Finding Your First Job is your first job

Oh, the Places You'll Go!

the basics

While the glory of commencement is sweet and an achievement worthy of celebration,  it ushers in a new challenge. In today’s economy, most recent or soon-to-be college grads have to work hard to have opportunities for full-time employment. Many of these new entrants to the workforce face the challenge of earning enough to pay not only the rent,  but to service their student loan debt, which comes due immediately.

There are many factors to consider when deciding what kind of job (or jobs) to pursue:
What careers did my major prepare me for?
What other experience do I have to offer?
What mission or goals are important to me? 

Once an offer is extended, practical considerations come into play:
Will this salary pay my bills?
What can I learn here?
Can I succeed in this position?

As important as these questions are, it is key to just get in the game and get going.

the talk

How you start is important, very important, but in the end it is how you finish that counts.  — BC Forbes

People in all walks of life have found success by being able to make the most of an opportunity that comes their way, even if it isn’t what they expected or would have chosen.

Susan Loffredo, a career counselor at Northeastern University says that some students are willing to do whatever it takes to get a job and some are less motivated. A new graduate’s personality, life experiences and safety net will determine how he or she approaches the job market, but no one is born knowing how to build a successful career. Here are some of her suggestions.

The right “anything job”

“When your primary purpose is to keep ‘body and soul together’, choose an anything job that helps your plan.” For example, getting a job that is at night- e.g. waitress, bartender, keeps you free during the day for networking and both job and informational interviews. You can also try to showcase your skills within the framework of that job. Write a blog for the restaurant, write-up the specials in an enticing way, come up with a new way to present “drink of the day”- specialty cocktail, or appetizer.  Showcase the strength of the business and this can be a talking point in an interview.

Leverage your college resources

Loffredo counsels every college student and graduate to take advantage of what their campus career center has to offer. These offerings may include:

• free career counseling.
• access to online testing to assist with self assessment (e.g. Myers Briggs, CISS, Etc.).
• panels and workshops offering advice and networking opportunities.
• access to an Alumni database.
• job postings.

Networking

When networking with an alum, or anyone for that matter, have a plan of what that individual can do for you.  A stranger will not give you a job (few people can) but can anyone can give you information and advice. Email and social networking sites are easy, low stress ways to introduce yourself to people who may be in a position to help you with your search. In addition to alumni connections, explore connections through your previous jobs and internships, family, friends and community.  Many people will make time to talk with someone in order to help them begin their career; most successful professionals have been helped in the same way by others.

Register with a Temp Agency

Staffing agencies have specialties this is good additional strategy for a new grad. There has been an explosion in the quantity and quality of temp work available in recent years.  It began as the economy started to improve and many companies wanted to maintain flexibility with their staffing through hiring temp workers. A consequence of this technique is that the temp assignment becomes an on-the-job, extended interview and many times results in a permanent hire.

Tout your tech skills

Technology skills help.  Companies invest a fortune in technology- they want people who can plug in and use these tools. Be sure to put on your resume and LinkedIn profile if you are an expert user of Microsoft Office including Excel and PowerPoint and have skills in social media, HTML, Photoshop, website experience, etc.

the advice

Susan ‘s final piece of advice:  Being eager to learn and flexible about taking on new tasks is key. This may be demonstrated through volunteer experience, internships, temp jobs and extracurriculars. Many jobs  have nothing to do with the major of the person in the job; instead they call on the transferable skills gained during a successful career as a student.  Wherever you start out in the workplace- make the most of what you have.  Utilize every opportunity.