Graduation to Unemployment: Survival Guide

**This a re-post from an article I wrote on LinkedIn in 2016 but I believe the recommendations still apply and I tweaked it slightly for 2021**

From the euphoric highs of graduation and reveling in the culmination of a 4 year long goal to the depressing lows of staring at a screen hoping for a lifeline, I've experienced it firsthand. Life often comes at you hard and fast, leaving you to scramble to get to grips. I know what it feels like to be unemployed immediately after graduation, it is not a pleasant feeling to say the least. It's difficult to see your peers progressing with their careers while you're standing still. But I'm here to tell you it doesn't last forever, just believe! Here are some of my tips for getting through this challenging period.

1. Reach Out - I found that getting in touch with peers, professors and relatives is a valuable resource that many people do not utilize to the fullest. It can be a way to get your foot in the door or a potential reference for any future application. I have often asked them to review my resume and offer any improvements. It is also another way to build your network and make connections that may prove useful in the future, if nothing else. Linkedin can also be a great resource to expand your network and got your application in front of a recruiter.
2. Work Smart and Reserch - Let technology work for you and help you with your job search, set job alerts using Google to notify you weekly or daily about jobs posted in the past 30 days. This will help you be quicker than the competition to the application page and potentially give you a slight upper hand. Additonally, research the positions and people on Linkedin that work for the same company with the job title you are applying for. This will give you an idea of the position and will help with coming up with questions to ask the interviewer.
3. Practice, Practice, Practice - This may sound obvious but it's constantly underestimated, Practice your 30 second pitch to potential employers to the point where it is second nature. I looked up common interview questions and thought about appropriate responses as well as thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer about themselves and the company. Learning about the company you are interviewing with is key. What are their core values? How are their financials? What is their most recent milestone? Who are their direct competitors? I would try and find a way to work this information into my responses. Overall, I guess just be prepared so when opportunity knocks, you're ready to answer.
4. Keep Learning - You will most likely get interviews (phone or in person) that will not work out, learn from them. Every set back can be taken as a learning experience. It is important to not get too down on yourself. After the every rejection email, I often contacted the interviewer to thank them for their time and asked for any constructive feedback. This is not limited to your job search, keep learning in your chosen field. I studied and obtained certifications (EIT) that would help me build a stronger case for myself as well as learned new programs (Bluebeam and MS Project) that may be useful in my upcoming career.
5. Be Active- Do the activities you enjoy, without any regrets. From experience, I can safely say you will drive yourself insane just staring at a screen all day, feeling guilty that any minute away will be an opportunity missed. That is no way to live. embrace your situation! Although not ideal this may be the only time for a while that you are free to do everything you enjoy without the burden of school or work. Personally, I would save a couple of afternoons for a round of golf and few hours a day to hit the gym, read a book, watch a movie or draw. It is a great way to refresh your mind and re-focus on the big picture.
6. Don't Lower Your Standards - I know it can be tempting while dealing with unemployment to settle for less, but it's not worth it in the long run. I would constantly think about lowering my salary demands, applying to jobs in the middle of no where and positions that I knew I wouldn't enjoy. After much deliberation, I found that it's not worth it to work for less than you're worth or in cities that are unappealing or jobs that will likely drain the happiness from you over time. I stuck to my standards and only applied to companies I wanted to work for, in cities that I liked and for positions I thought I would excel. That way, when you do finally get employed it's at place you can see yourself growing for the foreseeable future.
7. Golden Rule: NEVER GIVE UP - While it can be difficult when things just aren't swinging your way and interviews are few and far between, usually followed by a rejection email; it is paramount to keep a positive attitude and keep moving forward. Nothing good is going to come from feeling sorry for yourself or regretting decisions you've made over the years. Life doesn't owe you anything, a job isn't going to fall into your lap while your laying on the couch. It's on you to get out there and make it happen. Apply to a set minimum number of jobs a day, post your resume on job boards, contact HR representatives on LinkedIn and ask about potential openings. I got a couple of interviews by physically going to offices and dropping off my resume with the receptionist. Finally, have a little faith that it will all work out in the end.

While I was applying to all these jobs over a span of time that felt like forever, a close friend would always tell me "you only need one to say yes". Thankfully, I have now been employed for 4+ years and have even switch jobs once. Those firms took a chance on me and I come in everyday making sure they never regret that decision. I hope this helps anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation.

**These tips are based on my personal experience and should not be taken as guarantees**