November 29, 2021

Advice for Recent College Graduates Entering the Workforce During a Pandemic

Jeanine Bertou – Account Coordinator

It might seem impossible if you are a recent college graduate trying to find a job during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, here are some tips to jump-start your career.

My number one advice is never to give up. Even if you are working a part-time or full-time job, within your field or not, never give up applying to your dream job. Try to learn as much as possible from those temporary jobs because you never know when you might need to use those skills in the future.

But, the secret truly lies in networking. According to the president of Career Horizons, Matt Youngquist said that at least 70 to 80 percent of jobs are not advertised. After graduating, you have an extensive list of people who graduated from the same school as you. Maybe you’ll find one that works in your desired profession. Do not be afraid to reach out and ask for help. Those friends you made in college can also help you land that job in the future. Make sure you are always keeping in touch with them.

Make LinkedIn your baby. Your profile should impress visitors at first sight. Making sure your bio and resume are up to date and that your headshot looks professional. You can do this by hiring a photographer, or asking a friend to take a picture of you. It should just be you in the picture with a neutral background. A white background is preferred.

Linkedin is an excellent resource since you can directly message hiring managers from the companies of your interest. You can also reach out to those within your network to learn more about them, their job and any openings their team may have or may create for you. Always be professional when reaching out to these people. Keep in mind that you only have one chance at making a good first impression. What do you have to lose? The worst thing that could happen is that they say no.

Create a website to use as a digital portfolio with your work. Hiring managers enjoy learning more about you by looking into your website. For example, if you are a photographer, get out there and take pictures. If you are a writer, you can write fictional stories and add them to your portfolio. Get creative and have fun with it.

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