Finger pressing Start button next to Job Search bar floating in air

Infographic: 8 Ways to Fast-Track Your Job Search

Who wouldn't want to fast-track their job hunt? From focusing your search to staying positive, there's a lot you can do to land the right offer in no time.

When you’re entering the workforce out of college, there’s no denying that you’re stepping into a competitive world. Other recent graduates in your field are vying for the same jobs as you, so it can be tough to stand out. That’s why any tips that can fast-track your job search are worth considering.

A look at today’s job market

According to the Harvard Business Review, a minority of students will jump right into a career after college, while most will have a hard time launching. Many factors influence this, but one general principle is that students who have clear direction in college tend to be students who have clear direction after they graduate. If you’re still in school, now is the time to be thinking about the job market. Take at least one internship, and get real-world experiences to add to your résumé. These decisions will help you in your post-graduation life.

What companies are looking for you?

Despite the competitiveness of today’s workforce, there is good news. A large number of employers are looking to hire recent graduates annually—more now than in years past. So, when you’re nearing graduation, research companies in your area of study. If you find employers who are looking for candidates like you, you’ll know where to focus your applications for better results. If you’re interested in learning more about the best ways to prepare for an upcoming job search, take a look at the accompanying checklist. From focusing your search to staying positive, there’s a lot you can do to land the right offer.

Related: The Top 10 Hard and Soft Skills All Employers Want

infographic

Created by Whitman Associates

8 ways to fast-track your job search

Here are eight easy ways to speed things up and improve your chances of landing that ever-elusive job offer.

  1. Focus on applying for particular job opportunities: Rather than rush blindly sending your résumé for every job posting you see, key in on specific opportunities or companies.
  2. Only apply for relevant opportunities: Don’t waste time applying for jobs you don’t really want or for which you aren’t fully qualified. That time could be spent perfecting your applications for more suitable opportunities.
  3. Conduct in-depth research on potential employers: Before going to an interview, thoroughly research the company’s history, mission statement, culture, and more to ensure you’re fully informed.
  4. Present yourself well: This includes sending out a well-proofed résumé, dressing professionally for job interviews, and maintaining a professional reputation online.
  5. Network, network, network: Building a strong professional network takes a lot of time and effort, but networking is a great resource for job seekers who are having trouble finding work on their own.
  6. Demonstrate genuine interest: You should demonstrate your interest in a potential position in every interaction you have with the hiring manager or recruiter.
  7. Don’t forget to follow up: Always follow up after a job interview or after sending a job application for a position you’re passionate about. This Is another great way to show your interest in the opportunity.
  8. Maintain a positive attitude: Keeping a positive attitude is critically important for a successful job search. Don’t lose hope of finding your dream job, no matter how bleak things may seem.

Related: 9 Essential Job Search Resources for College Students

When the job market is bad for applicants, it can feel like you’ve been applying to jobs for months even when it’s only been a few days. You want to expedite applications as best and as fast as you can, and there are ways you can do this without risking your sanity. Use this infographic to help you fast-track the process. And trust us—the right role will come along eventually, and you’ll be on your way to a rewarding career.

Need a break from reading articles? Check out the helpful videos on the CollegeXpress YouTube channel. 

Like what you’re reading?

Join the CollegeXpress community! Create a free account and we’ll notify you about new articles, scholarship deadlines, and more.

Join Now

Tags:

About Whitman Associates

Whitman Associates, Inc. specializes in the search and placement of temporary, temp-to-hire, and permanent office support personnel in Washington, DC. 

 

Join our community of
over 5 million students!

CollegeXpress has everything you need to simplify your college search, get connected to schools, and find your perfect fit.

Join CollegeXpress
Josiah Kegg

Josiah Kegg

High School Class of 2021

I want to sincerely thank you all for this amazing website that's legitimately helped me find so many different scholarship opportunities. I've been stressing out for the longest time about paying for college since I would rather stay out of debt and have been working days trying to find any scholarship opportunity. When I found CollegeXpress, I discovered many easy scholarships that have given me hope for the future. Thank you and God bless!

Ana Sophia Garcia-Cubas Assemat

Ana Sophia Garcia-Cubas Assemat

$10,000 Scholarship Winner, 2020

CollegeXpress has been an instrumental resource for my scholarship search and has given me the opportunity to try my best so I can graduate from college debt-free.

Yuhlani Patterson

Yuhlani Patterson

High School Student

CollegeXpress has helped me find so many scholarships that fit me. They match me to colleges I have specific interest in to make searching for colleges way easier and more efficient. CollegeXpress refers me to schools that have my major of interest and backup schools if I want to change my mind. CollegeXpress also gives out their own scholarships, so you have even more of a chance at gaining multiple scholarships. This website has helped me de-stress from the pressure of not being able to afford college, [of finding] what schools are right for me, and how to find easy access to scholarships that most people never knew existed.

Brooke Maggio

Brooke Maggio

High School Class of 2021

CollegeXpress has helped me tremendously in my college search in narrowing down the schools I’m interested in. Using the college search tool, I was able to narrow down my choices to schools that matched what I was looking for. I also used CollegeXpress for their scholarship search, which helped me find scholarships that I meet the requirements of.

Heather McCarty

Heather McCarty

High School Class of 2020

CollegeXpress has helped me with the college application process. The tips and tricks for important essays were so helpful. I also gained useful knowledge about college life. Even though I’m fully online, CollegeXpress has helped me develop a sense of how college is in person. The experiences from college students that were featured on their Instagram page have shown the good, the bad, and the “secret” life on campus from a reliable perspective. Not to mention, they relieved my feelings of anxiety about the workload. I can now understand how it can be stressful, but it takes self-control and willpower to get assignments completed on time and with quality.

College Matches
X

Colleges You May Be Interested In

Caldwell University

Caldwell, NJ

Whitman College

Walla Walla, WA

New York University

New York, NY

Caldwell University

Caldwell, NJ