If you’re a recent graduate, then you may be on the hunt for your first post-graduation job. Now is when you typically find a job that helps you get started in your desired career, the type of job you’ve been training for with your education. To find this job, you need to find employers with open job positions and preferably ones who are looking to hire new graduates. This process can become a little easier if you know how employers typically look for recent graduates, as you can then try to meet them in these locations.
Online Postings
The most popular way that employers find recent college graduates is through online job postings. They will post about their open position on job-related websites such as Indeed, along with other websites like Craigslist, Facebook, or Twitter. With an online posting, they can list a job description, including that they are looking for a recent college graduate. The employer may also work with a digital recruitment agency to help expand its reach and get more recent graduates to notice their open position.
For a recent graduate, it’s important to create accounts on the most popular job search websites. They should then make it a habit to regularly check these websites for new job postings and to update their credentials when necessary. Many employers rely solely on the internet to find new job applicants, making it essential that anyone looking for a job is spending time on the same websites.
Working with the University
A common way that employers find new college graduates is by working directly with local universities. There are several ways that employers can use the resources of a college or university to find new graduates that are right for their open positions. For example, the employer may contact the career counselors or career center at the school and let them know of their open job positions. The career counselors can then recommend students based on their educational background and desired career path.
Some universities also host job fairs, which are great places for employers and students to meet. Employers who want to hire many new students may benefit from a job fair, where hundreds of students may pass through and inquire about the open positions. Job fairs are also an excellent way to promote your brand and interact with other organizations, making them a valuable time investment.
Finally, some schools host their own job boards. These are online tools where current students and graduates of the school can find open job opportunities. Employers can work with the school to post their open job, where students can then decide if they want to apply. By working directly with a school, employers gain access to students with the right educational background and can form relationships with career counselors who can provide quality job candidates going forward.
Offering Internships
Another way employers find recent college graduates is by offering internships at their companies. Many degree programs require the student to complete an internship before earning the degree. By offering an internship, employers can find promising job candidates before they graduate. The internship gives both the employer and the student time to learn more about one another and to see if there is a good long-term fit. Employers can promote their open internship in many of the same ways as an open job position, such as through online postings or by working with the career services department at the school.
Networking
Networking is a powerful tool for both people searching for a job and employers looking to fill a position. Employers often use networking to meet people who have recently entered the job market after graduation. For example, they may hear about a new graduate from a current employee or by talking with a professor at the local university. This is why it’s a good idea to network and make new connections during college, as you never know what future job opportunities may come about because of those connections.
Making Yourself Noticeable to Employers
To gain your first job after graduation, you’ll likely need to make yourself noticeable to potential employers. There are many employers out there who are looking to hire new graduates and who need people with your exact set of skills. As a new graduate, it’s now your task to make yourself more noticeable and to meet these employers where they are searching for candidates. This means becoming active on job-search websites, using social media, attending career fairs, networking, and more. If you can do this, you should have an easier time finding a job after graduation.