Entry-level Job Seekers: Stay Resilient!

The arrival of this Saturday will mark only two short weeks until the end of my undergraduate career. Instead of being excited and ready for a new chapter of life to begin, all I seem to hear on campus is the discussion of not yet having a job lined up. As my supervisor, Heather Huhman, told me this week, it takes the average graduate six months PAST graduation to find their first “real world” job. This statistic actually rattled me a bit, but it also helped me realize that now more than ever job seekers must be resilient in their search.

Though it is tough to swallow, rejection is going to happen. Resume after resume will be submitted without hearing a word. It’s extremely important not to let that make you feel defeated. Keep going and you will find that full-time job that’s right for you, here are a few tips for resiliency during your job search.

1. Do a little every day. Or as often as you can…keep searching, networking or whatever you have been doing in your quest for an entry-level job. If you are feeling frustrated and give up you will only hurt yourself, and possibly cheat yourself out of some great opportunities.

2. Be open to change. This goes for your method of searching and your resume/cover letter. Realize that if you have not been receiving responses, it might be time to try something new. Whether this be a new way of actually finding opportunities or the way your resume looks, be flexible. Also, always seek feedback on your resume from professors, professionals and so on. Everyone has something different to say about resumes, but they might have a suggestion that could help you tremendously.

3. Keep tabs on yourself. As I mentioned in a previous post, using Google as a background check is vital. Employers will do this, so before you send out your resume, Google yourself. Make it habit and be cautious, as always, of what you post on your Twitter and Facebook accounts.

What are your tips for staying resilient during the job search?