5 Resolutions You Need to Make in 2016 to Land a Job After Graduation

Having a job lined up after college graduation is tough work. It can be very stressful to have to worry about finding a job, especially in your final year of school. Starting early (as early as freshman year) can help you form a better game plan, but even if you are in your senior year, there are steps you can take to prepare for landing a job after college.

Here are 5 Resolutions all college students should make in 2016 to help land a job after graduation:

1. Update Your LinkedIn

Or, if you don’t already have one, make one. LinkedIn is a great tool not only for finding other professionals in your network, but also for them to find you. Having a great LinkedIn profile–complete with a professional photo, personal statement and job history–is an important first step.

2. Take Advantage of Your School’s Career Center

You pay for access to your school’s career center in your tuition, and you should definitely take advantage of those resources. They can help connect you to alumni in the field you want to work in and teach you how to spruce up your resume and cover letter. They also may offer training in interview techniques, which is another important skill all job seekers must have.

3. Attend Networking Events

After graduation, you may decide to move away from your college, so use your time at school to attend as many networking events as possible. Networking is a good way to connect, face-to-face, with alumni and other professionals who are open and willing to help out students, whether as a mentor or professional connection.

4. Start Investing in Work Clothes

If you rely on only one work outfit for all your interviews, it’s time to start investing in more work attire. As a college student, your budget may be small, so just start one piece at a time. Buy professional basics that you can mix and match so that you have more options. You may not need a large professional wardrobe yet, but start to invest in those pieces now so that you can build your way up to a couple nice interview and work outfits.

5. Start Learning About the Companies You Want to Work For

If you have an idea about what companies you would like to work for, it is important to start studying up on them as soon as possible. Learn about their work culture, values, practices and job offerings early so that you know what kind of qualifications you will need down the line. Familiarity with a company is also crucial when it comes to tailoring your cover letter to the position and interviewing with the company.

Securing employment after college graduation isn’t easy, but it can be less stressful with good preparation.