You graduated. You did everything "right." So why does this next part feel so hard?
You thought earning your degree would be the hard part.
But now you’re staring down job boards that want 3+ years of experience for entry-level roles, cover letter templates that sound nothing like you, and advice that feels either outdated or way too vague.
You’re motivated, but completely overwhelmed.
Landing your first job takes more than your degree. It takes:
In fact, I won my first role from one moment of emotional intelligence (and, of course, a lot of hard work). So let's dig in.
Your GPA or resume might get you in the door, but your emotional intelligence (EQ) is what helps you stay there, grow, and lead. EQ means being able to read the room, handle feedback without spiraling, advocate for yourself, and stay calm under pressure.
Think of EQ as your secret weapon for:
You don't have to be the loudest in the room to be the most effective.
Start practicing small: Pause before you respond. Ask questions and actually listen to the responses. Take time to communicate well. EQ isn’t woo-woo; it’s a skill. And you can absolutely build it.
Let’s address the nonsense: "entry-level" shouldn’t mean "must have experience you couldn’t possibly have."
But here we are.
Here’s what to do instead:
Translate what you’ve done. School projects, internships, volunteering, group leadership, part-time jobs...they all count.
Write down your stories then practice telling them out loud. Think about a time you lead, a time you failed and something you're proud of. These shit fit most questions that come your way.
When you share your stories, speak to the results. Instead of listing tasks, share outcomes: "Created a social media calendar that increased engagement by 20%."
Finally, customize everything. Use keywords from the job description. Tailor your resume and cover letter for each role.
Bonus tip: If networking makes you cringe, start with low-pressure outreach.
DM someone on LinkedIn who has a job you want. Say: “Hi! I saw your path from [X] to [Y] and would love to hear what helped most in the early days of your career. No pressure, I’m just curious.”
You worked hard to get here. Now you deserve more than vague advice and unpaid internships.
Asking for more money, clarity, mentorship, or even time off can feel scary, especially when you’re just starting out. But the truth is, most people don’t ask. And that leaves money and opportunities on the table.
Here are phrases you can steal:
"I’m excited about the offer. Is there flexibility in the starting salary based on my skills and experience?"
"Can you walk me through what growth looks like in this role over the first year?"
"I’d love to take on more responsibility. What would that look like here?"
Practice saying these out loud. Rehearse with a friend. You don’t need to be perfect, just prepared.
It’s OK if your dream job feels far away. But instead of obsessing over a 5-year plan, focus on your next right step.
Ask yourself:
Dream jobs don’t just fall into your lap. But when you treat them like strategies, not fantasies, they get closer.
They said college would prepare you for the real world. But they forgot a few things.
They forgot that you didn't choose to graduate into a market full of contradictions: entry-level jobs asking for senior experience, employers who ghost, advice that assumes we have connections we don’t.
But just because the roadmap wasn’t made for you, doesn’t mean you can’t build your own.
You’re not behind. You’re not crazy for expecting more. And you’re definitely not alone.
Want more tools, scripts, and support for this season of life?