Stop Panicking Before Graduation

There’s safety in being a student. Graduating makes it for an uncertain future or drastic changes with a new job. Once you are out there, “adulting”, setting reminders on your phone, developing a routine, having a support group and taking care of your self makes a big difference. But before that, why are you freaking out before graduation?

You don’t have any experience
• Only 44% of the respondents to our recent survey had work experience before graduation.
• Share what you’ve learned from your extra-curricular activities and education, specifically experiences where you took on leadership positions, achieved something, or learned relevant skills.
• Take a deep breath and all the things you’ve just accomplished
• Stop comparing yourself to others

You’re terrified of interviews
• Practice interviewing
• Brush up on common job interview questions.
• Work with a coach to boost confidence
• Become a member of Toastmaster
• Do a test run before it (location, parking, names)

You haven’t heard back from your job applications
• Use some of the keywords from the job description in your resume, so it can be seen.
• Follow up with the recruiter or job manager. • Focus on being pro-active instead of seating and waiting.

You haven’t applied to one job
• Stop procrastinating, seriously. You get what you put in.

You don’t know what your career path is
• Use your first job as an experiment and discovery time, not a lifelong commitment. • You are not alone! Even some seasoned professionals are not sure whether they are on the right career path.
• Zoom in. What can you do today? “Zoom out” and imagining your entire unknown future is overwhelming.

Your resume isn’t done
• Stop procrastinating, seriously.
• Pay attention to the details.
• There are five critical parts of a resume: contact information, career summary, skills, work experience, and education.
• Get a free resume evaluation (recruiting companies) or talk to a resume writer
• Prepare your portfolio & resume for what you want to do... Don’t use a cookie-cutter template.

Additionally:
• Network! Get out there!
• Have a vision
• Have daily goals