You’ve just graduated and probably looking for your first job. You may be feeling excited, nervous, and perhaps a touch uncertain. After varsity life, it is hard to adjust to working full time in the real world.
But whether you’re a recent grad or someone who graduated a long time ago, here are some tips that will help you build and grow your career.
Tip #1: Know yourself
Before you can start building your career, you need to know what you’re all about. What are your strengths and weaknesses? What do you want to do with your life? Is there a dream job you’ve always wanted but never had the guts to go after? Now is the time! Don’t be afraid to set goals and plan for how you’ll achieve them. It’s okay if you don’t know the next step—just make sure that you have some idea of where you want to be in the next five years (or more).
Tip#2: Get noticed
Many people are out there trying to get noticed and get their foot in the door of a new career opportunity, which makes it challenging for an individual candidate to stand out from the crowd. For this not to happen, take some time to think about what makes YOU unique as an employee, then make sure people know about it when looking through your CV. Do your research on each company before submitting applications for call centre jobs or attending interviews. What kind of work do they do? Who works there? What kind of culture do they have? Then tailor each application based on your research.
Tip #3: Internships and entry level positions
Apply for internships and entry-level positions that will allow you to gain relevant experience within your chosen field. Having an internship or job before graduation can help you get ahead of other candidates vying for the same opportunities and show potential employers that you’ve already begun working toward your goals.
Tip #4: Use your free time effectively
Your free time can be used productively by reading on industry trends, networking with professionals in the field you’re interested in, and volunteering at events related to your desired profession. You’ll learn more about what it’s like working in different industries and gain valuable connections that will serve as references when applying for senior accountant jobs later on in life!
As a new graduate in today’s job market, you may feel like you’re starting your career at a disadvantage, especially if you’re in a saturated field. But there are plenty of things you should do to put yourself ahead of the competition. Treating each employer with care and respect, emphasising the skills and abilities that are truly unique to you, and constantly improving your skill sets will help you stand out from the other candidates applying for that coveted job opening.
