4 Tips for New Grads Struggling to Find a Job

Once the fanfare of commencement passes, graduation season transforms into a time of bittersweet “goodbyes” and new beginnings. Many fresh graduates will jet off to big cities for the sake of their first post-grad job or for even more schooling via graduate programs. But, for recent graduates who don’t have more schooling, or a job lined up, a dark cloud of uncertainty hovers. Do you stick it out in your college town, move back home, or follow your friends to destinations where job prospects may be better? How should you spend your days now that classes are over? How do you explain to a potential employer what you’re doing with your time? While the class of 2024 didn’t graduate into the recession some economists feared, they’re still hunting for jobs in a market that is primarily valuing skills over degrees and part-time over full-time work. If you’re one of the many new graduates who doesn’t have a post-grad job, here are four tips to keep in mind in the months following commencement, according to career experts. 1) Remember your worth. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the unemployment rate in the U.S. for recent grads was lower than that for the general population. Since 2021, however, fresh graduates have experienced higher unemployment rates. “I don’t want [the state of the economy] to discourage grads,” said Cindy McGovern, author of Sell Yourself: How to Create, Live, and Sell a Powerful Personal Brand and CEO of Orange Leaf Consulting. McGovern emphasized that not having a job lined up is neither normal nor abnormal. “It’s just where we are, looking at the greater scheme of the market,” she added. In other words, the demand for labor is constantly fluctuating and varies between sectors. When the economy is in a lull, the job search can feel discouraging, but ultimately, such factors are out of your control. To stay motivated, it’s helpful to acknowledge this and regularly remind yourself that it’s not a reflection of your individual value or abilities. Pro tip: If you lack long-term work experience, don’t let it get you down. Everyone starts somewhere, and often, being a “newbie” can have advantages. “I would rather hire somebody young and hungry and full of fire in their belly, than somebody that has 15 years of experience, who’s going to rinse and repeat,” McGovern said. “But sell me on the fact that you’ve got the fire in the belly.” She explained that you can teach someone skills, but you can’t teach them motivation. 2) Reflect on what you really want. Upon entering the workforce, you may feel tempted to rush into action and accept the first offer that comes your way or to follow your friends to big cities where opportunities seem endless. The need to secure a strong role — and the many benefits that come with it — is real. But before making any moves, it’s to your benefit to slow down and assess your wants and abilities, according to Liz Sastre, a professional coach with RKE Partners. Your first job out of school likely won’t make or break your career, but it can still be a step in the right direction. On average, it takes three to six months to find a job — plenty of time to pause and reflect on what you might want. Try writing down your greatest skills and strengths — as well as how you’d like those to manifest in this role. Think about the type of projects you enjoy most, the tasks that come naturally to you, and any results you’ve generated using those skills (whether that be in class, internships, or past work). This information can give your search a little more direction: What kind of roles and responsibilities best align with what you’ve written down? In addition, Sastre suggested being “realistic” (financially and otherwise) when considering where and when to move for work. This could mean living at home and saving until you land a stable position, or being open to relocating somewhere unexpected when you find work that feels exciting or meaningful. Pro tip: As you reflect on your strengths and the quantifiable outcomes they’ve generated, be sure to include those numbers on your résumé (for example: “My actions led to a 25% increase in profit”). If that data isn’t available to you, share examples of your accomplishments and the positive feedback you received from past managers or professors. 3) Never stop networking. For the class of 2024, who started their college experience virtually, the career-building relationships that often naturally form between peers and professors were delayed, Sastre said. That’s why fresh graduates need to make a real effort to grow them. “You can know 15,000 people on LinkedIn, but how many of them are engaging with you, supporting you, and advocating for you?” McGovern added. A great way to get started is by reaching out to employees at companies you’re interested in working for, or who work in industries you’re exploring, and ask for informational interviews. When you reach out, let them know how you found them, who you are (for example, a recent graduate), and why you want to chat. An example of what you can say is: Hello, my name is [Name] and [Name] referred me to you. I recently graduated from [school] where I studied [major]. While in school, I interned with [former employer/internship] where I [duties and responsibilities]. I’m looking to broaden my expertise and build a career in the field of [industry]. Would you be available for a 30-minute Zoom chat to share your knowledge and experience in your field? [Name] says you are the go-to person to speak with. Please let me know, and thanks so much for your time! Don’t use these conversations to ask for a job. Rather, think of them as learning opportunities. Sastre recommended conducting these conversations prior to applying for jobs. That way, if during your job search, an opportunity opens at a company where one of these connections works, you already have a relationship to tap into. Pro tip: Today, when everyone can create a clean and thorough résumé using AI, your network is how you can stand out. “Applying randomly is kind of like throwing your résumé outside and hoping that someone gets hit by it and knocks on your door,” Sastre said. “Intentionality is so important.” 4) Don’t be afraid of resume gaps. When you have a gap between your education and employment due to an unlucky job hunt, common interview questions may include “What did you do in the last year to improve your knowledge?” and “From your résumé it seems you took a gap year. Would you like to tell us why that was?” Answering them can be intimidating. The good news is, these gaps are not as uncommon or stigmatized as they used to be. It’s important to frame them as purposeful — whether it be for family, for the sake of self-growth, or for the sake of finding an opportunity that truly fits your skills — and share what you learned during that time. “The key is to show that this was not a gap in progression of your own personal development, but rather, a pause on the professional track,” McGovern said. Pro tip: Even if your search takes longer than expected, it can be helpful to build an online presence as you apply to roles. You can point to this work during the interview process to show your commitment to learning and participating in discussions around your field of interest. As an example, McGovern, who is passionate about supporting women in leadership, will comment on posts, pose questions to her followers, and re-share quotes on this subject. She curates her presence to show both her personal and career interests. The big caveat, McGovern shared, is this work must be authentic. Your audience and employers will be able to tell if the content you’re posting and talking about in interviews is not a subject that you are naturally consuming and interested in. . . . The job search is tough at every point in your life, but the first, post-grad search can be one of the hardest. Remember that the challenges you face are not a reflection of your abilities or potential. So, during this search, remember your worth, reflect on what type of career you really want, and keep networking. That way, when you land a job, you’ll know it’s the right one for you.

4 Tips for New Grads Struggling to Find a Job

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