How to Stand Out as a Computer Science Graduate

There are several different ways that a recent Computer Science graduate can stand out among their peers. The IT job market has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, but recent graduates are still struggling to find work. The first item that they need to address is their resumes. I see so many bad resumes from junior level resources that apply to our jobs. It looks like they haven’t spent any time or thought into how a potential employer would view them as a candidate. Even if you don’t have real life work experience, you should highlight internships, school projects or something that can highlight transferrable skills into the real world. Resumes are the first impression that an employer has on you and you want to make sure that it’s memorable.

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It's also important to take every meeting/interview very serious, whether you are meeting with a potential employer or recruiting agency. You should always wear business professional clothing, bringing something to take notes with, and bring copies of your resume. I meet with a lot of recent graduates that show up in jeans, flip flops, no resumes, nothing to take notes with and appear completely unprepared. This is a sign that you are not taking your job search serious and is a reflection of how you would present yourself in front of a potential client. Again, you only have one chance to make a first impression.

The key to gaining employment in today's job market is to have as much flexibility as possible. If you are holding off for the "perfect" job, then you will be waiting for a long time. There is no such thing as the "perfect" job, and people need to have realistic expectations about what is available to them with the experience they have. Everyone wants to make a lot of money when they get out of school, but the reality is that supply and demand is going to drive down salaries. Recent graduates need to have the approach of getting their foot in the door with a reputable organization and then focus on learning and building skillsets that can grow their career, which ultimately will lead to higher pay.






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