9 Proven Tactics to Help You Get a Job after College

Although your resume speaks a lot, doing this will increase your chances of getting a job after college

By Derick Mwanguhya
Published: December 05. 2023

You made it out of College, Great! But the chances of getting a job are limited.

Of course, the gap between the skills acquired during education and those demanded by the job market can make your search to land a job hard.

Often, students find themselves equipped with theoretical knowledge but lacking practical understanding and industry-specific skills. 

According to a survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, employers value attributes like teamwork, problem-solving, and communication, which are sometimes underemphasized in traditional academic settings, hence making it hard for students to succeed in the employment arena.

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“Degrees are important, but employers are increasingly looking for a combination of skills and experiences that graduates bring to the table.” – Jane Doe, HR Specialist. Share on X

Why are students finding it hard to get employed after college?

Students find it hard to get employed because they haven’t built enough connections.

Believe it or not many students still underestimate the power of networking In their lives. 

Remember 70% of jobs are found through networking. Therefore, having professional connections can greatly boost your chances of finding a job when you are just done with campus. 

Another reason is the limited awareness of market trends.

Many students find it hard to get a job but it could be likely because they are not informed of market trends and employer expectations. 

The job market evolves rapidly, what is efficient today, tomorrow it will be in the trash and vice versa.

Therefore, students who aren’t attuned to these changes may find themselves applying outdated strategies to get a job that may not work.

Staying informed about industry trends is not just a plus; it’s a necessity in today’s dynamic job market.

Sarah Johnson, Career Advisor.

Let’s dive into the tactics to secure a job after college;

Get References

You probably know that you need to have a reference or two to accompany your resume.

But not every reference will count.

Of course, the greatest thing that comes with references is credibility. 

Professors, internship supervisors, or professionals you’ve worked with can vouch for your skills and work ethic which can enhance your chances of getting employed.

Think of a glowing reference from your internship supervisor, highlighting your dedication and ability to work well in a team. Will the employer ignore this?

Maybe they would because they are looking to hire someone with a certain level of experience, but at least it will make you stand out among the crowd.

Meanwhile, 82% of employers said that they are more likely to choose a candidate with a reference, now think about securing one or two to appear suitable for the job you are applying for.

82% of employers said that they are more likely to choose a candidate with a reference Share on X

Reduce Expenses:

Did you know that financial stress can affect the job search process? 

A report by the National Center for Education Statistics indicates that Surprisingly, in the United States alone 53% of bachelor’s degree recipients had student loan debt in 2018–19,

Now shift it to your country, what could be the statistics? Considering this alone, we can tell how college students can have different debts.

However, budgeting wisely and reducing unnecessary expenses can provide a financial cushion during this transitional period.

Think of the costs that are not essential such as entertainment, and gaming, among others are limit your spending.

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Keep Yourself Busy:

Someone might ask himself if you can be busy without a job. Probably, you can after all a job is not meant to make you busy. 

You can stay busy with relevant projects or part-time work. Additionally, this demonstrates commitment and continuous learning, making you a more attractive candidate.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate tends to be lower for individuals with some work experience compared to those without.

For example, you can take on freelance projects. This can help in building a diverse portfolio that showcases your skills beyond the classroom.

Pro Tip: So, as you come out of campus don’t sit and wait for a job instead be engaged in various activities.

Think of Relocating:

Haha! You laugh asking yourself if this was put accidentally, but let’s think about it, does it make sense?

Relax, Everyone. It surely makes a lot of sense

Being open to opportunities in different locations broadens the scope of potential job prospects, especially if certain industries are more robust in specific regions.

Let’s explore the rate at which you can get a job in the upcountry as compared with urban areas and industrial areas. 

With no doubt, the latter is better, but we didn’t say it’s impossible for the former, because there could be a variety of vacancies in rural areas just because many people prefer urban canters to rural areas

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that approximately 10.7% of the U.S. population moved between 2019 and 2020, with job opportunities being one of the primary reasons for relocation. Share on X

Volunteer:

Let’s be realistic, I hate working on projects for free, but we need to change our mindset, it’s all not for free because you get to be exposed and recognized for the task accomplished.

Volunteer work not only adds value to your resume but also showcases your commitment to community engagement and it reflects positively on your character.

Meanwhile, people who offer more voluntary work regularly have a 27% higher chance of gaining employment so remember to list volunteer work on your resume

Think of a recent psychology graduate volunteering at a local mental health organization, though it could be free, he/she is assured of gaining practical experience while contributing to a meaningful cause.

And list the same on your resume, can increase your chances of being employed as compared to the one who did not volunteer.

Improve Your Skill Set:

You surely have various skills but very few are put to use now. Why not use all your relevant skills to gain employment after college?

Start by identifying the skills you already possess. For example, working on perfect PowerPoint decks or making nice art crafts. 

Then strive to make them perfect, they could be an added advantage when applying.

Moreover, taking additional courses or certifications keeps your skill set relevant and demonstrates a proactive approach to ongoing learning.

Remember, 92% of jobs require digital skills, therefore, ongoing skill development, can be important to prepare you for a career after college.

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Update Your Resume:

Have you ever wondered why you are not shortlisted for a certain job you applied for? You did.

Maybe it’s because you were not invited to express yourself and what you have accomplished.

But wait, today, it’s your resume to speak band not you. From your resume or LinkedIn profile, HRs can tell if you’re the best candidate for a job or not.

58% of employers have reported catching a lie on a resume. Share on X

That’s why having a professional resume is key and updating it necessary too.

 Noteworthy, 58% of employers have reported catching a lie on a resume, according to a survey by CareerBuilder, hence the need importance of accuracy.

Regularly update your resume to reflect your latest accomplishments and experiences, ensuring that it accurately portrays your qualifications to potential employers.

Expand Your Network:

We hinted at this earlier, and we should now know the importance of what networking can do.

Actively networking through both online and offline channels can increase your chances of job referrals. 

Start building and maintaining professional connections that can lead to valuable opportunities because 70% of jobs are found through networking,

For example, I knew Joan a few months back, she’s a recent graduate who regularly attended industry-related webinars, expanded her LinkedIn network and recently received a job referral from a connection she made during one of the networking sessions she had back then.

You can follow the example, and who knows you may be able to even spot an opportunity before your final year at campus is done.

Start Your Own Business:

Maybe you are just not an employee but you are an entrepreneur, so why not put up your startup?

As a student from college, you might have a lot to chase and thinking of becoming an entrepreneur may seem like something you can’t do or it requires a lot of time and persistence, but it can work.

You can choose from different business ideas you have knowledge about and think of starting a startup in that field.

Ideas can range from starting an e-commerce website to photography or even graphic designing and many others. But you should aim to focus on your startup to help it succeed because 10% of startups fail within a year, and yours should not be part.

Entrepreneurship can help you showcase your innovative and creative mind. Thus, setting you apart from other job seekers.

Through your start-up, you can even create more jobs for others because small businesses created 8.7 million new jobs between 2020 and 2021 according to the Small Business Administration.

Ready to start, read our guide on side hustle here.

Final Thoughts

While we believe there are various strategies a fresh graduate can apply to gain employment just after college, we hope we have stressed the most important ones and if you follow one or a combination of the two, you can secure a job even before the end of your studies.

Of course, a job won’t come in a day or two, because you don’t have enough experience required in the field but with time you will make it.

Thanks for reading!

Share it with a friend or a colleague who is at college.

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