Posted in Career Advice First Job Out of College Generation Y Job Hunting Networking on July 22, 2008 at 1:11 am
Lindsey on The Huffington Post: 10 things to do this summer to solidify your ideal job after graduation
It’s the middle of summer! Time to sip lemonade, slather on the SPF and read gossip magazines for hours, right?
Not if you’ve just graduated from college and you’re eager to find a full-time job before the fall. If you’re looking for your first job this summer, here are a few ideas to help you snap up job offers while everyone else is slacking:
1. Network al fresco. People often have less on their plates in the summer months and are more willing to take time for a networking lunch, informational interview or some casual bonding with a young job seeker like you. Who could turn down an offer to meet for lunch at a sunny outdoor café or an after-work drink at a pleasantly breezy rooftop bar? Fill your summer schedule with networking meetings with friends, friends-of-friends and friends-of-friends-of-friends, and ask for their assistance with your job hunt.
2. Become an active alum. Your college alumni network is one of your best networking opportunities as a young person. Get involved immediately by attending summer social events and emailing people in your school’s alumni database or on Facebook who work in the field you want to pursue. Don’t wait until the fall, when next year’s seniors will start their alumni outreach.
3. Visit (or revisit) Career Services. College career services offices have great (and usually free) resources — exclusive job databases, resume critiquing, mock interviewing, networking connections, one-on-one career counseling, etc. The problem is that students often don’t take advantage. Your college career service office is absolutely available to you after you’ve graduated, and you may just find the career counselors have more time on their hands since no students are on campus…
Read the rest of this article on The Huffington Post
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Thanks for a great post.
Students can have a great summer by engaging themselves into these kind of programmes.
College students usually waste their time in their summer holidays. This guides the student to make their summer holidays a useful period by easy learning. Nice summer career advices. Thanks.
@Shawn – Thanks for the comment. I love the image of campus career counselors eagerly awaiting those calls.
EVERYONE – CALL YOUR COLLEGE CAREER SERVICES OFFICE THIS SUMMER!!
Thanks again!
- Lindsey
@Marcia Robinson – Thanks so much for visiting the blog and posting a comment. Joining a professional association is a great idea — I’ve always been a big fan of the networking, mentoring and professional development opportunities you can get for the relatively low fee of association membership.
I will definitely check out your blog. Thanks again for the comment.
- Lindsey
One of the biggest myths about campus career offices is that they go on a summer hiatus just like students. Believe me, most career offices would fight over the chance to assist you if for no other reason than to break up the monotony of planning workshops and events for the fall.
I really love this advice Lindsey.
Having worked with new college grads for almost 10 years, I know the temptation is great to have that one last summer vacation!
This year was a tough year to do that and I saw a lot of anxiety just before graduation as the economy tightened up. I would add joining a professional association right away to the list as well. I think that demonstrates interest in continuously learning beyond college.
Please visit my college career blog sometime. I am relatively new to blogging, but not to this profession and always love feedback from the experts.
Marcie @ BullsEyeResumes