Over the past decade, Next Great Step has guided over a thousand recent college graduates and students toward their first big career break—whether landing that dream internship or securing their first full-time job. As we celebrate our 10th business anniversary, we reflect on the most impactful lessons we’ve learned and shared.
The period brought many economic and global changes that impacted early career candidates. Throughout that time, Next Great Step remained steadfast, implementing our simple, structured step-by-step approach and successfully guiding over a thousand recent graduates and students toward securing internships or full-time jobs that match their strengths and ambitions.
These lessons have enabled students, graduates, and their families to take control of their job search, build confidence, and launch their careers.
Here are our top 10 tips, straight from our experience, that helped students and grads land the jobs they deserve.
- Start with Skills—Know Yourself First
- Build Your Network – The Secret Weapon
- The 10/10 Rule: Choose Your Future
- Focus on Solving Their Problems, Not Your Needs
- Keep It Concise: The Power of Three
- Persistence Pays Off
- The Resume: Just One Piece of the Puzzle
- Mental Health Matters
- Quality Over Quantity: Targeted Applications Win
- Hope Isn’t a Strategy—You Need a Plan
1. Start with Skills—Know Yourself First
Before you tweak your resume or update your LinkedIn profile, take a step back and define what makes you unique. Identify your top three core skills—those you are the most competent, skilled at, and enjoy doing—and back them up with specific examples. Maybe you’re great at analyzing data; think of when you turned raw numbers into a clear recommendation for a group project. Or perhaps you excel at communication; recall a presentation that influenced your peers. This self-awareness is the bedrock of your job search. Our clients have found that nailing this step shifts their mindset from confusion to clarity. After helping hundreds of grads secure positions in all industries, they tell us that this concept made the biggest difference in building confidence in their search.
2. Build Your Network – The Secret Weapon
Do you wonder how some grads land interviews or receive multiple job offers? It’s not because they are more talented or have a better GPA. The secret weapon to getting hired out of college is NETWORKING. Networking isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a critical skill, even if you’re starting with zero connections. Your college alumni network is a perfect launchpad. Use LinkedIn’s Alumni Tool to find graduates in your target industry, then reach out with a polite, curious note: “Hi, I’m a [University] grad exploring [field]. I’d love to hear how you got started at [Company]. Could we set up a brief call for 10 minutes?” One client turned such a conversation into an internship offer after an alum passed her name to a hiring manager. Remember, people hire people and hire those they know and trust—start building that trust now.
3. The 10/10 Rule: Choose Your Future
Endless scrolling through job boards is a time sink that rarely pays off. Instead, take charge with our 10/10 Rule (as seen on NBC News). Pick 10 companies and 10 people who work there, who have the desired job, even if they’re not advertised yet. Dive into research—explore their websites or LinkedIn profiles, read about their values, and identify their current priorities or pain points. Then, build a bridge to them by connecting with employees, attending industry webinars, or engaging on social media. For instance, if you’re targeting a role in sustainability at a green tech firm, message an employee on LinkedIn: “Hi, I’m researching careers in sustainability and admire your company’s work. Could we chat about your experience?” This focused strategy puts you in the driver’s seat.
4. Focus on Solving Their Problems, Not Your Needs
Employers aren’t focused on your job wishlist—they want to know how you’ll make their lives easier. Shift your approach to highlight what you can do for them. In interviews, when they ask, “Why should we hire you?” don’t just list your qualifications—connect your skills to their goals. For example: “I see your team is launching a new product line. With my experience in market research and campaign coordination, I can help you identify customer needs and execute a rollout that hits revenue targets.” This problem-solving lens shows you’re not just a candidate — you are a solution. It’s a game-changer that turns interest into offers.
5. Keep It Concise: The Power of Three
Hiring managers “don’t read and they don’t listen”. They don’t have time to wade through long-winded explanations or overstuffed resumes. To grab their attention, streamline your message using the rule of three: focus on your three strongest skills, three reasons you’re interested in their organization, and three ways you address their challenges. This framework works across the board—whether you’re crafting a 30-second elevator pitch, a cover letter, or a resume summary. Try this in an interview: “I bring strengths in research, teamwork, and problem-solving. I’m drawn to your company’s mission, reputation, and growth potential. I can contribute by analyzing trends, supporting team projects, and resolving inefficiencies.” It’s sharp, memorable, and effective.
6. Persistence Pays Off
In a crowded market, tenacity sets you apart. Don’t let silence or a “no” stop you—follow up strategically. After an interview or application, send a concise, polite note: “Please pardon my persistence—I wanted to check if you can share an update on the [role] position. I’m eager to contribute to your team.” One client was initially rejected via email but emailed the hiring manager directly, reiterating his enthusiasm. That persistence earned him an interview—and the job. Keep pushing forward with professionalism; it’s often the difference between “almost” and “hired.”
7. The Resume: Just One Piece of the Puzzle
A polished resume is essential, but it’s not the whole story, it’s one piece of the puzzle. Think of it as a highlight reel, not a biography—focus on results, not just tasks. Swap vague lines like “Assisted with event planning” for specifics like “Coordinated a 50-person event, increasing attendance by 20% and staying under budget.” Don’t underestimate the resume’s importance; your networking, pitch, and interview skills seal the deal. One client got their foot in the door with a strong resume, but their thoughtful follow-up email and confident interview landed them a marketing role. Use your resume to start the conversation—then shine in person.
8. Mental Health Matters
The job search can feel like an emotional rollercoaster—rejections pile up, and silence from employers wears you down. Since the pandemic, we’ve seen this toll hit harder. Protect your well-being by setting boundaries: limit applications to weekdays only, take weekends to recharge, or schedule a daily walk to clear your head. If stress creeps in, lean on a support system—talk to a friend, mentor, or mental health professional. These mental health resources can provide tools to cope. You can’t perform at your best if you’re running on empty—prioritize yourself to stay in the game.
9. Quality Over Quantity: Targeted Applications Win
Blasting out hundreds of generic applications is a losing strategy—one client tried this with 1,000 submissions and got zero bites. Instead, focus on 10 job opportunities you’re genuinely excited about and invest real effort. Research each company’s culture, challenges, and recent news. Tailor your resume to reflect their needs, and reach out to someone inside: “Hi, I’m applying for the analyst role at [company] and noticed your team’s focus on data-driven growth. Could I ask what skills you value most in candidates?” This approach led one client to a finance internship after a current employee championed their application. Precision trumps volume every time.
10. Hope Isn’t a Strategy—You Need a Plan
Simply earning a degree doesn’t guarantee a job offer will land in your lap. The job market isn’t where opportunities materialize without effort—no matter how impressive your GPA or family connections might be. To succeed, you need a structured approach. Start by assessing your skills and identifying roles where you can add value. Then, break your search into manageable steps, much like a project plan. For example, commit to researching five target companies on Monday, contacting two industry contacts by Wednesday, and practicing answering the interview question, “Tell me about yourself” by Friday. This proactive roadmap ensures you’re driving your career forward, not just waiting for luck to strike.
Bonus Tips for the Road Ahead
No Isn’t Always a No: A rejection might mean “not now.” Automated systems can overlook great candidates. If you’re passionate about the company, find another angle—contact a different person or ask for feedback to stay on their radar.
Your First Role Isn’t Forever: Don’t hold out for the perfect job. Look for opportunities that build skills and experience, even if they’re a stepping stone. One client took a sales assistant role, learned negotiation, and pivoted to a higher role within a year. Your career is a marathon, not a sprint.
Take Action Now
These 10 tips aren’t just advice—they’re a playbook to land your ideal internship or first job. Start today: pick one tip, implement it, and watch your momentum build. Your Next Great Step is waiting—go claim it.
Want more guidance on putting these tips into action? We have posted 10 videos explaining each tip on all of our social channels:
You Tube
TikTok
A note from Beth:
I am honored to guide young adults through the job search process. I am especially grateful to the many families who have trusted us to help their young adult launch. Although I started this business alone, I have built a phenomenal team supporting hundreds of clients yearly. I am eternally grateful to Lauren Aaron, Rachel Scherzer, Remy Mendez, Tim Barton, Robin Levenston-Kudisch, and many other vendors and business partners who enable us to be the leading career coaching service for young adults. I am grateful to my husband and children who were only in middle and high school when I started this business, but they allowed me to “test” the process on them. I know first-hand how difficult it can be to offer advice to your kids… especially when they don’t want to hear it. Although my children were initially resistant, they are both ready to graduate from college and grad school with opportunities in front of them.
If you want to learn more about how we help college students or recent grads looking for that internship or first job, let’s talk. We can help. Schedule a complimentary Discovery Call with an advisor or call 973-577-6161.
