How to Support Your Fellow Eagles in the Job Search

Finding a job after college can be daunting, and it’s important for students to have a support system to help them through the process. There are many ways you can support your peers in their job search. Here are some tips to help you be a helpful, fair, and safe ally. 

Guide peers in understanding their unique timeline and discourage comparison to others: One of the major concerns of students during a job search is feeling like they are lagging behind. It is crucial to reassure them that they are not alone in experiencing this and that everyone is on a unique timeline. Encourage them to concentrate on their journey and not compare themselves to others. Peers need to focus on their path. Remind them that their journey is valid and they will find success in their way. You can guide students to the career cluster pages where they can access specific information on hiring timelines for different industries.

Don’t pressure peers about their post-grad plans: When talking to graduating students, it’s important to be mindful of the questions you ask. While it may seem natural to inquire about their post-grad plans, it can actually be quite stressful for some students who may not have a clear answer. Instead of always asking about their plans after graduation, offering them an option to share if they feel comfortable is helpful. For instance, you can say something like, “Can I ask about your summer plans?” This approach gives students the autonomy to choose whether or not they want to discuss their career or personal plans and avoids putting unnecessary pressure on them to have everything figured out. 

Normalize rejection as part of the job search process: When it comes to job hunting, facing rejection is inevitable. It’s crucial to help peers normalize this experience and create a supportive environment for dealing with it. Encourage them to understand that rejection is a natural occurrence and not a reflection of their value as an individual. It’s important to remind your peers that handling rejection positively and constructively will ultimately help them in their career journey.

Be a proactive support partner: It’s always a good idea to be proactive in helping your peers find job opportunities. Accompany them with recruiting and job seeker events and assist them in preparing for interviews. You can even direct them to resources on the career center website like Big Interview. Being supportive and guiding them through the job search process is important. Suppose you know someone in your network who can help your peers with their job search, connect them. Networking plays a significant role in the job search and can lead to valuable connections and opportunities.

Supporting your peers throughout their job search process is essential, and you can be an excellent ally by following the tips mentioned above. Be confident, patient, and supportive while understanding their unique journey and timeline. Remember that anyone in the job search process can benefit from making an appointment with a career coach. Encourage them to take advantage of this resource if they are feeling stuck.