Graduation time is here, and for many college students that means it’s time to find the perfect job, perhaps one even related to their academic major.

But where to start?

UIS’ Career Development Center is equipped to help connect new graduates to the professional working world. Ayanna Lewis, a career adviser at the Career Development Center, said a good first step is to check out CareerConnect, the university’s online system to connect students with jobs and internships both on and off campus. The website, uis.edu/career/careerconnect, is powered by Handshake, which bills itself as a leading networking and job searching platform designed for current and recently graduated college students.

Students can create their own account on the website. Or, they can arrange to meet with someone in the Career Development Center to walk them through it. Lewis said that even if students don’t have a clear idea of what jobs they’re looking for, they can browse what’s out there.

In addition to job searching on the internet, experts say it’s important to find ways to make connections with people to find a place to work. Internships and a solid collection of colleagues and coworkers willing to give a student a solid reference are important steps to make those vital connections. Sprucing up a resume and putting together a portfolio of a student’s best work also help.

Creating those personal connections through networking is a suggestion that appears in a 2024 Harvard Business Review article titled “4 Tips for New Grads Struggling to Find a Job” by Rachel DuRose.

“A great way to get started is by reaching out to employees at companies you’re interested in working for, or who work in industries you’re exploring, and ask for informational interviews, DuRose writes.

Here other tips include:

• Remembering your worth: If the job search isn’t immediately fruitful, it’s important to “regularly remind yourself that it’s not a reflection of your individual value or abilities.”
• Reflecting on what the job seeker really wants: New graduates often feel pressure to rush into a job decision. But it’s important to “slow down and assess your wants and abilities.”
• Don’t be afraid of gaps in a resume: If there’s been a large amount of time between jobs, a potential employer will likely ask about it. Don’t be intimidated, DuRose writes. Instead, job searchers should be ready to explain the positive growth and learning that took place during the gap. In addition, job seekers can use the gap to build an online presence that will get them noticed for their skills.

When it’s time for that interview, here are some additional tips to remember, courtesy of an article, Top 5 Tips Every Graduate Should Use in a Job Interview, by Michael Williams of Thomas Edison State University in New Jersey.

• Do research: Look on the internet for articles about the company and look at their website and social media profiles to understand what they do.
• Ask questions: Be ready with some questions to ask about the company at the end of an interview.
• Make it clear the job seeker actually wants the job: Say that clearly, and have good reasons why.
• Send the right message: Prepare for the “tell us about yourself” question by using “buzzwords that you feel really describe you, like creative, team-player, pro-active, innovative, etc.,” Williams wrote.
• Follow up: The job seeker should be sure to tell the interviewer what they learned in the interview and reiterate the “passion for the position” and what they would bring to the job.