9 Best Things Every Fresh Graduates Should Be Aware of When Searching for a Job
Are you about to graduate in less than a year? Are you starting to think about finding a job after college? We cannot blame you considering the many challenges fresh graduates in Nigeria encounter.
Studies reveal that about 25 million graduates do not have jobs. With around 600,000 students graduating every year, the competition becomes stiffer than ever.
Some of the main reasons for the unemployment surge include economic underdevelopment, high birth rates, and a continuous increase in college enrolment.
So how does a fresh graduate overcome all these adversities? Continue reading below as we discuss some of the best job hunting tips for new graduates.
Valuable Tips to Consider
Finding a job after college is tough. But with ample preparation and the right approach, job hunting can become easier. Let’s take a look at nine of the best tips to consider when searching for a job after college:
1. Tap Your Network
Start your job search by tapping your network. You can do this even if you are still a few months away from graduation day.
Begin with your relatives and close family friends. Make a list of the people you know. Ask them if they know of any job opportunities and other leads.
Expand your list by including your friends from high school, from church, and from other groups you belong to. When talking to them, tell them about your situation. Be honest and tell them that you are looking for a job.
2. Use Your Career Centre
Alongside tapping your personal network, consider using your school’s career centre. Pay a visit to your campus career centre and talk to them about your job hunting plans. Make sure to bring your resume and cover letter for inspection (more on these later).
Politely request them to examine those two documents for errors. Also, you want to update them with the job postings you are looking to apply for.
The advisors from the centre may even help you prepare for interviews. They can even offer counselling concerning your goals.
3. A LinkedIn Profile Counts
Never go job hunting without a LinkedIn profile. Most of today’s recruiters go to LinkedIn in search of job candidates. LinkedIn is one of the ways to build your brand.
Thus, you need to fill up all the details of your LinkedIn profile. This includes your skills, awards, and other accolades from school.
Also, include the things that interest you the most.
Furthermore, LinkedIn is a powerful resource for job openings. The website recorded over 20 million active job listings in 2019.
4. Build a Website
Another effective way of landing a job faster is to create a professional website. On your website, you can post anything and everything you want prospective employers to see.
You can use it to post some of your works and current portfolio. If you love writing, you can post your blogs there. You can also share links to your best works from college.
Much like with LinkedIn, your professional website can help your branding efforts.
5. Join a Professional Industry Group
If you already have a particular industry that you wish to start a career in, consider joining a professional organization that concerns your industry of choice.
Check your college if it has tie-ups with various national associations. The good thing about joining these professional groups is the opportunity to connect with industry leaders and veterans.
These groups hold events where you can learn a thing or two about the industry you are planning to enter into. You may learn new skills that you can use once you land a job.
6. Early Internship Counts
Months before you graduate, try searching for early internships. Internships will give you a first-hand idea of what to expect in the real world.
Companies representing the most popular jobs usually offer internships. During the internship, you can sharpen old and new skills. You will experience how it is to deal with a boss and co-workers.
Furthermore, you should be open to taking certification courses. There are various types of courses that you can take. Some companies offer performance management courses to increase employee productivity.
You may also check for other online courses that can help you grow as an employee.
7. Find a Mentor
One of the reasons fresh graduates struggle to find a job is because of a lack of direction. Thus, you need to find a trusted mentor who can guide you in your job hunting.
Find someone who belongs to the industry you wish to go into. A mentor can provide tips and insights on how you can become more appealing in the eyes of prospective employers.
Remember that even the most successful people went through mentoring. These include businessmen, politicians, sports icons, and household names.
8. Prepare a Solid Pitch
Since you want to stand out from the rest of the competition, you must formulate a strong elevator pitch. This means taking stock of your strengths and skills.
You want your pitch clear and concise but impactful at the same time.
Furthermore, support your pitch with a well-crafted resume and cover letter. The key is paying attention to the details of your cover letter and resume. Don’t miss anything, especially the small ones.
Keep in mind that attention to detail is what separates the best from the rest.
9. Strike a Balance
Last but not least, learn how to strike a balance between job-hunting and your personal life. As much as you want to land in one of the best recent graduate jobs out there, you need to make time for yourself.
Squeeze some time for exercises in your busy schedule. Thirty minutes of exercise a day is all you need. Moreover, get enough sleep at night.
Eat healthy foods and keep a positive outlook as you search for that perfect job.
Start Finding a Job After College
Finding a job after college is a challenging yet exciting journey. It is an endeavour that gives you valuable lessons that help you improve as a person. However, dealing with challenges before and after landing a job requires the right skills and knowledge.
Talk to us today and learn more about our training courses. We offer top-notch training to help individuals and organizations reach their goals.