Surviving Post-Undergrad Unemployment

Graduating college isn't easy. Always referred to as a transition, it’s one that that inevitably includes many bumps along the road. What makes it even harder, in this economy, is that many of us are going from four or more parent-free years of academia, friends and overall productivity to at least a few weeks (if not months) of living with dear old Mom and Dad again, tirelessly searching for jobs.

The transitional road, at present, not only includes a few bumps, but major traffic jams and a few stops for repairs, as well. Luckily, any well prepared young adult can survive those few weeks of post-undergrad and pre-first job, perhaps not entirely pain free, but with as little traffic violations as possible.


How to Survive the Post-Undergraduate Employment Hunt

1) Play nice. If you’re moving back home, be prepared for a major culture shock. No matter how well you may have kept in contact with the parentals, you still haven’t lived under their roof for longer than a couple of breaks. First, set a few ground rules. Explain to them that you are now a grown adult with a degree, and just because you don’t have a job yet doesn’t mean you aren’t searching. Also explain that you’d like to be treated like an equal, not a child, and although you plan to come home at a reasonable hour, you don’t need a curfew. Chances are, they will be impressed by your maturity and far more open to an honest discussion than a full on screaming match.

On the other hand, under stand the fact that they aren’t used to your constant presence anymore, and try and just laugh it off when they still think that what you liked when you were five or fifteen is still what you like as a graduate. And don’t forget how far respect can get you. (Answer: very far.) When you feel like you’re on the brink of going bonkers, take a step back and go on a drive or walk.

2) Become best friends with CraigsList. And CareerBuilder. And Monster. And the entirety of your local job searching sites. And the newspaper. And your own two feet, for that matter. Job hunting should now become your day job, and not an afternoon should go by during your unemployment that you aren’t searching. Make sure your resume is in tip-top shape, compile your list of references (and make sure you have their permission to use them!) If you have a business plan or writing samples, get them together too, and triple-check them for accuracy and professionalism. If you are applying to dozens of jobs every day, you are bound to get interviews. The more interviews you attend, the more offers you are likely to get. This way, you won’t have to accept the first thing that lands on your doorstep, unless, of course, it is your dream job.

3) Catch up. On yourself, on your reading list, on sleep, with old friends. Whatever you’ve been meaning to get done but haven’t for the past four years, now is the perfect time to do it! You’re out of the little bubble of your college campus and are re-entering mainstream society, so go and see those friends from high school that you always “meant” to grab drinks with over winter break, and finish the book that you started two years ago, but never got past chapter one because finals were more important.

And, what the hell, you’re unemployed. No one is going to kill you if you catch up on all that beauty sleep that you missed while you were at school, —what was it that you were doing? Studying? Something like that…—as long as you don’t roll out of bed ten minutes before you get need to be somewhere, and show up to said event in sweat pants and last night’s hoodie, like you would have for class. Or, maybe you can still do that, but the point is you shouldn’t. And when you’re done catching up on all that sleep, take some time to get your look together. The more put-together and professional you appear at an interview, the more likely you are to land a job.


Let’s face it: we’ve graduated during some hard times. But that doesn’t undermine the fact that, here we are, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed college graduates. Celebrate your accomplishments and be proud of the fact that you worked your buns off for four (or maybe five, or maybe six) years and earned a degree! It may be a tough economy, but jobs are out there. If you keep your cool and continue the search, you’ll find one, too. Soon, unemployment will become just a fading memory!

Dressing up the LBD

In my last blog, I mentioned that I had to attend multiple events before my final semester of college comes to a close. After surveying my (and my roommate’s) closet, it has come to my attention that I have four Little Black Dresses (LBDs) that I could wear, all of varying necklines and cuts. In true fashion of a poor yet resourceful college student, I am determined to work with what I have. The problem is, well, its spring! Isn’t wearing all black all the time going to get boring? The answer is no, at least not with the proper accessories.

The All-Occasion LBD
Just recently, I picked up a New York & Co. LBD at a second-hand store for $5. It’s one of those dresses that is flattering on anyone, can be dressed up or down, worn for work or play. With a scoop neck and a bodice that sits nicely in all of the right places, it’s the type of cut that is flattering on almost any body. But, worn alone, it’s boring as all hell. Paired up properly, however, and it could really stand out. Add in a bold statement necklace and a bright pair of heels, and the dress will speak for itself. Or a belt and a bangle. By itself, the dress will look like I’m off to a day at the office. But after putting only a few dollars down for some accessories or a new pair of bright heels, it will look like a brand new outfit.

The Timeless LBD
Last weekend, I raided my roommate’s closet and borrowed a low-cut black maxi dress with a crotched back to wear to a dinner. With all of these details, this dress was making major statements of its own already, and needed very little help to bring it up to par. I added some gold hoops and bangles, and a simple vintage cocktail ring. In order to focus attention on the extremely low neckline and the back, I swept my hair up. With some dramatic cat-eyes and a pair of gold wedged heels, I called it a night. Without these accessories and attention to minor detail, however, the dress would have fallen flat; I would have looked like I was attending my aunt’s wedding rather than a college dinner social.






The Modern-Yet-Classic LBD
Another LBD that I re-discovered was a little silk Zara number that was hiding in the back of my closet that I had found on the clearance rack in New York City, marked down from $60 to $19.99. A modern twist on a classic dress, this dress features a sweetheart neckline, with a lace upper body. Thus, it requires no necklace. Again, this is a dress that makes its own statement in the design, requiring an up-do and no necklace. For this one, I choose to go with a bold multi-strand pearl bracelet and over-sized pearl earrings. Simple black pumps and simple makeup keep it looking classy. Too many accessories with this dress will make it look gaudy; not enough and it looks stuffy, almost funeral-like. Finding the balance between the two is key.

The Sassy LBD
For my twenty-first birthday, I bought a more risqué LBD (which one of my friends inevitably dubbed “the naked dress,” because the neckline dipped so low in the front, and only a braided rope of fabric held the back together) for a mere $14.99 from T.J. Maxx. This dress was wild, so I went all out. I wore the gold wedges which I ended up bringing back for the maxi dress at last weekend’s event, and painted my nails coral. Yet again, a necklace proved to be unnecessary, so I skipped that. I instead wore a bold gold cuff, just as bold gold earrings and a turquoise vintage cocktail ring. At the time my hair was short and the weather was hot, so I wore it away from my face as best I could and kept my makeup simple.

Irregardless of the fact that the dress was revealing, I still managed to keep a level of classiness in it by ensuring that it fit properly and, yet again, pairing the proper accessories with it.

The true sign of a fashionable woman is her ability to work with what she has, no matter what the size of her wardrobe or her budget. And always, always accessorize! (Just don’t ever overdo it.) Find one (or four) great LBDs that work for your shape, and work with them. Don’t always stick to the same accessories and shoes, either. Rotate your selection, and you will constantly create new and exciting outfits.

The poor college student's miniature guide to survival

I have been a poor college student for far too long. More-over, I spent the first eight months of this academic year as a poor college student doubling as a poor intern, living for four of those months in a major U.S. city, and have thus spent the rest of my time recovering from said internships. Needless to say, I've learned a bit about budgeting when you haven't got much to budget with. Being a poor college student is hard, but is completely do-able if you follow a few golden rules.

1) Ask for hand-outs whenever, wherever.
People are usually willing to help you out, provided you explain your circumstances to them. “Mommmm… I can’t afford my cell phone last month/this month/next month/probably the rest of the year because I am a poor college student and have to pay rent and buy groceries. However, I am made Dean’s List/was inducted into XYZ Honors Society/just volunteered with XYZ community service group/am doing some other wonderful thing that college students group.”

Also, don’t be afraid to get creative! Just last week I made a deal with the bartender at the local bar. I pulled out a quarter and told him, “Heads, I get a drink. Tails, I wash the bar down after last call.” He agreed, and I walked away with a rum and coke.

When people do actually cut you a break, thank them! Profusely.

2) Never, ever, ever restrict your groceries.
Seriously! This is an easy concept for poor college students to forget, but it can be so detrimental. I always put buying food as the last thing on my list, and wind up living off of rice for one week out of every month. Needless to say, that is the week that I feel the most exhausted, do the worst in my classes, and accomplish little to nothing. Clip coupons, get those irritating little key tags from the supermarket that save a bundle of money, and go to the cheapest supermarket around. And eat healthy! Even though ramen and hot dogs are practically free, they don’t do much on the performance level. Make a shopping list ahead of time and then splurge a bit on healthy food. I guarantee you will notice a better GPA.

3) Pool your resources.
Just last week, I figured out that I had to attend seven formal functions before graduation. Being a poor college student, I obviously can’t afford to buy that many dresses. (And just because I am poor doesn’t mean I lack a sense of fashion, so therefore I obviously refuse to wear the same dress twice.) However, I am in a sorority. And, on top of that, I am in COLLEGE. Meaning I am surrounded by dozens of other girls who are the same age and size as me. Therefore, I reach out to my fellow fashion-focused females, and enlist in their help in the form of closets. I dip into their wardrobe, add a bit of my own style, and voila! My own unique look.

This rule doesn’t necessarily apply for just clothing. Text books, beers, notes for a class you’ve only attended three times and now it’s the end of the semester. It doesn’t matter.