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Congratulations are in order, because you recently graduated college! This is a monumental time in your life, so you’re probably feeling a mix of excitement and terror. The transition from coed life to the professional world takes time, but you’re ready for it.

The good news is, employers are planning to hire four percent more new graduates from the Class of 2018 for their U.S. operations than they did from the 2017 graduating class, according to the Job Outlook 2018 survey, conducted by National Association of Colleges and Employers. While this is promising, you’ll still need to put your best self forward to get hired.

Here are a few mistakes commonly made by your peers, so read and learn.

Sending a Generic Resume

Customizing your resume to fit each job you apply to probably sounds daunting, but you don’t really have a choice. Hiring managers know the difference between a tailored resume and a generic one, and they are not impressed by the latter.

Taking this step will require extra time, but it’s worth the effort. Modifying your resume for each opportunity gives you the chance to really highlight your fit for the particular position, increasing your chances of scoring an interview.

Limiting Your Horizons

In college, you majored in a certain field, but that doesn’t mean your options are limited. Many employers are willing to consider candidates with a wide variety of backgrounds, so cast your net wide. This is the time when you should be trying different jobs on for size to figure out what you really want to do.

Neglecting to Calculate Your Worth

You can’t expect to earn executive-level pay yet, but you deserve a fair salary. Use wage data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to put a monetary value on your education level, skills and experience. Being at the beginning of your career doesn’t mean you should have to settle for pay that falls below market rate.

Conducting an Online Only Search

The internet is a great starting board for a job search, but it shouldn’t be your only resource. Personal connections can get you far in the professional world, so put yourself out there. Attend alumni mixers sponsored by your college, go to job fairs and join a professional association — many offer discounted memberships for new college grads — to make new contacts who might be able to help you get ahead.

Failing to Audit Your Social Media Presence

Like it or not, potential employers will review your publicly available social media pages. If they’re filled with less-than-professional content — i.e., boozy spring break pictures and obscenity-laced postings — you won’t get hired. Delete inappropriate material and put privacy settings on personal posts you wouldn’t want your future boss to see.

Need a little help finding your first post-college job? PrideStaff Northern Kentucky is here to help you transition into the ‘real world.’ Get in touch today to find a temporary, temp-to-hire or direct hire opportunity with a top local employer!

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