College Students: Finding Your First Job

Wouldn't job hunting be much simpler for recent grads if the recruitment advertisements said: Seeking all English majors with experience in Russian literature, or Only Psychology majors need apply? However, for college students fresh out of classes, finding a job that pertains to something they've studied doesn't seem quite that straightforward, particularly for liberal arts graduates who don't know which direction to go toward.

Think Skills Not Degree

The first mistake many college students make is thinking in terms of their specific degrees. A company rarely hires based on major alone. Rather, they look to the skills and experiences of an applicant. Certainly concentrated degrees may help you land work in a specific area of study. But graduates should think outside of the box.

For example, for a long time it was thought that a liberal arts or communications degree may be limiting. In fact, it could open up a lot of opportunities. That's because these former students can apply for a wide array of jobs -- if their skills fit.

Thinking in terms of skills opens up many channels for a job search. Don't count yourself out just because you haven't had several jobs before college. It doesn't mean you don't have the skills for success or nothing to offer. There are skills you learned in school that you may not immediately recognize as pertinent for the workplace. These include researching and reporting (school assignments), making presentations, analytical thinking and problem solving, working in groups or alone, and punctuality. The majority of college students are also fluent in computer usage and the variety of software available, so you may already have the computer skills necessary as well.

According to Phyllis Stein, a Boston-area career coach, liberal arts students also have some other added benefits. "Liberal arts majors are good at achieving fluency in many different occupational languages, simply by virtue of spending their undergraduate careers using terminology specific to English, philosophy, and history," she says. "These majors generally also have excellent administrative and management skills. They write well, they can think critically, they can analyze problems, and they can communicate well with co-workers."

Plot Your Course

Think about your likes and dislikes in terms of work. See how your likes match up to the types of skills you possess. Once you determine what you want to do, gear your search in that direction. Study the terminology used in that profession and tailor your applications, letters and resume to that end. Remember your short- and long-term goals with regard to the jobs for which you're applying. Use each experience as a stepping stone to your ultimate goal. It's not likely you'll land that dream job or executive-level position and salary early on, but by learning all you can through every employment experience, managing networking contacts, putting your all into what you do, and always keeping an open mind, you can move up toward your long-term goal.

Use Every Resource

College and university campuses are a good starting point for any job search. Oftentimes potential employers participate in career fairs that give graduates the opportunity to network. Don't overlook the advantages of using a campus career office or alumni association, either. These places can prove invaluable in a job search. Many times alumna have a certain solidarity to other alumni, fraternity or sorority members or even participants in school-based clubs. Put the skills acquired in school to good use toward finding your first career-oriented job after graduation.