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Job Search Toolkit

A GUIDE TO THRIVE AFTER GRADUATION

How to Handle the Job Search After College

Congratulations! You’re nearing the end of your undergraduate journey and you’re thinking, “What’s next?” For most, that means trading in your textbooks for a job application. This process is full of ups and downs and can be stressful for many, so we put together a guide to help you get through it. Our Career Resources Team can support you with assitance in job hunting strategies, resume building tools, job search resources, and job application tips. Just reach out to careerresources@greatjobskc.org for help.

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Inexperience: Friend and Foe

One of the biggest obstacles that our young scholars face in the job market is their lack of career experience. Many companies want candidates to have experience that they cannot gain while in college.

There are several things that you can do to combat this inexperience:

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Make sure your resume is flawless

Creating a perfect resume is an art. Include all your experiences in chronological order, highlight skills that are relevant to the position you are applying for and more.

Icon showing two people conversing, one in a suit and tie with a speech bubble above their head. The icon is blue and white with a shadow effect, symbolizing career discussions and job aspirations.

Become a seasoned interviewer

Interviewing is probably the most important part of the application process and, fortunately, a skill that can be improved upon with practice. Take time to hone your interview skills with anyone willing to help so you’ll be ready!

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Try to pick up experience wherever you can

The only way to gain experience is to get it. Look for internships, apprenticeships, courses or anything that you can put on your resume that would be enticing to an employer.

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If You Want To Go Fast, Just Apply. If You Want to Go Far, Network

Building connections with people can sometimes take you further than the skills you’ve learned in the classroom. Go to job fairs and make connections, stay in touch with any professors, classmates or co-workers you meet, especially in your desired career field, because these people can serve as an invaluable resource when applying for jobs.

According to HubSpot, 85% of jobs are filled through networking. (HubSpot, 2023)

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If You Align Your Expectations With Reality, You Won’t Be Disappointed

While you want to jump right into your career and start earning a great amount of money, that may not always be the case starting out.

The job market is extremely competitive and it is unlikely that you will find yourself at the top of the ladder without climbing first. If you are having trouble finding your ideal job right out the gate, it may be best to adjust your expectations and figure out what steps you need to take to get there. Look for similar positions that may have more flexible qualifications as a way to gain the experience needed for your ideal job. Don’t think of it as a step back but as a stepping stone in the career progression path.

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Play Your Hand and Let the Chips Fall Where They May

The job application process can be intimidating because there is so much on the line. You’re basically auditioning to start your career and earn a living. Sometimes people are so worried about the outcome that they lose focus on the process.

Who to hire is a decision that the employer has to make and live with and is out of your hands after you interview, so don’t spend too much time worrying about it. Focus on controlling what you can (giving a great interview, having an up to date resume and providing any requested references and materials). Present yourself as the best candidate you can be. Your best is the only thing you can offer.

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Success Isn’t the Absence of Failure; It’s the Persistence Through Failure

Finding the right job is a long and winding road. Some people may secure employment before they graduate, but that isn’t always the case. For many, it’s a grind that includes many interviews, assessments, references and rejections.

The most important thing to remember in all of this is to never quit. Lean on your support system when you are feeling sad and frustrated, ask for feedback but, most importantly, don’t give up. You will eventually get a job and be on your way during your career path.

Remember, it’s darkest before dawn. Keep going.

It takes graduates an average of 3-6 months to find a job after college. (DO-IT, University of Washington, 2021)

Three young men pose in front of a colorful mural on a brick wall. The man in the center wears glasses and a "BRAVE" shirt, while the others wear "FEARLESS" shirts, united by their pursuit of scholarships to advance their careers.

Are you a KC Scholar? Want more advice or help in finding the right job after college? Reach out to our Career ResourceS Team at:

careerresources@greatjobskc.org

ABOUT GREAT JOBS KC

Great Jobs KC is a Kansas City-based nonprofit that provides access to college scholarships and tuition-free job training, along with employment assistance for individuals from low- and modest-income families in the metropolitan area, providing a pipeline of talent for a strong regional workforce. Please join us on our mission for economic independence for all.

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Stephanie underwood - Chief financial Officer

Stephanie Underwood serves as Chief Financial Officer at Great Jobs KC, where she leads the organization’s financial strategy in support of its mission to create economic mobility through education and workforce opportunities. With more than 17 years of experience in nonprofit finance, Stephanie brings deep expertise in financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and compliance. She is passionate about using her career as a platform to serve and support mission-driven organizations, helping them maximize impact through strong financial stewardship.

Prior to joining Great Jobs KC, Stephanie served as Chief Financial Officer for Griffith Centers, a behavioral and mental health organization, where she oversaw financial operations for a multi-million-dollar organization spanning residential, educational, and community-based programs. She also spent nearly a decade as Vice President of Accounting Services at NFP Partners, providing CFO-level leadership to nonprofit organizations across the country, with a focus on strategic growth, audit readiness, and governance.

Outside of her professional role, Stephanie volunteers her time at her church and serves on the board of a local nonprofit. She is known for her collaborative leadership style and her commitment to aligning financial strategy with mission impact. She holds a Master of Science in Accounting and is proud to be a first-generation college graduate.

 

 

 

Adult Learner College Scholarship

Program offers:

  • Up to $25,000 paid directly to the college over the course of up to six years.
  • Once awarded, the Scholar can enroll full or part-time the fall semester following awarding.
  • Scholarship can be used at any of our college partners. See our current list of partners HERE.
  • Scholarship can be used towards an associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, or a credit-bearing credential. 

Eligibility Requirements: 

  • Be a high school graduate or GED holder (24 years or older).
  • Live in one of the six eligible counties. (Kansas: Wyandotte, Johnson; Missouri: Cass, Clay, Jackson, Platte)
  • Be income eligible. (FASFA Student Aid Index of 12,000 or less)
  • Have not previously earned a bachelor’s degree.
  • Have not previously been awarded a KC Scholars Scholarship (Traditional or Adult Learner).
  • Is not currently enrolled in a Great Jobs KC Skills Training Program.
  • US Citizenship/Residency is not required to apply.

If you need more information on program details, please find our FAQs HERE

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Jimmy Swift - Chief Operating Officer

As the Chief Operating Officer, Jimmy Swift is responsible for overseeing our core programs, our adult workforce development program, Great Jobs KC tuition-free job training, and our KC Scholars Scholarship Program, which includes 11th Grade Traditional Scholarships and Adult Learner Scholarships. 

Jimmy has a career in education that spans more than 25 years and is built around supporting and improving the performance of career training programs and leading the operations of degree-granting institutions. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in management and has served as Campus President, Vice President of Career Services, and Executive Director of various career schools.  

Most recently, Jimmy served as the Vice President of PLA University at Phalen Leadership Academies, bringing access to job skill training to the parents and families of the Scholars served by Phalen Leadership schools across the country.  Beyond his higher education experience, Jimmy serves as the Executive Board Chairman for Project Safety Net NY, a nonprofit community-based agency delivering a broad range of health, education, and prevention services to the New York Community. As the Chief Operating Officer for Great Jobs KC, he and his team are poised to make a substantial impact on the economic stability and future of Kansas City.

Great Jobs KC
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