College was fun, wasn’t it? Now what? Before you enter the job world and start your career, review these 8 tips from Sarah Beckman of USAToday College; they could save you stress, time and money.
- Flying the coop before you’re ready
- Skip the job boards
- Avoid job scams
- Finding a job shouldn’t be a full-time job
- You won’t love every minute of work
- Find a good roommate
- Student loans are coming – be prepared
- Watch your weight, watch your wallet
Don’t be ashamed to move in with your parents to save some money. It could be more beneficial career move than you think.
Avoid going through job sites, and instead apply directly to the company that’s hiring. These companies receive tons of applications through the cookie cutter application on job sites.To make yourself stand out write a personal email and ask them specific questions about the position.
If it sounds too good to be true, keep looking. If your phone rings 15 minutes after you apply for a job to set up an interview, proceed with caution. Don’t be shy about looking up a company’s background on the Better Business Bureau.
Get an internship, volunteer at a non-profit in your field or find some freelance work to keep you busy and show a future employer your desire to work. Nothing is worse to explain at an interview than a gap in your resume.
Everyone has to start at the bottom. Keep a positive attitude, do what you’re told and then leave when you find something better. At least you’ll have a good reference.
A bad roommate in the real world is a lot worse than one in college. Find someone you know you can trust, will split the bills and won’t be out drinking on a Tuesday night, only to come home and blast “Pour Some Sugar On Me” at full volume. Also, having similar salaries is an added benefit so you don’t feel left out if your roommate has nicer things.
That money you borrowed for college is owed whether you like it or not. You can’t run away from it, so it’s better to embrace it now. Start putting money away now and you’ll be ready when the time comes to write those checks.
Grabbing fast food for lunch and going out to dinner when you have some money in your pocket seems easier than cooking, but you will gain weight and your bank account will be hurting from it. Not only is cooking at home cheaper, it’s healthier. Stock up on frozen vegetables, frozen meats and rice and make dinner for yourself (and your roommate, if they’re nice).
There is a lot that happens after you leave college which you may not be expecting. You are on your own, making decisions every day (some good, some bad), but in the end it works out. Everyone has been in your shoes at one point or another. In a few years, you’ll look back on this day with fond memories.