In today's job market, finding your dream career after graduation can be tough. But with a plan, you can definitely succeed. This guide will show you how to go from a new graduate to an expert in your field.
Building a Strong Foundation
Understanding Your Career Goals
First, define your career goals. Decide which industry or field you want to work in with your degree. Not quite sure? Think of the subjects that you enjoyed at university and where these skills are required. Then start a quick job search. This helps to get to know different roles and terms used in the job market. Understand your potential career path from entry-level to management positions.
Gaining relevant skills and qualifications
You think you just finished your education? Within time you will realise that education never really stops if you want to grow. So, if necessary, get ready to take some courses to gain additional skills required for your dream job.LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, and Udemy are great platforms for this and also provide certificates upon completion of a course.
Gaining Practical Experience
While a degree is definitely important and even required in some fields, nothing beats practical experience. You should start gaining this early on through internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer opportunities. This will make you stand out from the competition and will also help you explore different roles before deciding on one.
Especially in entry-level positions soft skills are key to landing the job. With everyone having minimal job experience it all comes down to personality and the motivation you demonstrate in your application and in interviews. So think twice before leaving something off your CV. It might not be a valuable skill for the job but it can demonstrate your character (e.g. side job as a waiter: hard worker, dedicated, hands-on, communicative). Other important soft skills employers keep a look out for are the following:
Communication skills
Teamwork
Problem-solving
Time management
Organisational skills
Creativity
Critical thinking
Leadership
Dedication & Commitment
Establishing Your Professional Presence
Creating a Personal Brand
Build a strong personal brand by showcasing your expertise and achievements. LinkedIn is the go-to platform for many to display their achievements and gain visibility. Make sure to include relevant keywords to improve your discoverability. But just having a profile is not enough, use it to post your opinion on industry topics, connect with experts and share relevant content. If you want to go the extra mile and are in a more creative field it could also make sense to create a professional website or portfolio to share along with your CV when applying.
Remember employers know how to google, so make sure your social media represents you in a good light and is coherent with your personal brand. Make use of different platforms to showcase your work to potential employers. For creatives, you can use Instagram or Behance to display your work, for tech, you can show off your coding skills on GitHub.
Networking
Building long-term relationships with colleagues and mentors at previous jobs as well as making new connections with industry experts is important for your professional career. Attend job fairs, industry events and other networking events on Meetup. Use LinkedIn to connect with professionals working in companies you are interested in. Not only can they help you to find job opportunities and receive interview invitations, but connections can also guide you and be future business partners. Any connection, even a close friend can be your key to a new job.
Recruitment Agencies can also be a great help, especially in the beginning to spread your profile amongst several companies at once and make use of their extensive market knowledge and support.
Especially if you have your eye set on a foreign country a recruitment agency like Blu Selection is a good starting point!
Make use of job boards like Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn to find openings that match your qualifications. Remember to also make use of their Job Alerts to receive direct notifications when a new vacancy in your field opens up. Also, follow companies to stay updated and regularly check into their own career pages to be among the first ones to apply to a new vacancy.
Recruitment Agencies and Headhunters
Recruitment agencies like Blu Selection can offer a more personalized job search experience. When applying by yourself you apply to one job at a time, while with a recruitment agency, you get the chance to spread your profile to multiple companies at the same time. On top, a CV sent through a recruitment agency is like a direct referral and will increase your chances of moving to the interview stage.
As experts in the field we also offer tips and advice on how to improve your CV, prepare yourself for the interview and can assess which kind of position could be a better fit for your personality and skills.
Perfecting Your Application
Crafting a Tailored Resume and Cover Letter
Besides your LinkedIn profile, a good CV is vital to be considered for any job position. This includes the structure of your CV, the keywords you use and the way you highlight your skills. It is best to tailor your CV for the different job types or industries you are applying for to always have relevant information for recruiters and hiring managers. Need a bit more help? Get all the tips for writing your CV here!
Preparing for Interviews
Preparation is key to a successful interview. Research the company, practice common interview questions, and prepare questions to ask the interviewer. Showing genuine interest and knowledge about the company can set you apart from other candidates. Try to make the interview seem like a conversation, make jokes and show your personality. Interviewers want to get to know you and see your fit not only for the position but also for the team.
Staying Positive and Persistent
Dealing with Rejections
Rejections or worse not receiving any answers are a part of the job search process. Don’t get discouraged; instead, use them as learning experiences. Ask for feedback when possible and work on improving your applications and interview skills.
When receiving notifications on a new vacancy react fast, because in this case early birds definitely have an advantage.
Keeping an Open Mind
Sometimes, your first job out of university might not be your dream job, but it can be a stepping stone to get there. Be open to various opportunities and stay focused on your long-term career goals. Set yourself certain requirements and lower them over time when not reaching the expected responses.
Let’s Get Your Career Started!
By following the steps of setting up your personal brand and increasing your chances with a great CV and the use of recruitment agencies, you can navigate the job market successfully and land a job to start your career. Remember, the journey from a new graduate to an expert in your field takes time, perseverance, and continuous learning. By reading this article you are already one step ahead.
