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7 Tips for a Recent College Graduate Entering the Workforce

Graduating from college is an exhilarating experience, but it can also be intimidating.

Unless you’re graduating with a software engineering or other in-demand degree, your entrance into the workforce will be challenging. Below are a few tips on how you can make that entrance just a little bit easier.

1) Build Your Value

Increasingly, the professional world is being seen through an entrepreneurial lens. People are being seen less as employees and more as self-proprietors.

In the spirit of this shift, you should be looking for ways to increase your value as someone who provides value to an employer. After graduation, you can boost your value by volunteering in ways that leverage your education. Constantly network to find new and different ways to boost the value you can provide.

2) Focus on Service to Others

When you were a student, you were mostly focused on yourself, managing your time, and taking care of your academic responsibilities. Also, those around you, including teachers and family, were invested in your education.

When it comes to dealing with your career and employers, your focus must shift to what you can do for others. This shift in viewpoint – recognizing the ways you can contribute or offer solutions – will help you stand apart from other recent grads who are still focused on themselves and what a potential employer can do for them.

3) Be Patient

The typical career is approximately four decades long, and patience is key. Right now, you just need to focus on gaining experience, networking, and learning the ropes of your chosen field. Embracing patience will help you avoid disappointment and remain positive. It will also help you be a compassionate and supportive colleague once you do get that first job.

4) Identify Your Unique Value

You’ve likely realized that you are graduating with thousands of other people, some of whom you’ll be competing with for jobs. Because of this, it is important to distinguish yourself so you’ll be more memorable than other entry-level applicants. Look over your experiences, skills, and qualifications to figure out what makes you an individual. Then, integrate that uniqueness into your job search efforts, from writing your resume to your interview preparations.

5) Distill Your Skills

Once you’ve figured out your unique value, you have to be able to sell it. The best way to do that is to distill your skills into a few sentences. For instance, you might say, “I’m a graphic designer with an international background who knows how to reach many different demographics.”

6) Get Informed

Many of the jobs of tomorrow don’t exist today, and some of today’s jobs will be gone tomorrow. It’s never too early to start thinking about future-proofing your career by keeping on top of the latest developments in your field.

7) Have a Team-First Mentality

When an employer hires an entry-level candidate, they are taking a risk, and you can alleviate any concerns by showing you’re willing to put your team and the company ahead of your personal interests.

We Can Help You Start Your Career

At Career Concepts, we’re used to helping recent college grads get their career off the ground. Please contact us today to find out how we can help you get your career off the ground.

Blog published date

May 18, 2021
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