Surviving – and Overcoming – Postgraduate Unemployment

Loren Dean

I’ve come to realize that every freshly graduated 20-something most likely assumes that upon post-graduation vacation (or in my case, relocation), they will return home to an inbox flooded with job offers. If they’re like me, they may find themselves thinking along the same lines that I did. I was very involved in college,  maintained my grades while keeping a job, volunteered on various committees and held two internships before I graduated, so what could go wrong?   

Well, after the first two months of postgraduate life, I realized that there was plenty that could go wrong. At first, I wasn’t sure what to do with myself. I had gone to college and earned a degree in hopes of landing a fantastic job (because that’s what was supposed to happen, right?), and it just wasn’t happening. Sound familiar? Well, take courage, because here I am writing this post to you from my desk at Obsidian Public Relations, letting you in on some steps I took to get me through the discouraging time of postgraduate unemployment.

1. Stay positive. Nobody likes a “negative Nancy,” and believe me, it’s much easier to fill out that 15-page job application with an optimistic attitude. Plus, it’s easy for this process to become disappointing, and discouragement often leads to stagnation. This is not the time to not do anything because you’re too down to do it. Keep pushing through!
2. Re-do your resume. One of the best things I did was to get several professionals to consult me on my resume. I had things listed that didn’t matter and had neglected to highlight things that did. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Put your networking skills to use, and ask people that know what they’re doing to assist you.
3. Don’t limit your job search. If you’re like me, you can’t afford to -- literally. I’m sure you decided before you graduated what type of job you wanted to have and the handful of places you’d be “willing” to work, but now’s the time to realize that’s entirely unreasonable. It’s logical that you would find more opportunities by broadening your search, so just do it. You might surprise yourself and really enjoy working at a place that was on your “no” list. 
4. Don’t search alone. I told anyone and everyone that I was looking for a job and that I was interested in anything they could find. I had family and friends emailing, texting and calling me every time they saw a listing that was remotely related to the communication field. As soon as I thought I had every job search website’s listings memorized, someone would tell me about something I hadn’t seen. In fact, that’s how I found the listing for Obsidian, and look where I am now!
5. You’ve got time, so use it. During this time I painted, volunteered for random jobs, worked retail and rode my bike with my fiancé every chance I got to break from all of the time at home. Although you may feel uncomfortable with the amount of free time you have on your hands, instead, take advantage of it. Remember to continue to read and write and use those basic skills you’ll need to have when you do land your first job. Don’t be afraid to wait tables or sell candles and wrapping paper. It’ll teach you patience and help push you in your job search even further. 

Use of social media revolutionizes the definition of a traditional resume

Sarah Burgess

Sure, we all know about social media. With sites and apps like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, it’s easy to get lost in the lighthearted or humorous side of online networking. But do you know just how vital things like what you post, the language you use and who you follow can be when searching for a job?

I read a Forbes article recently that discussed the growing trend of companies running online searches on potential employees. The author, Dan Schawbel, predicts that this movement will continue to rise and “online presence searches will become as common as a drug test.”

With more and more businesses using the Internet to search for prospective employees, cleaning up your language is no longer enough to attract recruiters. To win over a new boss, here’s a list of ways to improve your online presence:

1. First Things First – If you don’t have accounts with popular social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.), get an account ASAP!

2. Account Setup – Make sure your username or site address is professional and identifiable. While the Twitter handle “KittyLvr85” may describe you perfectly, it’s best to keep it simple by using your first and last name only (numbers at the end if necessary). Similarly, make sure all of your “Bio” or “About Me” sections are accurate and up-to-date.

3. Photos – Make sure your profile picture accurately identifies you.
Companies are looking for a profile photo that accurately depicts you, not a picture of you and 15 friends making silly faces at the beach. Today, most social media require a square profile picture, so choose a photo that will crop and resize appropriately.

4. Keep it Classy – This should be self-explanatory, but keep your account content appropriate. Be sure to check your pages regularly for any tasteless posts or tags from friends. The best rule of thumb is this: If you have to question it, get rid of it! Remember, even when you aren’t searching for a job, people are always out there watching.

5. Linking – Though many people aren’t aware or don’t take advantage of it, linking your various social media accounts back to an online resume (such as LinkedIn) or a personal website makes you all the more marketable to potential employers. A personal website can be created by purchasing an online domain (Schawbel recommends GoDaddy.com). If you have art, photography or designs to display, consider creating a free page on sites such as deviantart.com, beehance.net or wix.com. 

6. Friends and Follows – Just like in high school, whom you connect with speaks volumes about your personality and character. Instead of only following your friends and favorite celebrities like those of Duck Dynasty or the Kardashians (no offense, we love y’all!), connect with the accounts of professionals, organizations and those with expertise in your field. Plus, there are even accounts created for job listings! Some of these accounts include Tweet Smarter, PR Jobs and Intern Queen.

Got any more tips for increasing your professional presence online? Post them in the comments below!