So You Graduated. Now What?: Tips for Landing Your First Job

All the pomp and circumstance of college graduation is pretty exciting. You hit a real big life milestone. I get it; it’s a bit exciting and a lot scary. And, if you’re heading into the world of PR or marketing, it can feel overwhelming (well, job hunting in general can be overwhelming). Most of all, you’re left feeling like, “ what should I do now?”

Beef Up Your Resume

Chances are that if you were in the school of business or communications, you received a little help in this area. If not, get on it. Employers aren’t looking for something crazy creative in the resume department (unless your degree is in graphic design). Keep it simple. Include your degree(s), internships, recent relevant work experience, and any extracurricular activities that complement your work (underwater basket weaving needn’t be included). Spotlight your achievements. Showcase tangible results. Did you help train and manage a team while working at a retail job? Share that. Did you help grow a Twitter following by 1,000? Share that. Do you have any written or published work? Share that.

Job Search

It’s no secret that this time of the year means a flood of applicants from recent grads. So, if you haven’t already been on the hunt, get going. There is no magic formula to how long it’ll take to land that first “real” job, so the sooner you start the better off you’ll be. It took me a solid three months to find my first real job. For others in the TPR office? It ranged from weeks to months. Be prepared either way. And, don't just rely on job search engines - ask around within your network. Know someone from a previous internship who now works at another company? Shoot them a note - tell them you've just graduated and would love to grab coffee. Job searching doesn't mean simply relying on job boards. Use every tool in your box.

Do Your Research

Finally landed an interview? Congrats – that’s a big feat! But before you walk in those office doors, make sure you do your research. Dig. Understand the company. Who are their clients? What is their perceived culture? Are you following them on social media? Do you understand their core competencies and what makes them awesome? No employer wants to interview a potential employee who hasn't even bothered to learn about their company. And, yes, they can tell if you’re faking it.

Show It Off

In the world of marketing and PR, employers will want to see your writing. And, I’m not just talking about blogs. This includes articles, tweets, your Tumblr; you get the point. Not only do they want to see that you can write well, but they want to see that you know how to use social media. Not the “I love Arctic Monkeys” tweets, but they’re looking for employees who understand how to network via social or pitch a cool article idea. Being really funny might land you the interview, but showing us the work and the strategy will get you the job. And, if you’ve already pulled together a portfolio website or amped up your LinkedIn profile, kudos to you.

Be Professional

This is the obvious one, but you’d be surprised how often this important detail is overlooked. And, I’m not simply talking about what you wear to the interview. This includes your full package – your resume, your cover letter (or email), your social media accounts, etc. When an employer hires you they’re getting more than just a well-dressed person. So, while you may email a resume and cover letter to express interest in a job, employers are doing their research, too. On you. Still curious about how to tackle the job search, or curious about how some of the TPR crew landed their first jobs? Give us a shout on social. - Brit Tucker (@ fruitsnutsflake)