HR Column – Job-Search Tips for New Grads (and Everyone Else)

Q: I have two kids in college, one is about to graduate next spring. Our hope is that graduation is soon followed by a job offer, but I’m worried about the high unemployment rate and fewer job opportunities. Any job-hunting tips for recent graduates?

A: Although by no means thriving, the job market for new graduates is slowly improving. There are even some shortages in fields such as software development, where there seem to be more openings than qualified applicants. But no matter the type of economy, job-hunting techniques are always evolving and job seekers must adapt their search.

Basics first. Make sure you’ve visited the school’s placement office and you’ve covered the traditional job-search basics. These include having business cards, flexible versions of resumes, a professional handshake, two or three versions of the 20-second self-introduction, a proper email signature line and most importantly, solid interviewing skills. Once you’ve taken care of those, let’s move to digital.

Take charge of your online presence. Have a strong and updated LinkedIn profile, with a good picture. LinkedIn has become just as important as a resume, perhaps even more so. It’s one of the first stops for recruiters and other business people to check you out.

Make it count. Get recommendations from professors, mentors, employers. Consider creating an online portfolio or aboutme.com page if you want to showcase work samples. Regarding FaceBook, this should be obvious but it bears repeating: Remove unseemly photos or content long before graduation. Also, frequently search your name on Google, and if you Tweet, beware your chirps.

You must network. Don’t think you’re going to find a job by simply sitting on your computer 12 hours a day looking for openings and dutifully applying online. You need to get out in front of real people. Attend business meetings, job fairs, discussion panels, industry talks, participate in paid and unpaid internships, anything where you can meet people and connect. Remember, networking will open doors to job opportunities –especially in small and mid-sized companies- that are never officially posted. And yes, start now because networking starts long before graduation.

Suggested reading: The New Job Search by Molly Wendell