How to get jobs after graduation?
Has the time come to start thinking about your future beyond education?
You’ve graduated. You’ve stood there in your cap and gown and received your diploma. What now? How can I put my diploma to good use?
In this short blog, I am going to provide you with some real GOLDEN NUGGETS that you should consider to get a job after graduation, and heading into the world of work.
Ask yourself, ‘What do I want to do?’
After leaving university, you should have some idea of what you want to do in the future.
I mean, you haven’t just spent several years at university gaining a degree for nothing, have you?
Thinking about jobs after graduation is extremely daunting. That is why you need to fully prepare after leaving university in order to improve your chances of getting jobs after university.
Even if you are not 100% sure about what you want to do exactly, having a general idea of the type of career you see yourself in, will help you gain some focus.
Make yourself stand out with a killer CV
Getting a job after graduation is not easy. You might be thinking, ‘how do I stand a chance against people who are more qualified than me?’
You have just finished university, and of course, you are unlikely to have ample experience in the area in which you want to work.
However, this doesn’t mean to say that you don’t stand a chance. What this does mean is that you will need to put in that extra time and effort to ensure that you make yourself stand out in other ways.
A GREAT way to make yourself stand out and find jobs after graduation is to make yourself stand out to employers is via your CV.
Your CV will outline all of your personal attributes, skills and education, all of which you can tailor to fit specifically to the job you want to apply for.
Jobs after graduation – get a foot in the door
Getting a foot in the door is a great way for you to get jobs after graduation.
Not only will this give you some insight into your chosen profession, but it will also allow you to gain confidence and experience along the way.
Of course, this step may not necessarily be the step you thought you would be taken, but everyone has to start somewhere!
Don’t be blindsided by the thought of starting out in a high-end career.
The fact is, it has become much harder to obtain a job in today’s society, and even having a degree does not guarantee you a job anymore.
Researching and preparing for jobs after graduation
Research into your degree.
- What areas can you get into?
- What can you see yourself doing?
- What are you good at?
- Where do my strengths lie?
The above questions are all things you should be asking yourself when you are researching into different job roles.
A great place to start is the National Careers Service. This will provide lots of advice and information on a whole range of different careers.
Starting out at the bottom
There is no shame in starting out at the bottom, so do not feel disheartened if you find yourself in a low-end job.
Like I said, you have to start somewhere, and starting out at the bottom, could make you one step closer to securing your ideal job.
Starting out at the bottom can be seen as an advantage for many reasons:
- You will be able to gain a closer look into that industry.
- If you are already an employee with that company, you can eventually work your way up to a more suitable position.
- Even if it’s a job you hate, starting out at the bottom will generate extra experience and personal growth – all valuable for your CV.
- You might decide that, in actual fact, that industry is not for you, and therefore you can eliminate this from your ideal career.
Social media savvy!
An extremely useful thing for all graduates is social media.
Social media has become a powerful tool which allows you to become connected with a whole range of different people.
Getting connected not only helps you get a foot in the door, but it also helps to put your name out there.
Twitter and LinkedIn are two great examples that many employers use as part of their business strategy.
You can get connected by joining in discussions, following people of similar interests, voicing your opinions – these are all great ways to boost your profile in the world of business.
FIRST job to DREAM job!
Many people have several jobs before they find the ‘right’ one.
- It is important that you remember the following, your first job will not define you for the rest of your life.
- Instead, your first job will help you decipher what career you actually want, and once you know what that is, you can make plans to make that happen.
- Try not to be too picky about your first job. Even if it’s something that you cannot see yourself doing for years, it is a great way for you to work on your experience and gain personal qualities, which might be slightly lacking due your inexperience.
- Another thing to remember is not let anyone influence your decisions when choosing your career. You have your own mind. You know what jobs you are looking for, and what jobs you want to avoid.
- Taking a job simply because your family or friends told you to, will not help you in the long run. You need to be in control in regards to your long-term career goals.
- If you have a dream, stick by it! If you are yet to find an ideal job, go out there and find it!
Never give up on your dreams
Finding your ideal job can be extremely long-winded and challenging, especially if you have no idea where to start.
One thing you should remember, is to never give up on your dreams. Sometimes it takes a few wrong turns, to get us to where we want to be.
For more career advice and information, check out our How2become website for some great products, advice and tips.
