Few things strike fear into the hearts of recent graduates more than the words JOB HUNTING. So scarily adult. You've just turned your whole life upside down and you're got no idea where to even start because they don't teach you this stuff at school. For a lot of people this will be the first time they've ever actually applied for a job. This was true even for me and I had worked thoughout my degree by finding work through people I knew. I'd never written a CV, looked at a job advert or been to an interview and yet I actually found a job pretty easily. More about my job hunting story here.
While I can't promise you'll find a job straight away here are some easy things you can do right now which will help get you started. As everyone who has ever embarked on a difficult task will know, starting is often the hardest part and once you have accomplished that it is easier to continue with the next steps.
1. Consider what your expectations are.
Are you prepared to be flexible in the area you want to work in? Or are you prepared to be flexible on location? If you can answer yes to either of those questions then you will find it a lot easier to get a job, simply because there are more options open to you. If you can answer yes to BOTH (which a lot of new graduates can) then job hunting suddenly doesn't seem so daunting, because they're are a myriad of jobs out there. The world is not the same as it was in 2008 and graduate unemployment is not the dire picture it was a few years ago. Yes there will always be fierce competition for the top jobs, but they are not the only ones out there.
I was not prepared to move away from home (because of trying to save for a house deposit) but I was open minded when it came to what type of job I was looking for.
It's also worth baring in mind that your first job is unlikely to be your forever job and it's ok to find something that suits you for now. If you've never had a job before, any position at all will help you gain valuable skills like talking to people on the phone, or helping customers face to face. Then you can build on those skills to find your next role. In my experience it is far easier to find employment if you are already employed (bit of a catch 22 for recent grads I know) so if an opportunity comes your way, take it. Even it it's not the dream grad job you had in mind, you will be better
placed for the next grad scheme cycle if you've gained more real life
working experience.It's unlikely to be the best job in the world, but its better to be out there earning money and skills while you look for your next role. Once you know what you're prepared to compromise on and you accept your first role might not be the best you ever have you'll be better positioned to take the next steps.
2. Update your LinkedIn profile.
If you don't have one, then make one! Add all of your old connections from uni and any colleagues from previous jobs. Update your qualifications and add that you are looking for work in the relevant sector. This is important for three reasons:
1. A lot of recruitment agencies find people through LinkedIn. A solid profile means that they are more likely to be able to find you in the first place as well as suss out the necessary info about you to figure out if you would be a good march for the job they have in mind.
2. You can apply for jobs through LinkedIn and you are able to get a feel for the company by looking at who already works there and what sort of experience they have.
3. When you have an interview lined up you can check out the person interviewing you and find out more about them (you can do this in private mode if you want).
This is such a simple one and can really help you feel like you've made a positive step forward.
3. Write your CV
If you've never written one before or your current one needs sprucing up then head over to Monster. I've found they have the best info to help you and the most professional looking templates. Using one can really help you get started if you're currently staring at a blank screen on Microsoft Word or it can help you polish up your existing version. You can always adapt it at a later stage but it always helps to have something to get you going in the first place.
4. Post your CV online.
This is absolutely crucial. When you are browsing websites for jobs, make an account and post your CV online. The big three to absolutely make sure you have a presence on are Indeed, Reed and Monster. Also don't forget to look at more local sources such as your local newspapers or radio shows website. Not only do they often post adverts from smaller companies but you can often upload your CV too and its a cert that all the jobs on there will be local.
If you do this then (and your CV is well written) you will often find that the job offers start coming to you! A call from a recruitment agency is always welcome as they sometimes have positions that haven't been widely advertised and if the one they have contacted you about doesn't float your boat you can always ask about other roles they are recruiting for. Always cultivate your contacts with them as you may find they contact you again at a later date if they find another position and your name comes to mind.
5. Consider Temping
If you've just graduated and have no clue what you want to do, signing up to a local temping agency can be a great way to get going. The plus side is you get to try lots of different roles and get a feel for what area of work might suit you. You will also build loads of skills from each role and companies often take on temps for full time positions if you prove yourself to be capable.Temping agencies are always on the look out for people due to the fact people come and go all the time so chances are they might have something suitable for you. Obviously the downside is the work can be for varying lengths of time and it can be unpredictable but if you can be flexible then it can be a great way to sample lots of different positions and find out more about yourself. It also beats lurking about the house all day doing nothing and listening to your parents complain about you not having a job yet! Other options if you're struggling include looking for part time roles or volunteering. Although unlikely to pay what you were hoping it can be a fantastic way of gaining more skills which will help you move onto your next role.
Life After Graduation Blog Series:
Post 1: My job hunting experience
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