Welcome back Retrievers! We hope you had a good winter break, but now it’s time to talk about something important — your future.

No matter where you are in your academic career, there is always the looming pressure of starting your career after graduation. Many students make the mistake of waiting too long to start their search, only to realize that opportunities have passed them by. Don’t be one of those students! Here are some steps you can take right now to set yourself up for success and launch your career.

1. Update Your Resume and Cover Letter
   Your resume should reflect your most relevant experiences, skills, and achievements. It should also align with the top skill-based keywords found in job descriptions of interest. Remember, a well-formatted resume that is optimized for the job is more likely to make it past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and into the hands of a hiring manager or recruiter. Make sure it’s in good shape!
2. Strengthen Your Online Presence
   Believe it or not, recruiters are now checking LinkedIn profiles before looking at resumes and reaching out to candidates. Make sure your LinkedIn is up-to-date with a professional photo, an engaging “About” section, and relevant experiences with skills attached. You can similarly update your Handshake profile and share your profile link publicly with employers. To learn more about how to set this up, check out this article.
3. Research and Apply to Jobs Early
   According to Talentworks, Inc., there is an 8 TIMES ADVANTAGE to applying within the first 96 hours of a job being posted. In fact, the start of the new year is a peak hiring period, so don’t wait until after graduation to start applying. Set aside time each week to browse job search sites, attend career fairs, and tap your network for leads.
4. Practice Your Interview Skills
   Confidence in interviews comes with preparation and practice. Explore the practice question sets in Big Interview, record responses in real time, and send your videos to the Career Center for feedback. Then, schedule a Practice Interview appointment with the Career Center to get comfortable answering common questions and to brainstorm questions to ask the interviewer.

Don't let your job search become a last-minute scramble. Use your time wisely by being proactive and strategic. Whether it’s fine-tuning your resume, networking with industry professionals, or practicing interviews, every step you take now brings you closer to securing a job you love.

To get more personalized support, attend Resume Rescue on February 4 from 10 AM to 4 PM and get feedback on your materials.