I'm a 2024 college grad who's been job hunting for 6 months. I've applied for more than 200 jobs. I just got a rejection for a job I applied to early on. It said the company had over 900 applicants for the position. The job market feels completely unbalanced, with little demand outside retail or service jobs with poor pay and benefits. I know I’m qualified, and I’m sure many others who applied were too. Getting silence is tough, but knowing hundreds are competing for the same jobs feels spirit-crushing. Is there a better way to stand out?
I’m sorry the job search has been so difficult for you and many other recent college graduates. You don’t expect this when you work so hard to complete your degree. I don’t think it's fair when companies mention the huge number of applicants in their rejection letters. Frankly, I think this is a disingenuous way for companies to let themselves off the hook for responding so late to job applicants and with no feedback. So to companies: Do better.
There is a lot of advice being shared online to those who are struggling in the job market. Much of the advice has to do with revamping your resume, tailoring it to job description keywords, and doing low-paid or unpaid internships, which are also hard to get, so I’m not going to regurgitate that same advice.?
Here is my job search advice that is less discussed:
- Get out of your house: Having a people-powered network is still the best way to get jobs, internships, and opportunities when you are unemployed or looking for your next opportunity. If you are just at home sending out resumes from your computer you will not build your network. Take that retail job or a volunteer role and attend in-person gatherings like alumni events, running groups, and Meetups while you are hunting for a permanent position. Even if you are not in the right job now, commit to doing that job really well so people remember you for your enthusiasm and work ethic. Whenever you are out meeting people, ask questions. Tell others what you are looking for, ask for introductions, and ask about opportunities that may not be posted on the internet. Don’t be shy about speaking with people you barely know - your career depends on it!
- Apply for a professional fellowship: At ProFellow.com, we offer a free database that lists hundreds of professional fellowships in a variety of fields. Many are short-term, full-time paid placements in organizations and government agencies, offering you a foot in the door. My first paid position out of college was the New York City Urban Fellows Program, which gave me a one-year paid placement in a NYC government agency. While fellowships don’t necessarily pay as well as permanent jobs and have an end date, the networks that you can build while in them are invaluable to your career growth. Professional fellowships are competitive like jobs, but rather than a cover letter, you typically submit a personal essay or short answer responses, which is a great opportunity to practice answering your most pressing career question: “Why you?” Check out ProFellow’s Ultimate List of Public Service Fellowships for Recent Graduates to get started.?
- Start a side hustle: Business skills like communications, sales, and marketing are valuable in all industries. Today, anyone can set up a free website and start writing and selling products and services. Don’t know what you are doing or how to get started? Get on YouTube or head to the library and stock up on business books for ideas and strategies! You don’t need an MBA or a lot of money to start an online or service-based business. Even if your side hustle makes little to no money at the outset, it is an opportunity to put something on your resume other than “Career Break” when you have not started your career. Also, many employers are looking for people with entrepreneurial skills. A side hustle can give you more than just money.
- Use visualization techniques. You may have heard the term “manifestation”, which is a practice appreciated by believers and venerated by naysayers for being fake woo-woo. Manifestation is a practice that involves visualizing your goal - like landing your dream job - and writing and speaking aloud your goal every day. Specificity and expectation are keys to the practice working. Visualization may sound ridiculous, but there is actually neuroscience research that explains why these daily visualizations help you to maintain an optimistic mindset which allows you to see and act on opportunities that you would not recognize while in a negative mindset. Read the research in Dr. James R. Doty’s book? “Mind Magic”.??
- Avoid complaining on social media: I see alot of people complaining about the job market on platforms like LinkedIn and I get it - it feels empowering to get validation and emotional support when you are going through a difficult time. BUT potential employers see these posts too, and the way you express yourself matters. Every time you post on social media, imagine that you are currently interviewing for your dream job and ask yourself: Would you want the selection committee to see this? If no, re-write or delete.
I know these tips are not the full answer to the challenging dilemma of the competitive job market, but I hope my overall message is clear: don’t do what everyone else is doing!
Online application portals and AI tools are prompting more people to use a “spray and pray” approach and increasing the number of job applicants for each role. Don’t waste your time applying to everything like everyone else. Focus on applying to opportunities that you are really aligned with, create a tailored resume and cover letter, and leverage your network for introductions to people at the organization.?
Also, ignore messaging about how competitive things are. If you really put your best foot forward, you are only competing with the top applicants, not all applicants.?
Best wishes, the ProFellow community is rooting for your success!
Dr. Vicki Johnson is Founder and Director of ProFellow, the world’s leading online resource for professional and academic fellowships. She is a four-time fellow, an award-winning social entrepreneur, and a national speaker and trainer on how to stand out in the competitions of our careers.
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Pharmacist | Utilization Management | Clinical Programs l Managed Care | Health Advocacy
2 周Great advice Vicki Johnson, PhD and I agree with all of the points ??. Live networking is my favorite. It may not grant you the new job right away but you will get the perspective of other people who are also searching or provide guidance how to get new roles or referrals. I also support fellowships, and, I should add, advanced education and acquiring new skills in something that’s needed, in demand, and you are passionate about.
Auditor 3 at Washington State Department of Revenue
2 周I really loved the part about getting out of the house and networking. I joined Toastmasters and have made some meaningful connections there. Join events on MeetUp and Event Brite are a good start towards networking.