Forum - Ask the Hiring Manager

QUESTION:

How early prior to graduating is a good time to start sending out resumes. Like me for instance, I graduate in December. When should I start sending out resumes?

Thanks!

From: Jim Adkinson, Senior, University of Missouri


ANSWER FROM BRIAN KRUEGER:

Hi Jim -

Why are you just "sending out resumes?" Apparently you haven't read my book. There are much more productive techniques for finding entry level employment than the send-out-my-resume-and-cross-my-fingers technique. Don't get me wrong, there is a time for using this--but only as part of a targeted campaign with active follow-up and scheduling. It is best timed to be at least one month before your planned trip to a particular area. Then follow-up actively by phone to confirm appointments. This simple extra step will turn an otherwise 1-2% probability into a 10-20% probability.

If you are planning to be in your target geography (home?) during the summer months, the time to start is now. It's never too early to start. Our company has already completed much of our targeted hiring for the December graduates. We will be starting with the May graduates (next year) in September. So get started ASAP.

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All job search information at this forum is provided by Brian Krueger, author of the book College Grad Job Hunter, the definitive guide for college grad job search. Used by permission of the author.