50 things new grads can do to get a job

If you’re a college senior and are nearing the time when you’re going to walk across the stage, you’re probably filled with a lot of excitement. And maybe even some panic, especially if you don’t have your next step lined up.

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According to the Accenture Strategy 2016 U.S. College Graduate Employment study, four out of five graduates thought about how many jobs were available in the industry they were considering before choosing their major. But even with that foresight, only 21% of the class of 2016 had accepted a job before graduating.

So if you’re about ready to throw your cap in the air and don’t have your first job lined up yet, here are 50 things you can do to help make that happen.

1. Remember, it’s your first job

Yes, you have the education, but now you need real-world experience. The first job you get right out of school probably won’t be your dream job, so adjust your view and think of it as another step in getting you there.

2. Start with an internship

It might seem like something you stop doing after graduation, but having an internship means you’ll “have something on [your] resume, learn some real-world work skills and possibly have another reference for [your] ongoing job hunt,” Dr. Crystal I. Lee, a licensed psychologist and owner of LA Concierge Psychologist, said. And this role could ultimately land you a full-time, permanent position.

3. Fill in the gaps

Take a look at your industry and see what skills you may need that you didn’t gain in your formal education. “There are lots of relatively short programs, many of them at universities themselves, to teach these kind of ‘last-mile’ skills,” Andrew Overby of Yonderwork, an international community experience for remote workers, said. “It can only help.”

4. Expand your network

“Go out there and get coffee meetings with people you respect and look up to,” said Phi Pham, co-founder of Building Beats, an education startup in New York City. “Find a way to provide value to them and the dividends will pay off in job connections.”

5. Volunteer

“Reach out to a local nonprofit and see how you can put your skills to work [during] your job search,” Pham said. Plus, the people you meet when doing this can build up your network.

6. Start a side project

Having something you’re doing while you’re looking for full-time work “shows that you spend your time learning and figuring out how to make something meaningful for the world,” Pham said.

7. Adjust your view

Try not to limit your applications based on preconceived notions about the working world. “You may think you want to work for a large corporation, but find yourself interning or working for a small business and you feel satisfaction in knowing you are part of a team and making a valuable contribution,” Candace Dennig, director of student services at the Art Institute of Washington, said.

8. Ask for advice

“Talk to instructors, friends and fellow students and ask for advice — are there any companies that they suggest reaching out to in hopes of securing employment?” Dennig said.

9. Take a look at your credit reports

It might seem strange, but knowing what’s showing up on your credit reports may be insightful. After all, many employers review a version of these reports as part of the vetting process. You can see a free snapshot of your credit reports on Credit.com.

10. Think about relocating

“You sometimes do need to be living in the city in which you want to work before getting a job because it makes it easier for you to get in for interviews on short notice and network in the community,” Erin Lowry, millennial finance expert and author, said. Not sure which city may be the place to go? Check out this list of the best (and worst) cities for new graduates seeking work.

11. Visit your childhood bedroom …

Going home to stay with your parents may not be feasible for everyone, but if it’s an option, it could save you some rent money until you land a job. See if your parents will offer you a discount on rent in exchange for doing work around the house. This will offer you some flexibility in terms of not having to worry about breaking a lease if you get a job out of town, plus you won’t be racking up as many bills while you look for work.

12. … but don’t get too comfortable

Yes, there are many perks that can come with staying with your parents, but don’t let that put you in a rut. Use this time to your advantage — put money in savings for all the things you’ll need when a job comes your way. This includes things like paying rent, student loans and all your other bills.

13. Set aside time to apply

From finals to social events, your schedule is probably pretty packed. But it’s important to set aside blocks of time to research jobs and apply for the ones that fit your skill set. This will help make sure you aren’t rushing and making mistakes on the applications.

14. Polish your resume …

You may not have a robust resume, but padding it won’t help get your foot in the door. Marc Cenedella, the founder and CEO of Ladders, a career site, offers these tips: “Keep to a one-page resume, remove references to high school and focus on highlighting your education, leadership skills and accolades achieved while in college.”

15. … then have a professional review it

Once you feel you have your resume in a good place, it’s time to get a second opinion. “Having all your documents updated and formatted professionally is key when you go to networking events or start applying to positions,” said Valerie Streif, senior adviser with The Mentat, a San Francisco-based career service.

16. Customize your resume to the role

Once you have a basic template for your resume, consider fine-tuning it to each application. Sure, it may take a little more time but this way you can highlight to each employer what makes you right for that particular role. (And make sure you’re avoiding these big resume mistakes.)

17. Show you can do more than one thing

If you’re looking to join a startup, they’re likely looking for people who can take on more than one role. Show them they’ll be getting a jack of all trades (or at least someone with multiple skills) when hiring you.

18. Don’t forget about the cover letter

Yes, that resume is important but so is your cover letter. This is the chance you have to say things about yourself your resume doesn’t. Make sure what you write is clear, targeted to the job and proofread for spelling errors and grammar mistakes.

19. Visit your career center

Most colleges and universities offer career services. They may not have all the answers, but they have insights and may even have a listing of jobs, internships, freelance work and other opportunities.

20. Attend career fairs

“It can be easy to delete emails with notifications of upcoming job fairs on campus and instead go to the bars or spend time with their college friends — but making the effort to actually go to these events can bring incredible opportunities,” Streif said.

21. Attend conferences

This is a great way to network with professionals in your given industry. Many of these are free or may offer a discounted rate for students.

22. Join a professional association

Do some research and find a professional organization in your industry that you find interesting. Participate in their meetings and other events and build that network.

23. Get business cards

You likely won’t always have a résumé on hand and you never know who you may meet. Include contact information and a link to your website or portfolio on your cards.

24. Find a mentor

Find someone you admire and who has a similar career to one you’d like and pick their brain. They can give you insights into what you may need to do and think about as you search for your first post-grad job.

25. Meet with alumni

Your alumni network may be a good place to start when searching for a mentor. But beyond that, there’s partial truth when people say, “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” and you already have a tie with this group of people. They may even be able to open some doors for you. Check with your school to see if they have alumni events or a database of alumni you can talk with.

26. Ask younger students

It might seem like it’s backward to ask students younger than you about jobs, but they may know about companies you haven’t even heard of yet. Ask around and see where they’re interning or working for the summer for more ideas of where to apply. And maybe see if they can pass along your resume if you find an opportunity you’re interested in.

27. Refresh your online presence

Recruiters and human resources departments often check your online profiles as part of your application. So, freshen up your social profiles (especially LinkedIn) and do a quick search of your name to see what comes up. You may consider setting up professional accounts in addition to your personal ones.

28. Get a professional email

If you don’t already have one, it’s time to get an email address you can use specifically for professional reasons.

29. Create your website

A website with your resume and examples of your work can act like a digital portfolio. Plus, if you start it now, you can build on it as you advance in your career. If you already have one, make sure it’s up-to-date with your graduation date.

30. Branch out on application methods

“Taking many different approaches to the job hunt is the best way to ensure quick success,” Streif said.