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First of all, congratulations to those who have graduated from College/University recently! You did it! Worked through all the stresses, obstacles, and hardships in the process of completing your Degree. 🎉
You may choose to take a break before you dive into searching for a job in your completed field of study. During this break, you can create your own motivation/drive to why you'll need to start working. Whether that be to pay off your student loans (I studied only for 1 year of University, with student loans, and it took me nearly 7 years to pay it off, as I had only worked in random retail jobs back then), you may want to use your own money to buy or lease a vehicle (I bought my very first vehicle in 2016), and to gain experience to advance into a career in your field of study.
Here is a simple guideline to help with your job search:
1. Stay Focused on Your Job Search:
--> Have clear direction
--> List all credentials on your resume
--> Have an idea for the criteria you have for yourself on the job. For example, the salary range, the industry, location, benefits or company culture, etc.
2. Have a Strong Resume:
--> Include education, soft skills, potential talent you can bring to the company
You may be new to the term "soft skills". So, what is it? A brief explanation is that they refer to your personal attributes. They are your personality traits and behaviours, interpersonal skills that will help you work well with others. These attributes are applicable across industries and to any profession. Some examples of possible soft skills you may have: problem-solving skills, effective communication skills, have a sense of self-direction, have a drive for the work you do, adaptability/flexibility, have good teamwork, conflict resolution skills, good work ethic, etc.
3. Create a Professional Online Presence:
--> Before you begin applying to jobs, remove unprofessional photos and information from all your social media profiles OR update your privacy settings so that hiring managers and recruiters are unable to view your personal posts.
--> Create a profession online brand for yourself:
--> Create an additional social media account. Professional vs. personal
--> Share articles about the industry you want to work in
--> Comment on other's posts and ideas
--> Set up a profile on professional networking site
4. Use the Resources from College/University:
--> There's often a career centre on campus. Get yourself connected with the career advisor. As she/he can help and provide guidance in your career decisions, review your resume and even practice for interviews
5. Keep Learning:
--> Continue to develop skills and knowledge applicable to the industry of your interest OR as the company requires if you want to advance within the company.
You may start off in a job that will become a stepping stone of the career of your dreams. It is okay and perfectly normal, if you're unable to get a position in your dream career right after graduation. In some cases, you may need to further your education to reach that ultimate goal, rather that be getting Certifications, furthering studies like a Graduate Degree, or even some random courses you can do online. The key is to keep learning, making yourself more knowledgeable in your field of interest, and gaining experience through your jobs before reaching your career.
6. Broaden Your Network:
--> Connect with professionals:
--> College/University advisors or professors
--> Former Manager or Internship Supervisors
--> Attend industry events and conferences
7. Apply for Internship Opportunities With a Company:
--> Some large companies/businesses often offer internship contracts for new graduates. Use this as an opportunity to show your employer what you can provide to the company. Present your soft skills and how you're an asset to the growth of the company. Create a good impression of yourself during your internship (arriving on time, appropriate dress attire, positive attitude, ask questions, interact with people in the company even if from a different department, find a good mentor, etc).
--> Performing well during your internship, can land you a permanent job offer at the end. Don't be discouraged if they don't offer you a job though, use this as a learning experience and you may add this to your resume to strengthen it.
8. Organize your Applications:
--> Keep track of your job applications on a Spreadsheet:
--> Include the Company Name, Location, Hiring Manager Contact Information, Application Date, Hiring Manager Response, Interview Date, and Miscellaneous Notes.
Resourced from: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-get-jobs-after-graduation [https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-get-jobs-after-graduation]
I often separate a Job from a Career. You may or may not see it as the same or different, but for myself, the definition of a Job and Career differs. A Job is like a stepping stone, not something that you'll want to do as a living or for the rest of your life. A Career is often what you have the most passion for, is rewarding, and you won't mind doing it until you retire. In the Career, you may not even have your focus on the amount of salary, as because you have a love for it, you're just happy to work in that field. Of course, to have a stable income is important for surviving, while we living in a world where everything costs a fortune. If you have a Career of your passion, and the salary is decent, think of it as a bonus. Your happiness and satisfaction should not be based on the salary, but the passion you have for your work.
Also, it's is normal to lose your initial passion within a Career. Some people may have studied a Degree that they had interest in, but after working a few years in that field, they may realize that it's not working out for them. That it wasn't what they had imagined, and maybe during those few years, you come across other interests along the way. So, career changes are very common as well. Don't be afraid to further your education in order to change careers, if you need to change your career, prepare yourself for the transition. Whether that be upgrading your education, or learning something completely different. Always have a back-up plan, in case the transition doesn't go smoothly, either to fall-back to the career you had before, or have multiple career options/paths you can follow.
I hope this information and my own experiences have provided you some guidance in finding your career. Please feel free to add your thoughts and ideas.
