It can be tricky to get your first job, especially in a tight market. If your field is one where there's a lot of competition, which means you need to have some really good skills and you'll need to stand out. Polish your resume, make sure you have top notch interviewing skills, and be willing to apply to a lot of jobs. Just don't blanket the market with the shotgun approach to resume submission. You need to choose your target positions carefully so that you'll be the clear choice for the job.
This may mean targeting each and every resume you send out. That's not a bad idea, even if it's a bit of extra work. Make sure all relevant experience and skills are included, but keep it short. An entry level resume should never be over a single page, and it shouldn't be a crowded page with no margins, either. If you're worried about your resume, spend some time talking with someone who knows how to write one. You'll be surprised what a little experience can teach you. Remember that the chronological resume isn't the only choice anymore, and it's actually a bad idea for most recent graduates. Showcase your skills and not your work history if you haven't had many jobs in the past.
Your resume and your cover letter have to look great, communicate well, and stand out without seeming gimmicky. That means no colored paper or talking resumes. Instead, send the best, most professional resume and cover letter you can. They're what get you out of the slush pile and onto the hiring manager's desk, after all. Apply to jobs you'll be well suited for, not just anyone who might take you, and make sure that the resume and cover letter indicate that you've put some thought into the application. These factors are what will get you your interview.
Be sure to look at all of the options for places to apply. Everyone checks the newspaper classifieds and Craigslist, but few people think to walk around to places they'd like to work. Remember - only about ten percent of positions are filled from ads in the paper. While you might be lucky enough to be part of that ten percent, you can improve your chances by looking in other places. Find out if you have friends or family in an industry you'd like to work in. Think back to any professional contacts you made in your internship if you had one. They won't get you a job without any work on your part, but they can help you decide where the best places to look might be. They'll also be a valuable source of references when you go to apply. After all, professional references are far more important than personal ones.
If you get a letter asking you for an interview, be sure you know the rules. Show up well dressed, without too much to make you seem out of place, and know the industry. After all, the interview attire for a legal secretary position will be very different than what you'd need as a sculptor for museum exhibits. You want to look like you know what you're doing. Do your research, be on time, and be ready to answer questions about why you want to work for this company, why you chose the field, and why you're the best candidate. Make sure that the answers aren't all about you, and point out the advantages to the company, but don't seem dishonest. After your interview, follow up with the manager and remember to send a thank you note. If you're lucky, you'll be chosen for the job!
