Your Guide toLanding That First Job
Job searching as a new grad can feel overwhelming. We've put together a step-by-step guide covering everything from writing your resume to negotiating your offer—based on what actually works, according to career advisors at Harvard, MIT, and NYU.
Quick Wins for Your Job Search
Four things you can do today to improve your chances.
Customize Every Application
Don't send the same resume everywhere. Mirror the language from each job posting—it helps you get past automated filters and shows you actually read the description.
Use Numbers
"Increased sales by 25%" beats "improved sales" every time. Even rough estimates work. Numbers make your accomplishments concrete and memorable.
Reach Out Before You Apply
Find someone at the company on LinkedIn and ask for a quick chat. A referral from an employee can move your resume to the top of the pile.
Prepare Stories, Not Scripts
Have 5-7 stories ready that show different skills. Practice telling them in under 2 minutes, but don't memorize word-for-word—you'll sound robotic.
The Three Things That Actually Matter
After talking to hundreds of recruiters and career advisors, we've found that job search success comes down to three areas. Get these right, and you're ahead of most candidates.
Start Here
Our most-read guides. Each one is packed with templates, examples, and advice you can actually use.
How to Write a Resume That Gets Interviews
A practical walkthrough of resume writing, from choosing the right format to writing bullet points that show your impact. Includes action verbs and real examples.
Common Questions
Answers to the questions we hear most often from new grads.
QHow long should my resume be as a new grad?
One page. Seriously. You might feel like you need more space, but recruiters spend about 7 seconds on an initial scan. Focus on your most relevant experiences—internships, projects, leadership roles—and cut anything that doesn't directly support your candidacy.
QWhat's an ATS and why should I care?
ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System. It's software that scans resumes before a human ever sees them. About 75% of resumes get filtered out at this stage. To get through, use a simple format (no fancy graphics), include keywords from the job posting, and stick to standard section headers like "Experience" and "Education."
QI don't know anyone in my target industry. How do I network?
Start with your school's alumni network—people are surprisingly willing to help fellow grads. Search LinkedIn for alumni at companies you're interested in, send a personalized connection request, and ask for a 15-minute phone call to learn about their career path. Most people say yes.
QWhat's the STAR method?
It's a framework for answering behavioral interview questions (the "tell me about a time when..." ones). STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result. Walk through a specific example: set the scene, explain what you needed to do, describe what you actually did, and share the outcome—ideally with numbers.
QWhen should I start applying for jobs?
For big companies with formal new grad programs (think tech giants, consulting firms, banks), start 6-9 months before graduation. Smaller companies typically hire 2-4 months out. But start building your network and polishing your resume even earlier—a year ahead isn't too soon.
QDo I really need a cover letter?
Unless the application explicitly says not to include one, yes. A good cover letter lets you explain why you want this specific job at this specific company—something a resume can't do. Keep it to half a page and make it personal, not generic.
Why We Built This
We've been through the new grad job search ourselves, and we know how confusing it can be. There's so much advice out there, and a lot of it is generic or outdated. So we went straight to the source—career advisors at Harvard, MIT, and NYU—and compiled what actually works into one place.
Based on guidance from top university career centers
Written specifically for new grads entering the US job market
Includes templates, scripts, and examples you can copy
Covers everything from your first resume to salary negotiation
Updated regularly with current job market insights
Real Stories from New Grads
These aren't made-up testimonials. They're real accounts from people who landed jobs at top companies.
"I got rejected from my dream company twice before landing an even better offer. The key was treating each rejection as feedback, not failure."
"Coming from a non-target school, I had to work twice as hard to get noticed. But that hustle became my biggest selling point in interviews."
"I bombed my first case interview so badly that I wanted to quit. Six months later, I had offers from two MBB firms."
