What Percentage of College Students Get a Job After They Graduate?

Getting a degree doesn’t automatically mean that you are guaranteed a job. But it certainly plays a large role in finding employment! If you’re nearing graduation and wondering, “What percentage of college students get a job after they graduate?” then the good news is that 72.3% of all college graduates in the U.S. are employed.

Having a degree is a distinguishing factor when applying for a job. It serves as a signal to employers that you not only can follow through on a goal, but you also have acquired technical skills and academic knowledge. Depending on the field you want to enter, a degree may be more or less important as it relates to the position. However, it always does serve as a benefit. That’s why recent graduates have a high chance of landing a job upon graduation.

Being able to find a job upon graduation does depend on some variables

From the labor demand to what you studied, how you prepared and more, there are some things beyond your control and others within your control. For the conditions within your control, you will see why it pays to be proactive and prepared. There are even things you should do while still in college to boost your odds of getting a job upon graduation.

Let’s take a look at the best tips to securing a job after college.

Young graduates in a workplace taking notes during an informational interview

https://unsplash.com/photos/vzfgh3RAPzM

Top Tips: How to Secure a Job After College

Securing a job after college isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. That being said, there are many actions that every student and recent graduate can take to improve their odds of being hired.

Here’s a look at some of the top tips that have proven to work for most employed individuals.

• Beyond the classroom: While learning within a classroom prepares you greatly for the job, there’s more you can do. As a college student, it is highly advisable to get experience on the job. If you already know what career you want to grow in, then it’s best to get a job in that field. If you are unsure, then any job still provides you with transferable skills like time management, organization, and responsibility.It boosts your resume, so upon graduation, you have experience listed on your CV. As you apply for jobs, you’ll notice a pattern that most jobs want you to have experience. But that is exactly what you’re applying to attain! As such, it is best to tailor your search to entry-level positions, apprenticeships, and even internships (more on this soon).

• Pick a strategic major: It’s common that many students are influenced to choose a major that their parents desire for them or that will pay well in a career. While that’s understandable, it’s equally important to choose a major that you’re actually interested in learning about.This is so that you will perform well in your major courses and have a desire to find a related position upon graduation. Some employers care about your GPA, and others may not. Either way, what you learn in your major can apply directly to how prepared you are for the job market (when you choose a major based on your desired career).
• Network: You’ve probably heard the old adage, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” Both the knowledge you attain and the people you network with will prove to be important in your career path. While you’re in college, you can network with other students, mentors, and professionals.This can be done through setting up meetings, going for coffee with someone you want to learn more from, or attending career fairs, for example. You never know who you will meet that will present you with a work opportunity upon graduation or some time later in your life. Treat everyone well because it’s likely you will cross paths again somewhere down the line.
• Prepare your resume: It’s always the right time to perfect your resume. Your resume gives employers a brief overview of your education, experience, and skills. It is recommended that your resume is no longer than one page long when you are new to the working world. Employers will use this to determine whether or not you’ll be a good fit to move forward in the interview process. Since it’s your first impression, it’s a good idea to spend time to adjust your resume to meet the criteria of the job requirements.Also, remember that hiring managers are likely sifting through hundreds or even thousands of resumes to find their next best hire. That’s why it pays to use keywords in your resume that jump out to show you are a good fit for the position. It’s also important that your resume is nicely formatted and easy to read.
• Go on interviews: Even if you go on interviews and don’t land the position, you are gaining practice. But even better, you can set up informational interviews with HR personnel at companies you wish to work for. An informational interview will not only help prepare you for the interview process, but they are also a great way to learn about what the company of your dreams is looking for in their perfect candidate. Informational interviews are less formal interviews.They may even take place in groups. If you attend an informational interview and leave a lasting impression on the person at the company, then you could be planting a seed for the future to be hired.
• Check with the career center: Most colleges have relationships with recruiters and companies that hire graduates. You can find out more about these connections, job fairs, and even receive resume writing advice from your school’s career center.Career centers are generally located on campus and can have an online component. While still in college, take advantage of this resource by meeting with a career counselor. You can receive aid on writing your resume, finding jobs, and networking with recruiters.
• Find a mentor: One of the most beneficial relationships you may have in life is the one of having a mentor. Finding a mentor will open the door to a broad network. Having a mentor not only teaches you about real-life skills, but a mentor is likely to help you along on your job search. This is because mentors are generally someone with real-world experience in your field of interest.
• Build friendships: A major part of the college experience is your group of friends. Not only will these people help you get through classes and more, but they may also be a link to a new connection post-graduation.You may even meet your next business partner while in school and go on to start your own business rather than find a job. In this case, you could be the person hiring a recent graduate!
• Get an internship while in school: Like finding a job while in school, another option is to become an intern. Internships are a great way to learn more on the job in the field you are interested in working in upon graduation.Internships come in a variety of formats, from unpaid to paid, part-time to full-time, etc. It’s a great stepping stone from an academic experience to a professional setting. They’ll set you up with a lot of learning and can be a foot in the door at your desired workplace for when you earn your degree.

Recent graduate shaking hands with employer during an interview

 https://unsplash.com/photos/NbtIDoFKGO8

Other Tips for Landing a Job

But wait, there’s more! Beyond taking one or many of the aforementioned best practices and applying them, you can also consider these tips.

• Social media: Social media has become a way for employers to get to know their potential new hires even more personally. It’s very common for employers to conduct social media research on applicants to find any red flags. Since social media has become a reflection of who you are, it is helpful to curate your social media. If you find photographs or posts that could have a negative impact on your job search, it’s best to archive or delete such history.Think of your social media as just another impression you are making. In fact, many companies are now taking action against current employees when they violate terms on their own personal social media. Social media has become an extension of brands. It’s best to keep yours clean and as professional as possible to avoid any problems.

• Boost interview skills: Interviewing is a skill. The only way to develop a skill is to practice. Whether you’re going to actual interviews or not, it’s always good to practice interviews before you arrive on the big day. You can do so by researching common interview questions and reciting how you’d answer them.Or, you can ask your mentor or friend to pretend to be an interviewer and run mock interviews. Not only is an interview all about the exchanged conversation, but it also relies on body language, how you present yourself, and the impression you leave on the interviewer.
• Be confident: Confidence shows through in the way you talk, how you dress, and how you physically show up through your body language. When you are interviewing or speaking with potential employers, remember to maintain eye contact, good posture, and show that you’re actively listening by nodding your head and responding to cues. Another good thing to practice is a firm handshake!
• Be prepared: You can best prepare yourself for the hiring process by:

• • Perfecting your resume
  • Writing a strong cover letter
  • Showing up early to any interviews
  • Dressing appropriately
  • Conducting research on the company/hiring manager
  • Having questions prepared in advance (these reflect that you’ve done your research)
  • Writing thank you emails or notes post-interview

Methods to Find Your Dream Job

When you feel confident and ready to begin your job search, there are several routes you can take to do so. The more you spread your reach, the more opportunities you will find. Here are some common ways recent graduates take to finding a new job:

• Organize your job search: Create a list of companies you want to work for and/or positions you want to hold. Then, you can go straight to these websites and look up open positions, or use Google to find what’s available. Of course, you can also use job boards to see what’s available.

• Join a professional group: There are professional networking groups for people in all different fields. By joining one, you will be expanding your possibilities of who you may meet.
• Set up your LinkedIn: Create a LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn is one of the most popular social networking groups for professionals. Not only does it allow you to create a profile to share your educational and work experience, but you can also use it to search jobs, read articles that people share, and share your own news/information.
• Build a personal/professional website: In today’s world, every person has the potential to be their own brand. If you’re looking to join a profession in which you can share your skills or work online, then creating your own professional website is a solid start. A lot of people have their own website, but this tends to work best for creatives and those who may obtain freelance or consultancy positions.

The Bottom Line

Earning your degree or (and) receiving a specialized undergraduate certificate will put you ahead of those without a degree when looking for a new job. Not only does it increase your chances of obtaining a job, but it also gives you higher earning potential. That being said, your degree is not a guaranteed ticket to a job.

Rather, your degree is just one of the things you must bring to the table when applying for jobs as a recent graduate. Preparation is key throughout the job search process. By following the aforementioned best practices, you can continue to set yourself apart from the competition to land your dream job!