Apply For Jobs
This
is fairly obvious, but some people tend to think that job opportunities
will find them, not the other way around. You need to search and search
hard. Use the internet, attend job fairs and seek out opportunities.
Make sure that you are focused and have strong knowledge about the area
you want to go into – there’s no point just saying ‘I want to be a
teacher’. Who do you want to teach? What do you want to teach? Where do
you want to teach? If you aren’t totally decided on the finer details of
your career path then seek advice from a career counsellor and take a
career assessment test. Otherwise prospective employers may deem you as
unprepared and unfocused for potential job opportunities.
Gain Experience
It can take a while to find work, but rather than spending your days
moping around and watching daytime TV, try and find some voluntary work
experience. Employers look for practical experience as well as academic
achievements in candidates, so enhance your chances of getting a job by
looking for internships, part time jobs and voluntary placements. It may
mean working for nothing to begin with but it will build your
experience and may even lead to something permanent. Ideally work
experience should be within your chosen area of employment but even if
it’s something totally unrelated, your prospective employer will be able
to see that you are able to use your initiative in order to spend your
spare time productively.
Hone Your Resume
Now that you’ve got your degree, you can add this to your long list of
achievements on your resume. Remember, the resume will be the first
thing your prospective employer sees from you and first impressions
count. Make sure you market yourself well. Tailor your resume to fit the
job that you are applying for and make sure the document is well
presented with good grammar. Avoid the temptation to over embellish your
achievements and make sure you can back up any claims that you make in
order to avoid awkward moments in the interview process.
Take a Gap Year
This may not seem like the obvious choice for a recent graduate, but the
time in between finishing your studies and finding a full time job is
probably the best opportunity you’ll have to pursue any travelling
ambitions or to simply relax after all of your hard work. When you
embark into full time employment, you will no longer have the freedom or
flexibility to take off for weeks or months at a time. Gap years aren’t
just about taking a year out to be lazy - travelling is educational in
its own right and will almost certainly broaden your horizons, enhance
your life experience and provide you with new skills. You may even find
potential career opportunities abroad. If you do plan to take a gap
year, make sure you plan in advance so that you’ll have the funds
available to do so without taking out a loan.
Prepare Yourself for the Working World
After being a student for so long, the prospect of entering a
professional workplace may seem a little daunting. It’s true that the
working world can be a strange place and many businesses operate in
accordance with their own unique rules and policies, which you will need
to adapt to. You may find yourself working with a diverse group of
people, some of whom you may not always see eye-to-eye with. Remind
yourself that professionalism is key and that you are there to do a job.
Be ready and willing to learn and go into any new job opportunities
with both your eyes and your mind open.
