It’s that time of year again – time to don a cap and gown and march down an aisle to receive your diploma, surrounded by friends and the paparazzi (aka mom and dad) and to start your grown-up life. But what if you’re not sure what to do after graduation? Or don’t know what jobs you can get after graduation? Here are a few tips for recent grads, whether you’re graduating from high school or college.
1. Apply now (and apply often)
We hate to break it to you, but if you haven’t started looking for a job yet, you’re a little behind. Even if you’re just looking for a summer job, the fact of the matter is that people like you have been applying for summer jobs since March. But that doesn’t mean all hope is lost: if you treat your job search like a job, start applying now and apply to a lot of jobs, you can increase your odds of landing one. And when we say a lot, we mean a lot. We’re talking way more than 20 jobs here. Don’t worry if they’re not all your dream job, they’ll provide good experience that will help you eventually get to that dream job.
2. Don’t be afraid to ask for help
We get it, you’re a grown-up and should be able to do this yourself. But it’s not that easy. Even people who have years of experience often need to ask people they know for help. Tell anyone who will listen that you’re looking for a job, and ask them if they’ve heard of anything. That’s called networking, and it’s one of the best ways to get a new job. Use your parents and relatives as resources; ask them to check over your resume and applications and ask them for advice. And don’t forget to use your former college or high school as a resource- they often have resume and job placement services that can help.
3. Think outside the box
You want to be a famous fashion designer, but can’t even seem to land a job as Marc Jacobs’ personal coffee maker. It’s time to think outside of the box. Start applying for jobs at places like Macy’s – you might start out as the girl who hangs up clothes, but with some hard work you could find yourself as floor manager, stylist or even as a fashion buyer. The right retail job can take you all sorts of places. Who knows? Maybe someday you’ll be the one at New York’s Fashion Week, sitting next to Anna Wintour, deciding which styles to buy for the next season.
Keep these tips in mind and before you know it, you’ll not only have your new diploma, you’ll have a new job. Search for a job now.