On Friday, I wrote to college freshmen about the five things they need to do now in order to get a job later. After all, it’s never too soon to start preparing for the infamous post-grad job search.
For those of you who are just one academic year away from turning those tassels and venturing into the professional world, this blog post is for you.
College seniors, here are five things to do now to help you get a job later:
One word: Internship!
You’ve heard this time and time again, but it’s true! Internships are awesome opportunities for college students and should be taken advantage of whenever possible. If you’ve made it to senior year without an internship under your belt, it’s time to get cracking! Come post-grad, many employers won’t even consider a candidate unless they have had one (or several) internship(s).
Check out: How Does Your Internship Compare?
Secure letters of recommendation
If you’ve developed a relationship with a professor or other mentor on campus (that means they know more about you than just the fact that you were in their class once), now is the time to get that precious letter of recommendation. Keeping your letters in a binder or portfolio makes them easily accessible when the time comes to apply. Some employers want letters sent directly to them, so ask your reference to keep a copy on their computer for future use.
Check out: “When Was The Last Time…” 6 Things You Need to Update NOW
Become a networking machine
It’s never too soon to network. If you haven’t already, take the first step to networking by getting on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. You can also connect with contacts on Cachinko’s Job Matching & Career Networking app on Facebook. Connect with classmates and others in your prospective field. Professional student organizations like PRSSA are also invaluable to any college senior.
Check out: 6 Job Search Tools Every College Senior Needs
Start the conversation
Okay, it’s not even September, so emailing potential employers with your resume isn’t going to get you too far yet. Spend the next six or seven months starting a dialogue with your top three favorite employers. It can be completely casual via email or Twitter. Get yourself on their radar and getting the job will be a whole lot easier.
Check out: Build a Working Relationship with Recruiters in 3 Steps
Expect the unexpected
Talk to any college grad (recent or otherwise) and they can talk to you for hours about life post-graduation. Every single person you talk to will have a different story to tell you. Life after college is meant to be a surprise. Nothing is guaranteed. Consider your life plans if you get a job, pursue grad school, or find yourself unemployed. Where are you going to live? What happens if Plans A-Z don’t work? Don’t stress yourself out, just make a plan so you’re prepared for anything that may come your way.
Check out: 4 Alternatives to the Traditional Entry-Level Job
If you had to advise a college senior, what would you tell them?
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