Graduating from college is a significant advancement for anyone.

But it also comes with the stress of becoming a self-reliant, skillful, and successful individual professionally and personally.

It's easy to get overwhelmed with the process, so here are 15 pieces of advice for the graduate to make things easier.

1. Set Goals for Your Career


As a new graduate, you have a lot of things to think about.

It's essential to set realistic goals for yourself and your future career.

Don't just set big dreams; remember that it takes time to see results.

For example, if you want to work in sales or marketing, start by finding out what companies are hiring now and start applying to them.

Also, have a broad plan for your next 4-5 years - that will help you stay focused on your career.

2. Create a Personal Brand on LinkedIn


It's easy to get caught up in social media and feel like there is no way out, but LinkedIn is where 75% of recruiters look first when trying to find candidates for an open position.

If you want a job or internship after graduation, create a professional profile on LinkedIn and connect with people who work in the same industry.

This can help make connections faster than just posting random stuff on Facebook or Twitter!

Also Read: How to optimize your LinkedIn profile to increase your personal brand?

3. Limit Your Time on Social Media


The internet is an excellent tool for networking and finding out what companies are hiring. Still, it can also be a waste if you spend too much time scrolling through Facebook, Instagram, or any social media accounts.

The more you use it, the harder it will be to focus on essential tasks. Try limiting yourself to 15 minutes daily.

4. Research Different Companies


The best way to start your career after graduation is by researching industries and companies that interest you.

You can do this by visiting job websites and reading up on the different careers available in these fields—and how much money there is in that field!

An excellent place to start is LinkedIn and Glassdoor.

During this process, ensure you're always searching online for opportunities that interest you so you'll know about them first.

5. Network With Industry Professionals and Recruiters


Networking is key when looking for jobs in today's economy, especially if you don't have any experience yet (or connections).

It's essential that people know that you're interested in working with them and are willing to take the time to create connections and meet them in person.

You can do that by optimizing your LinkedIn profiles and start sending connection requests to industry professionals.

Also Read: How to network for a job in 2022?

6. Practice Your Social Skills


As a new graduate, you must learn how to interact with others professionally.

This is especially true if you want to get in the door with recruiters and employers who are used to dealing with more experienced candidates than yourself.

Developing your social skills will help you in this area and in many other aspects of life after graduation.

7. Practice Giving an Elevator Speech


If you're a recent graduate and want to break into the job market, you must practice talking about yourself in front of people.

In a job interview, the first question any interviewer asks is, "Tell me about yourself."

By practicing an elevator speech, you will be comfortable talking about yourself in front of an interviewer.

Also Read: How to write an elevator pitch in 2022?

8. Research and Practice Interview Questions


In preparation for your job interview, do a little research about the companies and industries you want to work in, and practice interview questions from that company or industry.

For example, if you want to become a software developer, you can go to LeetCode, CodeChef, or many other websites to check out common interview questions asked in these companies.

Also Read: How to research and practice informational interview questions?

9. Practice Giving Mock Interviews


Once you've done your research, it's time to practice giving mock interviews.

Prepare a list of questions usually asked in the company or the industry you're applying for. Reach out to your friends and family and ask them to take mock interviews for you.

This way, you'll have a practical experience of the interview which will help you stay composed during actual interviews.

Also Read: Top 10 mock interview questions and answers for 2022?

10. Prepare a Packet to Take To Your Interview


After your graduation, during your job search, you should have all your career-related information in one place, ready to go.

Keep a professional file or folder with all your academic and professional documents.

Print out a copy of the letter of recommendation from each person who has given you a positive reference, as well as their contact information.

Make sure that they are aware they will be contacted by someone from your company who will contact them directly.

Also Read: Why should you prepare for an interview in 2022?

11. Set Realistic Expectations


You are not going to get every job that you apply for.

So, be prepared to be turned down at some point during your career or this job search.

You can't control where or when this will happen, but you can prepare yourself for it by setting realistic expectations about how long it takes for employers to respond to your application and how long it takes for them to decide on whether or not they want to hire you.

12. Give Yourself a Makeover


Getting interviews is not only about having skills. You need to be likable and approachable to people.

That's why you must ensure your appearance is as professional as possible. You will be meeting many people in your career and don't want to come off as a slob in the eyes of your potential employers.

13. Create Your Resume


Employers take 7.4 seconds to review a resume. So, you must create a resume that stands out among other candidates.

This is not just about getting your name out there but also about marketing yourself to potential employers so they can see how well-suited you are for the job they are hiring for.

If you don't have a resume, get one made by going to Hiration Online Resume Builder tool or hiring someone to help you create one.

Also Read: How to create a professional resume in 2022?

14. Do Volunteer Work


Volunteering is an excellent way to build experience for your resume.

For example, if you're interested in working in healthcare or education, volunteering at a local hospital or school will give you hands-on experience interacting with patients and students that may be applicable later on in your career.

Volunteering also gives you the chance to network with people who have similar interests as you and make new friends along the way.

Also Read: How to add volunteer experience on resume?

15. Learn New Skills


If there's one thing that recent graduates need more than anything else, it's experience!

Learning new skills is one of the best ways to gain experience and make yourself more marketable on paper.

This can be anything from programming languages to business skills like project management.

These skills will help you stand out from other recent graduates who don't have any experience but are still applying for the same job as you.

Also Read: 10 tips to prepare for interviews in 2022?

Key Takeaways


Getting graduated is a big part of anyone's life. And it also comes with the stress of getting a job and starting your career.

Here is a recap of the advice for the graduate student in 2022:

Don't get a job aimlessly; set a goal for your career, then go at it
Use LinkedIn to its full potential. Reach out to recruiters and industry experts.
Practice giving interviews, and be prepared for interviews at all times.
Do some volunteer work to gain real-world experience, and add it to your resume.

If you are looking for a job and giving interviews, you can visit Hiration's 360 Career Service Platform for your interview preparation and resume creation.

If you need more information, you can email us at support@hiration.com.

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