LYNX LIFE LIBRARY

Before I graduated with my bachelor's degree in 2013, I knew I had to figure out my next steps alone. I had gone to college out of state, and I most certainly did not want to move back home. However, this meant figuring out what was next for me. I signed a lease with a few of my friends and buckled down to find a job. 

The months before landing my first job were LONG. I applied every day, took calls in between studying for my finals, and wrote tons of cover letters. I believe I submitted about 85 applications and went on countless interviews before I finally landed my first post-grad job. In that role, not only was I able to gain life-long skills that propelled me into my future work, but I was able to negotiate  However, I truly believe the reason I was able to land a well-paying job about three weeks after graduating was because of the steps I took before graduation to be successful in a very competitive market. 

Now, thirteen years and three degrees later, I want to pass crucial knowledge I learned as a graduating senior that I believe all students should know before graduating. As we look at an uncertain and highly competitive post-grad job market, these tips can help set you up for success while also helping you stay focused on your goals. 

Start Searching Before You Graduate

Since search processes take a long time and can depend on what industry you are trying to break into, I highly recommend starting your search before graduating. If you are an upcoming Spring 2026 graduate, don't panic! You are not too late. This is the time to start getting serious about your next steps, which is what this article is meant to help you line up. 

If you aren't graduating for a little bit of time, a rule of thumb I would recommend is starting to get your materials together (resume and cover letter) the first month of your last semester. This will allow you to start the next few steps I've included with plenty of time. 

When you're searching, it’s important to think about the following things: 

• Where do I want to live and work? 
  • What is the cost of living in that area?
    • Remember, a $75,000 a year salary in Kansas is not the same salary as a $75,000 a year salary in San Francisco. It's important to do the math ahead of time on what the cost of living in the areas you are applying for jobs look like, so you can make sure your take-home income can support the lifestyle you hope to live in that area. There are many ways to calculate this, and I recommend using a paycheck calculator to factor in taxes, health insurance, retirement, etc. that comes out of your paycheck based on where you live, so you can get a clearer idea of what will actually be hitting your bank account.
  • What amount of money do I need to make?
    • This question is unique to each person. I encourage you to think about what range you are willing to operate within and making sure you have that range in mind when it comes time to negotiate your offer.
  • What perks does the company offer?
    • Do you get paid time off? Sick leave? Healthcare coverage? Tuition reimbursement? All of these are important benefits to consider based on your needs. Additionally, think about your future marketability in your job field. Do you need to potentially go back to school in the future for further training? If so, looking at companies that have company reimbursement for tuition or education expenses may be a good idea for you in the long run for your career.

Utilize the Career Center 

The University of Colorado Denver's Career Center can assist you throughout your job search, from helping you get your materials organized and edited to hosting mock interviews to helping you negotiate your offers. Plus, they even have a clothing closet, where you can get free professional clothing for your job interviews! 

When I was looking for jobs, my university's career center helped me edit my resume and cover letters and helped prep me for questions I might get for different interviews based on the jobs I applied for. They helped me be more aware of how I showed up in interviews (I learned I said the word "so" a lot when starting my sentences), and they helped me feel more confident heading into interviews with future employers. The Career Center at CU Denver can do all of this and more for you completely free!

I recommend setting up an initial meeting with a career counselor to talk about your goals and what you need the most help with, then continue working with them as you go through your search process. Finding a job is difficult, but it is way more manageable when you have professional support in your corner! 

AI is Helpful, But AI Can't Replace You 

I know a lot of folks are using AI to write cover letters and resumes, but as someone who studies AI use, I can tell you it should be viewed as a tool, not a replacement, for your work. Yes, writing cover letters repeatedly is no one's idea of fun, but the more you tailor each letter to the job and company you are applying for, the stronger it will come across. As someone who now hires folks, I can tell when someone plugged a job description into AI to get a cover letter compared to someone who spent time editing their cover letter and resume to be unique to their set of skills and experiences. 

If you use AI, I strongly recommend using it as an outline and not as a complete output. AI can help you structure your cover letter in an organized way, but you should go through and edit in your specific experiences, take out common jargon (AI loves to use "high-level" and "collaborative" a lot in its writing), and make sure you are uniquely positioned in your cover letter. 

Practice Interviewing

I have seen candidates who sounded great on paper absolutely bomb their in-person interviews. Most of the time, they don't successfully make it past the first-round interview because they are clearly nervous and can't articulate their responses, or because they haven't done enough prep work on the organization and role to speak about it confidently while tying in the skills and experience they bring to the table. 

If you get nervous interviewing, I get it! The way to get through the nerves is to practice, practice, practice. The Career Center offers mock interviews, which allow you to get feedback on how you show up, both verbally and nonverbally, in interview situations, and ways you can continue to improve your interviewing skills. You can also get feedback on ways to stand out on common interview questions, and how to prepare strong questions for interview committees when you continue to make it through the interview rounds. 

Leverage Your Network

Using LinkedIn to highlight your accomplishments, experiences, and skills is a great way to establish a professional presence while you are in college. Additionally, LinkedIn can provide you with networking opportunities to connect with jobs and folks in your field who can help elevate you into your desired field. Additionally, utilize previous employers, professors, and managers to help craft your recommendation list. You want to make sure that when you give references to future employers, that those folks know how to speak about you in a way that continues to elevate you and your skills to your potential new employer. Be sure to be talking to folks you would like to ask for a recommendation early and often, versus asking for a last-minute recommendation from someone you haven't spoken to in a long time. 

Finally, BREATHE

The job search process is always competitive. Sometimes, it can feel daunting and scary. I recommend making sure you schedule in breaks for yourself so you can still engage in stress-relieving activities as you are job searching. You want to make sure you are showing up as your best self when it comes to interview time, and the way to do that is making sure you maintain wellness in your life. Make sure you have folks in your corner who can offer up support as you begin your job search journey. 

This approach will help you take measured steps towards your job search goal in a way that keeps you balanced, on-track, and engaged with others who can support you throughout the journey. Remember, CU Denver has all the resources available to you for free as you begin your job search process—all you have to do is reach out!