The current job market is a nightmare; in fact, recent US graduates make up 25% of the unemployed population. It has never been more difficult and frustrating to get a job. You spend hours applying just to get rejection emails or get completely ghosted. Opportunities are becoming fewer and fewer, entry level positions require years of experience for some reason- but, we don’t have to remind you of all that. We know you’re living this struggle and we’d like to give you some tips that can help you land the position you’ve been hunting for.
- Understand the AI Screening Process
Unfortunately, what often leads to rejection and ghosting from employers in recent years is their use of AI to screen for potential candidates. Instead of a real person looking at your application, a robot decides whether it’s worth looking at by trying to find keywords. The only way to get ahead of this is to tailor your resume and cover letter to each opportunity by highlighting specific achievements and using keywords that match the job description. This way, you avoid the auto-rejection and you’re more likely to have an actual person look at your resume. - Network, Network, Network
This might seem daunting but landing a job, especially in the field you’re interested in, often comes down to who you know and who knows you. There are lots of opportunities that come from word of mouth or can be created for you. For example, your next internship might come from your next door neighbor or a past professor. Referrals can go a very long way, so make an effort to connect with those in your field. If you don’t have any connections in your target field and aren’t sure how to start making them, here’s what you can do: if you attended college and had a great experience with any of your professors, you could reach out to them to see if they know anyone in your field that you could talk to for advice. - Learn New Skills and Get Certified
Having a wealth of different skills will make you stand out against the competition and be prioritized by employers. This is especially important if you have limited professional experience in your field. So, in between scrolling job boards: take courses, get certifications, and pursue projects that show you’re committed to growing professionally. - Focus On Gaining Experience First
While not ideal, there are lots of opportunities on job boards that include unpaid internships, volunteer work, and short term contracts that can build your experience and keep your knowledge from your education sharp. Employers often prioritize those with professional experience, so even if you’re not being paid, it’ll give you the edge you need to get a paid position. Think of these opportunities as stepping stones to the career you’re after. - Don’t Let It Get You Down
We know it’s easier said than done, but it’s important to keep your head up. Struggling with the job market is not a sign that you’re a failure and you should know that you’re not alone. So many recent graduates are going through this too. So, keep going, keep applying, and keep improving. Take breaks if you need, cry about it, vent to a friend– but whatever you do, don’t give up.
The job market may seem impossible right now, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to thrive and eventually get to where we want to be. If you’d like more personalized, one-on-one guidance to find your career path and excel in it, book a free consultation today with one of our ICF-certified career coaches: https://connexuscareers.org/booking/