#1. Remain calm and start where you are.
When beginning to look for a graduate job, many people feel left out and, like everybody else apart from them, know what they need to do. However, other graduates are probably feeling equally confused.
In most cases, your fellow graduates will spend most of their summer relaxing and releasing pent-up pressure instead of preparing their CVs, never mind applying for advertised jobs.
Sometimes, it is normal to feel lost about what to do with your newly acquired degree or how to update your CV; therefore, do not fret. The first step is to begin by taking action and getting started, take a look at 2023 graduate schemes as a starting point.
#2. Create an Effective Cover Letter.
A good cover letter is an integral part of hunting for graduate jobs. We cannot overemphasize enough the need for a cover letter; it presents a great opportunity to sell your personality to the recruiter and focus your competencies on a particular role.
Remember, the hiring manager encounters hundreds of CVs from other qualified applicants; therefore, you must use a cover letter as an ideal tool to set yourself apart from the rest and get yourself invited for the interview.
A good cover letter demonstrates that you possess relevant skills for the job you are seeking. At the same time, do not begin your letter with a generic phrase like “To whom it may concern…” — you will score more points if you find time to learn the addressee’s name before writing your cover letter.
#3. Prepare yourself adequately.
It may sound like a cliché, but preparing yourself by planning adequately will put you at an advantage.
You can prepare by researching and learning more about the company from its website and other sources.
You can work on your CV to make it more compelling and relevant to the company’s values and objectives. Also, if you make it to the interview stage, you will have gathered sufficient background information to get an idea of how to answer the interview questions.
#4. Find a hobby.
Start by examining the qualities, achievements, and past work assignments that help you stand out from other graduates and include them in your job-hunting arsenal. They may include all the relevant subjects or units you have undertaken to improve your professional skills.
In addition, remember to mention any voluntary work, hobbies, or short courses that you have done that are relevant to the job you are applying for.
Alternatively, you can always create time to learn something new or participate in a worthy cause that sets you apart from other graduates. This is because there is always time to start learning a new skill.
#5. Ensure You Market Yourself, Not Your Degree’s Title.
When you begin sending out your resume, there is a significant probability that your degree might only be somewhat relevant to the job you seek. However, such a mismatch does not mean you cannot still do the work.
You need to see yourself beyond the title on your degree certificate and focus on the skills you have learned and mastered throughout your professional journey.
Through higher education, you can learn invaluable professional skills such as delivering work within fixed timelines, strong research, and analytical skills, presentation skills, problem solving, interpersonal skills, etc. Simply put, there is no end to the skills you can learn; however, what matters most is how you present and articulate them to the hiring authority.
#6. Always be confident and optimistic.
Your confidence and positive attitude must clearly come through in your language and general conduct. When expressing yourself to the recruiter, avoid using self-defeating phrases like “I think I can…” “I feel like I am…” “I can be good at…” You must always sound confident if you are to sell your skills successfully.
Your confidence will be needed even more if your degree certificate is only somewhat relevant to the job position you are looking for. Statements like “I understand that I do not possess enough experience in this area…” will not in any way support your job-hunting cause.
Rarely will recruiters get the “perfect candidate”; so, instead of focusing on your flaws, focus on selling your strengths.
#7. Continue growing your networks.
Always remember the potential of networking. Ask your friends and family (and their friends’ friends as well) for leads. It does not matter how long you have gone without talking or seeing each other — that is beside the point!
Look for ways to get your name in front of recruiters through your networks. Sometimes, your contacts give you a heads-up when an opportunity opens up or offer you a chance to gain some work experience as you continue looking for work.
