Now that graduation celebrations are winding down, it’s time for college graduates to think about landing a job.
A recent study by Strada Institute for the Future of Work and the Burning Glass Institute shows that within a year of graduation, more than half of college graduates are underemployed -- meaning they’re working a job that doesn’t typically require a bachelor’s degree.
Experts say it may take time to find the right job.
“In 2022, there were two jobs for every individual, and now it’s completely the inverse, there are two individuals for every job,” said Fran Berrick, a career coach for college students, who started her own company, Spearmint Coaching.
She said it could take five to seven months for graduates to find a job in their field.
“It’s very depressing just sort of submitting 100 applications and hearing statistically that you’ll only hear back from one or two,” Berrick said.
Berrick’s advice is to 1) build a profile of jobs you’d be interested in applying to, 2) research the companies, 3) find jobs by networking like using your college’s career services, contacting alumni, talking to friends and family and 4) play up your skills.
“You don’t want to be a jack of all trades. You want to be a master of a specific one,” Berrick said.
Some entry-level jobs require work experience. And if you don’t have any, that’s OK. On your resume, you can list college sports, clubs and organizations. Don’t forget jobs you’ve held like waitressing and babysitting.
“That all counts and those soft skills that you’ve learned like responsibility, integrity, commitment, are totally transferable,” Berrick said.
And while you’re waiting until you land the job you want, you can either work part-time or volunteer.