6 Tips for Landing Your First Job Out of College

Looking for your first job out of college can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Follow these six tips and increase your chances for success:

1. Polish and Customize Your Resume

Your resume is your calling card in this quest of employment success. Make sure it’s up to date and includes all of your relevant information. Consider creating multiple resumes geared toward different job fields or positions you might be applying for. Stay aware of trends in your industry and specifics about each company you applying to; fine-tune your resume accordingly.

2. Network!

This is one of the most crucial steps to finding a job after college. Being referred or recommended is one of the top ways to land a job. Stay in touch with friends, colleagues and former co-workers and let them know what type of work you’re searching for. Attend networking events to circulate with new people in your field.

3. Make Use of Social Media

Social media is another great way to network and increase your odds of finding the perfect position for you. Make use of LinkedIn, Facebook and other social media outlets to spread the word about your employment intentions. Consider creating an "online resume," which is a multi-media version of a traditional resume.

4. Practice Your Interviewing Skills

Do some test runs of how your interviews might go. Practice with a partner or record yourself on video answering tough interview questions. Watching the video back or receiving input from your partner can provide great feedback, allowing you to fine-tune how you present yourself in interviews.

5. Career and Job Fairs

Career and job fairs can put you in touch with recruiters and potential employers face to face, allowing you the chance to show your personality as well as ask questions right on the spot. Your school most likely hosts job fairs right on campus.

6. Keep Open, and Keep Networking

It’s okay to have a specific job in mind, but it’s important to be flexible, too. You might have to work your way up to that dream job, so be prepared to take an alternate opportunity that gets your foot in the door. Get out of your comfort zone, and keep connected with people that could be a resource for you.

Stay positive, follow these six tips, and you’ll be on your way to landing your first job after college!