How to find a job after graduation

Set a realistic timeline before you apply to anything

Map out twelve weeks on a calendar. Weeks one and two are for preparation: resume, LinkedIn, and a target list of employers. Weeks three through eight are for active applications and networking. Weeks nine through twelve are for interviews, follow-ups, and negotiation. If you graduated in May, expect to start this clock then, not in September when competition thins.

In the US and Canada, most entry-level hiring cycles run four to six weeks from application to offer. In the UK and Australia, graduate schemes often have fixed intake windows, so check closing dates first and work backwards.

• Week 1: Write or update your resume and LinkedIn profile
• Week 2: Build a list of 30 to 50 target employers and roles
• Weeks 3 to 8: Send 8 to 12 tailored applications per week
• Weeks 5 to 8: Reach out to 5 contacts per week for informational calls
• Weeks 9 to 12: Prepare for interviews and evaluate offers

Build a resume that works for entry-level roles

Your resume does not need ten years of experience. It needs to show relevant skills, academic projects, internships, part-time work, and any volunteer roles that demonstrate responsibility. Keep it to one page. Use a clean font at 10 to 12 points with clear section headings.

Tailor the summary and skills section to each role. Read the job posting carefully and mirror the language it uses. If the posting says 'data analysis' and your resume says 'quantitative research', a recruiter's keyword filter may never surface your application.

Quantify wherever you can. 'Managed social media accounts' is weaker than 'Grew Instagram following from 400 to 2,100 over six months for a student society.' Numbers give recruiters something concrete to remember.

Where to find entry-level jobs worth applying to

Job boards are a starting point, not the whole strategy. LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, and Handshake (US and Canada) list thousands of entry-level roles. In the UK, graduate-specific boards like Prospects and Gradcracker are worth checking. In Australia, GradConnection and Seek both have graduate filters.

Company career pages often post roles before they reach aggregators. Build a shortlist of 20 to 30 companies you genuinely want to work for and check their pages weekly. Set up email alerts where the site allows it.

Do not ignore your university's career centre. Many employers post exclusively through campus portals, especially for roles that require specific degrees. Alumni networks are also underused. A ten-minute call with someone two years ahead of you can surface roles that never appear online.

• LinkedIn: use the 'Entry level' experience filter and set job alerts
• Handshake: connects directly to university recruiting programs (US and Canada)
• Prospects and Gradcracker: UK graduate and STEM roles
• GradConnection and Seek: Australian graduate programs
• Company career pages: check weekly for your top 20 to 30 targets

How to apply without burning out

Sending 50 identical applications in a week rarely works. Sending 10 tailored ones usually performs better. Each application should have a resume and cover letter adjusted to the specific role. The cover letter does not need to be long. Three short paragraphs work: why this role, why you, and one concrete example that connects the two.

Track every application in a spreadsheet. Columns for company, role, date applied, application method, status, and next action. This prevents duplicate applications and makes follow-up easy. Follow up by email seven to ten business days after applying if you have not heard back.

Break-In Bad's AI agent can help here. Omar reads each full job posting, checks location, visa requirements, and experience level, then scores the match. Roles scoring 75 percent or above are applied to automatically on platforms like Greenhouse, Lever, and Workday, with a screenshot sent as proof. Roles between 45 and 74 percent are flagged for your review. This keeps your application volume consistent without requiring you to spend hours on each one.

Networking when you have no professional network yet

Most people find their first job through a connection, not a cold application. That does not mean you need an existing network. It means you need to build one quickly.

Start with people you already know: professors, internship supervisors, family friends in relevant industries, and classmates who graduated a year or two before you. Send a short, specific message. Do not ask for a job. Ask for a 15-minute call to learn about their work.

A template that works: 'Hi [name], I graduated in [month] with a degree in [field] and am exploring roles in [area]. I noticed you work at [company] in [team]. Would you have 15 minutes in the next few weeks for a quick call? I would love to hear how you got into the role.' Keep it under five sentences.

1. List every person you know in or adjacent to your target industry
2. Send five personalised messages per week, not mass emails
3. Prepare two or three specific questions before each call
4. Send a thank-you note within 24 hours and ask if there is anyone else they would suggest speaking to
5. Follow up three to four weeks later with a brief update on your search

Preparing for interviews as a new graduate

Most entry-level interviews use behavioural questions. The STAR format (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is the standard way to answer them. Prepare five to seven stories from your academic and work experience that you can adapt to different questions.

Common questions for new graduates include: 'Tell me about a time you worked under pressure', 'Describe a project you led', and 'How do you handle feedback'. Practice these out loud, not just in your head. Saying an answer and thinking an answer feel very different.

Research the company before every interview. Know their main products or services, recent news, and the team you would join. Prepare two or three questions to ask the interviewer. Asking nothing signals low interest.

• Prepare 5 to 7 STAR stories covering teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, and failure
• Research the company: read their website, recent press releases, and LinkedIn page
• Know the job description well enough to connect your experience to each requirement
• Prepare questions that show genuine curiosity about the role and team
• Do a practice run out loud, ideally with another person listening