Gaining Experience Right Out of College
Job prospects for recent graduates have improved over recent years.
Still, earning a college degree doesn’t guarantee a successful job search. In fact, as a recent graduate, you’re likely to face an all-too-common dilemma. On the one hand, you have a great education under your belt; on the other, employers may view you as inexperienced – making it a challenge to get your foot in the door.
How can you land that first opportunity, so that you can gain experience right out of college?
Intern after graduation.
If you can’t find a job, consider an internship. Whether you’re a student or a recent graduate, an internship allows you to gain work experience and learn first-hand about what it’s like to work for an employer. Adding an internship to your resume makes you much more appealing to an employer. It shows your commitment to your field and to getting ahead of the learning curve.
Use your college career center.
From resume critiques to career workshops and even job leads, your career center can connect you with great resources and opportunities. Find out what your alma mater can do to get you on the path to gaining job experience.
Take an entry-level job.
The best way to succeed in most fields is by learning from the ground up. Though a true entry-level job may not provide the pay you like, it can get you started on your career path and get you in the door with your preferred employer. Before taking an entry-level job, discuss your career aspirations with the hiring manager. Chart a path to the job you really want, so the entry-level opportunity doesn’t turn into a dead-end job.
Work with a national employment agency like PrideStaff.
We can make finding your first post-college job quicker, simpler and less stressful. Our ultimate goal is to match you with an ideal first career opportunity or a promising temporary assignment that could lead to direct employment.
Though it may not sound glamorous, temporary work with PrideStaff is a great way to gain valuable experience. Working as a temp helps you build your skills and rapidly broaden your knowledge base, right out of college. With each new assignment, you have the opportunity to learn new skills and make yourself more marketable.
Furthermore, temporary work can be a bridge to direct employment. While on assignment, you can showcase your skills and work ethic. If an employer is impressed with your job performance, they can work with your staffing firm to transition you to a full-time job with their company.
Looking for that first job out of college?
PrideStaff will help ensure that you just don’t search but succeed. We provide a wide range of temporary, temp-to-hire and direct hire administrative jobs, professional jobs, IT jobs and light industrial jobs. Contact the PrideStaff office in your area to find out more about great local job opportunities for college graduates.