Post Grad Pitfalls to Avoid

When you're thrust into college life, many people give you advice. Don't party too much, study hard, avoid the Freshman 15, and the list goes on. But not many people will tell you what to avoid when you graduate from college. You're now thrust into the real world and some post grads may have no idea how to handle it.

1. Moving out before you're ready. You may have lived in the dorms or had an apartment in college, but living on your own after graduation can be very different. You may feel ashamed to move back in with your parents after graduating, but don't let it get you down. Living with your parents can give you time to save your money to pay all the things that moving out entails and help you pay for your student loans and other expenses without worrying about rent or bills.

2. Turning down opportunities. If you're saying no to any opportunity to network, meet new people, or interview for a job, you may be missing out. Just because you're not interested in the job or company that is reaching out to you, doesn't mean that you won't meet people that could help advance your career or put you in contact with a job you may love.

3. Falling for a scam job. Searching sites like Craigslist can be effective in the job search, but you have to be extra careful not to fall for scams that are often posted on these sites. Watch out for salaries that seem too good to be true, companies wanting you to pay them money first, or anything else that sounds suspicious. If you're truly unsure, double check on the Better Business Bureau.

4. Being lazy. After graduation and finding a full-time job, by all means use your free time to relax and enjoy your time off. But don't be lazy. Try to find internships, classes, or other job-related hobbies to dive into while you job search. Lying on your couch for 12 hours a day then job searching online for one will not help you.