Being a recent graduate can be thrilling. Life is transitioning from one chapter to the next. Finding post-graduate employment, however, can be a job in and of itself. It is not always simple to go from being a student to becoming an employee, especially if one is just about to have their first job experience after college.
A lot of advice is given to fresh graduates. From where to apply first to creating and tailoring a resume — all these can put a lot of pressure on the fresh graduate seeking a job.
One may even feel lost and clueless about where to really start and what actions need to be done. In relation to that, here are 10 pieces of advice a fresh graduate like you may use that really come in handy!
1) Craft Your Resume
First thing you may want to allot your time to is reviewing your resume for any changes you can make. Make sure that your resume is updated with your educational background, skills and relevant experiences.
Making a good impression during the hiring process depends heavily on your resume. You can distinguish yourself from other applicants and catch the hiring manager’s eye by creating a professional resume. You can display all of your pertinent knowledge, abilities, and education on a professional resume.
A resume details all of your professional experience in relation to a position that is open. Your best professional qualities can be highlighted on a resume that is well-formatted and visually appealing, and it can also demonstrate your attention to detail. More importantly, there are various resume formats that are suitable for various positions. Your professional resume should be tailored to a particular position, which may require you to have multiple resumes.
2) Research Company Websites
Researching potential employers is one method of job searching. Visit the websites of the companies and look through their job listings. Their listings can be your basis to see if any positions match your qualifications; you can also use a keyword search to find particular positions. Some businesses even accept resumes even if there are no open positions. If so, you may take the initiative to send yours attaching a cover letter outlining your interest and desire to work for them.
By browsing the internet and getting in touch with people in similar positions in that industry, you can learn more about the range, requirements, and difficulties of the job and the industry you want to work in. Create an achievement-based resume that demonstrates how your work history, skills, and knowledge are a match for the position by learning the essential and preferred qualifications for your target job by studying similar job descriptions.
3) Set Realistic Goals And Expectations
Recognize that you might need to start with an entry-level position if you are new to the job market in your field. Working in various roles can help you gain a deeper understanding of leading a team if becoming a manager is your ultimate goal.
Make sure you have reasonable expectations about your industry and the labor market when you start your career. Even though there have undoubtedly been many changes, you can still get ready for the future. The best way to ensure that you are ready to enter the job market and begin your career is to conduct current informational research in your industry.
Although there are no guarantees, reading about other people’s experiences can help you make the right decision. It also helps to get as many questions answered from people who have been there or are going through it now.
Aside from that, setting goals can maintain motivation throughout your career. Periodic, attainable goals should be set along with expectations that you’ll likely encounter once you are part of a workplace.
4) Start Somewhere
Sure, most fresh graduates are lost and do not know what to do after finishing their course and that is valid. As mentioned, transitioning from being a student to an employee can be daunting. The idea of having to sustain yourself and being on your own can be scary.
Searching for a job is just one step of knowing what it is really like in the real-world. However, as scary as it can get, you have to start somewhere. You can try searching for your desired companies and position, compiling your previous works for a comprehensive portfolio – it does not matter how small or big the step is, what is important is that to start somewhere and grab opportunities that may come your way.
Opportunities do not come along as often as you may think. If you are afraid of an opportunity, it may be a good idea to try it at the very least. This will help you build confidence, and most often you will find that you can do the things you think you cannot do.
Starting somewhere can also include taking risks. For instance, even if you don’t meet all the requirements, apply. You can explain to the employer why you are the ideal candidate for the job during the application or interview process. In your cover letter, you might mention why you believe you would be a good fit for the position. Many employers value a candidate’s willingness to learn and their honesty and integrity about their limitations.
It is certainly not easy but you have to start somewhere.
5) Create A Positive Brand
Now that even job opportunities can be found online, having a strong presence on one of the job-searching platforms like LinkedIn can contribute a lot with your job profile.
Employers may see and examine your profile. From there, they might be able to make a decision whether you will fit in their company and have what it takes to be a proactive asset of the workforce.
You can establish yourself as an expert in your field by promoting your knowledge and abilities. Having a personal brand can help you stand out from the crowd and promote networking with potential employers. By joining groups for your industry, producing interesting content, and maintaining active profiles, social media is a great place to develop your personal brand.
6) Expand Your Network
Prior to graduating, start forming as many connections as you can in your field. Not only will this increase your chances of finding employment, but those who have connections in the field frequently land more desirable positions than those who simply respond to job postings. While they will need to put more effort into finding their ideal role, recent graduates without connections who are unsure of their career path can still succeed.
Connecting with people and maintaining a good relationship with them can have its impact on you building your career. If you don’t give someone a chance, you’ll never know what they can bring to your life on a professional or personal level. Even though the position you hold may only be temporary, the relationships you develop there will likely last a lifetime. It is best to treat every individual as valuable and deserving of your time and attention.
Treating people with humanity and integrity is most important. You may never if someone might become one of the higher ups in your future workplace.
7) Be Ready To Work
Before diving into the corporate world and workforce, motivate yourself. Choose the approach that motivates you to perform at your best. These techniques include setting goals, telling others about your goals, tracking your progress, and rewarding yourself.
Spend some time getting to know what job you would like to have. Start your learning right away to show that you’re eager. Assess and evaluate yourself based on the skills and capabilities you are likely to develop and hone even more.
A strong work ethic inspires respect. This does not necessarily imply that you should put yourself on the possibility of being overworked. Definitely, you should be ready to put in more time and effort than those around you and develop habits that can improve your performance but not to the point of burnout and overworking. By doing this, you will demonstrate your commitment and earn the respect of your potential colleagues and leaders.
8) Be Open To Change
While having a specific objective is crucial, it’s also beneficial to be open to change. Stepping outside your comfort zone to experience new things and develop can be necessary at times. This behavior is useful preparation for the workplace, where you might have to pick up new skills to do your job. By encouraging you to think in new ways, stepping outside of your comfort zone can stimulate creativity.
Like trust, flexibility is something you have to earn. You must demonstrate your ability to contribute to the employer’s expectations if you want a specific experience. The best employees are quick-thinking, adaptable, and able to change their approach when working with various types of people or personalities. They can also adjust their schedule as needed to accommodate the needs of the company.
Recent graduates should be open-minded and adaptable. Nobody has any idea how the world will look in five years, or even in a year. Opportunities do not come as frequently as you might assume. It might be a good idea to at least try something if you are afraid of a chance. You will gain confidence as a result, and you’ll discover that you can usually accomplish goals you previously believed were impossible.
9) Take Advantage Of Training
Utilize any additional training that your new employer is offering. Many companies are offering onboarding to new hires, but the majority of recent graduates are unaware that there may be other training options available. Inquire about the courses available from managers and HR. Self-selected training is a powerful indicator of an employee’s motivation and can serve as a starting point for a successful and rewarding career.
These training are not only limited to those that are already part of the work environment. It may also be in the form of volunteering prior to graduation. Organizations, student councils, missions and outreach programs – all these can stay relevant to your career plan.
These types of volunteering and ‘training’ may be listed as valuable work experience you’ve gained through the years. Additionally, volunteering can improve your networking abilities, job skills, and social skills.
10) Continue Learning
Even after you have graduated from college, it is beneficial to continue learning and honing your skills. Think about enrolling in free online courses, workshops, or seminars in the area of work you plan to pursue.
Your education is not over just because you received a diploma. Always look for opportunities to learn more. Daily reading and research, wanting to become the absolute best at what you do, knowing you will devote a significant portion of your life to it – these can be one of the foundations of your career-building. You’ll succeed and go beyond what you ever imagined if you’re passionate about what you’re doing and constantly working to better yourself!
Afterall, no matter what stage of your career you are in, you can always learn more. Continuous learning helps you develop new skills, become flexible in your career choices, and become adaptable. In today’s workforce, having a willingness to learn is a highly valued quality.
As they say, looking for a job is a job in itself. Fresh graduates who want to work immediately after graduation may see themselves contemplating and stressing over the things that have to be carried out.
Having no idea where to start and how exactly is common to new graduates. However, with the listed advice, one can decide and use this as the basis of their starting point.
A workplace environment is different from that of an academy, regardless, setting aside an impressive resume and sophisticated portfolio, one’s character and attitude is the true determining factor of how well the new graduate will do in the real outside world.