Tips for Looking for Your First Job
The period after graduating from college is a difficult time for many people. Lack of experience is the hardest obstacle many graduates have to overcome. Some people have never gone through an interview, while others do not even know how to write a resume.
These are some of the challenges teenagers have to overcome in order to secure their first employment. You might face rejection when you start searching for your first job; that is normal and everyone goes through it. The following are some tips that will help to snag that first job after graduating from college.
Update Your Resume
Keep your resume updated with the latest information, ranging from the college activities to other major activities, and remember to include your college results (GPA). Make sure that your resume reflects the new skills you have developed. A good example is the case of a computer programmer who has learned another new language after college graduation. This should be mentioned on the resume.
Consider Taking an Internship
Many graduates get valuable experience after college through an internship, and this is a great opportunity to taste the working world. Full-time employment may require professional experience in a particular field, but internships are offered to recent graduates and current students to sharpen their skills. Although most internships are unpaid, some receive a small stipend or hourly wage. Highlighting the internships in your resume confirms your abilities to succeed in a particular job.
Attend Career Fairs
Career fairs will help you get in touch with your future employers face-to-face. This is the best chance to ask questions and you will also discover the jobs that match your skills. Most colleges and universities host these job fairs where you can attend and learn more from the recruiters. You can also find out from your college’s career office whether there are any upcoming opportunities within your area.
Be Open-Minded
Everyone has a dream job in mind, but to have a successful job search after graduating will depend on your flexibility. You can widen your search to capture other positions that are available in the same field or check different jobs that may require a similar set of skills. Keep your mind open to a variety of other possibilities that may increase your chance of getting your first job. Attend more interviews for different jobs instead of just focusing on your favorites.
Maintain Your Job Network
Maintaining your job network is a very important aspect that will help you to find a job after graduating from college. To keep networking for jobs you can use your family, professors, friends or co-workers to get news about the new opportunities that might not be advertised on the jobs’ board.
Keep On Applying
Searching for a job can be a daunting task, and it tends to slow down with time. But remember, any job you apply for after graduating from college is a new opportunity. Every experience will help you in your future application. Apply for your new jobs every day and keep in touch with your contacts that you made over the time.
Landing a dream job can be difficult at first just like most things in life, but remember that practice will lead to perfection. If you fail on your first interview, take a note of possible mistakes that you made. This will help you to avoid repeating them next time you have an interview.
