Say it with me, I am prepared and excited to begin the next chapter of my life. I’m sure this has become a daily affirmation for you in the days leading to graduation. I too have experienced the mix of nervousness, excitement, and curiosity associated with leaving college and entering the real world. If I could go back in time and give myself advice on landing my first job, this article would be that advice. In this post, I’ll provide the truth about the job market, where to apply, and best practices to stand out amongst other job applicants. As a current human resources professional, and a 2022 college graduate I got your back! Keep reading for insight on what it’s really like to land your first entry-level position.

Is Now A Good Time To Be In The Job Market?

Let’s be honest, since you’re graduating you will be entering the job market whether now is the ideal time or not. Unfortunately, you don’t have the luxury of holding out on applying for opportunities for another semester. With this in mind, I believe now is as good a time as ever to be entering the job market. In fact, Forbes researched the September surge in job opportunities and discovered that boosting productivity is crucial in early Fall. As a recent college graduate, you should revise your resume, build meaningful connections, and get to APPLYING!

Think about it, company managers across the world are currently preparing to close out quarter three and looking to make substantial changes to kick off quarter four. As a result, an eager new hire that’s ready to learn serves as the perfect solution to talent acquisition struggles. Additionally, Business.com explains that recent college graduates are great new hires because you are motivated to begin your career, up-to-date on the latest industry skills, and available to begin a new job as soon as possible!

To remain fully transparent, we will now look at the challenges of job searching in late Summer and early Fall. The greatest challenge you will face in your job search is overcoming hiring freezes. As budgets begin to stretch thin, those of you seeking a late Summer or early Fall start date might get hit with the dreaded- “we’re currently on a hiring freeze.” Therefore, if companies are actively hiring the job opportunities could be lower pay or requiring more seniority than a recent college graduate can offer. Despite these circumstances, we will be focusing on securing you your first job. Consequently, the coming sections will be packed with strategies and helpful insight on when and where to submit your job applications.

How Likely Am I To Secure A Position?

In 2024 thousands of college students will walk the stage after years of penciling in scantrons, writing research papers, and listening to never-ending lectures. Many of you have friends or family members that earned their diplomas back in May. Now…it’s your turn! I guarantee you’re looking at the May grads desperately searching for employment and wondering if you share the same fate. Well I’m here to share the facts with you about what’s going on in the job market. 

As of July, 2024 the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a 4.3% unemployment which equates to 7.2 million unemployed people. Do not panic! Understandably, these stats can seem alarming but the odds are not against you. The US has recovered from a devastating unemployment rate of 14.8% in April of 2020 so please remember companies are rebuilding, and you will secure your first job in no time. If you need more motivation, remember the presidential election is quickly approaching. As a result, there is a strong possibility of one last push to reduce the unemployment rate before resigning. With a polished resume, go-getter mindset, and awesome professional references you are sure to be a competitive job candidate!

Where Should I Apply?

It’s no secret that securing an entry-level job is more challenging in today’s job market. After all, recent college graduates are faced with unrealistic expectations despite never getting the opportunity to gain the precious experience hiring managers are seeking. To combat this never ending cycle of frustration, I’ve provided a list of industries known to hire recent college graduates:

• Education
• Healthcare
• Government Administration
• Financial Services
• Information Services

Furthermore, here is a list of specific companies that regularly hire entry level employees:

• Amazon
• JPMorgan Chase & Co.
• Ryder System, Inc.
• UnitedHealth Group
• Bank of America
• UPS

These lists are only a handful of the opportunities available to recent college graduates. You can discover more on job boards such as LinkedIn, ZipRecruiter, and Monster. It’s also never too late to reach out to your alumni network and campus career advisors for assistance with your job search!

What Are Best Practices When Applying?

Indeed suggests job seekers submit their application to hiring managers outside of traditional business hours to increase visibility. Think about it, if you apply at 8:00 pm on a Sunday, your application is likely to be at the top of the feed on Monday. Similarly, waking up early to apply can also improve your chances your application being reviewed. Another best practice in your job search is sending follow up messages. For example, emailing the hiring manager to thank them for their time after an interview. To stand out from other interviewees, remember to include something personal like a comment the manager made during the interview. Secondly, after applying, inform the hiring team that you’ve applied and provide reasons why you would be great for the role. Applying outside business hours and providing authentic follow up messages are easy ways to optimize your job search!

With graduation only days away, you might be unsure of what your future holds. Will I find a job? Was this degree worth it? Am I ready for adulthood? Yes, yes, and YES. Feeling unsure is a normal part of entering the next chapter of your life. Remember what this article taught you. Take a deep breath. And show these hiring managers what you’re capable of! In summary, you now know:

• The September surge is quickly approaching.
• The unemployment rate is not something to fear.
• Recent college graduates are valuable job candidates.

Use this article as a reminder that everything is going to work out in the timing it is intended to work. Let’s end how we started because affirmations are truly a difference maker. Say it with me, I am prepared and excited to begin the next chapter of my life.

Good luck with your job search, you got this!