Dear Matt: I'm about to graduate from college and have been putting a lot of work into my job search. I'm amazed at how much time it takes. I completed a great internship, had a high GPA and have a good résumé. But after a few interviews, I don't have a job. This is harder than I expected!
Matt says: College seniors are always a bit surprised and discouraged by how much work goes into finding a job, said Joyce LeMay, an Associate Professor in the Business and Economics Department at Bethel University and owner of LeMay HR Consulting Services.
"Many college seniors have great résumés from internship and other part- or full-time jobs, but they are entering a new job market for professionals and they are surprised how long the interviewing process takes," LeMay said. They get "discouraged when rejected and frustrated with the amount of energy and time it takes to run a successful job search."
A degree doesn't guarantee success. That's why you have to network, make contacts and go beyond a basic job search.
"Don't just look for jobs online," said LeMay. "Although it's easy to find jobs on the Internet, over 85 percent of job seekers are also looking at the same jobs. Employers get inundated with responses to Internet advertisements. If you find a job online, do additional research to find out if you have someone in your network that could help you get connected."
Also, "your résumé needs to stand out from your competition and the best way to do that is to customize [it] to the specific job you are applying to," said LeMay. "Be sure to have a qualifications section that highlights your accomplishments tied to the prospective job."
The reality is, a job search can take three to six months -- or longer. Don't take rejection personally. You will not get a job offer from every interview. Don't let that blow your confidence. "Many college graduates have their hopes set on one or two companies and when the job doesn't come through they are devastated," said LeMay. "Keep your mind and your options open. There are many fabulous career opportunities at small and mid-sized companies and [in] companies or industries you haven't heard of yet."
Finally, don't settle for a job that isn't the right fit. You don't have to take the first offer that comes along just because you feel pressured to find a job, said LeMay. "If you accept a job knowing it doesn't meet any of your criteria, you will just be unhappy and out looking for a job soon after starting the new job. It takes time, persistence, patience and follow through to complete a successful job search."
