If You’re Graduating Soon, Here’s What You Should Be Doing Right Now to Get a Job
Graduation is an exciting milestone, but it can also bring a lot of uncertainty.
Maybe some of your classmates already have jobs lined up. Maybe you're still figuring out what kind of role you want. Or maybe you've been applying for positions and haven't gotten the traction you hoped for yet.
If that's where you are right now, I want you to know something important:
You're not behind.
Every year, thousands of talented graduates enter the job market feeling unsure about what comes next. The transition from college to your first full-time role can feel overwhelming, especially when you're trying to navigate applications, interviews, networking, and career decisions all at once.
The good news is that there are several things you can start doing right now that can make a meaningful difference in your job search.
The goal isn't to have your entire career figured out immediately. The goal is for you to get a position that interests you. It doesn’t mean that your first job will be your forever job, and that’s okay. As a recruiting leader with over 15 years of experience hiring recent graduates, here are the areas I'd focus on if you're graduating soon and looking for your first professional role.
1. Start Networking More Than You Think You Need To
When people hear the word networking, they often imagine attending formal networking events.
But that is not the only way to network. Networking is simply building relationships and having conversations with people who may offer advice, insight, or opportunities.
One misconception among recent graduates is that job searching is only about submitting online applications. Applications matter, but many opportunities come from conversations, referrals, and personal connections.
Start by reaching out to people already within your network, including:
Professors
Former internship supervisors
Alumni from your school
Friends and classmates
Friends' parents
Family connections
Previous coworkers
Coaches or mentors
You can also expand your network through LinkedIn by connecting with professionals working in industries or roles that interest you.
You don't need to ask for a job.
Instead, ask thoughtful questions.
Learn about their career path. Ask for their advice to someone entering the field. Seek insight into their industry and experiences.
Many professionals genuinely enjoy helping students and recent graduates who are curious, motivated, and respectful of their time.
A single conversation can often lead to another introduction, a referral, or an opportunity you wouldn't have found otherwise.
2. Take Advantage of Career Services While You Still Can
Many students underestimate the value of their school's career center.
In reality, career services can be one of the most valuable resources available to you during your job search.
Depending on your school, you may have access to:
Resume reviews
Mock interviews
Alumni networking databases
Career fairs
Employer partnerships
Job boards
Professional development workshops
And here's something many graduates don't realize:
You may still have access to these resources after graduation.
Before you leave school, find out what services remain available to alumni and take advantage of them.
You've already paid for these resources through your tuition. There's no reason not to use them.
3. Update Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile
Your resume and LinkedIn profile are often your first opportunity to make an impression. Many people update only their Resume and it is important to also update your LinkedIn profile.
Think about your experience from internships, part-time jobs, leadership positions, volunteer work, andacademic projects. You likely have more relevant experience than you realize.
A lot of recent graduates forget to include all aspects of their experience and only include internships so remember to include all of your experience. Employers are looking for that.
A complete LinkedIn profile can help recruiters find you and give hiring managers additional context about your background.
Your LinkedIn profile should clearly communicate:
What you studied
Relevant experiences
Leadership positions
Skills you've developed
Educational projects
Volunteer Work
Many graduates are also experimenting with AI tools to improve their resumes.
AI can be incredibly helpful for brainstorming ideas, identifying keywords, improving formatting, and refining bullet points. However, it works best when it helps you tell your story, not when it creates one for you.
4. Practice Behavioral Interview Questions
Interviewing is a skill.
Like any skill, it improves with preparation and practice.
One of the most effective ways to prepare is to practicebehavioral interview questions before you get the interview.
The reason why hiring managers use behavioral based interview questions is many believe that the best indicator of future success is past performance. Behavioral based interview questions are designed to help employers understand how you've handled situations in the past and how you may approach challenges in the future.
Some common examples include:
Tell me about a time you faced a challenge. What was the situation, what did you do in that situation, and what was the end result?
Describe a project you're particularly proud of. What was the situation, what did you do in that situation, and what was the end result?
Tell me about a time you received constructive feedback. What was the situation, what did you do in that situation, and what was the end result?
Tell me about a time you had multiple priorities competing for your attention. What was the situation, what did you do in that situation, and what was the end result?
A helpful framework for answering these questions is the STAR method:
Situation
Task
Action
Result
The more you practice telling these stories, the more confident and natural you'll feel during interviews.
You don't need perfect answers.
You simply want to become comfortable talking about your experiences, accomplishments, challenges, and growth.
5. Create a Consistent Job Search Routine
One of the biggest challenges for recent graduates is staying focused and organized during the job search.
Without structure, it's easy to feel overwhelmed.
Rather than trying to do everything at once, create a routine you can consistently follow each week.
For example:
Apply to a set number of targeted roles each week
Reach out to several new networking contacts
Follow up with previous conversations
Practice interview questions
Update your LinkedIn activity
Research companies and industries that interest you
Consistency matters A steady, focused approach helps you build momentum while reducing stress and burnout.
Remember that finding the right opportunity often takes time. Progress doesn't always happen immediately, but every conversation, application, and interview is helping you build experience and move closer to your goal.
Final Thoughts
If you're graduating soon and still trying to figure out your next step, you're not alone.
The job search can feel intimidating, especially when you're entering the professional world for the first time. But you don't need to have everything figured out right now.
Focus on what you can control.
Strengthen your resume. Build your network. Practice interviewing. Use the resources available to you. Stay consistent in your efforts.
Small actions taken consistently can create significant opportunities over time.
And if you're feeling stuck or unsure where to focus your energy, working with a career coach can help you build a strategy, gain confidence, and move forward with greater clarity.
Your first job doesn't have to define your entire career.
It's simply the first step.
If you want help building a more focused job search strategy, improving your positioning, or understanding where your process may be breaking down, you can learn more about working with a Silver Lining Career Coach here:
