cover letter for first job out of college

College Student Cover Letter Example (w/ Tips for 2024)

Navigating college, you've aced your exams, written A++ research papers, and delivered exciting presentations.

Your academic journey has shaped you into a specialist in your domain, and the world is eager to see what you bring...

Yet, the challenge of writing a college student cover letter feels more daunting than that trigonometry class you dreaded in your sophomore year.

Here's the good news: We've got your back!

By the end of this article, you'll know exactly what you have to do to write your student cover letter. Here’s what we’re going to cover:

• A Perfect College Student Cover Letter Example (to Inspire You to Write Yours)
• 5 Steps to Writing an Effective Student Cover Letter
• 3 Tips to Take Your Cover Letter from “Good” to “Great”

Let's dive in!

College Student Cover Letter Example

5 Steps for the Perfect College Student Cover Letter

You've just witnessed what a job-winning cover letter looks like. Now, it's your turn to craft one!

Just follow these 5 steps, and you’ll be as good as gold!

#1. Put Contact Information in the Header

When crafting your college student cover letter, it's essential to kick things off with your contact details . Just like on your resume, these should sit in the header of your cover letter.

Here's a breakdown of what to include:

• Full Name. Your first and last name should proudly sit at the top of the page.
• Intended Job Title. Match the job title on your cover letter to the specific position you're seeking. (E.g.: If you’re applying for the job of “Junior Marketing Manager,” use those exact words and not “Marketing Specialist" or “Advertising Executive.”)
• Email Address. Choose an email address that's professional and straightforward. A combination of your first and last name is a safe bet. (e.g.: [email protected] is good but [email protected] is not.)
• Phone Number. Ensure your provided phone number is accurate so that the hiring manager can reach you. If you're applying for a job in another country, add the international dial code.
• Location. Your city and state will suffice, no need to mention the address. However, if you're seeking a remote position or planning to relocate, be sure to mention it.
• Relevant Links (optional). If you have any relevant websites or social media profiles, such as LinkedIn, feel free to include them.

Once your own contact information is in place, it's time to add the hiring manager's details:

• Company Name. Clearly state the company you're applying to.
• Hiring Manager's Name. If you can find the name of the hiring manager for the specific department you're interested in, include it.
• Location. Specify the city and state or country of the company, especially if it's a global organization.
• Email Address (optional). If you manage to find the hiring manager's email address, it's a nice touch to include it.

#2. Address the Hiring Manager

Once you've got all your college student cover letter's contact info in place, the next step is addressing your letter properly.

You can always go for something generic like "To Whom It May Concern,” but if you want to stand out, you’re better off addressing the hiring manager directly .

Start by doing a bit of research. Take a look at the job listing, the company's website, or even their LinkedIn profiles. This will help you find the name and email address of the person who'll be reading your cover letter.

Next, address them in a formal but friendly way. You can use "Ms." or "Mr." followed by their last name. If you're unsure about their gender or marital status, just use their full name. Here are some examples:

• Dear Ms. Rodriguez
• Dear Alex Rodriguez

If you can't find any specific info about the hiring manager or the department head, it's okay to address your letter to the department or the company in general. Just keep it friendly and professional:

• Dear Marketing Department
• Dear Marketing Team
• Dear Human Resources
• Dear Hiring Team

#3. Write an Eye-Catching Opening Statement

Hiring managers typically spend around seven seconds evaluating a college student's application before deciding whether to read it thoroughly. So, making a strong first impression in your cover letter is vital.

In the opening paragraph, be sure to introduce yourself and explain why you're interested in the position. Expressing your enthusiasm for the industry or the specific job can grab the hiring manager's attention.

Doing a bit of research on the company can be very helpful here. The more you know about the employer, the better you can emphasize how well you'd fit into their work culture. This demonstrates that you're not just applying to random companies but are genuinely interested in this particular role.

You can also kick off your cover letter by mentioning a noteworthy achievement or showcasing the skills that make you an ideal candidate. Keep this paragraph short, though. The goal is to spark the hiring manager's interest and encourage them to read into your cover letter's details.

#4. Use the Cover Letter Body for the Details

The body of your college student cover letter is your chance to provide in-depth details that truly showcase why you're a perfect fit for the job.

Discuss courses, projects, or experiences that have given you skills relevant to the role. Additionally, share any extracurricular activities, volunteer work, or internships that align with the position.

For instance, if you're applying for a marketing role and you managed a social media campaign for a college club, that would be perfect to mention. It's also beneficial to highlight any soft skills, such as communication or teamwork, and give examples of when you've put them to use.

Next, demonstrate that you've done your research by mentioning something specific about the company that resonates with you, whether it's their mission, a product, or a recent accomplishment. 

It's important to show how the company’s values or goals align with your experiences or aspirations. Every cover letter should be tailor-made for the job you're applying for, so make sure to emphasize experiences and skills that match the job description. 

It can also be helpful to incorporate keywords from the job posting, especially if the company uses applicant scanning software for initial screening.That said, avoid the temptation to simply rehash your college resume - your cover letter should be a supplementary document, not a copy-paste.

Want to learn what a great cover letter looks like in different fields? Check out our cover letter examples !

#5. Wrap It Up and Sign It

Wrapping up your college student cover letter is the final touch that can leave a lasting impression.

It's essential to conclude on a strong note, ensuring that your conclusion reinforces why you're an excellent fit for the role.

In your conclusion, confidently recap your qualifications and the skills that set you apart from other candidates in the college student industry. Reiterate how your experiences align perfectly with the job.

Following your conclusion, it's time to include a call to action. Encourage the hiring manager to take the next step, such as initiating a discussion about your application. This proactive approach can significantly increase your chances of securing an interview.

Finally, select an appropriate closing line and follow it with your full name to end your letter like a pro. 

Please feel free to contact me at the provided email or phone number to arrange an interview. I eagerly await the opportunity to discuss my application at your earliest convenience.

Warm regards,

Jodie Sawkins

And finally, if you prefer to explore alternative sign-offs to "Warm regards," here are some options:

• Best regards,
• Respectfully,
• Thank you for your consideration,

3 Essential College Student Cover Letter Tips

You've got the basics of cover letters down, and now it's time to take your college student cover letter to the next level with some essential tips . 

#1. Match Your Resume

When you're a college student applying for a job, it's important to maintain a consistent application style.

Make sure your cover letter's format and layout closely mirror your resume template to create a professional and organized impression. 

Align your text and contact details neatly on the page, keep font styles and sizes uniform, and set appropriate margins and line spacing. 

By doing this, you'll present a polished and cohesive application while ensuring your cover letter stays on a single page.

Or Use A Cover Letter Template Instead

Don't want the hassle of starting from scratch? We've got you covered! Our cover letter templates are designed to save you time and ensure your cover letter pairs perfectly with your resume. 

Crafted with insights from the world’s leading hiring managers, our templates meet industry standards and look fantastic.

#2. Focus on Extracurricular Activities & Internships

Chances are, as a student, you don’t have a lot of hands-on professional work experience.

That doesn’t mean you lack valuable experience that can impress potential employers.

Extracurricular activities and internships can play a pivotal role in showcasing your skills, dedication, leadership, and adaptability.

Participating in clubs, organizations, or sports can demonstrate skills like teamwork, leadership, time management, and problem-solving. For instance, if you were the captain of a sports team, it suggests leadership and dedication. If you were part of a debate club, it shows strong communication and critical thinking skills.

#3. Proofread the Final Draft

Proofreading your final draft is a crucial step when polishing your college student cover letter. Typos and bad grammar can quickly sabotage a great first impression. 

First off, run your cover letter through Grammarly or any other online tool to find any mechanical errors.

Then, re-read it yourself carefully to make sure that the tool didn’t miss something important.

Finally, get a friend to give it a final review to make sure the cover letter is objectively good.

Key Takeaways

Hopefully, by now, you know all you need in order to create an effective college student cover letter.

Before you go and start applying for jobs, here’s a quick recap of everything we’ve covered in this article:

• Your cover letter is often the first introduction to a potential employer. Ensure it's polished, professional, and captures your qualifications effectively.
• Extracurricular activities, internships, and academic achievements can be valuable assets. Don't shy away from showcasing these experiences.
• One size doesn't fit all. Customize your cover letter for each position, emphasizing how your skills align with the job requirements.
• Hiring managers often skim through applications due to volume. Aim for clarity and brevity, getting straight to the point.
• Minor errors can be detrimental. Use online tools, seek feedback, and meticulously review your content before submission.
• Let your passion shine through. Employers value candidates who are not only qualified but also genuinely interested in the role and the company.

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• Career Planning
• Finding a Job

How To Land Your First Job After College

Check with your career center, start networking, create a linkedin profile, develop a professional website, join a professional group, arrange a job shadow, have an elevator pitch ready.

• Find Companies You Like

Target Your Resume and Cover Letter

Organize your job search, line up an internship, keep balance in your life.

The Balance / Kelly Miller

Securing that first job after college can be a daunting prospect for many seniors and recent graduates. However, you can take charge of the process by following a few simple tips and strategies to land a job that will help get your career off to a positive start. 

Key Takeaways

• Getting your first job out of college can be daunting for seniors or recent graduates, especially when they have little to no experience.
• Leaning on resources like your college career center, your network or even the internet can help you start your job search.
• Making connections through professional or alumni organizations can give you insight into the types of roles you're interested in.
• Job shadowing and internships could give you a leg up in the hunt for your first job.

Begin by tapping the resources that are available to you as a student or recent graduate from your college. Visit the career office and meet with a career advisor to discuss your options.

You can also pursue career counseling if you're unsure of your goals. Advisors can help you develop resumes and cover letters, prepare for interviews, and formulate a job search plan suited to your interests.  

Colleges also host visits from individual recruiters, hold career fairs on campus, offer recruitment events in key cities, and sponsor alumni networking programs. 

Networking can be one of the most effective ways to land a job. In fact, a joint survey conducted by LinkedIn and The Adler Group revealed that 85% of all jobs are obtained through networking.

The best approach is often an indirect one when it comes to networking. Rather than directly asking people to hire you, reach out to contacts for information and advice.

Contact as many professionals as you can for informational consultations. Get lists of alumni volunteers from your career office or alumni association, attend networking events and ask alumni with whom you develop a rapport if you can follow up with them to gain further insight into their work environment.

Touch base with past employers, coaches, faculty, clergy, and others who have observed you in any productive capacity. Ask if they have any contacts in your fields of interest who you could contact for information and advice.  

You can also do some networking virtually through digital platforms such as LinkedIn.

Not only is LinkedIn a great place to build a network, but it also serves as another way to showcase what you have to offer, build your personal brand, apply for jobs, and connect with recruiters and potential employers. You can also join any LinkedIn groups for your college and reach out to alumni in fields of interest. 

You can create a LinkedIn profile while you're still in school and build it from there. Even without any work experience , you can still highlight your skills, education, extracurricular activities, internships, and volunteer opportunities, and even ask people for recommendations.

Creating your own website can serve many purposes. It's a platform that you own where you can express your personality with your own branding, showcase your skills with a portfolio of work samples, and demonstrate your knowledge through a blog or other content you create.

You can buy a domain name from one of many hosting sites and use a tool such as Squarespace, Wix, or WordPress to develop your site or hire someone to create one for you.

Join an official organization related to your field or industry as a student member if you're still in college or as a professional member after you graduate. Many colleges have chapters of national associations, and if there's not one for the one you want to join, you may be able to start one.

Many professional associations put on conferences where you can rub shoulders with seasoned pros who are often eager to help newcomers to their field. Volunteer to help run the registration table, and you will meet lots of potentially helpful people. You may even find a mentor.

Fortune 500 companies acknowledge the value of having mentors: 71% of them have a mentoring program of some sort, according to Terri A. Scandura, a management professor and dean of the graduate school at the University of Miami.

After you have a positive networking meeting with someone, try to arrange a job shadow day as a follow-up. It will help you get an insider's view of what it would be like to work in that industry while also giving you an idea of whether you'd like to work at that specific company. You're also likely to meet lots of people and have the chance to make some positive connections.

Take stock of your strongest interests and skills and be prepared to tell people who you meet some interesting things about yourself to grab their attention. Think of it as a 30-second commercial for yourself. 

For example, you might say "I am an English major who loves to write. I've organized and promoted a lot of concerts and fundraising events for my campus singing group. I also love to follow fashion trends and helped to coordinate the annual campus fashion show sponsored by my sorority." 

Find Companies You Would Like to Work For

Identify employers of interest and visit the employment section of their website, Some have college student or graduate opportunities.

Check to see if your college has any alumni working at your target organizations and ask for their advice about accessing jobs there. Your career and alumni offices can help you to identify alumni by organization, and you can also use the alumni function on LinkedIn to identify some contacts.

Use job sites like Indeed.com to generate more job leads. Identify specialized or niche job boards for your field to find more listings. 

As your career goals begin to crystallize, develop versions of your resume that are targeted to specific jobs. Showcase the skills, experiences, coursework , and projects mostly related to your emerging job objectives. 

Avoid generic cover letters. Instead, take the time to write a targeted cover letter to make a special case for how each job matches your interests and skills. Get feedback and advice from advisors and mentors, and always carefully proofread your documents.

Treat your job search like an actual job, and get organized. Keep a database of all your applications and contacts.

Schedule 10 hours per week for job searching while you are in school. Increase the time you spend 20 hours a week during breaks and after graduation.

Internship sponsors often hire from their past roster of interns. Considering this, it's wise to try and get at least one internship right out of college. If you find that you're underqualified for your target job at graduation, then explore the possibility of doing an internship for the summer or fall after graduation. 

Internships were the top differentiator for companies looking to hire new graduates, according to research from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

Even if your internship doesn't lead to a job offer, it will give you the opportunity to gain valuable skills and contacts. If cash flow is an issue, be sure to apply to paid internships, or pair a part-time internship with a basic paying job. 

Finally, endeavor to retain some balance in your life while you are in job search mode. Exercise, follow a healthy diet, get enough sleep and continue to pursue your outside interests in order to keep your energy level up and maintain a positive state of mind.

Finding that perfect first job may take some time, but making a good match will be worth your preparation and patience.

Want to read more content like this?  Sign up  for The Balance’s newsletter for daily insights, analysis, and financial tips, all delivered straight to your inbox every morning!

University of Washington. " What Can Students Do To Improve Their Chances of Finding Employment After College ?"

LinkedIn. " Survey Reveals 85% of All Jobs are Filled Via Networking ."

Harvard Business Review. " How to Find a Strong First Job After College ."

Knowledge at Wharton. " Workplace Loyalties Change, but the Value of Mentoring Doesn’t ."

National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). " Internship Experience the Top Differentiator When Choosing Between Otherwise Equal Candidates ."

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5 College Student Cover Letter Examples Working in 2024 

• College Student Cover Letter
• College Student Cover Letters by Experience
• Write Your College Student Cover Letter

Your education has equipped you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in any role you set your sights on. You perform excellent research, meet deadlines, and can handle data accurately.

But did you write a cover letter and complementary college student resume to provide an effective overview of your capabilities?

Whether you’re applying to an advanced degree program or one of your first jobs, we have the resources to help you succeed. Check out our college student cover letter examples that have helped many academics grab their dream opportunities in 2024.

College Student Cover Letter Example

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Why this cover letter works

• As with this college student cover letter, use specific examples (whether volunteer work, internships, or babysitting siblings) to showcase your childcare proficiencies. Relevant keywords here include first aid/CPR. Meals preparation, storytelling.

Level up your cover letter game

Relax! We’ll do the heavy lifiting to write your cover letter in seconds.

College Application Cover Letter Example

• The essence is to paint a vivid picture of an all-around student. Even better, spotlight prior community involvements. That exhibits your active engagement in contributing positively to society and your potential to further these values in the target tertiary institution.

College Student No Experience Cover Letter Example

• See how Nabil showcases his ability to connect with and care for canine pets in this college student no experience cover letter, using metrics to emphasize impact. Transferable skills gained during coursework (cue time management) can be pivotal for your candidacy.

College Student for Internship Cover Letter Example

• Go further to project yourself as a result-driven multifaceted candidate who isn’t just familiar with industry-specific proficiencies and tools (Cue SEO, SMM, and Google Analytics) but has used them to generate tangible results (Think 13% growth in followers).

College Graduate Cover Letter Example

• Draw on specific examples from internships or college projects where you delivered concrete results—this could range from leading a team project to developing a software program that addressed a real-world problem. Better yet, show how you used technologies like Python, Java, React, and C++ to achieve these feats.

Related cover letter examples

• College Student resume
• High School Student
• Entry Level
• Career Change

Tips to Write an Effective College Student Cover Letter

As a college student or recent grad, you may have limited work experience , making a cover letter feel challenging. However, with the right planning and use of your academic knowledge, you can write a cover letter that stands out. 

The first step is reviewing the job description and picking out job skills that each company emphasizes. For instance, someone applying for a marketing internship may notice a company needs help with lead generation. Then, they could highlight knowledge gained during classes about creating effective landing pages and social media campaigns that will help the company achieve its goals. 

Grab attention with the opening of your college student cover letter

While writing reports for your classes, you’ve likely heard that immediately grabbing a reader’s attention is essential. The same is true with cover letters. The best way to make that initial connection is to greet the organization’s contact person by name. You can often find that in the job description or company website.   

Now that you have the hiring manager’s attention, you’ll want to take things a step further by connecting to the company’s mission and needs in your opening paragraph. For example, a college student applying for a dental hygiene internship may want to emphasize their eagerness to use their knowledge in X-rays and routine cleanings to help patients achieve a healthy smile.

The example below falls short since the applicant doesn’t greet someone by name or explain how their educational knowledge has equipped them for the role.

Needs to be more specific! 

As a recent graduate of Boston College’s nursing program, I’m eager to apply for the nursing internship at your company. I believe my education has equipped me with the knowledge to be a great addition to your team.

The opener below provides a more substantial overview of how the applicant’s knowledge from their animal behavior studies and skills in dog training commands will make them a great fit as a dog walker with Park Cities Pet Sitter. 

A great opener referencing specific skills! 

Dear Mr. Hill,

As one of the dedicated students of Southern Methodist University studying animal behavior in our Biology department, I am eager to bring my skills to Park Cities Pet Sitter as your next dog walker. With two years of experience volunteering at Dallas Dog and my proficiency in basic training commands and positive reinforcement techniques, I can provide excellent care to your canine clients.

Provide the right experiences in the body of your college student cover letter

In the body of your college student cover letter, it’s important to get specific about the job skills that make you a great fit. For example, if you were applying for a student teaching opportunity, you may want to emphasize the classroom management and curriculum planning abilities you’ve gained in your college classes.  

You should also use numbers whenever possible. Even if you don’t have much work experience , you can still find data to back up your skill set, like grades, GPA, or accuracy.

A great body paragraph with essential metrics!

A summer internship at Chitech Solutions empowered my SEO prowess. Leveraging Google Analytics and keyword optimization strategies, our team facilitated a 28% improvement in organic search rankings and an 11.9% boost in website-generated leads.

Leave a lasting impression while closing out your college student cover letter

Think of the closing of your cover letter like you’re wrapping up a persuasive class presentation. You’ll want to find ways to relate back to key points about how you connect to the company’s mission and the skills that make you a great fit. 

For instance, if you were applying to an entry-level accounting role, you could relate to how you’ll use your skills in QuickBooks to help a company achieve compliant financial practices.

Then, like any good persuasive presentation, you’ll want to use a call to action and thank the hiring manager for their time. 

The closer below isn’t making the right impact since the applicant doesn’t go into enough detail about the skills gained from their degree or their connection to the company’s mission.

Needs more detail to make an impact!

I believe my human resources degree has made me well-equipped for this internship. I look forward to discussing this role with you further. 

Rebecca Romanov 

The closer below does a better job relating to the applicant’s dedication to child safety and education, making them a great fit for Sittercity’s needs. 

Stand out by relating to the company’s mission! 

My experiences, coupled with my dedication to child safety and education, would be invaluable at Sittercity. Also worth noting, I have included my police clearance for your review. I look forward to discussing how my skill set could benefit and enrich your team at Sittercity.

Seline Dupont

College student cover letters should be one page long. Keep it concise and relevant for each job you apply to. For example, if you were applying to an entry-level IT role, a short overview of your troubleshooting and programming knowledge from relevant courses would help you stand out. 

You’ve likely gained a lot of skills through your education, so listing all of them would make your cover letter too long. Instead, try to focus on three to five that are relevant to a company’s needs, such as pressure management and structural analysis for someone applying to an engineering internship. 

The best achievements to write about will be ones where you have metrics to show your impact and that are highly relevant to company needs. For example, if you were applying to a production management internship, you could explain how you used lean management processes in a class project to boost efficiency by 41%. 

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• What to Expect From Your...

What to Expect From Your First Job Out of College

8 min read · Updated on December 11, 2019

Ready to launch your career? Here's what to expect from your first job out of college.

You've graduated college — congratulations! You are now ready to enter the professional world and start building your career with your first job out of college. The prospect can be very exciting and more than a little intimidating.

Remember how big your college campus seemed when you first arrived as a freshman? You were unfamiliar with the buildings and there were a lot of new people. But by your sophomore and junior year, you had it all figured out. As a senior, you felt as comfortable at college as you did at home.

Get ready to feel like a freshman again. Your first job out of college is a foray into the unknown, but that doesn't mean you have to go into it completely blind. Here are few things you should expect from your first job after college. But first, what does "entry level" even mean?

What does “entry level” mean in terms of your first job after college?

Just like it sounds, an entry-level job is meant to get your foot in the door at a company. It may not require a lot of the specific skills that are expected of higher-level employees — it's a training ground for new employees. However, the competition can be steep, so don't assume you'll get the first job you apply for just because you have that shiny new degree. You'll need to think carefully about what you accomplished in college outside of the classroom and frame that properly on your resume. Did you have a part-time job, an internship, or work-study? Perhaps you were the leader of a campus organization. Anything that you can leverage to show that you've learned discipline and leadership skills can help give you an edge over the competition.

Now that you know what “entry level” means, here's what you should expect when you land the job.

You need to be communicative

The ability to communicate clearly and effectively both in person and in print is an essential part of most businesses. Employers look for that in candidates — especially when it comes to entry-level candidates. An applicant with a strong resume but poor communication skills may lose out to a lesser qualified candidate who knows how to get his or her point across clearly.

Why? Because the same holds true after the person is hired. In today's workforce, the ability to communicate is crucial. Whether it's person to person, in meetings, or via email, communication skills are a must-have for employees at any level. But don't just declare that you're a good communicator; employers need to see it in action.

Make note of any internships, jobs, or even hobbies that showcased your ability to communicate verbally or otherwise. Most importantly, when you are looking for that entry-level job, make sure that everything they see shows how well you communicate. Your Linkedin bio, other social media, and especially your cover letter should be interesting and clearly get your message across.

If you do all of those well, you'll set the table for a great first interview.

You won't get paid a lot

Most entry-level jobs come with entry-level pay. Think carefully before you accept a job offer. This will likely be your pay for the next year. Most employers do not negotiate or give raises after three or six months anymore. On the bright side, while it may not pay as much as you were hoping to make, it's probably a lot more than you were making in college.

Remember, it's not about this job; it's about where this first job out of college can take you. Do you know what you want to be doing in five years? Think about it because employers will ask, and they want to know that you have a plan.

Related:   How to Answer “Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?”

You won't get the “fun” tasks

You chose your field of study with certain jobs in mind. However, those jobs are probably at the higher end of the pay scale. For your first job out of college, you will find yourself doing things that may seem menial or beneath you. There are a few reasons for this.

First, as an entry-level employee, you're at the lower end of the pay scale, therefore the lower-end tasks go to you. Secondly, and this is really important for you to realize quickly, you're being tested.

If you want to get bigger, more exciting tasks to handle at your new job, you need to knock those trivial ones out of the park. Don't just shuffle through them. Take care of your assignments and maybe even see if there is a better way to do them. When you show that you can handle these little jobs, and handle them well, you'll earn the opportunity to get cooler assignments.

You need to embrace variety

Not only will you be doing things that may seem trivial to you, but they may not be relevant to your field of study at all. This can be challenging or even frustrating, but at this stage of your career, you can do yourself a big favor by embracing these diverse tasks. Why? By engaging yourself fully in a variety of jobs, you will give yourself a chance to discover what you really like to do. Maybe what you thought you'd like isn't what you do best.

In any case, you'll want to work to the best of your ability at this first job. Even if you find out what you don't like doing, that can help you guide your career.

Your attitude matters more than ever

In college, you just needed to get your work done and done well. Once you enter the workforce, there's a lot more to it. It's not just what you do and how well it's done — it's how you do it. Do you roll your eyes when given an undesirable task? Do you pay attention in meetings, or are you zoned out or playing with your phone? Once you have a foothold on your career path, it's not just about getting the work done, it's about finding better ways to do it. Always be engaged and enthusiastic.

Does this mean you can't challenge your boss on certain things? Absolutely not. If you believe you're being treated unfairly or need a change of scenery, you need to speak up for yourself. Get your thoughts together and have a detailed argument for your points. A good boss respects an employee who is willing to speak up when they have a legitimate complaint.

You have more to worry about than just yourself now

You've grown used to being on your own and realizing that the choices you make impact your life. Once you join a new company in your new first job out of college, there's more to it. It's not just about you. The choices you make can affect those in your department or even across the whole company.

Sick days are a great example of this. They're willing to pay you not to come to work when you don't feel good. How cool is that? However, think about what will happen at work if you do call in sick. Who has to cover for you? Will they have to call someone else in on their day off? Will another worker be responsible for their own job plus yours?

You're part of a team now, and while it's okay to use sick days when you're really sick, you have to be aware of how your choices affect the rest of your team. This same mode of thinking needs to go into every work decision that you make. Your employer needs to know that they can depend on you .

Learn all you can

Just because you've finished college doesn't mean that you're done learning. If you're smart, you're just beginning. First jobs out of college come with their challenges: the pay is not great, you may not love every task assigned to you, and everything that you do will be judged.

Still, accept the challenge. Think of it as a one-year boot camp to gain entry into the career of your dreams. Don't just do the job — excel at it every day. The fastest way out of the entry-level category is to do exceptional work. In no time, you'll feel like you did as a senior in college. You'll be comfortable, happy, and in charge of your own destiny again.

Click on the following link for more advice on how to get ahead .

Will your resume help you stand out from other recent college graduates? Check with a free resume critique .

Recommended Reading:

How to Write an Entry-Level Resume for Your First Post-College Job

6 Ways to Rock Your First Entry-Level Job After Graduation

Top Entry-level Jobs for Recent College Grads

Related Articles:

Set Goals That Really Matter for Your Career

10 Back-to-School Resolutions for Your Career

Lean Methodology: The 5 Principles Explained (and their Benefits)

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How Recent Grads Can Quantify Their Accomplishments

Quantifying your accomplishments on a resume is very important since employers do not make important hiring decisions based on qualifications only. Recent college graduates often struggle with how to quantify their accomplishments. However, accomplishments aren't only about big numbers. Anything that contributes to the company's goals is an achievement.

How To Quantify Your Accomplishments As A Recent College Grad

Even as an intern or recent college graduate, changing a process to improve the ease or speed of a task is an accomplishment. You should be able to find some achievements from your course or work experience . It is easy to impress the interviewer with examples of increasing profits, decreasing costs, or streamlining processes.

When asked about accomplishments, don't say clichés answers like, "I got 2:1," or "I got a driver's license." Having a degree is hardly going to make you stand out from the crowd. Ideally, you would want to mention something tangible that you can measure (e.g., if you raised money for charity, how much did you raise in the end?).

As with competency-based interviews that usually focus on behavioral questions , you should aim to use the STAR technique when quantifying your accomplishments.

• Situation: Give the interviewer some context. Describe the situation and why the accomplishment was significant. Why was it difficult to achieve?
• Task: What specifically did you aim to achieve?
• Action: Explain what your specific actions were to achieve that goal.
• Result: Make sure it is specific. If you've saved time or money or received great feedback, say it.

If you're still struggling to come up with something, think about whether you've done any of these:

• Trained for and finally completed a marathon or other sporting achievement.
• Set up a new student society or turned a struggling one into something more successful.
• Overcame a fear by completing something you were frightened of.
• Gave a presentation at an event and got over public speaking worries.
• Raised a certain amount of money for charity.
• Helped others succeed by teaching them a new skill.

Here are some examples of quantified accomplishments for recent college grads:

• Worked as a part of a team of students who created a multi-media campaign that increased student enrollment by 45%.
• Named class representative of 5,000 students during final year at college, owing to consistently acquiring "A" grades and exceptional personal conduct.
• Streamlined 3 university admissions office procedures by introducing centralized online enrollment procedures.
• Received 8 awards for drama and music during the 4 years spent at college.
• Attained the Dean's Award for Excellence following distinctions in 5 languages and 3 sports.

You can choose a professional accomplishment that's related to the role, such as exceeding sales targets in your part-time job, but you don't have to. It's more important that it's an achievement you're genuinely proud of.

Good luck quantifying your accomplishments on your resume ! We're here for you if you need any more help navigating the post-grad job search .

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Spring Cleaning: 4 Ways To Fix Your Job Search

Is your job search turning into a grind with no end in sight? It may be time to take a step back and reevaluate your entire approach.

In cold weather climates, the beginning of spring is a time to clean the house and get organized—a practice known as spring cleaning. Through the years, spring cleaning has taken on a larger meaning with people using the time to organize and declutter things in their lives.

For professionals on the job hunt, a little spring cleaning (metaphorically speaking) could be a great way to reinvigorate your job search. Here are a few strategies your job search spring cleaning should include.

Reevaluate Your Job Search Approach

Make a list of the last handful of jobs you applied for and see if you can identify any positive or negative trends. Consider things like:

• How did I learn about this job?
• How did I apply for the job?
• Did I earn an interview?
• What was the ultimate result?

A lot can be learned about your job search approach just by answering these questions and identifying patterns. For example:

Negative Trends

You discovered five jobs through job boards, applied to all of them via the job boards, and never heard back from any of them.

The common pattern here is applying through job boards. This isn't to say that job boards don't serve a purpose in the job search process, but they have their limitations , and you can't run your job search entirely off of them. When you apply through a job board, there's a good chance that your materials will never get past the applicant tracking system (ATS) and never be seen by an actual person.

One simple fix is to research who the hiring manager or recruiter is that posted the position and email your materials to them directly.

The more efficient fix would be to take a proactive approach by putting together a bucket list of companies that you want to work for and start making connections on LinkedIn with people who work at those companies. You may already know some people who work there or have connections that can refer you to some individuals.

This is a great way to network your way onto a company's radar.

Positive Trends

You applied to three jobs via referral, were invited to two job interviews, and made it through multiple rounds of interviews for one of the jobs before being passed over for someone with a little more experience.

The pattern here is that getting referred to a job by a professional acquaintance is a great way to land a job interview . This indicates that you're leveraging your network well and you should continue to focus on your networking efforts.

The next step is to review the interview process and determine what went well and what needs to be improved. Sometimes the interviewer will provide feedback , and that feedback can be valuable. However, not everyone is comfortable with giving feedback.

Chances are you probably have a good idea about areas of improvement and the skills you need to gain. Put together a plan for addressing those shortfalls.

The good news in making it deep into any interview process is that it indicates that the company likes you as a potential employee (even if the timing just wasn't right) and the experience could be a roadmap to a job with that company at a later date, or another similar opportunity elsewhere.

Give Your Resume & Cover Letter Some Much-Needed Attention

Are you continuously sending similar resumes and cover letters to each job opening with only minor adjustments? If so, your strategy needs some serious spring cleaning.

Let's start with resumes!

Every resume should be tailored to the position in order for it to stand out to recruiters and hiring managers . It may seem like a lot of work, but it's actually less work than submitting the same resume over and over again and never hearing back.

The reason why it's so important to tailor your resume is that throughout your career, you acquire numerous skills, but the job you're applying for may only be focusing on 6-8 of those skills. In that case, those skills must rise to the top of the resume with quantifiable examples of how you successfully used those skills at previous jobs.

Remember, recruiters go through hundreds of resumes. They need to be able to tell from a quick glance whether or not you're a potential candidate for the position.

While updating your resume, you could also spruce up your LinkedIn profile by highlighting the skill sets that you want to be noticed for by recruiters.

As for writing a good cover letter , the key to success is writing a disruptive cover letter . When you write a disruptive cover letter , you're basically telling a story. The story should focus on how you connect with the particular company and job position. The story could also focus on your personal journey, and how you got to where you currently are in your career.

If your resumes and cover letters aren't unique, now is the time to clean things up and get on track.

Build Your Personal Brand

Just because you're looking for work doesn't mean that you don't have anything to offer. Use previous career experiences and passions to build your personal brand .

Ask yourself, "How do I want other professionals to view me?"

Pick an area of expertise and start sharing your knowledge and experience with your professional network by pushing out content on your LinkedIn and social media accounts. Good content can include blogs, social media posts, and videos.

By sharing content about your experiences and passions, you slowly build your personal brand, and others will start to notice. The content could lead to good discussions with others in your network. It could also lead to reconnecting with connections that you haven't spoken to in years, or making new connections.

You never know when one of these connections could turn into a job lead or referral. The trick is to get on people's radars. So, when you're cleaning up your job search, be sure to build a plan for personal branding.

Maintain Healthy Habits During Your Job Search

Your job search is important, but it's even more important to know when to pull back and focus on personal health and spending time with family and friends.

There are actually things that you can do for your own enjoyment that could help your job search in the long run, such as:

• Grab coffee with a friend - It's good to engage in light conversation with friends during challenging times. And if your job search does come up, remember that most people have been through it themselves and you never know when a friend may provide you with a good idea or lead on a job.
• Volunteer - Volunteering is a great way to get involved in the community and help others. In addition, if you develop a little bit of a career gap while looking for a job, you can always talk about how you filled that time volunteering, if you're asked about it during a job interview.
• Continue to focus on other passions - Are you a fitness nut? Blogger? Crafter? Continue to do the things that bring you happiness. And if you're in a position to profit from your passion through a freelance job or side hustle , even better!

Spring is the perfect time to clean up and improve your job search so you can land the job you want. If you're struggling to find a job, follow the tips above to reinvigorate your job search—and watch your career blossom!

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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