Posted by André Nosalsky :: June 19, 2008 @ 9:03 am

Better jobs and brighter futures top the list of reasons that students give for going to college. College is a very important step and should be done with some planning, because not only can it increase your debt for a certain time period, but it can also provide for a lifetime of higher earnings. Obtaining a job after college is one of the first critical steps in a person’s financial life, and here are five tips to help you with it:

1. Think ahead. Many college students find it hard to think ahead a few years because of all of the pressures that are facing them in the current moment – everything from studying and completing homework to partying and other social activities. That’s why deciding on a lifetime career when just starting out in college doesn’t make sense, unless you’re set on a particular professional career. What you should do is seek small experiences in a variety of fields around your major. Pick the interesting ones. Look for volunteering opportunities, internships or even a chance to be an aide to somebody you look up to. These experiences will help you once you’re ready for a real job.
2. Utilize all available resources. Universities and colleges have entire “career departments” that are tasked with helping students with every area of job searching. Most will help with resume writing, interview skills, class selections, internships and everything else that you might not have thought of. Call up the help desk of your college and they’ll direct you to this department. Or search for “(Your College Name) career department.”
3. Focus on your interests and what you like. Put aside what other people tell you to do, and focus on what you like naturally and would do as a hobby if it weren’t a career. You will find that you will be able to study easier and everything will seem not like a “job,” but play time. And when interviewing for positions in areas that interest you, your enthusiasm will come through without any effort.
4. Network and build up the social circle. Many times, just by interacting with the alumni or other social groups around the college, you will come across opportunities that you might have missed. And because people know you, this will give you bonus points toward being offered the job first. Sign up for p2p sites like Facebook and LinkedIn to network.
5. Don’t be a nobody. The Internet is becoming critical to every industry, so make sure to have your schoolwork or projects discoverable by search engines. The first step for many employers is to Google your name and check what comes up; you don’t want “No results” to come up, as that might be a negative sign.
6. Bonus: Make sure to interview the boss as much as you will be interviewed. Your boss will have the biggest impact on how you perform at your job, as well as how you progress in the future.

When planning for a job or actively looking for one right now, keep in mind that there are many resources and people out there that can help you find the perfect one for you.