• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

NG Career Strategy

Ditch Your Job Search. Land a Job You Love.

  • Start Here
  • About
  • Corporate Solutions
  • Shop
  • My Account
  • search

Mobile Menu

  • Start Here
  • About
  • Corporate Solutions
  • Shop
  • My Account
  • search

Job Search Solutions

  • Job Search Accelerator
  • Resume
  • LinkedIn
  • Career Coaching
    • Job Search Coaching
    • Clarity Coaching
    • Interview Coaching
  • Search Jobs
  • Praise
  • Blog
  • Job Search Accelerator
  • Resume
  • LinkedIn
  • Career Coaching
    • Job Search Coaching
    • Clarity Coaching
    • Interview Coaching
  • Search Jobs
  • Praise
  • Blog
First Job Advice for Every College Grad

First Job Advice for Every College Grad

June 3, 2015 //  by Noelle//  Leave a Comment

Summer is here and that means recent college grads everywhere are entering the job search, internships or workforce for the first time. I recall this period on my life feeling a bit like culture shock since I was totally unprepared for what lay ahead. I struggled for months in the job search and early career management which is probably why I’m so passionate about helping career newbies in my line of work. There was a ton of learning along the way and looking back, there are 6 pieces of advice I wish someone would have given me as I left college for the real world.

1. Try an Internship

Internships are a great way to network inside a company and lay the foundation for future opportunities especially if your goal is to eventually be hired with your internship company. The downside is that of working for free but the upside is that of an immediate entry point or foot in the door AND exposure to the hiring decision makers. If you’re struggling in the job search, and months are passing without any luck, you may want to try this route.

2. Work Your Butt Off

First impressions are everything so you’ll want to start by proving yourself as qualified and competent. Don’t slack off or be caught surfing the web. Do your job to the best of your abilities so that you’re exceeding expectations and keeping your manager happy. Raise your hand to take on more work at every opportunity as long as your quality of work is strong. This will send the message that you are serious about what you do. It will also help you start developing a wide range of skills and valuable experiences to speak to on your resume.

3. Network Network Network

When you’re not working hard, make a point to start building relationships with everyone around you: your manager, peers, and team. Don’t eat lunch or take coffee breaks alone. Think of these little breaks as opportunities to establish the personal connections from which to build your future relationships.

4. Make Your Boss Look Good

Whether you start with a paid job or internship, it’s important to prove yourself to everyone around you. Companies will look internally first when it comes to promoting or hiring and a referral from your boss will go a long way towards helping you be considered. The easiest way to stand out: getting the job done and making your boss’s life easier. Every time you make your boss look good consider it a gold star in your favor and one step closer to the golden ticket.

5. Ask Questions

Even though you want to make a strong first impression, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Managers respect people who aren’t afraid to ask as this will help to build your skill and allow the team to perform more efficiently. Your manager is there to help you succeed but managers aren’t mind readers so do ask if you’re feeling lost. If you’re not comfortable asking your boss, find someone on your team who seems willing to help and ask them instead.

6. Get Optimized On LinkedIn & Be Active

As you start to build your network, carry it over to Linkedin so you can start accumulating and managing your network in the virtual space. This will help you stay organized and connected throughout your career. Go ahead and start connecting to the people with whom you work and stay in touch. You’d be surprised how even your first professional relationships will come back to help you in your future.

If you’re hoping to improve your entry level job search and land a job in record time, check out the Job Search Accelerator. In this budget-friendly job landing community you’ll have access to all of Noelle’s expert resources including a FREE resume review, optimized resume and cover letter templates, networking scripts and templates, LinkedIn optimization courses, interview answer scripts and more – everything you need to feel confident, navigate the job search successfully, and put your best foot forward as an applicant.

FacebookTweetLinkedIn

Category: The Job SearchTag: college grads, millennials, college, graduation, first job, internships

Avatar

About Noelle

Noelle Gross, is a job search strategy expert and award winning career influencer. She has a background in executive recruiting and uses her recruiting and hiring insights to simplify the job search and help job seekers at all levels land jobs. Through her websites NG Career Strategy and the Job Search Accelerator, Noelle and her team of career experts share their decades of expertise, and dozens of career certifications to provide guidance on everything from resumes to LinkedIn to interviewing, to achieving challenging career changes and more. Noelle brings a shrewd headhunter prowess, fun-loving practical perspective and refreshing approach to the career world.

Previous Post: «10 Ways to Leverage Linkedin® for a Career Change 10 Ways to Leverage Linkedin® for a Career Change
Next Post: Is Your Linkedin Profile Working for You? Is Your Linkedin Profile Working for You?»

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Career Blog Topics

  • Resume & Cover Letter
  • Networking
  • Mastering Linkedin
  • Ongoing Career Advice
  • Interviewing
  • The Job Search
  • Finding Career Fulfillment

Recent Posts

ageism-hacks

11 Simple Ageism Hacks for Your Resume & Job Search

career-change-down-economy

How to Prepare for a Career Change During a Recession

career-pivot-action-plan

6 Steps to Making a Career Pivot in Your 50s

You are here: Home / The Job Search / First Job Advice for Every College Grad

Footer

Resources

  • Repackaging Your Brand for a Career Change
  • Resume & Cover Letter Templates
  • LinkedIn Networking Outreach Templates
  • Discounts

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Site Footer

  • NG Career Strategy Logo
  • Partners
  • FAQs
  • Contact Noelle’s Team Now
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • My Account
  • search

Copyright © 2021 NG Career Strategy   ·   1455 Washington Blvd., Stamford, CT, USA   ·   [email protected]
All Rights Reserved

Close Popup