The Job Hunting Secret Every New Graduate Needs to Know

Employment expert reveals how new grads can transition into the working world

As recent college graduates flood the job market, competition for prime positions will be steep. It can be a difficult transition for young people, especially if they have no prior experience in the professional sphere.

Rob Wilson, employment expert and president of Employco USA, says, “Finding a job is always stressful, but if it is your first job post-college, the anxiety is even greater. With no professional job history to boast of and little experience with interviews and corporate networking, recent college graduates can feel very overwhelmed as they start pounding the proverbial pavement.”

Luckily, there is an easy way for young people to gain experience and professional clout. Wilson says, “A recruitment agency is a genius solution for college grads. Recruiters have the connections that these young people desperately need, and they can connect recent grads to a plethora of employment opportunities. When working with a recruiter, their main goal is to launch your career or take you to the next best opportunity professionally.”

Best of all, says Wilson, recruiters can help young people learn how to interview and how to excel at these professional interactions. “From assisting with resumes to helping people polish their interview skills, a recruiter is invaluable for anyone trying to break into the professional world.”

Five Tips For New Graduates Looking To Land Their Dream Job

Recent statistics show that this is the best job market for graduates in the past decade. However, these graduates also carry more college debt than any other generation before them. Never before has it been more important for young people to find work and start making money as soon as possible.

“College debt can be astronomical,” says employment expert Rob Wilson, CEO of Employco USA, “The weight of this can often pressure new graduates to take any job they can find and start working right away. However, that might not be the best plan of action. It is better to be purposeful and discerning in your job search. Remember, you are building the foundation for a career, not just trying to get a paycheck.”

Here are Wilson’s top tips for how graduates can land a dream job:

1) Don’t be lured by a big paycheck. “Money isn’t everything, even if you do have debt looming down on you,” says Wilson, “It is better to take a job with a smaller paycheck that is in the field you actually desire than to take a job with a large paycheck that has nothing to do with your long-term career goals.”

2) Live at home if you have to. “I know most college graduates want nothing more than to break away and have their own place, but the reality is that an unpaid internship isn’t going to help you get that big city apartment. But that doesn’t mean that the internship isn’t the right choice. Working as an unpaid intern can be stressful, but it can be a very wise move and help you build lifelong connections that will serve you throughout your career.”

3) Make Google work for you. “Everyone knows that an employer is going to Google your name before they decide if they want to hire you,” says Wilson, “So make sure that your internet presence is going to be impressive. Have a personal website or create an online portfolio that features your work. Have a Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn account that reflects drive, intelligence and professionalism. Don’t be afraid to show your personality a little bit, but remember: This is about your career, not tweeting about the Kardashians.”

4) Keep attending school. “I know most graduates never want to return to a classroom, but nothing is more impressive to a prospective employer than an applicant who has continuing education credits in their field or someone who attends seminars in their field of interest. Keep learning, even after you have a diploma in your hand.”

5) Consider temp work. “Temporary work can be a great way to keep your resume padded and your bank account full,” says Wilson. “Employers hate to see big blank spots on an applicant’s resume, so prove that you are hard-working even when you haven’t found a full-time permanent position yet. Plus, temping can be a great way to make connections, build experience, and learn more about what it is like to work in a professional environment.”