8 Awesome Tips on How to Find a Job After Graduation

What’s next? …

This is probably one of the first questions that will pop into a fresh graduate’s head after the excitement of finishing their studies starts to subside. Every person in your class must already have a plan on what their next move would be after graduating. As for you, you would probably want to start a career after graduation, right? Well. you’ve come to the right place then because this article will teach you how to find a job after graduation. With that being said, let’s start.

1. Conduct a Job Research

Researching the field you’re trying to get into and the kinds of work available in that area can help you find a job after graduation immediately. You can use this to learn how your chosen industry works, the usual set of criteria required by employers on their applicants, the skills that can help you do the job effectively, and so much more.

By conducting job research, you will not just be able to set an expectation for yourself but also get an idea if there’s an actual demand for your field of expertise. And if there isn’t, then you can look in other areas where you can still make a career out of the skills you’ve learned.

2. Get a Part-Time Job While in College

One of the biggest struggles that a fresh graduate like you would face when finding work is that most would require you to have experience. A great way to beat that is by starting early, like actually getting a job while you’re still studying.  

A lot of universities have organizations and programs that students can join if they want to gain job experience that can be used when applying for full-time office-based work. Getting a part-time job while in college is also ideal for it helps you acquire new skills and develop the ones you already have. So, by the time that you have to make your resume, the list of the things that you can offer will be longer and more appealing to the hiring manager.

 

3. Establish Your Network

There are a couple of reasons why knowing someone in the industry can help you find a career after graduation right away.

Read the following to know what some of them are:  

• More Job Options – Believe it or not, about 70% - 80% of the actual available jobs out there aren’t even posted on any of the popular hiring websites you know. They could only be accessed via referrals and through networking.

• Direct-to-Client Referrals – Another awesome perk of having connections in your field is that they can introduce you to clients who may need the services you offer. And if they don’t know anyone then you can always just ask them to be a character reference on your resume.

• You Can Ask Them for Tips – When building a network of people in your field, it’s recommended to go for those who have been working in it for a while. Why? It’s so they can give you the most valuable industry tips that can help you stand out and land the best jobs.

 

Now you might be wondering how are you going to build a network? Well, the answer to this is simple – put yourself out there. Go to events, attend meetings, contact your school alumni, participate in projects, you must do everything you can to get more people familiarized with your name.

For this, it’s recommended to print out business cards detailing your name, contact number, and the services you can do. You can also design online info cards that you can send out to potential connections via social media or email.

 

4. Create an Outstanding Resume

Having a resume that highlights all the best things about yourself can increase your chances of landing the perfect job after graduation. Some of the qualities you should include are your work experience (if you have any), skills, career objective, and educational background. Just make sure that you are going to ask a friend to proofread your resume first before you send it out.  

In addition to that, your CV should also look unique yet aesthetically pleasing so you can stand out from the hundreds of plain-looking resumes that will surely pile up your potential employer’s database. If you’re looking for a great place to design your resume and make it different than everyone else’s then we recommend Canva and Adobe Photoshop.

5. Apply for an Internship Program

Becoming an intern for a company that works in the field you want to be a part of is an excellent way of increasing your chances of finding a job after graduation. How? Well, for starters, most companies that conduct internship programs offer the best-performing interns full-time jobs when they’re done.

Another is that being an intern also means you get to have a closer look at how companies in the industry operate daily. Internship programs can also help you hone your skills and establish connections with people who can help you have a fruitful career.

6. Find a Mentor

Speaking of connections, having a mentor who can give you proper career guidance and criticize your wrong moves is also crucial. Your mentor should be someone who has been in the field for a while so you can be guaranteed that they know how things work in various circumstances. Whether it be a teacher, a department head, manager, editor, or even just a co-worker, the knowledge that they can share will help you make the right choices for your career.

Another upside of having a mentor is that you can develop important skills such as communication and time management. Chances are, you already know someone who you could ask to be a mentor, but if not, then there are plenty of mentorship programs both online and offline like the ULI Philippines Mentorship Programme that you can sign up on.

7. Apply Through the Company’s Website

In case you didn’t know, most companies that are looking to hire more people will also post work ads on their website on top of the ones they already have on popular job hiring platforms. A smart way to make a good impression, and also for your application to be more noticeable, is by sending it directly to them.

This will show the hiring manager that not only do you have good job research skills but you’re also keen on working for them since you didn’t go through any of the usual job hiring sites out there. Plus, the number of applications sent directly through the company’s website is smaller compared to the ones posted on job hiring platforms.  Lesser competition means more chances of getting hired.

8. Put On a Go-Getter Attitude

One of the most important things you can do to find a job after graduation is to be proactive about it. Don’t just sit around and wait for someone you know to offer you work, go put yourself out there and start chasing every opportunity that comes your way. You can send out applications to different jobs every day, arrange meetings with people, ask the professors at your school for tips, try out freelancing, and do other things that can set you on the right path.

You have to prove to your potential employers that you are not lazy and that you are always motivated to take on whatever task that they will ask you to do. However, you should also know your limit. Don’t bombard hiring managers or companies with messages telling them you’re ready to start working any time. Chances are, they will just find you annoying.

Final Words

Starting a career after graduation isn’t easy, but you’ll increase your chances of landing one if you follow the tips we’ve discussed above. Being patient and staying focused can also help you a lot.

 

Now:

Do you want to read more blogs about college courses and careers in general? Then don’t go anywhere because we got you. Click here to check out our list of articles that talk about different topics such as the 10 TESDA Courses to Help You Start a Business and Civil Engineering as a Career.