I love working with recent grads in their job search. After 12 years in school, they are experts at learning, which makes teaching them easier. They’re like sponges. They learn and do. They have no bad job search habits, so teaching them is fun because I get to see their reaction when they get positive results for the first time.
The difficult part? The job search for recent college grads stinks right now.
I already knew things were bad. I deal with it on a regular basis when helping new grads find jobs. In fact, I can read their minds. That’s because, after graduation, there are four things that make graduates really, really mad. My job is to help them get past the anger and get hired.
If you know a recent college grad, please pass these 11 job search commandments on to them. If you are a recent college grad, take notes. These commandments are laws to live by in the next six months as you embark on your next big challenge: landing a job.
1. I Will Not Compare Myself To My Friends
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No two graduates are the same. Each has different skills, abilities, needs, and wants. Just because your friend gets a new job doesn’t mean they are better than you. Keep the blinders on and focus on your job search, not theirs.
Jealousy is a useless emotion that derails a job search. Besides, your friend might be able to help you get a job. It’s in your best interest to be genuinely happy for them! Your energy is better spent building your own job search strategy, setting clear goals, and developing confidence in your unique career path.
2. I Will Not Take The Summer Off
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Don’t delay your job search. Employers see it as acting entitled and lazy. Get in gear—right now! Trust me, you aren’t going to find a job in the next two weeks. And job search isn’t a full-time gig.
Carve out time every day to work on your job search, and you’ll still have plenty of time to enjoy the summer. Before the temperature cools down, turn your job search success up! It’s about working smarter, not harder. Hiring doesn’t stop in the summer, and neither should your momentum.
3. I Will Not Spend Weeks Designing My Resume
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Your resume isn’t going to get you the job. Networking is.
Don’t waste time trying to make your resume perfect. At this stage in your career, there just isn’t that much you can put on it to impress employers. The “wow” factor will come from you being smart, articulate, and engaging, which doesn’t come through on paper. You have to meet people to make that happen.
Focus on using a clean, simple, professional resume template that highlights your education, internships, transferable skills, and achievements. Then, move on to networking, which is far more effective than tweaking bullet points.
4. I Will Learn To Network…Fast!
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Networking is the most powerful way to get hired. Yet most recent grads assume that because they’ve never worked, they have no one to network with. Wrong!
People love helping recent grads. At Work It DAILY, we teach an effective networking technique called “backchanneling,” where instead of going through recruiting or HR, you connect directly with the hiring manager or people in the department you want to work in. Use LinkedIn to expand your network, reach out to alumni, attend virtual events, and follow up consistently. Also, learn how to conduct “informational interviews” and set up as many as you can.
The sooner you learn to network, the sooner you get hired. Your next opportunity could come from one meaningful conversation.
5. I Will Not Expect Too Much Of My First Job
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Most recent college grads feel they’re overqualified for many of the entry-level jobs posted. However, most employers feel you’re not, and may even have unrealistic expectations for an entry-level position.
The hard reality is you don’t have the work experience for anything but entry-level jobs. The sooner you take an entry-level job and work at it for six months, the sooner you can start applying to the more exciting jobs that are currently out of your reach. Think of your first job as paid training. It’s a stepping stone, not a life sentence.
6. I Will Remember That EVERY Job Is Temporary
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While the entry-level job you take will not be your dream job, that’s okay because you won’t be there very long. You’ll either excel in the job and get promoted or get experience and be able to apply for a better job.
“Every job is temporary” is one of our mantras at Work It DAILY, which is why you need to improve and work on your career every day. Treat every job as a learning opportunity. Whether you’re looking for your first job or a new one, you need to keep that mindset. It will pay off, we promise.
7. I Will Study Up On Workplace Professionalism As Much As I Can
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The number one complaint corporate America has about recent grads is their perceived lack of professionalism. Read up on attire, attitude, verbal communication style, and so on. Research company culture, understand office etiquette, and know how to conduct yourself in meetings or virtual calls.
Professionalism sets you apart in a competitive job market. The more prepared you are, the better the first impression you’ll make.
8. I Will Be Very Careful In My Written Communication Style
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The number two complaint corporate America has about recent grads is their poor written communication skills. Spelling, grammar, and so on.
Be very careful when writing cover letters, emails, and any other written communication related to your job search. Always proofread your messages, use tools like Grammarly, and consider asking a mentor or friend to review important documents. Clear, concise, and professional writing is essential. One typo can get you disqualified!
9. I Will Expect Rejection (A Lot Of It)
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You’ll apply to dozens of jobs and have as many as 10 interviews before getting an offer. There is a learning curve to getting hired, and it happens with practice.
Expect to get passed over for jobs and learn to cope with the rejection. Rejection isn’t failure; it’s feedback. Every “no” brings you closer to a “yes.” Keep refining your approach and stay resilient. The sooner you can pick yourself up and get back to the job search, the sooner you’ll get another interview and eventually an offer.
10. I Will Become A “Professional” User Of Social Media
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For the last four years, social media has been used for your enjoyment. Now, it’s time to use it for your job search.
Clean up the Facebook page and Instagram account, get yourself set up on LinkedIn, and study how people are using TikTok to meet hiring managers. Use social media to build an online presence that, when searched by a recruiter (and trust us, they will look you up online), what they’ll find is a recent grad who’s clearly ready to enter the workforce. Follow industry leaders, share thoughtful content, and comment meaningfully to grow your professional visibility online.
A strong social media presence can literally land you a job interview. Engage in best practices for social media to advance your career.
11. I Will Not Brag About My New Job When I Finally Get It
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Getting your first job will be thrilling. I mean over-the-top incredible. That being said, refrain from posting the good news all over the internet and making it your first topic of conversation with friends. Why? Go back to commandment number one.
Remember: You’ll be surrounded by people who haven’t gotten their first job and will be jealous. Be the bigger person and keep a low profile on the new gig. Of course, if asked, you can share the good news, but do your best to redirect the conversation after that.
Show how humble you are. You just never know that at some future date, that person could remember your gracious attitude and be willing to help you get your next job because of it. The friends you make now will be the colleagues you network with in the future. Treat them kindly, and it will pay off in the long run.
Follow these job search commandments, and you’ll set yourself up for success—both now and in the long run. By staying focused, professional, and proactive, you’ll turn what feels like an overwhelming process into a structured, manageable journey. Keep this list close as a reminder that every rejection is a redirection, every connection is a step forward, and every effort counts. Your first job is just the beginning of an amazing career. You’ve got this—now go get ’em!
Need Help Landing Your First Job Out Of College?
Download the My First Job Workbook to learn how to use your personality and passion to get hired. It’s the best free resource you’ll use in your job search—and the only one you need to land your first job.
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