Guide: 11 Steps on how to get a job after college with no experience

Getting a college diploma is a huge accomplishment. However, now that you have your graduation, the following stage may appear to be just as difficult: finding work after college. Unless you already have a few job offers lined up, you’ll need to gather your resources and prepare yourself to find and land your first job.

We’ll look at how to obtain a job after graduation and what you can do to prepare for that first interview in this article.

1. Look into possible career choices and jobs.

Even if you graduated with a certain major and professional path in mind, it’s not always evident how to use what you’ve learned in the workplace. Begin by looking up open jobs and focusing on those that fit your qualifications and interests.

It’s vital to remember that you can use the talents you obtained at college in a variety of ways. The labor market is constantly changing, and the talents you’ve acquired during your education may be quite beneficial in an area you haven’t considered.

Here’s how to get started with your research:

Enter your degree (for example, “Communications,” “Mechanical Engineering,” “English/Language Arts,” etc.) in the search box and browse the jobs that match that phrase. You can save jobs that interest you and narrow your search until you find a group of chances that you want to apply for.

Companies that conduct research

You can discover which companies might match your demands by conducting thorough research on various companies that may be of interest to you. On Indeed Company Pages, you may access reviews, Q&A, average wages, and more. You may also look at the company’s website and any recent news releases to learn more about their expansion and what it’s like to work there.

Investigate several employment options.

You’ll learn what different careers entail, their wage ranges, and current prospects for those roles by examining different career pathways.

Look for jobs based on your degree.

To learn more about which employment might match your credentials, do a web search for “Types of jobs for [X] degree” (using your exact degree program).

Enlist the help of an expert

Inquire about possible job pathways with a career counselor at your university. Job advisers keep their information on career opportunities for various degree programs up to date on a regular basis. You can discover that they have insider knowledge for many companies. Some organizations prefer to hire graduates straight from specific schools and universities, so check to see if any local or national corporations are looking for grads from your institution.

In addition to the job title, your job search will be influenced by your geographic area. To learn more about the possibilities that feel right for you, you can search the entire country, a state, or a specific location.

2. Create a network and ask for referrals.

In order to find a job, you must first build a network. Your career path research will aid in the direction of your networking talks. When you have a good concept of which part of the labor market you want to concentrate on, you can ask informed questions that will help individuals better assist you.

Begin with your immediate family and friends. You might be shocked by what you learn when you start asking them career-related questions, even if you already know them well. To begin started, consider the following questions:

• What exactly do you do on a daily basis?
• How did you land your first job after graduating from college? What path did that take you to your current position?
• Which talents have proven to be the most valuable in your career?
• Is there anything at your current employment that you think might be a good fit for me?
• Is there anyone in your network that would be a good contact for me based on my interests and background?

Although your family and friends are likely to be your best resources, you should nevertheless network outside of your immediate circle. You might also think about:

• Joining the alumni network of your college or university
• Attending networking events and looking for them
• Attending job fairs and creating relationships

It’s very vital during job fairs to chat to not just potential employers, but also other applicants. When these new acquaintances obtain positions at companies that you’re interested in, you might benefit in the future. When it comes to filling open positions, many employers prefer referrals from current employees—the broader your network, the more you can gain.

3. Create a resume (CV)

Writing your résumé, in addition to researching prospects and networking, is an important part of getting a career after graduation.

Take note of the keywords that occur in the job descriptions once you’ve limited down the set of jobs that appeal to you. What sorts of abilities and qualities do employers value, and what terminology do they use to describe them? When describing your qualifications, you’ll want to use the same language.

Because many companies use software called an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to sift incoming applications, include keywords is critical. This program may rank applications based on relevance, and terms that match the job description are a significant sign of relevancy.

If you’re looking for positions with different keywords, you might want to make multiple copies of your resume so that the most relevant talents are highlighted in each application.

Employers will be interested in a summary of your education because you are a recent graduate. Make this one of your resume’s first sections.

Here are some tools to assist you in creating a CV that accurately reflects your abilities and experience:

To expedite the application process, you can upload your resume to Indeed Resume. You may simply apply for jobs without having to attach your resume with an Indeed Resume.

4. Use social media to curate your content.

Whether you have social media profiles, now is the time to look at them and see if they could be hurting your job quest. Many employers check at potential employees’ social media accounts. Check your privacy settings carefully and hide or erase anything that could give potential employers a negative view of you.

Photographs, posts and comments, and reshares are all examples of content you might consider hiding or eliminating.

Knowing that employers may look at your social media pages, it’s worth thinking about how the stuff you choose to publish there might help them form a positive impression of you. This is a chance to show off your abilities and interests even further. You may, for example, begin following industry leaders or companies that you are interested in. You might wish to make posts on interesting advances in this field or join discussions and forums about the profession you want to pursue.

5. Work on your interviewing abilities.

Many people find that interviewing well is a talent that they can practice and improve over time. You can increase your chances of success by practicing for interviews even before you have one scheduled.

While it’s impossible to predict what you’ll be asked in each interview, there are a few things you can do to look your best and respond well to every question.

6. Get dressed professionally.

Consider dressing slightly more formally for the interview, even if you’re interviewing for positions in an industry where casual attire is acceptable. Review their social media or ask your network for further information about the dress code while you study jobs and employers that interest you.

When deciding what to wear to an interview, ensure sure your clothes are free of rips and stains. Pay attention to the way you look in general. You could want to keep a brush or comb in your purse, as well as floss or mints, to ensure that you look your best when you step into the room.

7. Use assertive body language.

Interviewing for your first job after college is nerve-wracking. Body language can often help you overcome nervousness and express confidence to your audience. You might want to start practicing confident body language in your everyday life as you prepare for your interviews.

Maintain a straight back and bring your shoulders back when walking or sitting. Your hands can rest in your lap or on the armrests while you’re sitting. Your feet can either rest on the ground or cross at the ankles. Make it a habit to look someone in the eyes when they’re speaking to you. Handshakes should be firm but not overpowering.

8. Plan on arriving early.

Your lecturers probably stressed the significance of being on time in class when you were in college. This is especially true in the workplace. You should attempt to arrive 10–15 minutes early for each interview.

Start altering your schedule to allow for early arrival even while visiting friends or travelling to other appointments if punctuality is a problem for you. You’ll be more likely to come at your interviews with ease if you make it a habit.

9. Prepare responses to frequently asked questions.

It’s crucial to remember that interviews aren’t tests. Employers aren’t always searching for the “correct” answer, even if it’s a technical interview. Most of the time, they’re more interested in how your qualifications meet the job criteria, as well as how you solve problems, collaborate with others, accept responsibility, and take initiative. They ask inquiries in the hopes of gaining understanding into these characteristics and behaviors.

You may get in the habit of answering basic interview questions in a way that helps employers grasp your experience and work style, allowing them to quickly evaluate if you are a good fit. Here are some tools to assist you in your preparation:

One classic interview blunder is to spend too much time discussing what the employer has to offer you rather than what you have to offer the employer. Maintain the focus of the interview on your abilities and how you intend to apply them to the position.

10. Avoid making frequent interview blunders

One classic interview blunder is to spend too much time discussing what the employer has to offer you rather than what you have to offer the employer. Maintain the focus of the interview on your abilities and how you intend to apply them to the position. Avoid the following to achieve this:

Do not inquire about pay.
While knowing the position’s wage is vital, you should bring it up in a later interview or after you’ve been offered the job. Simultaneously, it’s a good idea to prepare responses to salary-related queries in case you’re asked them.

Do not question about perks, vacation time, or paid time off.
Similarly, you should prepare answers to inquiries regarding similar issues but wait until a later interview to bring them up.

11. Look after yourself well.

Getting your first job after college might be nerve-wracking. It’s critical that you don’t waste the entire time being stressed out. Set milestones for yourself by setting goals: How many job applications will you submit this week? Have you gone over your resume for errors? Is it possible for you to meet up with a friend to practice interviewing with?

Take intentional pauses (even if they are little breaks) and develop meaningful methods to reward yourself when you attain these milestones. During a job search, spending time with friends and family, going for a walk or exercising, reading or watching something interesting can all be cost-effective incentives.

You’ll want to be well-rested if you’re called in for an interview. You never know when that interview call will arrive, so make sure you get enough sleep, eat well, and spend your free time doing things that will refresh you.