As a college senior, the process of applying for postgraduate jobs can look different depending on what industry you're hoping to enter.
Jobs related to consulting, financial services and technology, for example, typically hire earlier in the school year than most. Students often need to apply the summer before their senior year or during the fall semester.
But for other industries that rely on "just-in-time hiring" practices, seniors can start searching during the spring semester if their goal is to be employed by the summer following graduation, says Stacy Bingham, associate dean of the college for career development at Vassar College in New York.
"There's wide variability in all of those things, but we encourage students to lay the groundwork in the fall even if they won't be sending out job applications until the spring," she adds.
Shutdowns and restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic have caused periodic hiring freezes, furloughs and layoffs over the last few years. But experts predict a "fierce" job market for the class of 2022 – one that could create high levels of competition for the soon-to-be college graduates.
Here are 10 expert tips for college seniors who are applying for jobs:
1. Clarify your interests.
Before browsing a job search website, students need to determine the type of industry, location, company size and work environment that best fit their needs.
"Start figuring out your job targets, your non-negotiables," says Luis Santiago, associate director of coaching operations at the University of Washington. "A lot of times students haven't had the time to answer those questions yet."
2. Visit school career centers.
College career centers provide resources and information related to the job search process. Whether it's to discuss career goals, review a resume or participate in a mock interview, students can schedule meetings with staff members at their university.
For those unsure about where to look for job opportunities, career centers also have a list of job search websites, such as Indeed or Handshake – a company that specifically caters to college students – and alumni networks.
3. Update your resume with relevant experiences and skills.
Job applications typically require a resume and cover letter. In some cases, hiring managers ask for an online portfolio.
Of course, you should include relevant experiences in a resume, like internships or summer jobs in that field.
But employers also value learning about your broader experiences, including volunteering, job shadowing, coursework or part-time jobs, such as at a summer camp or in retail.
"When you start to really add in those additional activities, it really does bolster their resume and better highlights a full set of skills and qualifications that an employer is generally seeking," says Jeff Beavers, executive director of the Career Services Network at Michigan State University.
All of these experiences can demonstrate a candidate's soft skills including leadership, initiative, ethics, problem-solving, applied intelligence, teamwork and communication, he adds.
However, especially now, employers are also looking to see how students have adapted to online learning and other changes brought on by COVID-19, says Phil Gardner, director of the Collegiate Employment Research Institute at MSU.
"They want to see how (students are) going to adjust when they get into the organization," he adds.
Experiences and skills can also be promoted on LinkedIn as a way to attract recruiters.