A few students think a college degree is a direct entry to their dream job right after graduation. Although this was the case a couple of years ago, times have changed. In this increasingly competitive market, landing a job after graduation is time-consuming and challenging.

Without making an effort to stand out from the crowd, taking up the first job after college can feel like an uphill task. The good news is you can mitigate these challenges and improve your chances of landing your dream job. Below are three tips to ensure you get your career off to the best start.

Networking is undeniably among the best routes to follow when looking forward to landing a job without the hassle. Be sure to form the best relationships with the people around you. The network you build determines the duration it takes before you finally land an employment opportunity straight after college.

While networking seems like a mammoth task, this doesn't always have to be the case. Visit the career office at your college and search for alumni volunteers as they can come to your aid. Furthermore, make it the norm to attend networking events and develop a rapport with people in your niche.

Organizations are turning to the internet whenever they want to fill vacant positions. If you don’t have an online portfolio that highlights your professional skills, chances are you might miss out on an employment opportunity. Ensure you develop a professional website that lets HR managers know what makes you a worthy hire.

You don’t have to break the bank to build your online portfolio. Take advantage of tools, such as WordPress and Google Sites, as they can do the trick. With a professional website, you will showcase your skills and give HR managers a reason to consider hiring you. Be sure to include any skills upgrading programme you take in your online portfolio as it speaks volumes.

A college degree is insufficient to help you stand out in this overcrowded job market. After all, recruiters and HR managers want to know the value you add to their company before making a hiring decision.  While landing your first job after college may take some time, maintaining a positive state of mind at all times will make the journey more appealing.