It's that time of year when a new class of college graduates emerges, ready to take on the world, or at least to start paying off their student loans.
That was me 21 years ago. I relocated across the country to Seattle with a liberal arts degree and no clue what kind of job I wanted or could get. My student loan payments would start that November, and I knew I had to find something.
My job search strategy was to find temp work and see where it led. It wasn't so much a strategy as a plan that didn't terrify me as much as other options. Also, it worked for a couple of friends of mine, so it seemed as good a plan as any.
Today's job seekers need to be a lot more sophisticated, prepared and creative than I did in order to find employment. Here are some tips, articles and resources I've collected that are aimed at the 2010 grad:
1. Think internship. These aren't easy to find in this economic climate, but this article from Career Journal has some good tips.
2. Hunt down your passion. But don't think you have to find something today that you'll be happy with for the next five years. These tips and so many more great ones can be found in Karen Burns' article, Dear New Grad: 15 Tips on Choosing a Career
3. Target the entry level jobs. Here's a resource center for new grads, including job boards and resume advice. New Grad Life has many resources, too.
4. Cast a wide net. Kevin Donlin offers this and other wise tips in this article.
5. Be professional. Wondering what this means? Caroline Potter spells it out.
6. Be patient, flexible, and willing to sacrifice in the short-term for gains in the long term. The job market is really tough right now. The good news is that it's up slightly from last year.
As it happened, I did find a long-term temp job that summer, which led to a job at my temp agency placing people, which led to my first job in HR with a client company. While it was not a glamorous, high-paying path, I got a solid start in the business world and opportunities to prove myself and learn what I could do.
I'd love to know: What's your best tip for today's new college grad?
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