Guiding your student toward post-graduation success

29 April 2025
Class of 2023 Carleton student in graduation attire holding a sign saying their post-grad plans

While students are in full academic mode this Spring Term, those graduating soon may also be focused on their first post-college opportunity.  Whether your student is looking for their first job or planning a gap year to gain additional skill and experience before heading to graduate school, now is the time to encourage them to take action.

If you have been following the news, you may have encountered worrying headlines about the state of the job market and slowdowns in hiring. We are seeing reduced hiring in some sectors, and we expect that a job search may take more effort and time this year than we have seen in recent cycles. However, it’s important to know that hiring is still happening! Students who have a solid strategy and proper support can make the process easier. The Career Center Team is here to help.

Here are a few of our top recommendations:

  • Find support: Searching for a job takes persistence and patience. Partnering with one of Carleton’s professional career coaches can ensure that your student has a solid search strategy and gives them someone to brainstorm ideas, work through challenges, and celebrate their successes. Coaches help with exploring options, finalizing application materials, developing a search strategy, interview preparation, networking, and more. Encourage your student to make an appointment on Handshake for 1:1 support.
  • Set aside time to search: Realistically, an active job search will take a minimum of 5-7 hours per week. While that may sound like a lot of time, a comprehensive strategy should include a variety of activities such as reviewing new job postings, updating application materials, applying to positions, staying current with industry news, conducting networking calls, and practicing interview skills. Each of these steps takes time to do well. Students should schedule time in their calendar to prioritize search-related tasks. 
  • Cast a wide net: In a hiring downturn, applying to a wide variety of employers and opportunities will give your student the best chance of securing a job they are excited about. In addition to big-name firms, students should consider smaller organizations that do similar work. Functional roles outside of their target industry may utilize the same transferable skills as well. A Career Coach can help Carls create a target list of employers in their area of interest. Remind your student to watch campus announcements and the Career Center’s weekly newsletter for the latest information on which recruiters are on campus. 
  • Customize application materials: In a competitive market, flawless application materials are critical. Students must take the time to customize their resume and cover letter for each opportunity. Carls should address the key needs of the role and include specific examples that illustrate how their education and experiences have prepared them to address the needs of the organization. Check out the resume guide for up-to-date guidance on general and industry-focused resumes.
  • Tap into professional networks: Taking time to build relationships and learn from professionals in the field is time well spent in a job search. Networking contacts can help job seekers understand the nuances of an industry or organization, provide advice and referrals, and help them find job openings that haven’t been advertised. National-level data tells us that candidates who network have more success.
  • Utilize Career Center tools: Having in-depth knowledge of their industry and the ability to interview well can set your student up for success and stand out from the competition. The Career Center has invested in two new platforms to ensure all Carleton students have equal access to industry knowledge and interviewing skill development. 
    • Vault provides in-depth insights on what it’s like to work in an industry, company, or profession, and how to position oneself to land that job. Students can search current jobs and internships, research a company, graduate school, or industry, and find additional career advice to launch their careers.
    • BigInterview is a virtual interview practice tool that mimics a real-life job interview. It combines training with practice to help improve interview skills and build confidence. It also has an AI-powered resume review tool. BigInterview is free for Carleton students and will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Upcoming events to support your student’s search:

As your student navigates the college-to-career transition, know that they don’t have to do it alone. The Career Center is here to provide personalized support, helpful tools, and expert guidance every step of the way. With encouragement from you and strategic resources from Carleton, they’ll be well-positioned to take their next step with confidence.

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