8 Tips for Fresh College Graduates To Land Their First Corporate Job
After spending four years at college earning your degree, thinking about landing your first corporate job can be stressful. What should you wear to an interview? What should your resume look like? Where should you even look for a job?
Luckily, we have compiled a list of top tips for fresh college graduates to help land their first corporate job.
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1 | Start Networking Early
No matter what industry you are in, it never hurts to know people. One of the easiest ways to get your foot in the door at a company is to have connections. So, you should start networking with people in your industry as soon as possible.
Ideally, you’ll start this process in college. Your professors are likely industry professionals with a large network of connections; This can be a great place to start. Ask them about any internships or job openings they may know of. Additionally, you should make an effort to connect with your peers and guest speakers that visit your college campus. You can build your network of professional connections on LinkedIn, which is a great platform to post job updates, keep up with industry news, and even apply for jobs.
2 | Tailor Your Resume
In the corporate world, your resume is one of the most important parts of your job application. It is a great place to showcase your relevant experience, discuss your certifications, and outline both soft and hard skills.
To effectively present a hiring manager with your qualifications for a role, you should aim to tailor your resume for specific job applications. A basic resume is not going to fill the mold for every job you apply for; It should be customized to highlight key elements of the job description. This will present the most relevant and important information to hiring managers and recruiters.
3 | Search a Variety of Job Boards
Most companies will be sourcing their candidates from a variety of places – not just one. When you start applying for jobs, it is important to search a variety of job boards for open positions to expand your search. A lot of organizations will also use HR recruitment software to automate certain parts of their hiring process, meaning they are cross-posting on multiple job boards at the same time.
Additionally, you may also find it helpful to look for open positions on non-traditional platforms, like social media. Many smaller brands and companies are using alternative ways to find new talent. Be sure to stay up to date with local companies on social media and keep an eye out for non-traditional corporate job postings.
4 | Write Personalized Cover Letters
Just as with resumes, recruiters and hiring managers see dozens of cover letters for every open position at their company. So, you want to avoid reusing the same cover letter for every job application you fill out. While this can take up a lot of time, generic cover letters do not do a great job of showcasing your fit at a specific company.
With your cover letter, you want to make sure you stand out from the crowd. Talk about what makes you a great fit for their company and what makes you the best candidate for the role. After all, this is your opportunity to make a good impression and secure an interview.
5 | Proofread Your Job Applications
The biggest mistake you can make when applying for a job is leaving silly spelling and grammar errors on your application. Oftentimes, this is an immediate turn-off for hiring managers and recruiters. It shows that you did not take the time to review your application before submitting it and will often mean that you are no longer in consideration for the position.
So, before hitting “Submit” on a job application, read over the information a few times to check for any spelling or grammatical errors. Be sure to do so with your resume and cover letter as well.
6 | Know Your Industry
Every industry has its own quirks. Before starting your job search, it is important for you to have a basic understanding of what your ideal industry looks like. What are the day-to-day tasks at hand? Is there any lingo you should know? What will the recruiters and hiring managers be looking for on your application and in your interview?
You can get to know the in’s and out’s of your industry by talking to your network of connections. Talk to your professors, peers, and other industry professionals so you know what to expect out of the hiring process.
7 | Prepare For Your Interviews
Though they may not seem like it, job interviews should be a two-way conversation. So, you don’t want to go into an interview without preparing ahead of time. Start thinking about potential answers to common interview questions and prepare questions to ask your interviewer ahead of time. Additionally, do some research on who the company is and what its culture is like.
Showing a recruiter that you are prepared for the interview comes across as both organized and professional. It also shows them just how much you care about the position you are interviewing for and that you are excited about the opportunity.
8 | Make A Good First Impression
In the corporate job market, first impressions are everything. This is something to keep in mind throughout the application process – from the time you create your resume to the interview. You always want to make a good first impression on your recruiters, hiring managers, and interviewers.
Luckily, these tips will help you create a lasting first impression and land your first job in the corporate world after college.
Final Thoughts on Getting Your First Job Out of College
We know how stressful it can be to find your first job after college, but there are definitely some things you can do to make the process easier. But, if you are prepared to work hard and follow some of these top tips, you are going to set yourself up for success in the corporate world.
Author Profile: Cristi Waterson
Cristi Waterson publishes content all over the internet, mainly to promote her personal brand as an expert on safety in the workplace. Christi started working with Strategics360 as a Work Safety Contributor two years ago, and things just kind of snowballed from there. Now she's looking to share her knowledge outside of that site. Basically, that means reaching out to blogs, hoping to get her articles published, and starting to develop herself as an authority on workplace safety standards.
Have more tips for landing your first job out of college? Let us know in the comments!
