7 Quick Tips That Will Help A Postgrad Get Hired Fast

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, only about 70% of recent bachelor's degree graduates were employed within months of finishing school. With so much competition for postgrad jobs, a lot of job seekers are feeling the pressure.

Everyone seems to have quick tips for beating the system when it comes to applying to jobs and getting hired fast. When it comes to applying to jobs in a competitive market as a postgrad, you need to be proactive and willing to try new things!

Here is a list of proven quick tips that will help you get hired fast.

1. Use job boards the right way.

You've probably already spent more than your fair share of time on popular job boards.

How much do you really know about these platforms?

It's easy to get lost in the endless amount of job postings and not find what you're really looking for. Learn how to use the advanced search features to find just what you're looking for every time.

2. Set up alerts so you never miss a new listing.

When it comes to applying to jobs, the early bird gets the worm. You don't have time to waste, and being proactive means applying to the newest jobs quickly.

You can set up job alerts on more job websites to make sure you never miss a new listing. Some websites like ZipRecruiter will even send job alerts to your phone via text message!

3. Search niche boards for your specific industry.

While the big job boards are designed for all types of positions, you might find more success searching on industry-specific boards.

If you're a writer, you can check WriteJobs. There's a job board for every industry nowadays, so find the right one for you. Knowing the full range of career paths available in your target field also helps you identify which boards and companies are worth your time.

Related Article: Supply Chain Roles Being Replaced by AI in 2026

4. Tailor your resume to make it past initial screening.

If you've been sending the same resume to every job you apply to, that might be one of the reasons you aren't hearing back.

You can customize your resume for every job using the keywords in that job listing to make sure you actually get noticed. In technical roles, those keywords often reflect the specific skills and tools that hiring teams are actively filtering for.

The best way to do this is to create a long version of your resume with all of your experience and skills, and then draw upon this list when building a customized resume.

5. Customize your Cover Letter for each company.

You should customize your cover letter just as much as you tailor your resume.

Like with your resume, create a version of your cover letter that you can use for different types of jobs. Always review the job posting and address your cover letter to the hiring manager and the unique company.

For example, when applying for an engineering position, explain what first got you into tech and how that passion has developed since your college days.

Hiring managers want to see that you really took the time to understand the job and the company you're applying to.

6. Include experience from outside your job history.

Your resume doesn't have to only include your professional experience. You might have outside experience that applies to your industry as well!

This shows employers you're well-rounded and passionate. If you've volunteered or done extracurriculars that would make sense on a resume, don't shy away from including them.

Related Article: Supply Chain Certifications Worth Adding to Your Resume

7. Build relationships that open doors.

Networking is alive and well even in the digital age.

As a postgrad job seeker, you need to be willing to step outside your comfort zone and network for the best positions.

Do you have contacts you could call on for help finding a position? Are there job fairs in your area where you can meet potential employers? Connecting with professionals navigating career shifts in fields like supply chain can also surface opportunities that never make it to a job board. Look for networking opportunities in your area!

Going Further: What Changes When AI Is Screening Your Application

The tips above still apply. But the job market has shifted in one significant way since this article was first published: artificial intelligence is now actively involved in hiring decisions, not just job aggregation.

Gartner research found that 55% of supply chain leaders expect agentic AI to reduce their need for entry-level hires. More broadly, AI-driven screening tools are becoming increasingly common across industries, especially for early-career and high-volume hiring.

Here is what that means for your search:

Your application may be reviewed by AI before a human reads it. Agentic AI goes further than a standard applicant tracking system.Iit can rank candidates, flag gaps, and filter applications without any human step in between. Clean formatting, consistent job titles, and exact keyword matches matter more than clever design or creative phrasing.

Make your AI fluency visible. If you have used AI tools for research, writing, data analysis, or project work, name them specifically on your resume. Employers across industries are actively looking for candidates who know how to work alongside these systems.

Focus on what AI does not replicate easily. Communication, judgment, client relationships, and cross-functional collaboration are areas where early-career candidates still stand out. The employers most aggressively adopting AI are often the same ones most eager to hire people who can manage the work the tools cannot.

Ready to Start Your Job Search?

Getting hired after graduation takes persistence, strategy, and sometimes the right industry connections. If supply chain is on your radar, working with boutique recruiters who specialize in the field can make a real difference. Browse open supply chain jobs and connect with a team that places candidates at every level of the industry.