In college on your “own”, trying to figure out midterms, finals, spring break, dealing with roommates, meal plans, rushes, finding time to party, etc. It’s a delicate balance. At some point (hopefully after 4 years unless you are on the “5 year plan”) it will all come to an end and you will need to find a job. Four years sounds like a really long time, but trust me, it will all be over before you know it. The last thing you need when you graduate, as you try to assimilate back to your parent’s house, is to linger on the unemployed line. College grads are finding it more difficult than ever to find jobs in their chosen field, and many have to resort to jobs that were traditionally filed by those without a college degree. Whether you are a freshman or a senior (or anywhere in between), there are lots of things you can do now (or should avoid doing) to improve your chances of getting a job when you graduate.

Internships – Doing an internship (at least once) during your college career is probably one of the most important things you can do. Besides getting hands-on experience, you will meet people who may hire you (or help you get a job) when you graduate. Additionally, it will look great on your resume once you graduate. Even if you are a senior now, you can still do an internship after you graduate and before you look for a full time job.

• Internships, Apprenticeships, & Volunteer Opportunities – If you haven’t visited the Riley Guide in your quest for a job or summer internship then you’ve been missing one of the best career sites on the Internet. Known for their vast listings of career links, their Summer Intern section will not disappoint.  Starting with a list of Internships and Fellowships sites, the site lists additional resources for both study and non-study experience abroad. And, while getting paid would be nice, you should also consider looking at the volunteer opportunities sites listed here as well.

• How to Find a Last Minute Summer Internship – Maybe you waited too long and are scrambling to find your summer internship before your parents make you work at some fast food joint for the summer. Take a look at this site. In addition to give some great advice as to how to approach your search, you can enter your email account and have opportunities sent to you every day. As if that is not enough, the right hand side of the page lists Internships for current week. Take a look.

Study Abroad – It’s not just about visiting a foreign country (although that is certainly a benefit), it’s about getting international experience, learning about other cultures and learning about diversity. Most colleges offer an exchange program. They are very competitive programs, so get started as soon as you can at your college. I’ve listed a few links below, take a look.

• Study Abroad (http://www.afsusa.org/)
• Study, Work, or Volunteer Abroad – A great link with lots of great links.

Protect Your Internet Profile – Your Internet profile will haunt you if you are not careful (and it is not a ghost you can easily get rid of). What you do, say and post on the Internet will likely be found by anyone looking to hire you. While having an Internet profile is fine, you do need to be careful as to what is posted (including pictures, webcams and “unusual postings”. Once the “wrong” information is out there, it is very difficult to get rid of.

• Managing Your Online Profile – Even if you think your internet profile is pristine, it’s not a bad idea to check your own profile (you never know what someone else will post). This is a great article on how to manage your profile.

• Career Advice for Managing Your Online Presence and Social Profile – A short but good article on managing your online profile.

College Career Centers – One of the most under-utilized career resources, you should visit your college career center as early and as often as possible. While every college has different resources, there is something there for you that you can leverage to help find a job.

• Leverage College Career Centers in Your Job Search – An earlier post on this topic, with 5 great links to help you leverage your college career center.

Good luck in your search.

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Related posts:

1. 5 Great College Career Sites for Summer Interns
2. College Grad Job Search – Home for the Holidays
3. College Grad – Will Work for Food

It’s getting close to the “most wonderful time of the year”. Thanksgiving turkey followed by the festive gift giving Holiday Season and then New Years Eve and all of those resolutions none of us will keep. If you are searching for a job as a new college grad, the holidays can be a bit stressful. Way too much time with your relatives who don’t seem to have a problem asking (for the 100th time) -  “Do you have a job yet?”. The good news is, you are not alone (yes, misery loves company). If you can believe the news reports, the last few years have been rough times for college grads. That being said, there are jobs out there. Today’s post will give you some job search stuff to do over the holidays.

Companies that are Hiring College Grads:

• Internal Revenue Service: Yes, the IRS is hiring. Check out their job search page (IRS Jobs) to find your job. And, they have great benefits like work/life balance, Federal health care, life insurance, a retirement program and more.  While you are on the page, check out their search tools.

• Verizon – Over 300 job opportunities (through-out the US) when I checked, 62 of which are marked as entry level. Check out their “Who we Are” and “Working Here” tabs, career areas and career events. You can also search by division, location and job title.

Career Tools for College Grads:

• Nuresume – Nuresume.com is a network for college students which allows them to build an online resume portfolio. They can include photos, blogs, videos, chat, groups, forums, instant messaging, job alerts and social networking. The site is jam packed with resources and options. There are links at the top of the page which provide access to the main areas (including Join and Invite links). The site integrates students, recruiters and employers and provides the tools you need to launch your online marketing campaign. The site is very impressive and well thought out. There is not enough space in this review to give justice to the site, so check it out today.

• How To Find a Job or Internship Through Your Campus Career Center – You can use your college career center even after you graduate and, in fact, you shouldn’t. Besides the fact that they can help you prep for your job search prior to graduation, what about those internships? Better yet, this article (posted on hercampus.com), also provides the “do’s and dont’s” when working with college career enters (such as don’t wait until the last minute.

• College Graduate Jobs – From Simplyhired.com, this specialized search indicated that there were over 66,000 job opportunities for College Grads on this site. You can narrow your search by typing in your location at the top of the page and by using the filters on the left hand side of the page. But that is not all. There are additional links on the bottom left hand side of the screen for Job Search Tools. As with many of the job search boards, you can create your own profile.

• Your Job Search Tool Kit – What better place to help college grads look for jobs than Collegegrad.com? The article tells you what you need to purchase (or should already have) at the minimum as well as other items you should consider buying for your search. But, that is not all, take a look at all of the tools on this site like the featured articles (right hand side of the page) and the related links on the left hand side of the page.

Good luck in you search.

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1. College Grad – Will Work for Food
2. If the Job Fits, Wear it – College Grad Job Search
3. College Grad Job Search – The Dog Days of Summer

As the job market continues to struggle, the need to remain competitive remains crucial for new and prospective graduates. Not only are you competing with each other, but you are also competing with professionals who may have years of experience and have recently been laid off or are looking for a change in career. Students must develop a proactive strategy for their job searches if they are to expect to gain an advantage. Here are a few tips for prospective graduates looking to get the most out of their job search this spring:

Start Early

Students expecting to graduate in May should start thinking about their job search and even applying for jobs now. Starting the job search will give students a good indication of what the market is doing and what companies may be hiring. It will also provide some insight into market trends — for instance, a particular area might have a lot of jobs while others don’t, or a big company that just announced a lot of layoffs could lead to a glut in the market. Starting the job search early will also allow students to start making contacts and developing relationships with company leaders.

Network

Networking is one of the most valuable tools in the job search, no matter how experienced you are. Many professionals find their next job because of someone they know. Students should start networking by talking with their professors (who can provide recommendations or refer students to professionals in their own networks) and other students (who will become future colleagues). Students should also take advantage of networking opportunities initiated during previous internships or through contacts made at job fairs. Any of these contacts could lead to a referral or job tip.

Utilize Services

Almost every college or university has a Career Services Office, which is designed exclusively to help students with their job search. Members of this office can advise students on best interviewing practices and job search tips. They can scrutinize a resume or cover letter and offer suggestions to make it stand out from the rest. They can even provide referrals from their own networks. Career Services professionals offer a valuable resource that students won’t be able to access once they graduate.

Cast a Wide Net

When jobs are not as plentiful, every job seeker has to widen the focus to make more opportunities available. Students who are developing a job search strategy should cast a wide net by looking for jobs in different locations, looking for job postings in a variety of places (such as online job boards, forums, company Web sites, job fairs, and more), and looking for jobs in a variety of related fields (for example, jobs in marketing and public relations and advertising). The more options you make available to yourself, the greater your chances of getting that first job and starting to accumulate the experience you need to land the dream job you want.

Consider Other Options

Have a back-up plan. If you can’t find employment immediately upon graduation, there are a number of other things you can do to build professional experience to ensure you remain competitive. Some options include working as a temp, taking an unpaid internship, volunteering in a position or with a company related to your interests, and working abroad. Each of these options will provide you relevant experience and expand your networking base. The experiences you have and the people you meet could very well lead you to a full-time position at a company you love.
The key to any successful job search is preparation and perseverance. Prospective graduates can use these tips to get a jump start on their job search now to ensure the best opportunities for success. What other tips might you have for new graduates looking for their first professional job?

Bio:
Leah Landly is the community manager for BluWiki, an informational Wiki service and free web publishing platform. She covers many topics and answers popular questions like, how to make Jello shots and how to make French toast.

This is a Guest post. If you would like to submit a guest post to CareerAlley, please follow these guest post guidelines.

Good luck in your search.

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As a recent college graduate in the class of 2011, I heard my counselors, career coaches, professors, and parents tell me that the economy is rebounding and companies are hiring again. I recently read an article in the Fiscal Times titled, “Congrats, Class of 2011: You’re Hired” which revealed that there is some truth behind their statements. Of the seniors who applied for a job, 41% received an offer, which is a slight increase from 38% last year. This still means that 3 out of 5 seniors who are looking for a job did not receive an offer!

While this is a mind-boggling statistic, the National Association of Colleges and Employers did release good news that companies are planning on hiring close to 20% more college graduates this year than last year. However, it is now August and most college graduates are three months out of college and I still hear stories from my friends and classmates about their struggle to find a job. Many graduates need to move out of their college apartments as their leases are running up and I have are left wondering what they are going to do next. While I am very fortunate to have found a job that I love before graduating, I would estimate that roughly half of my friends who graduated at the same time as me are yet to receive a job offer. The best advice I can give them and anyone else who is struggling to find a job is to make your job search your full-time job.

During my last few months in college, I spent several hours a week sending out emails and surfing the university’s career services websites. I also monitored job placement sites, such as monster.com. Networking is extremely important and now is the time to email everyone you know and ask them if their company is hiring. By everyone, this includes relatives, friends of relatives, fellow graduates, and their friends to start. If they are hiring, they should be more than happy to pass along your resume to their HR department. If you don’t receive a response on a job request email after a week, it doesn’t hurt to send a follow up email a week later reminding the HR representative that you are still interested in applying for the position.

Eventually, your hard work will pay off and you will receive an opportunity to interview. This is your time to shine and prove to the HR representative that you are the most qualified candidate for the position. You only get one first impression, so make it your best! It goes without saying that you should dress to impress and have your shirt ironed and shoes shined the night before your interview. I recently spoke with the HR representative for our online sunglasses company, Terra Kash, who offered these tips that can help any college graduate stand out from the others:

• Be friendly: The interviewer is also nervous. If they don’t hire the best candidate, their neck is on the line. Simply asking the interviewer how they are doing or offering a joke or ice breaker will help them feel more comfortable. This will result in a better connection between you and the interviewer.

• Answer the question being asked: Interviewees are nervous during an interview and sometimes don’t fully listen to the question being asked. Take notes if you need to and make sure that you fully answer the questions. If they ask for two examples, give two examples! Don’t waste their time by making up answers that are completely off topic. If you need a minute to think of an answer, ask for it. The interviewer would rather have you take your time and give two quality answers than offer two mediocre ones.

• It’s all about the follow-up: It’s likely that several candidates were interviewed for the same position. By sending a thank you card or email within a week of your interview, it reminds the HR representative of who you are. This might ultimately be the tie breaker if the HR person is indecisive between two candidates for a position.

It is my greatest hope that these tips help you land your dream job! All of your networking and outreach will help get you an interview. Once you receive that opportunity to interview, it is important to make sure that you prove to the interviewer that you are the best person for the job. It’s hard searching for a job during tough economic times, but your hard work will pay off when you receive that coveted job offer!

Bio: Adam Bruk is a recent college graduate from Indiana University and now works as a SEO Specialist in Indianapolis. When he isn’t busy at work helping people graduates find the perfect work socks for their professional wardrobe, he enjoys golfing and helping his friends with resume building and mock interviewing in hopes that they also land their perfect job!

Good luck in your search.

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Related posts:

1. Spring Semester – College Job Search
2. Welcome to My College Job Search
3. College Grad – Will Work for Food

• Internships: There are all different types of internships, the important thing is to ensure you participate as often as possible. There are summer internships and internships where you participate part time while you are in school (like c0-operative programs). Obviously the best internships go the quickest, but if you do your homework now (no pun intended), you can get a head start. If you don’t already know, internships give you practical experience before you get out into the working world. This experience is invaluable. Additionally, many graduating college students get their best leads (and sometimes jobs) from previous internships. And last, but not least, the connections you will make can make a huge difference in your career (read below). ==>> Students: 6 Best Ways to Get a Summer Internship

• Semester Abroad: There is nothing like international experience and the best way to get that is while you are a college student. Now if you have no interest in visiting a foreign country, then skip this bullet and move on the the next. But, before you do so, consider how this experience might help you get a job when you graduate. How great will it look if you can say you studied and lived abroad for part of your college career. Many colleges offer this type of experience and, if yours does, you should consider taking advantage. ==>> Options for Learning Beyond our Borders
  

• Be a Star – Volunteer: There is nothing more powerful that volunteering. Besides the fact that you will be helping others who are in need, you will learn things that most people would pay to  learn. You will learn skills that will become an asset in your career as well. Better yet, it looks great on your resume (the resume that will not have much on it when you graduate from college – and everything helps). Hiring managers look to see what you did during your college years. Did you just party or did you take advantage of opportunities to grow. Another advantage is the people you will meet, many of whom can have an impact on your career. ==>>Top 11 Reasons to Take Action
  

• Participate in Every Career Fair: You should attend every career fair that you can. It is never too early. What you will learn now will help you when you are looking for a job. But don’t limit yourself to your college, you can attend career fairs at other colleges as well as career fairs held for the general public. ==>> 20 Top Career Fair Success Strategies
  

• Build an Amazing Network in Four Years: Your network is your most important job search tool, don’t underestimate it. Make all of the friends that you can at school. Be active, participate in clubs and sports. Volunteer on campus. All of the people you will meet in the next four years (students, professors, etc.) could play an important role in both your first job and your career. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity. ==>> How to Leverage Your Fraternity or Sorority Network in the Job Search

Good luck in your search.

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Related posts:

1. 5 Great College Career Sites for Summer Interns
2. The Best Companies for College Grads
3. Spring Semester – College Job Search

Half way through the summer and no job prospects? Parents on your back (of course they are thinking about your $200,000+ college education)? You are not alone. Some of my friends’ kids are now home from college having graduated a few short months ago. With very few exceptions, most of them have jobs (at the moment) that do not require a college degree. Jobs like, working in the local movie theater, working in a liqueur store or working for a local retail store.  Of course all of these jobs are better than not working at all. But I suspect that these individuals are not focused in their job search. Even in the most difficult of times, there are many more entry level jobs then there are experienced hire jobs. So what’s the point? Looking for a job is not easy. For many, it is more difficult than college. The truth is that for most of us, we really have no clue how to look for a job. In reality, the time you put in is directly related to what you will get out of it. Like most things in life, you need to invest some time and effort to see the results. Job search is much the same. Lots of time up front but results start to come in after the initial investment.

• What Every New Grad Needs to Know About Employment Agencies – Posted on Bestcollegesonline.com, this is a great article for college grads or anyone who is attempting to use employment agencies (recruiters) for the first time. The article not only help you choose agencies that match your requirements, but also provides a warning for those that are less than “above board” (if  it sounds to good to be true . . . ). The article also explains how to get the best out of the agency as well as how agencies work. There are related articles at the bottom of the page, take a look.

• 48 Essential LinkedIn Tips Your Teachers Won’t Tell You – LinkedIn has become, by far, one of the most important job search tools. Besides tracking contacts, LinkedIn’s posted jobs and high profile with recruiters makes it a must have for anyone who is seriously looking for a job. This article, posted on Onlinecolleges.net, provides a bunch (48 to be exact) of great tips to ensure you leverage the site. And, not only are the tips good, but each tip has an embedded link to a more detailed article for that tip. Don’t forget to take a look at the related posts at the bottom of the page.

• 10 tools every new college grad needs to land a first job – Most job searchers think that all they need is a good resume to get a job. This is not accurate and for recent grads, all the more difficult since their resume is a work in progress. This article, posted on Nativetimes.com, provides 10 tools that will help in your job search. Some of the items (like letters of recommendation) are standard, but many of the tips are just as important and often overlooked. A short and concise article, definitely worth the read.

• CollegeGrad.com – No college grad job search is complete if you’ve not leveraged this site (and the one following below). This is one of the best sites for entry level job search. There is a link at the top left hand side of the page for their job search center. The top of the page has tabs for Top Employers, Top Jobs, Top Careers and more. Move further down the page an you will find a link to the 2011 Top Entry Level Employers Survey (a very powerful tool which lists top employers with links to their site). There are a bunch of links on the left hand side of the page which will also help you with your search.

• Collegerecruiter.com – I would be remiss if I did not list Collegerecruiter.com, which is another site that is a must have for college grads looking for a job. Top of the site is a job search box (there are over 2,500,000 jobs posted and no, this is not a misprint) where you can do a quick search or use their advanced search. Newest job postings are on the left hand side of the page and there are links at the top of the page for Job Seekers as well as Advice and Resources. Definitely take a look at the Advice and Resources, which has links to tons of resources (like Best Places to Work and Resume Builder to name two).

Good luck in your search.

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Related posts:

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2. If the Job Fits, Wear it – College Grad Job Search
3. College Grad Job Search – Home for the Holidays

Some of our friends’ kids have just graduated college and are “in the job market”. Besides having little or no clue how to look for a job, the overall incentive level seems to be very low this year in particular. One of our friends, who is a super “success maniac”, is so stressed out that his son is not only not currently employed, he is in the “let them find me”mode. His first day home he restored on a few job search sites and is now waiting for people to call him. Good luck with that. Okay, time to get focused. You need to spend at least as much time looking for a job as you are spending on partying and sleeping.

Where to Start: Okay, you have your degree but have no clue what you want to do or how to get started. Take a look at the following links.

• 33 Gorgeous Job Search Infographs and Infographics – This link is from JobMob and gives a bunch (33 to be exact) ideas on where to look and what to do. From “The Highest Paying Work from Home Jobs” (how I wish) to “The Most Dangerous Jobs in America” (who knows, maybe you like adventure), the links in this article are diverse enough to give you some information and (hopefully) get you focused in a direction.

• After Graduation, What’s Next? – Sound familiar? This article, from Monster.com, one of the original Job Search Boards, asks the right questions (Do You Know What You Want? – plus many more) and then provides some advice and a number of links to get you started. There are a few related links and article links at the bottom of the page. Lots of advice links on the top right hand side of the page.

• Job Search Marketing Toolkit – If you don’t have your Job Search Marketing Toolkit yet, now is the time to start. This is one of the CareerAlley resources, with links to Building Your Resume, Cover Letters, References, Thank You Letters, Interviews, Your Elevator Speech and Networking. You will need all of the tools at some point in your search (and when you are interviewing). Take a look and get to work!

Other College Grad Resources: A few more resources to get you headed in the right direction.

• CollegeRecruiter.com – One of my favorite sites for College Grads on the Job Hunt, there are tons of resources for you on this site. Starting with the job search box at the top of the page, use the simple search (what and where) or click the advanced link. Two links you should look at are at the very top of the page (Job Seekers / Candidates and Advice & Resources). There are resume builders, “Best Places to Work” as well as featured employers.

• The Hunt Begins – getting started on the pre-graduation job search – You are not alone! Great post on “My (anything under the sun) Blog“. Some great personal insights into what most college grads go through. Take a read (it is quick and useful).

Good luck in your search.


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2. College Grad Job Search – The Dog Days of Summer
3. If the Job Fits, Wear it – College Grad Job Search

It’s Graduation time again. You know, Pomp and Circumstance or “Pomp and no jobs perchance” for many. Whether Parent or lucky Grad, there is lots of anticipation for when and where that first job will materialize. For one neighbor of mine, it took their son 9 months to land a job. He was actually very lucky as he landed a job with a major insurance company doing what he was actually trained for. For others, like another friend of mine, the job may not be what they actually had in mind (he landed a job working in a liqueur store).  Yes, it’s tough out there, but there are jobs to be had. So how hidden is the job market? Let’s find out.

• What is the Hidden Job Market? – We’ve all heard the phrase (and for those with protracted job searches, “hidden” seems to be an understatement). This article, posted by the University of Wisconsin, provides some color to this topic. Starting with the “80/20″ rule (only 20% of jobs are advertised), the article describes the hidden job market and the provides some great steps for discovering where the jobs are hidden. What to do and where to find the jobs is the main theme.

• Step-by-Step Plan for Using the Internet to Go “Beyond the Want Ads” – More on that topic, from Jobstar.org, this article provides 6 steps for your job search with lots of embedded links to related topics. From basics like “focus on your selling points” to “develop a list of targeted employers”, this article provides a great plan to get you started.  While you are on the site, take a look at the links on the left hand side of the page.

• How the Hidden Job Market Works – Okay, last article on this topic before we head off to some actual job leads. This one was posted on Jobfully.com and it focuses on (arguably) the best source of any job search – Networking. The article provides a brief overview, followed by some sound advise (including targeted job search).  Not too many embedded links, but definitely take a look at “break your addition to job search boards”. That being said, there are tons of links on the right hand side of the page (including Networking).

• College Graduate Jobs – From Simplyhired.com, this specialized search indicated that there were over 66,000 job opportunities for College Grads on this site. You can narrow your search by typing in your location at the top of the page and by using the filters on the left hand side of the page. But that is not all. There are additional links on the bottom left hand side of the screen for Job Search Tools. As with many of the job search boards, you can create your own profile.

• No Experience Necessary – College Grad Job Search Revisited Vol 2 – What better place to look than CareerAlley.com? This was an earlier post of mine which has lots of great information  on preparing for your job search and making sure you are ready for prime time (need to talk a look for yourself on this one). And, there are additional related links at the bottom of the page.

Good luck in your search.

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Related posts:

1. College Grad Job Search – The Dog Days of Summer
2. College Grad Job Search – Home for the Holidays
3. College Grad – Will Work for Food

Spring. It’s that time of year again. Flowers are blooming, birds are singing and your parents are telling you to get a job. For some its a break between college semesters and for others it’s the cold hard reality of “time to get a job”. Whatever your reality (and both are covered in today’s post), you need to make good use of your time. It’s really competitive out there, so you need to get there first, have a trick up your sleeve, be incredibly lucky or have amazing connections. So, assuming for a minute that you are not independently wealthy and need to work like the rest of us, today’s post provides a few links to help you on your way.

• Creative Interns – This is a new website that already has 38 companies (as of April 28) and focuses on Internships. The main page has links at the top for My Account, Find Interns, Forum and News & Events. Center page is featured companies, featured profiles and featured schools. There is a section on the bottom left where you can set-up a profile as an individual. The “Find Internships” is  a great tool. In addition to listing all of the opportunities, you can narrow your search by using the location & or keyword. Definitely worth a look.

• 15 Awesome Jobs for Associate’s Degree Holders – This article, posted on Bestuniversities.com, provides a great list of jobs for Associate degree holders. Each of the 15 jobs lists the salary range as well as a good overview of the job. There are embedded links for each job, which provides more detail on the job.

• 10 Common Scams Every Job Seeker Should Know – There is always a scam on something, and it is wise to know the ones that may sidetrack your job search. This article was posted on Careeroverview.com and lists a number of common (and some not so common) scams that you should be aware of. While my article Headhunters versus “Scam” Hunters – Do Your Homework covered one type of scam, this article covers quite a few. We’ve all had the emails regarding money processing, but not so much on ones like job search assistants. Take a look, it is worth your time.

• 25 Common Facebook Faux Pas That College Students Make – I’ve mentioned this topic many times but it never hurts to review this topic again. We’ve all had our “wild times” as a college student, but when one or more of those wild times shows up on Facebook all bets are off for your future. This article, posted on Onlinecollege.org, has a great list you should read before (hopefully) it is too late. Some of the “everyone knows this” are listed (like don’t post incriminating pictures), although I’m not sure that “not using your real name” matter all that much. Anyway, take a look at the list before it’s too late!

• Monster College – Monster College is brought to you by (you guessed it), Monster.com. It is focused on college grads and has lots of great resources. Top of the page has links for Entry Level Jobs, Internships and more. Left hand side of the page has Find a job and lots of great articles are center page. Take some time to explore the site.

Good luck in your search.


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Related posts:

1. 5 Great College Career Sites for Summer Interns
2. Spring Semester – College Job Search
3. College Grad Job Search – Home for the Holidays

We started interviewing our college interns a few months ago at my company and this Summer’s “class” will join in a few short weeks. Having graduated in what feels like a hundred years ago (and never having been an intern myself), I’m always interested in what the latest group of interns bring to the table in terms of background, tech knowledge and special interests. What is most interesting (since I didn’t do this at the beginning of my career), is the amount of time they’ve taken to research the companies where they are interviewing. Even more interesting, is that they’ve checked me out on LinkedIn and they know where I’ve worked and what I’ve done. Some have even taken time to see if they may know someone that I know based on my profile. So, if you are not getting the point by now, these college students are incredibly well prepared. Are you?

Today’s links are partially gleaned from Experience.com’s list of companies.

A Few Companies:

• Accenture – The college career page for Accenture has lots of great information. The left hand side of the page has an interactive map where you can find where you would like to work. The right hand side of the page has a summary of a few featured jobs as well as a ling to allow registration in as a job seeker. Take a look at The Entry Level Consulting piece as well as Internships and Student Programs.

• BDO – Their college career page has a mini slide show which illustrates all of the opportunities at BDO (which is an accounting firm). You can select the career path that interests you (or click “I have no idea”). Also take a look at the links on the left hand side of the page.

• Capital One Financial – Capital One also has a page dedicated to college students, but also take a look at their main careers page. Their college page has a special link for “Future Graduates” along with a list of all of the colleges where they are recruiting (hover over the college to see what jobs are available). Taking a quick look at available jobs, there are 56 job opportunities at the moment.

A Few Related Articiles:

• Best Places to Work for College Grads – This article, from AOL.com’s Jobs section, provides some really good advice along with a bunch of embedded related links. Please check out the related links as well as the “Search Jobs” link on the right hand side of the page.

• 25 Best Cities for College Grads – You got the “who” above, what about the “Where”? This article, from thedailybeast.com provides a pretty deep dive into what cities to consider along with a bunch of criteria that is also important (like housing, average age and number of singles). Also take a look at the pictures so that you can get a view of the cities as well.

Good luck in your search.


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