November Career Checklist: Six Things May Graduates Should Be Doing Now

As career coaches and student-success professionals, we know how quickly spring graduation sneaks up. One moment, students are registering for their final classes, and the next, they’re walking the stage, sometimes still unsure what comes next.

That’s why November is the ideal month to help your soon-to-be graduates move from intention to action. November is a key month because the upcoming break gives them time to prepare, and it could affect their spring semester scheduling. A few structured career conversations now can make all the difference in whether they enter the job market confidently or anxiously.

Here’s a practical November checklist you can use with your May graduates to help them stay proactive, organized, and ready for the transition ahead.

1. Encourage Students to Update Their Resumes and LinkedIn Now

Guide students to review their resumes now before the end-of-semester crunch.

Help them focus on outcomes rather than duties, emphasizing impact, leadership, and transferable skills. Suggest they quantify their achievements where possible (“led a team of five,” “increased event engagement by 25%”).

Once their resume is refreshed, direct them to sync it with their LinkedIn profile. Have them add a professional photo they could get done over break, a short summary that reflects their career interests, and an updated headline like “Business Administration Major | May 2026 Graduate.” (Related Reading: Leveraging LinkedIn’s New Features for Student Job Searches)

2. Help Them Clarify Career Targets

Many students say they’re “open to anything,” which can stall progress. Challenge them to identify three industries or roles that align with their interests, strengths, and values.

Use coaching questions like:

• “What kinds of problems do you want to solve?”

• “Which class projects have you enjoyed most?”

• “What do you want your day-to-day work to feel like?”

Once they name their top options, help them explore each through LinkedIn alumni searches or career databases like O*NET or Handshake.

✅Coach Tip: These worksheets are ideal for supporting students through career exploration, goal-setting, and long-term planning.

3. Prompt Networking and Alumni Outreach

Help students understand that career connections build confidence. Encourage them to reach out to alumni or professionals in their target fields for brief, 15-minute informational interviews.

Model how to send a concise, respectful message: “I’m a May graduate interested in your career field. Would you be open to a short conversation about your path and any advice you’d share?”

Coaches can offer templates or host a short “Networking in 15 Minutes” workshop to make the process less intimidating.

✅Coach Tip: Encourage students to track who they contact in a google doc and send thank-you notes afterward.

4. Help Them Craft Their Professional Story

Coach students to develop a short, clear response to “Tell me about yourself.” Role-play this in appointments or mock interviews to help them connect their experiences to their goals.

Example: “I’m a sociology major passionate about community development. My internship with a local nonprofit taught me how to manage outreach programs and support diverse populations, which sparked my interest in social impact work.”

5. Encourage Students to Secure References Early

Remind students that strong references require preparation. Advise them to identify three people, such as professors, supervisors, or mentors, who can speak to their professionalism and reliability.

Coach them to reach out now, share their career goals, and confirm their preferred contact information. Doing this early prevents spring stress and gives references time to prepare thoughtful endorsements.

6. Recommend a Skill-Building Goal for Winter Break

Winter break is prime time for students to strengthen their employability. Suggest they choose one practical skill to learn before spring, like Excel, AI, Canva, or project management.

Completing a short, skills-based course over the break gives students something tangible to add to their resume and discuss in interviews.

Final Thought: Coaching for Confidence

Career readiness isn’t about having every answer. It’s about building momentum and self-assurance before the transition begins. By guiding your May graduates through this November checklist, you’re helping them reduce anxiety, make informed decisions, and enter the job search season ready to shine. (Related Reading: The Silent Dropout Risk That's Hard to Spot)

A few coaching conversations now can save your students from a spring filled with panic and replace it with purpose.