How to Find a Job After College in 2023 (7 Tips to Boost Your Odds)

By Reid - March 24, 2023

Finding A Job After College

Finding a stable career after school can be difficult, but it’s an essential part of transitioning into the workforce.

You’ve put in four years (sometimes even more) of hard work, graduated, and now you’re ready to enter the workforce. But how?

Here’s how to find a job after college, with some actionable job search tips to help students improve their chances of finding employment when they graduate.

How to Find a Job after College

1. Join the Alumni Association

Are you a member of your school’s alum association? While many people write it off as just a monthly magazine asking for donations, joining alum events can help you get a job after college.

They often have members-only events and fantastic opportunities for networking with other alumni. Once you’ve joined, you can tag along to sporting events, happy hours, or on-campus events, all great ways to meet new people and learn about new jobs.

Usually, there’s a website and newsletter for members, so keep your eyes peeled for job listings or mentorship opportunities.

big deal job search meme

2. Volunteer

Volunteering is an excellent way to gain experience in your desired field. This is especially true if you have limited work history and want to add more to your resume.

Not only is it a great feeling to give back and help others, but it also helps build up your social networks, improves your self-esteem, and can be fun.

If you’re stressed because you can’t get a job after college, give yourself a break. Volunteering gets you out of the house and takes your mind off the job hunt. It also shows potential employers that you’re caring, reliable, and community-minded.

There are plenty of volunteering opportunities, such as helping coach a sports team for kids, delivering Meals on Wheels, or reading books at a local library.

3. Network

If you’re not doing enough networking, you’re missing out significantly. I know it’s not always the most exciting thing to do, but it works.

When thinking about networking, don’t limit it to your educational and professional contacts—cast the net wider. Speak to friends of your parents or the local librarian, go to job fairs, and join Facebook career groups— you never know where you might find a helpful job lead.

4. Rewrite Your Resume

Are you applying to lots of jobs and getting knocked back? If so, perhaps you’re not selling yourself in the best possible way. A resume is your first, and sometimes only, chance to get noticed by your dream employer.

While it’s hard to sell all of your achievements in just a page or two, it is possible! Don’t be afraid to seek a second opinion from an experienced friend or mentor, as sometimes an outside perspective can pick up on things we’ve missed. You can also hire a professional resume writer to do the bulk of the work.

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5. Dedicate Time to Job Searching Each Week

Job searching can feel like, well, a job. If you’re devoting all your time to looking to work, you’re apt to burn out quickly. Instead of spending your free time online, structure your time each day.

Block out your time so you have quality time to focus on looking for jobs but also for exercise, hobbies, or other commitments.

You might find this helps you become more productive and develop a routine, which will be helpful once you start working full-time.

6. Contact Your Campus Career Center

Even after you’ve graduated, you might be surprised to learn that you can get help from your college’s career center.

Reach out to chat and let them know more about your situation and what job you’re looking for. They may also be able to provide career recommendations based on your major that you haven’t yet considered.

They may be able to recommend free resources and new job leads or even help improve your resume or cover letter.

7. Set Up an Amazing LinkedIn Profile

Have you taken the time to flesh out your LinkedIn profile? It can be a fantastic tool when looking for work, so don’t neglect it.

Many recruiters and companies place job ads directly on LinkedIn, which you can browse and apply to directly from the site.

It’s also great for networking and connecting with others in your industry and staying informed on market trends and ideas.

Complete your profile, including your educational and professional history, and ask colleagues or professional contacts for endorsements.

If you have your website or portfolio, add a link so potential employers can learn more about you. Here’s how to upload your resume to LinkedIn.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it hard finding a job after college?

Yes, finding a job after college can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. Searching for a role is something thousands of college students struggle with each year, so know that you’re not alone.

Although it may seem that there's a lot of competition for each role, there’s also a lot you can do to stand out and find a job you will enjoy.

How long does it take to get a job after college?

It takes the average college graduate three to six months to secure a job after college. - University of Washington. Other magazines and professionals within the industry lean towards this process taking much longer. Previous work experience, solid grades, and a job search plan can help speed up the process.

Do I need the experience to find a job after graduating?

Having extensive experience to find a job after college is not always necessary, but it can be helpful.

Employers often look for candidates with some experience, even if it is just a few internships or part-time jobs since it can demonstrate you have the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in a professional role.

However, it is essential to remember that many entry-level jobs do not require experience. These jobs may be geared toward recent college graduates and are designed to provide an entry point into a particular industry or field.

Wrapping Up | Finding A Job After College

Hopefully, reading the above tips has given you a better idea of how to find a job after college. It can be stressful, as you’re eager to get out into the field, earn a decent salary, and begin your dream career. But don't let it get to you.

To recap, here are our favorite seven actionable techniques we suggest trying out while searching for a job after college:

Join an alumni association
Volunteer
Network
Rewrite your resume
Dedicate time to the job search
Contact your campus career center
Set up a LinkedIn profile

Use the suggestions above to get started finding your perfect job, or if you have any questions, contact us today. We are happy to help with career questions or point you to the right resources to keep your career on track.

Get started today, and before you know it, you’ll wake up for the first day of your new job. Best of luck!

Title: Finding a Job After College (Try These 7 Expert Tips)

Category: theStart

Tags: finding a job after college, job search, finding a job after graduation, how to find a job after college, how long does it take to find a job after college, is it hard finding a job after college

Co-Author: Reid is a contributor to theJub. He's an employment and marketing enthusiast who studied business before taking on various recruiting, management, and marketing roles. More from the author. | Author Profile