The job market is competitive, and it can be hard to know where to start when you’re looking for work. If you’re a recent graduate, you may be feeling all kinds of things – excitement, anticipation, anxiety and maybe even a little bit of dread. With so many people competing for the same positions, it can be difficult eblogz to stand out from the crowd.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of people graduate from college and enter the job market. The good news is that there are jobs out there – you just need to know where to look and how to find them.
Where to start
The first thing you’ll want to do is create an eye-catching resume that’s sure to impress any potential employer. Investing the time and energy at this early stage of your job search will pay off for you in the end. Next, think about your target audience. Who will be reading your resume? Is there a particular type of person that you’re looking to connect with? If so, make sure you tailor your resume specifically toward them.
Why is your first job important?
Your first job is important because it’ll give you a lot of valuable experience – not only learning new skills but also building up your Mediaposts resume and understanding what type of work you enjoy.
One of the biggest mistakes that college graduates make is taking a job that they’re not passionate about. This doesn’t just mean the field of work itself – it also means how you feel about the company on a personal level. If you’re working at a company that you love, you’ll enjoy going to work every day and have more motivation to do well, learn new skills, take on additional responsibilities and add as much value to the company as you can.
Your first job creates an avenue for you to build up the most important asset in any career – your experience. Thereafter, you’ll be able to take on more difficult tasks, demonstrate your achievements and knowledge and apply for – and land – those more challenging positions.
Once you have experience, the sky is the limit. More important than getting that first job is choosing a job you love. The best way to make sure you’re going to a company you love is to find out what they do and what they stand for before accepting their offer.
Studying while working or job hunting
Whether you’re studying while working or searching for a job, it’s important to keep a good work-life balance. You’re going to have a lot of work on your plate, and it’s easy to get wrapped up in the hustle of your career. When the time comes for you to study for exams, be sure that you take time out of your day – even if it’s just an hour – to concentrate on your studies.
The good news is that the advent of online studies has made studying a lot easier and more effective. Even before you land your first job, or even after getting a job, you can take advantage of these opportunities to expand your knowledge and add new skills to your resume as you build up experience – all while you work or look for work.
If you need to expand your studies further in the field of criminology, the Laurier online criminology degree is a great way to get a degree in a specialized area of study. The coursework covers the methods and procedures that are used to investigate crimes as well as the different types of evidence used in criminal investigations. The program is also very flexible, and you can complete it at your own pace.
Overcoming obstacles
There will always be obstacles that you’ll come across while looking for a job after graduating. Whether it’s the dreaded interview or simply the stress of keeping up with your coursework in order to maintain your grades, there are going to be hurdles.
But don’t let these hurdles stop you from moving forward. If you can make a few adjustments to your approach and stay positive, you can find an opportunity that will put you on the fast track to success.
Once you’ve landed your first job, don’t be afraid to let your employer know what you feel are areas in your knowledge base that need improvement. This is an excellent opportunity for you to improve your skills and obtain new knowledge that will not only benefit you but also help further develop the company as a whole.
The job search process
The job search process can be long and stressful. Even with all the experience and knowledge that you have under your belt, it can feel like no one is interested in hiring someone with your particular skill set at all. It’s important to remain positive and to keep going even when you don’t feel like it.
Prepare several different resumes, but also take some time to learn more about the type of field that you’re looking for. If you have any special skills or certifications, make sure that they’re highlighted on your resume. Additionally, make sure that your resume has the correct formatting and professional look to it.
Tips for fresh graduates looking to secure a job
Statistics show that about 54% of college graduates are either not working or working in a field different from what they studied in college. If you are one of those graduates out there, don’t despair. There are so many different ways that you can earn a living. You just need to know what kind of work will best suit your skills and interests.
Whatever your field of study may be, your first job doesn’t have to be related. However, you should always take a job that you’re passionate about. If you’re looking for an entry-level job soon after graduation, you should consider a number of different possibilities – and consider your options carefully before you make your final decision.
Every job is different. Every employer is different. That means that you’ll need to approach each one with a unique set of skills and abilities. Here are a few tips things to consider when seeking an entry-level position:
1. Reach out to a staffing agency
One of the first places to look for a job is at a staffing agency. These are companies that specialize in helping employers fill their open positions with qualified candidates. They will send you out to meet with a potential employer and make sure that you’re qualified for an entry-level position.
2. Be proactive
It’s always a good idea to get yourself out there, especially if you have a special skill that you can use to your advantage. Seeking out jobs with your skills and interests in mind will make it much easier for you to find the right fit. Try to go beyond simply looking for a job – instead, look for career opportunities where you can make the most of your talents, find something that you love doing and help people while earning a living at the same time.
Make a list of places where you want to apply for a position. Do some research about the company ahead of time – What is it about? Where does it do business? If you know what kind of employer you’re looking for and have knowledge about the industry, your chances of being hired rise greatly.
3. Prepare before graduation
Be prepared for your future. If you plan ahead, you can still enjoy your free time, earn some extra money and set yourself up for success. It’s also crucial to prepare for the interview and demonstrate your value by telling the interviewer why they should hire you instead of any other candidate in your field.
It’s also important to be organized when you apply for jobs as a recent graduate. Keep your resume up to date and tailored to the position in question. Make sure that it has the correct spelling and grammar as well as being professional and easy to read.
4. Know what you want
Your job market may be different from your area of study – it’s important to keep all your options open and watch out for potential opportunities that are available to you. To learn more about how to get into a field of your interest, try doing some research first. If you know what you want in a job, it will be much easier to find a position that will suit your interests.
5. Build a strong resume
This is the most important step when applying for a position. Your resume is your first point of contact with an employer and should reflect how you market yourself to potential employers.
Some key elements you should include are:
- Hard skills: These entail more technical abilities and include things like problem-solving and quantitative skills. You may consider including extra languages, computer skills, public speaking and software applications you are proficient with.
- Soft skills: These can include organization, collaboration, communication skills and interpersonal skills as well as work ethic.
- Internships: If you have done an internship during your time at university, it can be helpful to include it on your resume. If you haven’t, consider applying for some during your summer break. Also, try to include any organizations where you have held a leadership role.
- Education: Include the different programs you have completed and the degree you have been awarded.
- Work experience: List the different jobs you have held in the past. Include descriptions of your role, your accomplishments and whether or not you worked in a team or alone.
- Volunteer work and extracurricular activities: If you have done a lot of volunteer work, consider including it on your resume. This is a great way to make yourself immediately eye-catching and interesting to potential employers.
6. Do your research
There are some estimates that only 50% of workers are actually happy with their jobs. That means that there is a huge percentage of unhappy people with jobs right now looking for something new.
You don’t want to get stuck in an unsatisfying position right at the start of your career. Instead, take the time to learn about the potential opportunities that are out there so that you can find something more suitable for your interests. This means do your research.
What do you know about the profession in question? What kind of day-to-day activities of the job will you be tasked with handling? How can you get a head start on your career?
7. Networking is key
It’s time to make connections. With your degree in hand, you are officially a professional now. Take advantage of this and make sure to network with people who will be able to help you land a position that fits your skill set. Reach out to people from the field that you’re interested in and see if you can get some advice about what it takes to get the job. If a connection has already landed a job for themselves, ask them for advice about the interview process.
Networking is one of the best ways to find a job as a fresh graduate. You can network with contacts that you already have – friends or family members. Additionally, you can do some networking to help make new contacts as well. Go to networking events, visit websites dedicated to building your professional circle and reach out to people that you meet instead of just letting them walk by you.
8. Build relationships
Building professional relationships with people in your field of interest can prove to be fruitful in your job search. Try to schedule meetings with potential clients or coworkers that you would be interested in working with or who could offer a referral to another organization.
During your meeting, build some rapport with these individuals and learn as much as you can about them. What are their interests? What are their goals? How can you help each other out in the future?
Final thoughts
Before you take that first job, it’s important to make sure that it’s the right fit for you. Try to find a position that will gain you experience in the field of your choice and allow you to learn about different areas of the industry.
Don’t fall into the trap of taking any job that comes along. Instead, take time to learn more about yourself and find a job where you can truly succeed. This will pay off down the road and lead to a long and fulfilling career.