[Life after college is hard. Like really hard. But it's not so hard that you should curl up in a ball and watch E! marathons all day long. Not only are we covering the experience from a first-hand perspective, but we're now covering it from a how-to-survive-it perspective. Every week, we're going to bringing the best advice to getting through your first post-grad year. Because sometimes, your grandmother's "just go to law school" advice just doesn't cut it.]

A picture says a thousand words. So what do 1,384 tagged photos on Facebook say? And the 102 you’ve posted to Twitter? And the 46 GPOYs you’ve got on your Tumblr? That’s a hell of a lot of talking before you’ve even opened your mouth to potential employers.

Whether you’re willing to believe it or not, your social networking sites are subject to review by anyone who has your resume. Now, before you cry and scream and tell me how long it took you to curate so many tasteful photographs of your cleavage, just listen. I’m not suggesting you quit Facebook. I’m not suggesting you quit blogging. I’m not suggesting you quit anything.

I’m trying to tell you how to take your (Internet) fame-whoring ways and put them to good use.

Think of the job you want. Is it corporate or creative? Will you be working on an older team or a younger team? How casual or formal is the office? What’s the tone of the company you’re aiming to join? Address these questions, then mirror your Internet presence based on your answers.

If you’re eyeing a spot at that new, hip fashion magazine, make sure your pictures, tastes and statuses reflect their youthful and trendy vibe. Should you be gunning to work at one of your town’s top law firms, lay off the nip slip photos and opt for a more polished look. Post evidence of yourself volunteering, bettering your mind and enjoying some wholesome fun with family and friends.

When in doubt over whether something is appropriate or not, ask yourself if grandma would approve. And I’m not talking about your cool, pot-smoking gran who lives in a nudist colony in New Mexico. Think more along the lines of Grandma Doris who loves Precious Moments collectibles and pudding cups.

You’ve doubtlessly heard it by now. From parents, from professors, from older friends and siblings who’ve “been there.” It’s a sobering phrase that likely enters your mind right after you envision a post-grad summer of margaritas and beach hair.

Not so fast with those grand plans, girlfriend. As everyone knows, looking for a job is a full-time job.

But does it have to be? Absolutely, if you commit yourself to a crazy weekly plan like this one from the media gurus at Cynopsis. Waking up at 7:30 to do cardio and work on your flexibility? Talking to strangers for an hour every Monday, Wednesday and Friday? Videotaping mock interviews on Tuesdays and Fridays? No TV, even during lunch!? Read More »

[Life after college is hard. Like really hard. But it's not so hard that you should curl up in a ball and watch E! marathons all day long. Not only are we covering the experience from a first-hand perspective, but we're now covering it from a how-to-survive-it perspective. Every week, we're going to bringing the best advice to getting through your first post-grad year. Because sometimes, your grandmother's "just go to law school" advice just doesn't cut it.]

We’re growing faster than a gangly 13-year-old girl here at CollegeCandy headquarters (well, technically our parents’, CMG headquarters) and we’re hiring up a storm. So in addition to getting to write about celebrity PDA and decorating your vagina, I also now get to conduct tons of interviews. Since I’m barely out of college myself, it’s my first time being on the other side of the desk….and ooo boy, is it an interesting experience! I’m not only learning a lot about the process (like it sucks having to turn qualified candidates down), but also about the do’s and don’ts of interviewing. For every stellar interviewee, there was one that made me say “and BOOM, that’s why you’ve been unemployed for 6 months.”

So, without further ado, here’s a quick guide to acing an interview. Read More »

So, you’ve just settled in to your campus, unpacked your essentials and have caught up with the necessary friends and college hook-ups and you’re all getting ready to go out for an evening of debauchery, you look into your wallet to grab some cash and – surprise – you’re broke.

If you’re tired of asking Mamadukes and Pops for some cash (or if they just plain won’t give ya any), a part-time job is necessary. Some college jobs can be a total buzzkill (hello scrubbing dishes at the dining commons), but others turn out not too shabby. Here’s a few I suggest:

1. Library. Every campus has one and there are TONS of jobs that need filling. It’s convenient, generally in the heart of the campus, AND it beats working for the dining halls. I spent my four years of college working for the Special Collections and Archives Department where I made around $10/hr, which was more than any other on-campus position around. I could work in between classes and I wound up making one of the best friends I have at that job, not to mention some excellent recommendations when real-life job time comes around. Try it, peeps. Head to the Circulation Department of your Library (or the college job website – there is one, if you didn’t know!) and see what departments are hiring.

2. Restaurants/Bars in town. Every campus has a “downtown” or “uptown” – the happening place on a Friday or Saturday night. If you can’t afford to spend money on drinks, get a job where your friends go; you can make loot and enjoy their company. It’s the best of both worlds. Just pop in to your favorite night hot spots and pick up some applications!

3. College Admin Office. Whether it’s the Administrative Office, the Bursar Office or another department in the Academic and Billing section of your campus, you can find a job that is accommodating to your schedule and pays decently. A friend of mine worked at one of the offices in the billing building and for graduation her boss got her a white gold necklace. Score! Read More »

I have a friend who has a job thousands of people would kill for: he works in video games.

Whenever we’re out and he meets someone new, the conversation inevitably dissolves into a discussion of his job. Even those who hate video games (like me) want to know how he landed a position in such an elusive field.

And I thought, why not give you guys the benefit of his experience? So I interviewed him and, voila, here it is. May it be at least somewhat helpful.

If so, let me know–I’ll conduct some more of these suckers with people in other industries.

Okay, here’s the interview:

Hi, friend! What’s your name?

Ronnie Villanova.

And how old are you?

27.

What’s your current job title?

I’m an Associate Producer.

Oh, cool. And what kind of company do you work for?

It’s a video game company. They make and publish video games.

Wow, that sounds really interesting. Do you like it?

As fun and creative as people think video games might be, my actual job is very corporate and full of red tape, and hierarchies, and meetings, and Excel; lots of Excel. It’s sort of like The Office, except even more socially awkward. Read More »