’ll gain more knowledge on industry terms used in your field. This will help you identify potential jobs efficiently.
Positions that include the words associate, junior, coordinator, or Level 1 tend to be early professional or entry-level. This is useful to know when you’re sifting through hundreds of job positions. You can also set up a Google alert for specific keywords so that you’re always updated via email on what new jobs are being posted on the web.
Another benefit of tracking your applications is that you can mark down which ones you received rejection emails for, prescreen interviews, and so forth. You can measure your progress and visually see how well (or not) you’re doing.
You might also notice some trends. Are you getting rejected from certain positions? Are you receiving interest emails from others? For myself, I noticed I was receiving rejection emails from jobs that required a data science background. Although they were entry-level, I did not have the right background for the job. I got the message quickly and readjusted my strategy for applying.
7. Bulk Up Your Resume With the Skills You Need
Sometimes, you just don’t have the experience or skills required for the job. Or, maybe you do have the skills but you’re still a beginner.
Searching for a job is more than just applying. Work on your professional development and make self-improvements to help you stand out as a candidate. There are a plethora of online courses you can take online that provide certification. It might not be the same level as completing a paid certification program, but it shows the interviewer you are actively learning.
Here are some other ways to stay competitive:
- Build an online project portfolio using WordPress or Wix. Include relevant pieces such as research projects, internship assignments, personal projects, writing samples, graphic designs, illustrations, or links to your work if published online. Online portfolios are impressive regardless of your line of work.
- Rework and improve existing content like product manuals or website designs (bonus points if it’s from the company you’re applying to) to add as another project to your portfolio.
- Learn how to use an existing or new tool that would benefit you on the job.
- Provide pro-bono services to nonprofits or local businesses that might need your expertise and skills.
I took on a freelance job using Upwork while job searching myself. It helped me build my project portfolio (take a look here for inspiration) and I was able to gain more applicable experience in my field. This shows potential employers that you’re both passionate and actively learning on your own. You’re able to take initiative to improve yourself without being told to do so. This alone speaks a million words.
What’s Next?
Your job search will take as long as it needs to, depending on your needs. Opportunities come and go quickly. If your lack of experience is hindering your ability to secure an entry-level role, consider an internship if there are no special requirements such as being a current student. Internship postings typically pick up after the winter holiday season.
Landing your first job is one of the most difficult things you’ll have to navigate at the start of your career. It takes massive amounts of time and energy. Be forgiving. Take necessary breaks. Adjust your expectations on location, compensation, or job type (contract versus full-time). If one method isn’t working out, it might be time to try something new.
Just know, you have the internet at your disposal. There are countless tools and resources out there that could potentially help you, especially in this digital world. Take advantage of it and good luck.
