Jumpstart Your Job Search During Spring Break
Simply Hired Staff
Spring break can be the perfect time to get leg up on the competition and start the process of having a job lined up after graduation. Use that extra time usually devoted to class and studying to amp up your job search. You’ll be happy you spent this week putting some effort in finding a full-time job before finals, when your classmates are scrambling to figure out what’s next in life after graduation. Plus, the following tips will still give you a chance to enjoy this week off..
Reach out to your network
Think back on the past few years you’ve spent in college and make a list of all the professors, old managers from internships and even older alumni with whom you’ve established a good rapport. Reach out to them in a concise e-mail that says you’re graduating in a few months and looking for a job after graduation. At first your network might come back with little or no job opportunities, but don’t be discouraged. You can also tell them if they don’t know of any opportunities, any career guidance will help. Politely ask them to keep you in mind the next few months. Even if you don’t receive any job leads in your first outreach to your network, someone might still offer to review your resume, have a contact that will lead to a job, or invite you to grab coffee with them for an informational interview.
Find jobs on career sites
In addition to reaching out to your network, you can find job listings online. Websites like Simply Hired offer a filter tool so you can search for “Full-Time” jobs in proximity to the location of your choice. Plus, you’ll see other roles that are similar to what you’re searching for and can expand your search. If you see a job listing from a company where you know someone in your network is an employee, you can ask them to personally send your resume to HR.
Utilize your college career center
If you’re unsure where to start in your job search, your career center at school is a good place. Besides resume and interview prep, some career centers even offer personality tests to tell you what job you would most likely be successful at. Book some time with a career counselor to hash out a plan of action that will result in your goal of being employed by graduation. If your career center is closed during spring break, check out your local public library for career help. A lot of public libraries offer free resume help and other guidance.
Polish your online presence
This piece advice has probably been drilled into your head by your parents and teachers, but it’s important that you watch what you post on your social media accounts. Unless you’re using social media strictly professionally, it’s best that you keep your social media private and, even then, watch what you post. You don’t want to ruin your chance with a potential employer because they found an inappropriate comment or photo when they did a Google search on you. For an extra bonus, create a personal website that features your resume and interesting projects you’ve worked on that will impress a hiring manager. Having a professional, online presence will be the cherry on top when you’re interviewing for a full-time job.
