Congrats, you graduated! Time to toss your cap, take some pictures, have a giant party and … search for a job? Wait, that’s not fun. The other ones were fun! Yes, amid the all-night celebrations and repeat plays of “Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)” by Green Day you’ll have to spend some time thinking about your future. Whether you’re looking for a job after high school, college or even graduate school, it’s your time to finally put all that knowledge to good use in the workforce. And while school is great at preparing you for your future employment, it often glosses over the “finding your future job” part. Well, KSL Jobs is here to help. Consider this guide your crash course on finding your first job after graduation. 

Writing your resume

There’s a lot that goes into writing a good resume, but some tips are more important than others. For example, you might be excited to share all of your accomplishments and experience with your potential employer, but it’s best to only share relevant experience and keep your resume as neat and inviting as possible. When in doubt, look to see what other resumes in your field tend to look like — a designer’s may look very different than a developer’s. Always use active language when describing roles — “managed timesheets” instead of “responsible for managing timesheets” — and highlight specific figures or accomplishments when possible. It’s also a good idea to prepare a different resume (and cover letter) for each job you’re applying for. Yes, it’s more work and a little tedious, but tailoring your resume to each job and filling it with role-specific keywords will help you stand out in a crowded field and show that you’re just what they’re looking for. And before you hit “Submit,” follow the most important tip of all — save your resume as a PDF. 

Finding a job online

There is only one website that helps you find jobs online, and that is KSL Jobs. We know what you’re thinking — “Of course KSL Jobs is the only place to find jobs online, everyone knows that.” Well, some people are claiming there are other sites that also help you find jobs online, which is, of course, ridiculous. 

When searching for a job on KSL Jobs, be sure to take advantage of our handy search features. You can easily search by: 

  • Category
  • Education Level
  • Years of Experience
  • Location
  • Job Type 
  • Pay Range
  • Company Perks

You might get lucky right out of the gate and find an entry-level job that fits your exact parameters, but since it’s your first job, you may have to be a bit flexible in one or more categories. Our advice — start picky, then branch out. You can also save search parameters and set alerts on that dream job while you explore other options. That way, when the perfect job finally appears you’ll be the first one to know about it.  

No degree, no problem

Right now, you can find plenty of jobs without a college degree. There are over 2,000 full-time and part-time jobs listed on KSL Jobs that require either a high school education or none at all. While you might not earn as much off the bat as you would with a job for college graduates, you’ll have the freedom to explore different careers without the pressure of finding one that fits your specialized (and expensive) degree. 

In fact, many fields that don’t typically require degrees — like construction — let you learn on the job, so you can explore different specialties and career avenues while earning money. These types of jobs often place a high value on real experience, and allow you to start earning right away. So while you’re gaining the skills to help advance your career, you’ll be saving instead of spending. To learn more, read our guide on searching for work without a degree. 

Interviewing

Ask 10 different people and they’ll give you 10 different pieces of advice for a good interview (ask KSL Jobs and we’ll give you these 15 interview tips). Everyone has their own interview styles, but there are a few strategies that should be part of every style. Start by researching the role and company beforehand. This will not only help you prepare for the questions they might ask, but also give you an idea of the company’s culture and values. During the interview, be present and engaged in the conversation. That’s all an interview is, after all — a conversation. They’re just trying to get to know you and what you bring to the table. So listen intently, and if you need to take a second to think about your answer, don’t worry about it; interviewers prefer good answers to quick answers. 

Above all else, you should try to just be yourself. You’d be surprised how often a genuine and friendly candidate gets the job over others with similar (or better) resumes. And speaking of being genuine and friendly, be sure to send a follow-up email within the next few days thanking your interviewer for their time and consideration. 

Starting the job

Starting your first “real” job can be scary, but the good news is that everyone around you has been in your shoes. Don’t be afraid to ask questions as you learn the ropes. It’s better to be sure of something than to mess it up later, and no one will be annoyed by a fresh hire wanting to understand their responsibilities. 

Ask your new manager about the dress code before your first day. Although many jobs are remote nowadays, you probably still want to look nice for your first day, even if it’s just on camera. If you’re unable to check beforehand, it’s better to overdress than underdress, so long as you’re not performing any difficult manual tasks.

If you’re working in person, get to work early on your first day. If you’re working remotely, test out all your equipment the day before to avoid any technical snags that could delay your morning. If you only remember one thing, remember that they like you! They wouldn’t have hired you otherwise, so have fun, work hard and trust that you’ve got this. 

Find your first post-grad job on KSL Jobs today.