Straight outta college: 4 Tips on landing a job
Written by Sagal Handulle
Jasmine graduated from college on a random Tuesday afternoon. After more than a year of hybrid learning and social distancing, she felt the pressure to secure an entry-level role in an overcrowded job market. Although the class of 2021 is experiencing a job market on the rebound, there is still stiff competition among the previous class and young professionals vying for the same type of job. Jasmine found herself back at her parents home struggling to get her career off the ground.
She just didn’t know where to start with her job search. She would find job listings that would seem interesting, but eventually became overwhelmed because she was unsure which job route to take. The constant back and forth on where she would fit in was exhausting in its own right and started to take an emotional toll. Even more, she felt discouraged with the entry-level listings that were marketed towards recent college graduates, yet required an unrealistic two to four years of job experience.
Following months of job hunting with no luck, she stumbled upon Progressive Pipeline’s fellowship application. The prospect of finding a meaningful job, let alone in politics, was a difficult and demoralizing task. It was important for Jasmine to find work that was aligned with her passion and this program presented that chance. But she didn’t receive any status updates on her fellowship application, which crushed her spirits. Until one day, she received an email on a potential entry-level match, with the same job she felt under-qualified for.
“I think hearing someone else, a voice other than my own, think that I would be a great candidate really gave me the confidence boost I needed to just apply and see what happens,” said Jasmine
Progressive Pipeline is a social welfare organization that recruits underrepresented college students and places them in paid fellowships with progressive organizations. Over four cycles, they’ve deployed 220 fellows to a wide variety of progressive organizations from data analytics to communication to consulting and more. Progressive Pipeline launched an entry-level matching program in the fall and Jasmine was one of many candidates matched to employers in their network.
As more candidates, like Jasmine, came through the pipeline, it became apparent that this program is very much what the world needs. It can be difficult for recent graduates to find entry-level roles that are both meaningful and inclusive — especially when it comes to the elusive world of politics. For those without personal connections and formal experience ‒‒ this opportunity is meant to break down the barriers to progressive hiring.
Jasmine scored her first post-grad job, as she accepted an Associate position at a premier political consulting and research firm in DC. Progressive Pipeline played a pivotal role in shaping her confidence in the screening process. Although this isn’t what she envisioned her life to be, she feels ready to dive into something new and challenging.
Along the way, Jasmine picked up some tips on how to stay ahead in this competitive and unusual job market. Here’s what she learned.
1. Don’t undersell yourself
The challenges that many face during their job search is often multiplied by feelings of inadequacy and crippling self-doubt. This is called imposter syndrome, and is a feeling many graduates struggle with. The first thing you can do is name it and recognize it. When you name it, recognize it, and remember that it’s a normal part of searching for a new job, and that a lot of it has to do with systems and structures beyond you. Then you can move forward from it.
Employers have become more open to those that don’t appear a ‘fit’ at first glance. This has opened the door for many non-traditional candidates. If you don’t have much direct experience, take pride in the fact that you have a fresh set of eyes. You can provide new ideas, and create new strategies to make you stand out from the crowd.
You can tailor your skills and experiences to demonstrate what value you can bring to the organization. You can focus on activities you’ve done outside the classroom as well – in clubs, the community, volunteering, etc. One way to showcase your intrinsic value is by creating a step by step outline on how you would tackle any major challenges within the role.
The bottom line –– it’s less about applying to every job post you see, and more about how you can close the gap between the requirements they need and the experience you have.
2. Get out of your comfort zone.
Jasmine wanted a government-policy job right after college, but quickly realized that searching soley for jobs that met this description, significantly narrowed her options. She applied listing after listing but never received any interest back. Her fixation on locking down her dream job right out of the gate set her up for major disappointment. She took this as a hard lesson and adjusted her expectations.
“Be open to new and different opportunities, even if they may seem uncomfortable or unexpected,” she said
Job search fatigue can be nerve-racking, but it’s really important not to let your disappointment turn into discouragement. If there is a new skill you want to build, take a course on it so it can give you the context and knowledge to bolster your resume. With the free time you have, expand your horizons by looking at industries that might not be related to your field of interest. You might not fill every qualification needed, but you can identify the relevant areas—knowledge, skills, or experiences—that’ll help you make a solid argument on why employers should hire you.
As with life, it’s reassessing and readjusting your priorities. Whatever you decide to do, you'll gain newfound confidence in yourself and credentials that’ll boost your employability.
3. Build your network.
This is often the most uncomfortable part of job hunting, as it forces you to turn to others for help. You can build your LinkedIn connections by reaching out to friends, alumni, family, neighbors, and folks in your community. While you’re there, give a life update on what skills you possess and your career ambitions.
You can expand your professional network by utilizing your alumni associations. By joining alumni groups that reflect your professional interests, you can make the most of your time by setting up informational interviews with select alumni. It's best to think of these interactions as informal, as this can ease any pressure and allow you to be your authentic self.
These conversations can give you a unique perspective about working in a particular industry or role that you might not find online. Once you establish a relationship, they’ll be more likely to vouch for you or refer you to job posts in their network.
Whether you use Linkedin, Handshake, or the many other job boards — networking with people in your career field can give you access to more job opportunities and open your eyes to a world of possibilities. So yes it can be a little awkward, but the trick is to utilize this tool so that you can get a maximum return on your career investment.
4. Don’t lose faith in yourself
The pandemic’s toll on the job market prompted hiring freezes, furloughs, rescinded offers, and rejection letters. Navigating this new economic reality, recent graduates can often find themselves succumbing to moments of sadness and despair.
One of the most powerful steps you can take towards a present and caring life is creating structures of regular self-check-ins. The goal of these check-ins shouldn’t necessarily be aimed at immediately changing or fixing things, rather, they’re about taking the time to see how you are truly doing–– without distractions or excuses. Often, when we create space to really see ourselves, solutions start to come our way naturally.
The journey to self-reflection can give you the space and grace to understand what kind of work really matters to you. From an emotional and mental standpoint, it can ease the burden of comparing your journey with others. Jasmine’s story should serve as an inspiration, as she failed to join the fellowship cohort. But she stayed in touch with the staff and they connected her to opportunities in their network. The path to securing a job will look different for everyone, but staying motivated and energized can give you the leg up you need.
