It is believed that students can easily find a job in their professional field right after college. However, it is not always true – some companies don’t hire new employees because of the crisis, while others choose more mature and experienced applicants. So, job search is a truly challenging endeavor for graduates – even a prestigious degree cannot guarantee that you will get employed right away.
Fortunately, there are ways to land a job if you are a recent graduate. Want to know more? Read on.
Improve Your Resume
Of course, any job search starts with writing a resume. Some employers are loyal to students who lack qualifications and work experience. Nowadays, recruiters pay great attention to the applicant’s soft skills as the practical details can be learned along the way.
So, focus on the experience that you already have. Your extracurriculars at college, for instance, can tell the hiring manager a lot about your personality:
- Won contests and competitions will show that you are goal-oriented and hardworking;
- Participating in exchange programs describes you as a person with a broad outlook;
- Publications in student newspapers and scientific journals emphasizes that you are diligent and patient;
- If you were the captain of a sports team, it highlights your leadership qualities.
Your resume must be strong and well-reasoned – then it will attract the recruiter’s attention. That is why many job seekers turn to professional writers from Skillhub.com for help – they will illustrate your accomplishments in the most convincing way. Besides, experts will help you meet employers’ expectations to the fullest.
Study the Labor Market
In fact, career advice experts recommend researching the job market and its opportunities while you are still in college. Many things are worth learning, for example, specifics of work in your chosen industry, potential employers, and the number of job openings. You should also study the most common requirements and create a portrait of the ideal candidate to meet them.
Understanding how the market works at the moment will give you a broader perspective on which key skills you need to work on.
Sometimes the lack of experience is a huge benefit. Why? It’s easier to teach a fresh graduate from scratch than to retrain those who are already used to particular working methods and techniques.
For example, law and financial advisory firms as well as creative agencies often offer internship positions to talented graduates. Then, they propose the most promising trainees a job in the company, allowing them to climb the corporate ladder gradually. Many successful professionals have gone this way.
Expand Your Search
When looking for work, graduates shouldn’t limit themselves to a specific city or country. You don’t have to get employed in the same place where you studied. Start from thinking about where exactly you will be able to prove yourself and reach your full potential.
Explore the professional market of other countries. Find the countries with the most job positions in the field you are interested in. Take a closer look at the employers, where you can get the highest salary, etc. After all, the career paths of representatives of the same profession can develop differently depending on the country of residence.
Ask Your College for Help
Most universities have specialized departments that help students and graduates get a job. Be sure to use the services of such Career & Professional Development Centers. First, the career offices have connections with real employers both in their own country and abroad. Secondly, in those offices, you can meet experienced professionals who will give you a valuable piece of advice.
What exactly do such departments do? First of all, they provide individual career counseling and prepare recommendations for each student or graduate. University career specialists educate students about employment options, conduct helpful workshops, help with resume writing and interview preparation. They also organize job fairs where students and employers can get to know each other.
Ask if your college has internship agreements with employers. If so, don’t miss the chance to try out – perhaps, after the internship you will get hired.
Make Contacts
Networking has always been a great foundation for building a brilliant career. Therefore, it’s important to attend events, professional meetings, workshops and job fairs. You should also stay in touch with other graduates who have already achieved success. They can support you in your job search and give some tips.
Communicate and network as much as possible. At first glance, asking someone from your surrounding if they know something about job openings seems too obvious. Young people can be simply shy to ask friends and family for help. Try to overcome the fear. Mind that some companies hire people on a recommendation.
Besides, don’t be shy to approach your professors with such a question. They often combine teaching with practical work and are likely to have connections in the professional environment that interests you.
Be Bold
Feel free to submit your resume directly to the companies in which you want to work. For example, if you study IT, make a list of IT companies that you would like to work for, find their contacts (they are always listed on the companies’ websites, some even have a special section called “Career”) and write about your desire and motivation.
If you know the names of executives and managers, try to find their contacts – sometimes, email addresses are mentioned on company websites or LinkedIn profiles. You can also find them on social media and contact them directly as well. Just don’t be too intrusive – the message should be thought out, concise, and sent at an appropriate time.
Final Thoughts
One of the keys to getting a job is confidence. In addition to that, calmness and composure will let the employer know that you are not only ready to get this job, but also to reach the goals in this area. During your probation period, show yourself as a hardworking, responsible and proactive person.
Don’t give up on your dream job. Many students disregard this advice, agreeing to the first job offer they get and forgetting about their priorities.
