Congratulations! You’ve made it to a very important milestone in your life, graduation! And with graduation comes the next step (if you’ve selected this path), a job. The process of getting a job can be overwhelming, and you might not know where to start. However, fear not – you’re not in this alone. There are so many resources available to you, most of which are right at your fingertips (or an easy email away to your school’s career office ). If you’re looking for some tips on how to begin the process of finding a job, read on!
Make a plan
First and foremost, it helps to make a plan. What is it that you want to do after graduation? Have you done some part-time, volunteer work, or internships in the past that you want to build upon after graduating? Start by making some goals and research what it is you need in order to attain these goals. You might find yourself needing additional courses or even additional education! A plan helps set yourself up for success later on, whichever path you decide to take after graduation.
Get your portfolio (and resume) ready
Once you have a goal in mind, research what exactly you need to show to attain your career goal. Some jobs require a portfolio showing technical skills, others require a cover letter where you speak about your past experiences, and some simply require a resume. Whatever the requirements, having these prepared before you apply will not only save you time later when a deadline is approaching, but this also allows you to evaluate your qualifications all in one place.
Make use of resources around you
Believe it or not, you have an ample amount of resources around you that can aid your job hunt! Have you connected with your school’s career center? Career advisors can give you some excellent tips on how to update your portfolio, and can also inform you about different events happening on campus. You should also take a look at your school’s job portal for postings that are facilitated through the school.
On-campus recruitment is one way that can assist you in landing a job before school is even over. Even during the pandemic, employers and career centers are hosting virtual career fairs and networking events. So you can connect with employers right from home. Also, don’t forget to use resources like TalentEgg too. With Live Q&As, tips from recruiters, and editorials in our Incubator, help is just a few clicks away.
Networking
Once your resume is polished and you’ve started to apply to a few positions, start having some conversations with industry professionals to see how your experiences match up to the positions you are applying for. This can also give you tips on what to highlight in your resume and cover letters, especially if you connect with someone in a company you are applying to.
Ask your peers and colleagues for warm introductions, but cold emailing on LinkedIn can be fruitful too. Be genuine in your approach, and be gracious to anyone who lends you 15 to 30 minutes of their time. Remember in networking you are not asking for a job, rather you are asking for advice on how to improve your applications. Networking may lead to someone asking for your resume or connecting you with a hiring manager, but that is a bonus. No connection is ever wasted, and you never know what will happen in the future.
Make a schedule
With all the application deadlines, on top of balancing school work and extracurricular activities, having a schedule is helpful. When I was a senior in university, I had an excel sheet I filled out with job posting deadlines along with the status of either progressing to an interview or being rejected. Due to the volume of applications I was submitting, this allowed me to stay organized and keep track of all the jobs I was applying to, and decide which applications to prioritize.
Stay positive
Above all, stay positive throughout your search. You may see others around you getting interviews and offers, but it’s important not to compare. Your career is a personal journey, and there is no deadline for when that success is achieved. The search for a job is a process that will ultimately end positively; you will find a position that is perfect for you!
While it may be daunting and overwhelming searching for a job, it’s not an impossible feat. Stay positive, be genuine, and showcase yourself in the best possible light. Your first job is right around the corner.
Contributed by:
Shaan Ali Jessa, TalentEgg.ca
TalentEgg.ca is Canada’s leading job board and online career resource for college and university students and recent graduates.
Discussion1 Comment
Making a strategy will help ensure that you succeed whatever of the course of action you choose after graduation. Having these items ready prior to applying can help you evaluate your qualifications in one location and save time when application deadlines draw near.