Finding a job after college can take 6-9 months. Here's how to cut that time in half.

Looking for your first full-time job after college is intimidating. Without any experience searching for professional work, you'll likely feel anxious and confused — and with good reason. For the last 16+ years, you've been in school where someone has given you step-by-step instructions and said, "Do this and you'll ace it." However, in the professional world it's up to you to figure things out.

8 Shortcuts to Your First Job

The best thing about looking for work today is that you don't need to (and shouldn't!) rely on job boards to get you hired. Studies show there's just a three percent chance you'll get a call for a job you apply blindly to off a job board. The company's Applicant Tracking System (ATS) tosses most people out electronically. The solution is to go around the process and leverage the power of people. In fact, if there was one thing I could personally teach every recent grad is that your network is your net worth in your career. Nobody succeeds professionally without the help of others. It's up to you to build and serve your professional network, so when the day comes that you need to tap into them for help, they'll be glad to do so. With that in mind, here are some of the best ways for you to speed up the hunt for your first job:

1. Start an Interview Bucket List. If you think finding a needle in a haystack is tough, try finding a job today. The solution is to make the haystack smaller. Or, in this case, the pool of potential employers. Create an Interview Bucket List. Your goal should be to identify 10-20 employers that you admire. Focus on what they do and how they do it. If you feel connected to their work in some way, then it's more likely you'll do better in the interview process with them. These should be the companies you approach first about employment.
2. Stalk potential employers on social media. I guarantee almost every company that makes your Interview Bucket List is on social media. In fact, employers know 70 percent of the people that follow them on LinkedIn are interested in working for them. So, guess where they look first when they have an entry-level opening? That's right, they see who meets their criteria that is connected to them online. But, don't limit your stalking to just LinkedIn. Employers are getting a lot more savvy with social media today. Besides being on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, more and more are getting on SnapChat and Youtube in order to connect with a younger talent pool - a/k/a YOU!
3. Play "Informational Interview Bingo" with yourself. Imagine you have a bingo card in front of you. It's got 25 spaces you need to cover. Each one represents an informational interview you've conducted with a professional. I promise, if you can fill the board, you will find a job. Talking to people about their careers and asking for their advice on how to find your first job is how you start to build a powerful network. If you make a good impression, these individuals will be more likely to refer you to jobs at their company, or at other places they know are hiring.
4. Study up on job search like you're being graded. Job search is more than a process, it's a skill. Getting good at anything takes practice. The more you read and watch videos about job search, the more confident you'll be come. It also helps keep you in the right mindset. Job search can take a toll on you mentally if you aren't constantly providing yourself with positive reinforcement. Find sources that not only educate you, but keep you motivated too.
5. Don't look for internships, create them. Internships are tough to find. And when you do, there are usually so many people competing for them, your chances are slim you'll get it. The solution is to find companies you admire and proactively reach out and ask them what you could do to create an internship with them. When passionate, talented young professionals knock on your door and say, "I'm interested in helping your company," employers are inclined to take a closer look. Even if they don't have something right away, you could be planting the seed. I've seen many young people do this and get rejected at first, only to have the employer call them back a few days later and say, "We found something you can work on."
6. Try before you buy. Temporary staffing agencies regularly hire recent grads to do short-term assignments at companies who need coverage due to maternity leaves, long-term absences, and spikes in work load. Not only do you get paid and earn some work experience, but sometimes, employers fall in love with you and offer you a full-time gig.
7. Get out and get (very) social. There are plenty of events you can attend to help you get used to networking. Alumni and young professional organizations often hold monthly meet-ups. So do local Chamber of Commerce organizations. The more visible you are at business-related events, the easier it gets to make new professional friends which can lead to the inside track on job opportunities. Speaking of business events
8. Donate your time. Contact the organizations hosting the events to see if they need volunteers to work it. This is especially good if you are uncomfortable meeting new people. By having a purpose at the event, it will help you relax AND you'll make new contacts who will see how productive you can be.

In summary, if you want to shorten the time it takes to find your first job after school, then you need to focus on the high-payoff activities that will get you hired. The tactics above are proven to be effective in getting you connected and in front of hiring managers. Remember, job search isn't rocket science, BUT it does take some effort so you can become more comfortable with it. The sooner you engage in the activities above, the sooner your career confidence will increase - and employers love young professionals who are confident.

P.S. You only get results one "one day" becomes today! Join me for a FREE 20-minute webinar that explains how you can get unstuck in your career. SIGN-UP HERE.