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How To Get A Job After Graduating

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Graduating marks a huge personal achievement and, in many cases, the end of the life in education you’ve had since you were a young child.

The next stage is getting into the world of work and a full-time career where you can put the qualification you’ve achieved to good use. 

Working full-time means you can start to make a living and you can have the lifestyle you want.

However, many people struggle to find a job immediately after graduating, leading to anxiety and frustration. 

There are things you can do to ensure you do to find a job after graduation.

READ MORE: 5 Secrets to Beat your Competition and get Hired

Research the Job Market

This is similar to the projects you may have done as part of your degree.

Navigating multiple career fields might assist you in narrowing down your job hunt. 

Knowing about the various types of employment available in that industry, what a regular workday looks like, how the job market works, and what qualifications are required will help you understand what to look for to boost your odds of being employed. 

Staying up to date on industry trends is a good idea. 

This includes reading trade journals and industry magazines, participating in professional social media groups, and observing firms’ and industry influencers’ social media postings.

Check New Jobs Postings Regularly

Job search on a computer screen

The ideal time to submit an application is within the initial two days of it being listed, so keep an eye out for new job ads. 

To establish a solid routine, begin your day by browsing for the most recent job postings. 

Sign up for leading job sites to receive job alerts. 

Monitoring potential employers’ social media like Linkedin and Facebook to find out whether they’ve added any vacancies or conducted any virtual recruitment sessions in the near future is another approach to finding a lead on any job opportunities.

Updating your LinkedIn page with your latest resume and experience will demonstrate to employers that you are available to work.

Make modifications to your resume to mirror the wording in the job posting. 

By adding the right keywords from the job description, the application tracking system will automatically recognize your resume and shortlist for the next round.

READ MORE: How to Find A Job After Leaving School

Actively Network After Graduating

Making contacts is an excellent way to land yourself a job.

Reaching out personally or virtually to recruiters is a perfect way to get yourself known. 

You could also reach out to your college’s alumni network to discover more about the sector or a specific firm. 

Most institutions have an online alumni database where graduates may get contact details.

You can use this to connect to people you think might be able to help you. 

These people could help provide a picture of what the workday will look like and what you will need to thrive in the industry. 

Social networks are also an excellent place to build a professional image. 

Follow prospective HR managers and business leaders and directly approach them for opportunities.

Having a career coach to guide you on every stage of your career path is always helpful. 

Attending career fairs improves your chances of getting a job and is a great way to hone your interview skills while learning more about other firms and employment opportunities

READ MORE: Looking for a new job? Find our free resume templates here

Get an Internship or a Part-Time Job After Graduating

Looking for an internship with a firm where you want to work may provide valuable experience, help you make contacts, and even lead to a full-time position. 

It can be an excellent method for testing and seeing what future employment in that sector involves.

Learn more about internships through your college’s career department or by contacting organizations that interest you. 

Likewise, taking on part-time jobs, even if they are not in your profession, will help you gain experience. 

If you are lucky enough to discover one in your related sector, you will gain first-hand experience and will be able to decide whether you will continue to work in that industry. Finding a part-time job will eventually develop your work ethic and help you earn additional money while applying for full-time employment

Prepare for Job Interviews

To land a job after graduation, you must nail the interview. 

This stage takes place when your resume has been approved.

Preparing responses to common interview questions will enhance your confidence. 

Then you should turn detective and discover more about trending topics in your field and the organization hiring you. 

Do your research about the firm well, so you can respond to questions that directly involve them, such as  “What is the best service our firm offers?” or “Who do you believe is our largest competitor?” 

The correct responses will demonstrate that you have done your research.

Read the firm’s website, especially the press section, follow their social media profiles and create appropriate Google alerts. 

If they’re a publicly listed company, look at their financial reports to gain more information.

Finally, don’t underestimate the significance of a professional look. 

An appropriate interview costume, professional voicemail greetings, and a strong presence on social media are all must-haves while looking for work after graduation. 

Leaving something to the last moment is such a rookie mistake.

READ MORE: Tips for Job Seekers: How to Successfully Write a Resume and Pass an Interview

Final Thoughts

Your first job after graduation may not be ideal, but it is significant. 

If you find yourself in a situation where the job type isn’t what you thought, view it as a learning experience. 

This is your opportunity to improve your analytical skills and learn from your errors.

So, like a pro, plunge into your first job and learn diplomatic skills and time management, communicate with others in the sector, and identify your desired working culture. 

Taking advantage of a less-than-ideal first job can help you advance in your career. 

If finding a job straight out of college is one of your key goals, planning will help you not only remain focused when job hunting, but also secure a position faster.

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