If you are a recent graduate looking for a job, you might find that you are running into a few problems along the way. You want to get started in a career that you enjoy and land a meaningful job right from the get-go. Nonetheless, often we lack the network and experience needed to get there. If you want to find a job that will let you reach new heights, we have a few different tips that you can use to get there.
Tip #1 – Cater your resume to each job
Many graduates make this mistake and it is a logical one to make. You spend hours tailoring your resume, and you have finally come up with the resume that you think really represents your experience and knowledge. However, you should tailor your resume to the job posting. Try to use similar vocabulary and terminology as used in the job post instead of sending the same resume to multiple jobs. This is not only going to show that you took the time to tailor your resume and thus take the process seriously, but it also highlights that you read and understood the job posting.
Tip #2 – Be realistic
If you hate the question “where do you see yourself in five years” you are not alone. However, especially as a graduate, it is a good idea to focus on the incremental growth in your career and the skills that you hope to gain from a position. Rather than saying you want to be a manager in five years, just being realistic about your professional future is going to go a long way.
Tip #3 – Put your resume out there
You could have the best food in the world, but if no one knows where the restaurant is, odds are you will not get any customers. The same can be said about a jobs prospects. Make sure that your resume gets posted on the more popular websites, thus helping increase your exposure to the market. The five most popular online website for job searches include:
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If you have no idea what you want to do right now, remember that most people are not going to start in the same industry that they will end up. Sometimes it is a good idea to find a job you enjoy and see where you go from there. If you enjoy being creative and do not want the traditional 9 to 5 to bog you down, you can start your career as an online essay writer to become a creative professional in the future.
Tip #4 – Let people know you are available
Let’s be honest, a large majority of people are going to get their job through referrals. This means that networking is extremely important, and you should let people know that you are available and looking for a job.
This is going to connect you with people who might already have a foot in the door. Not only is it going to help you find a job, but it also means that people vouch for you. This instantly lends credibility if you do decide to apply somewhere.
Tip #5 – Set goals for yourself
It is important that you take the job hunt seriously. This means that you need to set specific targets for yourself when it comes to increasing your chances of finding a job. Set a goal for yourself to send several resumes or applications each day. This means that you are constantly engaging new prospects and is ultimately going to increase the chance of finding a job.
Tip #6 – Find out what you are sharing
Especially as a recent graduate, there is a chance that you have not cared about being considered ‘professional’ until now. It is a good idea to run your name through a handful of search engines (Bing and Google being the two most obvious ones) and make sure that you keep your Facebook private or at least clean it up. Remember that someone can always do a thorough enough background check to determine what you have on your Facebook, regardless of your privacy setting. If you have pictures that bring your character into question or reveal something that you would prefer prospective employers not to know, now is the time to get rid of it.
Tip #7 – You do not need all the requirements
The worst thing that can happen if you apply for a job is that you do not get it. Simple as that. If you do not bother applying for a job you are not getting it anyway. Just as you are looking for your ‘dream job’, a prospective employer is looking for a ‘dream candidate’. You are willing to accept a job that does not tick all your boxes, so why shouldn’t you go for a job where you do not match up with all the requirements?
Remember that there are going to be very few ‘perfect’ employees who meet all the requirements and fit the description to a tee. If you meet more than 50 percent of the requirements, why not take a chance and apply anyway? Oftentimes a willingness to learn and develop yourself is more important than having all the specific requirements.