CAREERLIFESTYLE & TRAVEL

Job Hunting for December Graduates

According to Forbes, job postings typically increase by 15% from December to January. Preparing ahead of time can ensure you’re ready to take advantage of new opportunities right after December graduation and hopefully land a job in the new year.

Do Your Research

Review information about the market you hope to work in. Use platforms like LinkedIn or Glassdoor to learn more about hiring trends and updates in the industry. Explore companies you’re interested in working for and make a list of employers you hope to apply to. Tailor your applications and resume to the specific organizations you’re applying to. Highlight the skills they want to see most in applicants and identify how your skills align with their mission and vision statements.

Practice Makes Prepared

Sharpen your skills related to the jobs you hope to pursue. Prioritize networking to build connections and prepare for interviews. Networking can be a great way to practice pitching yourself as well. You can network via events in your area or even by reaching out via email or a LinkedIn message to wish your connections happy holidays. Don’t be afraid to mention that you’re a recent graduate looking for a job when speaking with your connections, attending community events, or visiting with friends and family at holiday gatherings.

Use Your Timeline to Your Advantage

As a December graduate, you’re more likely to stand out in a smaller pool of applicants, so this could be a great opportunity to find a position that’s a good fit. If you graduated early, feel free to mention that. If not, speak about your responsibility and commitment to finishing your degree. Note any internships, projects or courses that were meaningful to your experience. Additionally, you could also consider a post-graduation internship to gain more experience before starting a full-time position. Explore your options to understand what makes the most sense for the career you hope to pursue. For future educators, for example, substitute teaching before taking on a full-time position can be a great way to hone your teaching skills and build rapport with students and other educators in a specific school district, which could lead to a full-time position.

Using the tips outlined above could help you feel more empowered as you enter your next stage of life. Be sure to take advantage of the unique opportunities available to you. Do your research, practice for interviews by networking, and use your graduation timeline to pursue positions or other means of making yourself more marketable. Congratulations on your upcoming graduation and happy job hunting!

Sources:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/shodewan/2024/12/27/4-ways-to-stay-ahead-of-your-job-search-in-december/

https://blogs.chapman.edu/wilkinson/2024/12/11/december-graduates-your-guide-to-early-career-success/