Can I Really Get A Job Right Out Of School?
College students are often lectured by professors, parents, and friends that they cannot expect to get a job right out of college. This sets a lot of students up for an anxiety filled graduation year as they scramble to figure out what they are going to do once they graduate.
You really can get a job right out of college, in fact you can have that job lined up before you even graduate. Don’t believe what you hear about getting a job after graduation, instead, take control and go out there and get the job that you want!
Preparation For Your Dream Job
No one can just go out and select the job they want without being prepared. If you’ve been going to school to be an electrical engineer, you typically cannot go out and become a top ranking runway model. You have to make sure that your school is preparing you for the job that you will seek when you are done with school. Because you’ve probably been working on your degree for at least a couple years, you probably have a good idea of what you plan to do with that degree. Dream high, but keep your feet on the ground. If you are sure that your education has prepared you for the job you seek, then there isn’t any reason that you cannot get it.
Start Early
Your last year of college will likely be a whirlwind, and you’ll want to fit in so many experiences because you know that this is it, college will soon be over. In between final exams, writing papers, and fitting in some social experiences you’ll also need to start courting companies that you’d like to work for. Apply for openings that they may have, send them your resume and experience, and establish as many business contacts as you possibly can. This will allow companies to know how driven you are and what you might be able to do for their company.
There is a careful balance here, because you want the companies you are interested in working for to take notice of your drive and education, but you don’t want to appear desperate. Sending your resume should only be done if there is an opening you think you could fill, or if you have made contact with management level employees and they have asked to see some more information about you. Sending unsolicited information almost never goes over well.
If you have the opportunity to go to seminars or conventions that relate to your job field, you should definitely take the time to go. Seminars and conventions can be a great way to meet new people, business contacts, and people that can really catapult your career to the place where you want it to be. The more you are seen, the more networking you do, the better chance you have of being recruited with little or no work on your part before graduation. Do not underestimate the power of networking!
If you have been fulfilling an internship obligation with a company or firm, consider applying there for a fulltime, paying position. When you have been an intern with a company for some time they have surely been able to see your drive and will be able to perceive how you will be able to fit in with their company. An internship is definitely something that you should aspire to do because it gives you experience and the perception of stability that many companies look for.
Don’t Wait Until Graduation
The problem that many graduates run into is that they wait until it’s too late to get a job. Because many students land their first job before graduation, you cannot afford to wait until graduation to start applying for the jobs that you would love to have. Planning ahead will allow you to be one of the students that fills the jobs that everyone else is dying to get. Get organized and send your resume or personal information to all the places that you would love to work. If you have had an internship, you’ll want to let your management know that you are interested in staying on with the company after graduation in a paying position.
When you plan ahead, make great contacts, and show that you are full of ambition and drive, you are likely to land that job before graduation. If you don’t buy into the belief that you can’t get a great job right out of college, you may do just that, land a great job! Having faith in yourself, your experience, and your education is all you need to go out there and start working.
Interviewing And Landing Your Dream Job
When you interview for positions, be sure to emphasize not only on your education but also what you believe you can do for the company. Many college students lean on their education too much, and while that is important, companies also look for confidence, personality, and devotion to your craft or business. Show off your personality in a slightly limited way, talk about what you dream for yourself and the direction of the company, and really put yourself out there. Dress appropriately, and bring your confidence to every interview!
If you interview with many companies you’ll likely receive at least one offer, if you receive more than one offer you’ll have to pick the one that suits your goals, personality, and talent the best. Choose with confidence, pick a challenge, and remember that you deserve to land a great job, even if you haven’t graduated yet!
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