How to Get “The Big Job” After College.

March 7th, 2007 • Related • Filed Under • by admin

Let’s face it, in order to get a decent job these days you pretty much have to get a four year degree. There are a few exceptions here and there, but in the majority of cases if you want to make more than the low five figures of income, you’re going to need to get your bachelors degree. A lot of people think that the degree itself is one’s ticket to success, but this is not the case. After going through four or five years of college, you won’t be handed that big job, you need to work for it. Here’s how you can get a decent job after graduation.

Participate in Extra-Curricular Activities – Employers like to know that you’re well rounded. If you participate in extra-curricular activities, you’re much more likely to have some leadership and management skills under your belt. You’ll also have more experience functioning in an organization and probably have some good experience related to your field. This also shows that you’ll go above and beyond the bare minimum requirements for graduating college.

Get some In-Field Experience Beforehand – This is perhaps the most important thing to do. Companies want to know that you have some real experience doing the types of things that you will do at your job before actually starting. There’s a big difference between learning about something in college and doing a couple of assignments and real life. Chances are the requirements for your real job will be several levels about what your classroom requirements are, and companies want to know that you’ve gotten some decent experience in before going to work for them.

Work While in College – Get a job while you’re in college. You have the time to do it, don’t pretend that you don’t, you’re not fooling anyone. Getting a job while in college is a good way to show employers that you know what it’s like in the working world, that you actually know how to work, and that you know how to show up on time. This seems like a rather basic concept, but it’s amazing how many people fail to grasp these simple requirements.

Get Decent Grades – Companies do not care that you have a 4.0, but it’s definitely a good thing to get a decent grade point average, such as a 3.0 or better. If you get C’s and D’s in college, there’s probably a reason for it, and companies know that.

Start Applying Early – The fall semester of your senior year you should start applying for jobs. Do at least ten interviews between then and graduation so that you are paid what your worth and have the job that you want, rather than accepting something less than desirable because that’s all that’s offered to you.

Practice Interviewing – Learn basic interviewing skills and come up with answers to commonly asked questions ahead of time. Stop by your campus’s career services office and ask for help and tips, they’ll give them to you!

It’s not too hard to get a decent job after graduation, but you shouldn’t let the search start a month before graduation. Follow those steps to ensure the best possibility of getting an enjoyable and profitable job after graduation.