We all been
there, taking the next big step in our career. 4 years in college/university
you get used to the people and the environment around you and you forget that
this will change after graduation. As a fresh graduate you have to face a lot of challenges, especially in this
economy. You need to start your career there are a lot of opportunities but not
without fierce competition. You may get offers but those might not be your dream
jobs so how to get started? And how to decide what’s the best game plan for you.
Start by Analyzing Yourself
First of all
understand what specific skills and experience you can offer to an employer,
you should be clear about your field of interest, job functions that you are
interested in and industry you want to work for after that prepare a list of
employers where you might be interested. Contact these companies by visiting
their website, career section, sending them Resume with cover letter or even
calling them up.
Starting at Entry Level Positions
Don’t be
scared of starting your career in an entry level position. This would be a
great opportunity for you to gain knowledge, experience and network. Entry
level positions or graduate trainee positions often lead to great mid to senior
level positions. Even internships can be a great start to a professional
career, but keep in mind internships are mostly unpaid or very little stipend
is offered, if you are in a position to afford not to have a full time salary
then go for it.
Strategic Targeting
Recent graduates
are either focused on a very narrowly defined set of organizations, or wide
criteria. You need to understand which job and industry you are qualified for.
For example, you are applying for Marketing research positions, then research
firms are your first priority, but also extend to other profit, and nonprofit, even
government agencies that have research departments.
Networking
Networking is
extremely important, not only for graduates, but students who are enrolled in
colleges should start networking. The best resources for networking is your
alumni events, job fairs, trade shows and other events related to career. Also
try to use your personal contacts and people you know to get opportunities.
Both qualitative and quantitative research proves networking is an important element
of successfully landing a job.
Keep Yourself Updated
Keep your Linkedin,
Twitter and other social networking sites updated, use these platforms to reach
out and network with potential employers. Linkedin is the most important networking
tool today. Keep your profile updated and make sure employers can easily
understand which job function you are qualified for when looking at your
profile.
Stay in Touch with your College Career Office
Career
development office at your college is an important source for professional
development and finding better job opportunities. Make sure you have joined
their online portal and also attend their career guiding events. These events
will help you understand what employers are looking for in candidates in terms
of experience and skill set. This will also help fine tune your resume and
cover letter. The career development office will also prepare you for
interviews.
How to Present your Experiences in an Interview
Student focus
on their recent internships, academies and societies related experience, they
talk about how they completed their thesis project while giving 5 other exams
at the same time or being a president of a student body. The problem with this
approach is it has become common, most recent graduates had internship
experience, they had been part of the student organization, organized events
and undergone tough academic deadlines and standards. The focus should be on
what you learned from those experiences and how your abilities and skill-set
helped you throughout those challenging situations. Make it more personal to
differentiate yourself from the crowd.
Show Commercial Awareness
Studies
indicate employers prefer candidates who can demonstrate commercial awareness
and understand the business environment. So it is very important to do your
research for the position you are applying. You need to show what motivates you
to pursue this role and how can you benefit the organization.
Consider Recruitment Agencies
There are dedicated
recruitment agencies that focus on fresh graduates. It may be a good idea to
consult them and see whether or not you need their services. Their services
include resume writing, cover letter writing, interview preparation and getting
job notifications.
Plan Ahead
Most fresh
graduates when they get a job don’t plan financially. The best thing you can do
is start planning your finances, start saving and investing. Get knowledge
about insurance policies and other investment options so that you’re well
prepared financially and have a stable income throughout your career.
It may be
perceived as a daunting task to find your dream job in this economy, but never
loose hope do your best and the best possibilities will eventually come. The
focus should be on yourself and what you want to achieve professionally. Then align
the opportunities according to your interest and ambitions.
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