Introduction: How to Find a Job as a New Graduate
Navigating the job market as a new graduate can be daunting, especially in a rapidly evolving landscape shaped by automation and outsourcing.
It’s not easy. It will get harder…
In this article, we’re not going to walk you through the entire job-seeking process here – that’s covered in detail in other resources:
- For a comprehensive breakdown of the job search process, particularly for securing a high-value role as a new graduate, read The Ultimate Guide.
- For those who want detailed instructions and a complete step-by-step program, Launch Your Career is an essential resource.
Instead, in this article, we’re going to focus on something more specific: how to identify the right jobs for you to apply to.
This is where many new graduates falter – flooding the market with generic applications instead of strategically targeting opportunities that align with their skills and long-term goals.
But… Before we get started, lets cover…
The 3 Biggest Lies Recent Graduates Fall For
Before diving into the job hunt, it’s essential to debunk some of the biggest misconceptions that new graduates often fall prey to.
1. “Your Degree Guarantees You a Job”
This is the biggest lie sold to students by universities and society alike. The harsh reality? Your degree alone means very little in the real world. And yes, it means very little even when we consider STEM degrees, including degrees in healthcare – which causes STEM students to seek alternatives.
Degrees are not what they used to be…
Employers are not looking for a piece of paper; they are looking for candidates who can deliver results. And in a world of shrinking results, a contracting economy and hypercompetition, degrees lose their allure.
True, a diploma used to get you in through the front door. But that was before the 2008 crisis. Now, a diploma is simply the ticket to the arena… Unless you have world class exceptional skills, you cannot even play the game without a diploma!
Ultimately, it’s your ability to add value to the company that will determine whether you get the job. The faster your ego gets over your degree – especially your Ivy League degree – the better you’ll do.
2. “Apply to as Many Jobs as Possible to Increase Your Chances”
This is a classic rookie mistake. The idea that flooding the job market with your resume will yield better results is not just ineffective; it’s counterproductive.
Employers can spot a generic application from a mile away, and they will discard it just as quickly. Besides, if you are applying to jobs through the front door, you’ve already lost the game… (more on the other ways to apply below)
The truth is, you cannot apply to many jobs effectively, because each application needs to be painfully tailored and specific to the company, in order to be even remotely effective – especially when you are applying as a new graduate.
Therefore, you need to focus on a few high-value positions that align with your skills and career goals, and customize each application to highlight why you are the best fit for that specific role – providing concrete evidence for your claims.
Quality over quantity is the name of the game in applications, especially front door applications where you are already at a severe disadvantage.
3. “If You’re Not Getting Hired, It’s Because of a Lack of Experience”
It’s easy to blame your lack of experience when job offers aren’t rolling in, but that’s only a small part of the equation.
In reality, there are other forces at play.
As we have explained many times, “lack of experience” is the excuse they give you, but not the real reason behind your rejection. The real reason is a “lack of power” in the organization…
When you have power, you’ll be given the job and told “you’ll learn the important stuff on the job anyway.” But when you lack power, you’ll be denied the job and told “you lack relevant experience.” as a politically correct excuse.
This is the rule at every level of every organization, and what new graduates experience is no different.
By the way, you are given this “lack of experience” excuse precisely because it’s not something you can rebut or do anything about at the moment of your application. It’s also an excuse they can give you, without getting into legal trouble.
When hiring new graduates, many employers don’t care about experience. They don’t expect you to have any. They are more concerned with your potential than your experience. They want to see that you can learn quickly, think critically, and adapt to challenges. They want to know that “you’ll do what you’re told”, “you’ll fit in”, and “you won’t be a pain to deal with.” That’s it.
Assuming you are applying for a position that is not beholden to power; what really holds most new graduates back is their inability to effectively communicate their value and potential during the application process. (We’ll explain how to fix this below.)
The Bottom Line
These lies are not just harmless misconceptions – they are traps that can waste your time and energy, keeping you from landing the job you deserve. By recognizing and rejecting these myths, you can approach your job search with a clear, strategic mindset.
Now that we have that sorted…
Let’s go over the seven principles for finding a job as a new graduate.
1. Master the Art of Self-Knowledge
To successfully market yourself, you need to understand your strengths, weaknesses, and what value you bring to an employer. And you need to understand it, not from your own, or from an objective/academic perspective, but from the employer’s perspective.
This is far, FAR beyond simply identifying your major, your interests, or your aptitudes.
You must know how your skills translate into business value.
You have to learn to talk and communicate like someone who understands how to create business value.
Start by understanding the Five Core Skills and Seven High-Value Disciplines (5-7) to see which skills and domains of expertise are perceived by employers as valuable. This will give you important insights into what employers are actually looking for beyond the basic job titles and degree requirements.
This step of understanding the 5-7 is extremely important, especially nowadays, due to the advent of AI and the seismic shifts in organizational structures. Many skills that were in demand merely 5 years ago, are no longer useful – causing many workers to lose their jobs, let alone find new ones.
You MUST – before sending a single job application – clearly understand what employers find valuable, and what they see as worthless. Remember: you have those valuable skills; it’s just that, these are (usually) not the skills new graduates advertise.
Next, once you’ve identified your core skills employers are eager to pay for, learn tools like The Language of Value, which will show you how to articulate your worth in a way that resonates with employers.
There is no other way to do it in our hyper competitive job market… You MUST use The Language of Value when communicating with employers top to bottom – from the first email you send, to the last text exchange before they offer you an attractive salary; if you are interacting with an employer, you need to use The Language of Value to differentiate yourself.
2. Target High-Value Opportunities
Not all jobs are created equal. Some roles are stepping stones to nowhere, while others can launch your career. Focus on identifying high-value opportunities that offer growth, skill development, and visibility.
It’s not about the job description. It’s about the company.
Research companies before applying. Focus on companies that are industry leaders or innovators. These organizations often have the resources and need to invest in new talent. Additionally, look for roles that are challenging and provide exposure to critical aspects of the business. This is where you can apply what you’ve learned and prove your value quickly.
The desperation to get a job as a new graduate, and the horrible consequences of long term unemployment, cause many new graduates to rush this process, and simply carpet bomb their resume to every open position. Unfortunately, this does not work out that well.
When applying to jobs, it’s OK to send many applications, as long as those applications are high-quality. In our experience, when you are first starting out, a high-quality application takes about 90 minutes.
Therefore, you might want to ask yourself: “Is this job worth my 90 minutes?”
True, there is a numbers game aspect to it when you are competing for resume attention. And true, applicants will occasionally luck out because that generic resume they sent to that random employer they found on Craigslist will turn into a great job.
But luck is not a strategy.
Sending resumes to every email you can get your hands on, or every job posting you find on a job website, just to get your resume looked at is not a strategy either. It’s desperation.
After all, it barely worked before the days of AI. Now… Those resumes are only ending up in inboxes read by AI bots; you can’t even luck out and end up on the hiring manager’s desk.
In today’s fully AI disrupted human resources landscape, you need to network your way or use the Warm Application Process, so that you can get an invitation to apply.
3. Network Intelligently
Networking is about quantity and quality. You need to meet many people, and invest in relationships those who pass your quality bar.
Start by identifying key individuals in your desired industry who can offer guidance or refer you to job openings. When reaching out, be clear about what you want, but don’t ask for what you want.
This is a bit tricky, so let’s explain…
Everyone knows that the only real reason most people network beyond their immediate social circle is for expanding their opportunities. And if you are a new graduate, everyone knows that your “expanding of opportunities” is getting a job, especially a job in your target industry.
It’s written all over your face. There’s no way to hide it. We all know.
The trick is, while we may know what you want, we don’t know much about “who you are” or whether or not “you are worth it.” You may be. But keep in mind, there are more people out there who don’t quite cut it, even though they say all the same things you say to get attention to themselves.
One of the crucial signals that indicate you may be worth it is this sense of “laid back”, “chill”, “non-desperate”, or “professional” vibe. And asking people you’ve just met to refer you to a job, is completely antithetical to that vibe.
When you network, don’t immediately ask for a job; seek advice, ask insightful questions, and demonstrate your understanding of the industry. Building a genuine connection can make someone more likely to help you when a job opportunity arises.
4. Target Companies Undergoing Change
Companies in flux – whether due to mergers, acquisitions, or leadership changes – often create new roles or have unadvertised openings as they restructure. And since they are in the midst of traumatic change, they don’t always post their jobs or make it visible. (Some even have an incentive to minimize these changes and keep them under wraps.)
Identify these companies through business news, industry reports, or financial filings. Reach out to relevant departments with a proposal for how you can add value during this transition. These companies are less likely to be bound by rigid hiring processes and may be more open to taking on fresh talent.
5. Mine University and Alumni Networks for Insider Leads
University career centers and alumni networks are often overlooked goldmines for job leads.
Connect with recent graduates who are now working at companies you’re interested in – they often have insights into upcoming openings before they’re posted. Attend alumni events, both virtual and in-person, and actively engage in your university’s LinkedIn groups.
Alumni are generally more willing to help fellow graduates, making these connections a direct line to hidden opportunities and referrals.
6. Use Trade Shows and Industry Conferences
Trade shows and industry conferences are prime opportunities to connect directly with decision-makers. You can leverage these connections into informational interviews or the warm application.
Companies often attend these events to showcase new products or services and scout for talent, sometimes even hosting informal recruitment sessions. They are great filters to separate the desperate applicants from those with genuine interest and intrinsic motivation.
Attend these events, even if virtually, and engage with company reps. Your goal isn’t just to network but to pitch yourself for roles that may not even exist yet. Just remember to take it slow and give it time; again, network intelligently.
7. Use Competitive Intelligence to Create Job Leads
Conduct a competitive analysis of companies within your target industry to identify gaps or weaknesses they may have. This can include outdated technology, customer service issues, or market share loss.
Develop a proposal that demonstrates how you can help the company address these gaps or innovate in a way their competitors aren’t. You can cold email or cold call them with your analysis and suggestions, positioning yourself as a solution to problems they might not even know they have.
Make no mistake: The pitch is the excuse to contact them, and not a real pitch. You are pitching them a service just like any other contractor, but your secret intent is to get a job with them. Going through the process of identifying target companies for a relevant service is a great way to uncover opportunities, and also, a great way to figure out what skills these companies actually value.
Conclusion: Play to Win
There are many other techniques we can discuss, but the above 7 will do for the time being…
Remember: The job market is competitive, especially for new graduates.
But with the right strategies, you can secure a good job, even a high-value position that sets the stage for a successful career.
Finding a job isn’t just about getting employed – it’s about securing a role that will establish and accelerate your career growth. It’s just one step on a long series of accomplishments.
It may be tedious, frustrating, and even painfully difficult at times. But in retrospect, you’ll think of it fondly. You may even brag to your friends about the actions you took, when it’s all said and done.
Approach your job search with a clear, strategic, long term mindset, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving your career goals.
Finally, a quick reminder that finding a mentor or partnering with an industry insider can be a game-changer in this process. Mentors provide guidance, and perhaps more importantly, introduce you to their network. The good ones will often have the inside scoop on unadvertised opportunities as well.