About to graduate? Now what?

You have spent the last four (or more) years in post-secondary waiting for this day.  You have handed in your last paper, written your last exam, and went to your last university party.  Now what?  While leaving school has been your goal for four years, now that it is here, do you have a plan?  Do you have a job, or are you going to start looking?  Are you going to go back to school?  Are you going to travel before you settle down?  While these are all options, the majority of graduates want to get out into the “real world” and start making money.  While making your “plan”, here are some things that you need to take into consideration (at the very least).

• Where will you live? This may or may not be an easy decision.  If your lease is up in May, or you were in residence, you may need to move home  with mom and dad while you decide your next steps.  Or, you may chose to stick around where you are now and try to find something in the area. Your third choice is to move to a new city altogether.  Whatever your choice, make sure you do your research and prepare yourself for the consequences.
• Start saving up. Even though you may have to work another summer serving in a restaurant or lifeguarding at the pool, these kinds of jobs still make money, which will help you save up enough money to move out, or move away.
• Allow yourself time for a thorough job search. Although you may be making good money at the pool or the bar, remember that you still need to give yourself time to search for a job.  You spent four years in school (not to mention thousands of dollars) to earn your degree, so you probably want to be doing more with your life.
• Make sure your resume is up to date. You need to have an updated, error free resume.  Also remember that you need to update it and change it for EVERY job you apply for.
• Have an interview outfit (or two). You need to have at least one interview outfit.  It needs to be something you are comfortable in, that fits you and you feel confident wearing.  Always have a back-up in mind in case something happens to the first (spills, rips, etc), or you get called in for a second interview.
• Practice your interview skills. You need to be ready at all times for an interview.  You need to know what to do before, during and after.  Your career centre will have lots of great information for you.  However, if you are no longer in the same city as your school, check out their website.
• Build your network. Join your alumni association, join professional organizations and attend networking events.  The more people you know, the easier it will be to find a job!