By Tiffin Jernstedt
Seniors, your final semester is here, and now is the time to set yourself up for success after graduation. The transition from college to career can feel overwhelming, but small, consistent actions will make a big impact. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Update your LinkedIn and engage. Recruiters and hiring managers often check LinkedIn before reaching out, so make sure your profile is complete, polished, and aligned with your career goals. Don’t just set it and forget it—regularly like, comment, and engage with industry content to increase your visibility and expand your network. Connections often lead to opportunities.
Apply to many jobs, and don’t stress over rejection. The job hunt is a numbers game. Expect to receive more rejections than offers, and don’t take it personally. Even the most qualified candidates hear “no” frequently. Keep applying, refining your approach, and staying open to opportunities. And remember, there’s no need to update your parents on every single application—you’ll save yourself (and them) a lot of stress.
Freelance, internships, and project-based work all count as experience. If a full-time job doesn’t land right away, don’t discount other opportunities. Contract work, freelancing, and internships can help you build your resume, expand your skills, and make industry connections—all of which can lead to full-time roles down the road. Employers value experience, no matter how it’s gained.
Leverage your network. Who you know can open doors, but it’s up to you to take the first step. Reach out to professors, former bosses, family friends, and alumni in your field. Ask for advice, insights, or referrals—people are often willing to help, but they need to know what you’re looking for.
Follow up every 2-4 weeks if you don’t hear back from someone you DM’d. Just because someone hasn’t responded doesn’t mean they’re ignoring you. People are busy, and sometimes messages slip through the cracks. Politely follow up every few weeks until you either get a response or determine it’s time to move on. Persistence (without being pushy) shows initiative.
Enjoy your last semester. You’ll be working for decades, so take time to enjoy this unique phase of life. Spend time with friends, make memories, and appreciate the flexibility you have now. You won’t regret it.
Forget finding your passion—focus on finding a job. The pressure to “find your passion” right away is unrealistic. Your first job doesn’t need to be your dream job—it just needs to pay the bills and get you started. Financial independence gives you the freedom to explore what excites you over time (and, as a bonus, lets you finally get off your parents’ phone plan).
Your first job won’t be your last. Don’t overthink your first step—it’s just that, a step. Your career will evolve, and you’ll likely pivot multiple times. What matters most is getting experience, learning, and staying open to growth.
The good news? This is the hardest––and arguably the worst––phase of your career. The job hunt is exhausting, rejection is discouraging, and figuring out your next move can feel impossible––especially when you can’t seem to get experience due to not having experience. But once you land that first role, everything starts falling into place. You’ll build skills, gain confidence, and open doors to even better opportunities. It only gets better from here. Keep going—you’ve got this!
If you’re looking for career advice or want to join my network for exclusive networking events, be sure to fill out my 1×1 Spot Career Coaching form and Tiffin’s Talk Shop event form. Let’s stay connected—follow me on LinkedIn and Instagram!
Tiffin Jernstedt is a Chief Communications Officer, culture builder, consultant, career coach, talent advisor, and networking curator. She is passionate about amplifying people and brands through integrated corporate, brand, culture, and engagement strategies. For this post, Tiffin expanded on a shorter version of this advice that appears on her LinkedIn and Facebook pages.
LinkedIn feature photo by Souvik Banerjee via Unsplash