Career Center Insights for Navigating Your First Job Search

For students and recent graduates looking for their first job, the search can be overwhelming and stressful. Laura Garcia, director of Undergraduate Career Education at the Career Center, shares advice on how to navigate it.  

Be Open-Minded and Expand Your Search  

While job seekers may have a specific company or industry in mind, expanding their potential pathways can be beneficial. Garcia recommends exploring opportunities that leverage your skills in a different industry or job function. For example, if a candidate's dream is to work for Amazon but they are unable to secure a position, hope is not lost, Garcia says. Working a similar job in a different industry or securing a role with a competitor can be effective strategies in landing a future offer at their desired company.  

Network, Network, Network  

Leveraging the vast Georgia Tech alumni network can help you uncover new opportunities and connect with employers in your desired field. The LinkedIn Alumni tool allows users to search for contacts by city, industry, job title, area of study, and more. After identifying potential contacts, reach out with specific ideas on what you are looking for and ask targeted questions like, “How can I make myself more competitive in this field?” or “Do you have any advice on the market or organizations to target in the area?” 

Networking is a critical step in the job search. Not every opening is posted online, and candidates are often being considered by the time a role is posted. 

Use AI With Limits 

Artificial intelligence can be a valuable tool when crafting cover letters and resumes, but Garcia warns that overreliance on AI can be detrimental for candidates.  

AI-generated language can be “robotic” or “flowery,” she said, and employers can often tell when a submission is not written by the candidate. Garcia says that AI should never write a cover letter or craft a resume; instead, it can generate ideas or bullet points that the individual can refine. AI-powered tools such as Grammarly can also assist in ensuring resumes and cover letters are free of grammatical errors. 

Revamp Your Resume and Tailor Cover Letters to Openings 

Subtle tweaks to a resume can make a big difference. Garcia explains that candidates should avoid listing responsibilities and focus more on skills, results, and achievements in bullet points. Strong action verbs can enhance a resume and get employers to read further after an initial scan.  

She also implores candidates to use language from the job posting in their resumes. "They told you what they wanted in the job description, so that is your cheat sheet." For applicants using job boards, this method can be helpful when applying to companies that use applicant tracking systems to highlight potential new hires. 

Cover letters should be individualized for each application. To craft an effective cover letter, Garcia recommends looking at it like a tennis match, with the ball going back and forth between the language of the job posting and the candidate's experience.  

"I've identified three main things that this employer wants, so you can say, ‘I noticed in the job description you're looking for X. Through A, B, or C I've exemplified X.’ The more you can infuse language from the job description and refer back to the position or the employer, the better your cover letter," she said.  

Don’t Underestimate Past Experience  

As students or young alumni, in place of years of work experience, Garcia urges candidates to highlight past leadership experience. Many employers believe “the best predictor of future performance is past performance,” saying that any example of a leadership role within a student organization or recognition at a job during your time in college is something worth highlighting, as it shows employers signs of a motivated and influential potential employee with leadership qualities. 

Be Prepared for Interviews 

After landing an interview, it's important to research the company and familiarize yourself with the role as much as possible. This allows candidates to relate their skills and experiences to the company's needs.