A new grad’s guide to being a smart job seeker

The hardships job seekers go through can be legendary, especially if you are recent college graduate new to the career market. 

To remain in a healthy state of mind while job searching, follow these deceptively simple, yet important steps:

1. Audit your finances
Proper financial planning during your job search is vital to avoid suffering in the long term. Audit your finances to see where to curb expenses and create savings.

When determining a livable budget, consider the cost of traveling to interviews, getting interview clothes and paying for emergency expenses that may arise. Consider how you will pay for these things and other expenses. Do you have savings you can use or family support? Are there any community or college programs you can access to help you?

2. Audit yourself
Discover what your needs and abilities are. Take note of what you can bring to the table and how you are the ideal candidate for the roles you seek. Write down all the skills you have and select those with most relevance for the jobs you want. Also note the skills you need to build and take steps to learn them.

3. Set goals and review them
Finding the right job is a full time job. To land a position, you must accurately measure your progress and set daily targets, such as “Today I will apply for 5 jobs.” Setting goals will ensure you are as productive as possible and keep you from falling into a slump.

4. Network for relationships
If you’re graduating into a specific path of employment, mingle with the right people in that field or industry. Know influential professors from your college? Contact them and ask if they can connect you with the right people. Don’t just see such networking as a way to find a job now, but also as a way to build beneficial relationships that you can keep throughout your career.

5. Focus on you
It may be tempting to fall into the trap of inactivity while job hunting. This lack of recent effort can be damaging to your resume (CV) and leave you speechless when asked certain interview questions such as, “How have you been keeping your skills up to date?” Use your newly free time to improve your skills and also volunteer to gain needed skills (as well valuable connections). Any new skill or an improvement on your existing skills is infinitely more valuable than just job seeking during your unemployment. 

6. Stay positive
Finally, be aware that interviewers are trained to pick up on the character of the interviewee. If you are discouraged in your job search, it will show in your interview, bringing an aura of negativity around you.

The perfect job for you IS out there. Take these simple steps now to land it.

Guest blog by Harry Schaffer, a recent Newcastle University (U.K.) graduate. He now works at a digital media agency. He is a keen blogger and a lover of all things digital. His interests include travel, gadgets and the bizarre. Tweet him @harryschaffer25.

Thank you, Harry, for sharing your strategies for landing a job as a new college graduate!

Readers -- What other tips or questions do you have about landing a job after college? Share your comments here. Not a new grad? Share this article with new graduates who are seeking a job. Thanks! Kathy

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