How long does it usually take to get into a job after graduating college?

The job search varies for each person. For me, it was about four months -- and during that four months I was sending out around four or five resumes with custom cover letters each day. While I was looking, I got a part-time job in my field of interest, which was a great way for me to reach out to previous contacts and let them know I have an updated resume and to check in with them on possible opening. The job hunt can be stressful and tough -- there will be positions you apply to that you never hear back from one way or the other. Keep your spirits up because you will get a job! Always stay positive!

The BIGGEST piece of advice is to be prepared for your interviews. Research the company and be familiar with what they do -- are they on social media? who makes up the leadership team there? what do you like about what they do? what would you bring to the company? Check online for sample interview questions and practice!

Good luck!!

I've read and heard that it's been difficult for recent graduates to find jobs, so my advice is to start now and pursue every opportunity. The more people you network with, the better. There are some basics To Do's such as creating a LinkedIn Profile and building out your network, attending conferences in industries your pursuing, and volunteering at a nonprofit to add to your experience and resume. When you find a job your interested in, go to the "advance search" in at LinkedIn as it's powerful tool to identify people you may know with the company. Good luck, and keep at it!

Finding a job can take time, but it is time well spent. If I learned anything after college it was that it's important to find the right job, not just any job. Something to keep in mind is that nothing is permanent. Experience in any form is a good, and always something you can build off of to get to where you want to go. If you focus on finding the "perfect" job, you might be missing a great opportunity. Keep an open mind, and remember that you will not love every aspect of a job, but if you can find something you're passionate about you're on the right track. No matter what role you're in, there will always be less glamorous aspects. Internships and networking are a great way to get your foot in the door without committing to a full-time gig. Talk to people about their career path in the field you want to work in as this is extremely helpful when figuring out what your next move will be.

It really depends on what you're willing to do. You can get a "job" anywhere, but are you willing to get some experience outside of your field. Ideally, you want to land your dream job right out of college but this doesn't happen for everyone. Be willing to take a job outside of what you consider "perfect" and get some real world experience, and try to pick something that will help you in your "dream" job. For example, if you want to be Sales manager, consider a job in finance so you can understand how the logistics work on the backend, or if you want to own your own business consider working for a startup so you can learn what you'd be working with beforehand. Don't be afraid to do a job (for a limited amount of time) that is not perfect, that can help you in your long term goals. Consider it like an apprenticeship or externship. It helps!

Hey Lexis,

Great question. I was pondered with the same question when I was in college. Honestly, you can start looking for a job now! I wanted to be a graphic design right out of college, but I knew you need experience to get hired right away. So I took on freelance jobs, I interned at a few places and before I was done with my senior year, I landed a job at an ad agency. It's a great way to sharpen your skills, get work experience, and references for future jobs. Let me know if you need any specific examples, hope this helps.

Dream big, Vivian

Hi Lexis,
Following on from the comments below, it really depends on what you are going for. But the job market will also influence this. When I graduated, most of my fellow class mates stayed locally and took up to a year to get a job. Whereas, I decided to move country and found a job immediately. It wasn't my dream job but it got me experience and I was able to progress faster from there. Figure out what what you want to achieve and stay open minded! Best of luck!
PS: Look up 7FirstJobs on Twitter for some inspiration :) 7firstjobs