Your graduation from college is a significant achievement, but it can be daunting if you’re loaded with student loans. You need a job that pays well – yesterday would have been great, and ideally, it’s in the field you’ve been studying and preparing for over the past several years.
Take a Temporary Job
You need income… any income. This is not the moment to be arrogant and wait for a job that perfectly matches your new degree. The ideal job is out there in the future, but you have bills to pay now. You need a source of income while searching for your dream job.
Keep your part-time job if you were working while studying in college. You can hope to expand the money you’re earning to cover your basic expenses now. You can redirect the time you would have spent studying and attending classes to look for the perfect job.
Consider applying for a part-time or seasonal job right now if you weren’t working while studying, or if you couldn’t keep that position. Maybe you worked in the city where your college is, but now you’ve moved back home. You might have to juggle more than one part-time job while searching for a position in your field.
Enhance Your Resume
You might also consider volunteering to help build experience in your field. These positions may not always offer pay, but the right opportunity can look fantastic on your resume if you can forgo income for a short period.
The same applies to volunteering in the field you desire. The person who will eventually interview you for your dream job will be more interested in the experience you gained than the money you were making in the process.
Regarding the part-time job you’re keeping, it can also add polish to your resume if it evolves into a managerial or leadership role.
Expand Your Job Search
Broaden your search if you’re having difficulty finding a job in your chosen field. Some people narrow their search by only looking in a specific city or state or by waiting for a certain type of job. Explore other options as well.
You may have to look for work related to your degree that isn’t the job you dreamed of. You might want to live in a certain area of the state or country, but you can relocate if you find a great company that fits you elsewhere. What’s more important to you – location or job? Expand your horizons and search accordingly.
Take advantage of the job search resources provided by your college. Utilize your contacts from school, as well as your parents’ and friends’ connections. Participate in all the job fairs in your area.
Check online job portals daily, not just when you have some free time. These sites are constantly updated with new job listings, which can fill up and disappear by the time you check over the weekend. You want your resume in the right hands before others check what’s available.
Above all, don’t neglect to follow up every time you send out your resume. It’s perfectly acceptable to reach out and inquire about the status of the job – and your application – if you haven’t heard anything within two to three days. It’s also fine to send out multiple applications and resumes each day, as long as you keep good records so you know who you sent what to.
Develop Your Budget
Create a workable budget to stick to until you land your dream job. It should cover all your daily expenses, from your phone to your car payment, rent, utilities, and food. Make sure you have access to the internet so you can search for jobs.
Ask
Your parents may be willing or able to help you meet your needs until you secure the job you were trained for. They might cover your phone bill or car insurance for a while. Even redirecting one monthly expense can make a big difference. Check if you have student loans with a six-month grace period for repayment after graduation. Many of them do.
Limit Spending
Do not make any major financial changes in your life until you find a job. Do not sign a new lease—unless you have no other options because your current lease ends at graduation. Look for something cheaper in this case, or consider taking someone else in the apartment. Otherwise, try to stay in your place until you know where you will be working.
Do not buy a new car, assuming your credit allows it, or take on other financial commitments until you have a good, steady income. You won’t know what your annual salary will be until you actually get that job, so it’s not wise to make financial commitments now.
Avoid using credit cards and piling up debt that will be looming, waiting for you when you finally get that job.
Secure a Roof Over Your Head
Yes, going back to live with your parents seems like the last resort. Unfortunately, many college graduates end up moving home because they struggle to find a job.
Head to your parents’ house with clear expectations for both you and them. Make sure you’re finding ways to contribute to the household, whether through chores, cooking, or paying a small amount in rent. Have a clear plan that will help you prepare for your move and a timeline for when you’ll find a job.
And look for that dream job every day, using every tip and trick in your toolkit.
Source: https://www.thebalancemoney.com/making-it-between-college-and-your-first-job-2386193
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