7 Career tips for recent graduates

The university is a long and hard journey, and after it is a relentless and fierce battle. On the path to becoming an accomplished adult, there are several pits and hurdles along the way, and the only way to emerge as a winner is to have a successful career. 

As a recent graduate, it’s okay to feel lost and scared. This is when you will make the most mistakes and learn the greatest lessons so do not let your fear hinder you from making the most of this time. You should not be afraid to explore but also remember to tread cautiously so you don’t doom your career from the start. 

At this point in your life, you need careful guidance, and the 7 tips below will prove invaluable: 

1. Do not put away your books

For most, graduating means freedom from studying. Some commemorate their graduation by burning or throwing away their books, which is quite foolish. If you are not willing to embrace lifelong learning then do not expect to ever attain success. You must continue to strive harder to be better and the best time to start is the present. 

I know you’re sick of your books, and the thought of studying makes you nauseous, but it’s not something you should ever put away. You don’t have to study like you have finals the next day, but dedicating time to improving yourself will go a long way. 

2. Determine your professional route 

It might feel like the world is your oyster when you are just out of school. You want to try so many different things. It’s okay to do so but never lose sight of the bigger picture, which is the ideal position you want to have in the future. 

An overview of your goals, competencies, experiences, areas of interest, and values should be included in this kind of timeline, along with a draft plan outlining how you plan to refine each of these to better suit your dream position. 

3. Have a mentor

 A good mentor at the beginning of your career will give you a head start on your race to success. A mentor could teach you the ins and outs of the industry, keep you updated on recent happenings, and give you personalized guidance that will help you stand out.

It might not be easy to get a mentor, but it should not be too hard if you’re proactive about it. Reach out to leaders in your industry and express your interest in mentorship. They will most likely say yes if they can find potential in you.

4. Build up skills that are in demand 

Industries are evolving at a dizzying rate, particularly in terms of digitization. Not all university courses can catch up with these developments. This does not imply that your expertise is outdated. However, you could be lacking in certain more specialized skill areas.

Have a look at the list of abilities that companies are now looking for and if you feel like you are subpar, find ways to improve. Take a brief online course and obtain a certification that is accepted in the industry, then include a mention on your CV. 

5. Craft a compelling resume 

A formal education equips you with a wealth of useful information. However, recent graduates often find it difficult to relate their curriculum to employable abilities. particularly when they draft their first résumé. 

Find creative ways to package your experience for a potential employer. Instead of just summarizing your school history, emphasize the particular abilities and qualities that an employer finds appealing. 

If you are having trouble finding any, go through job descriptions related to your field. Observe the keywords that managers use to express the qualifications they are looking for in applicants. Next, educate yourself on the day-to-day operations of this kind of employment. Lastly, evaluate your hard and soft abilities and list the most important ones at the head of your application.  

Although time-consuming, it is best you craft a resume for every job you apply for. This will help you align your highlighted skills with the job description for the role. 

6. Make research

Before applying for a job with a firm, the more background investigation you do on them, the better. Check out the latest announcements, thought leadership, and news from the firm. There’s a good likelihood they would also be disclosing open positions to fresh college graduates.

Try contacting a colleague on LinkedIn who works in the department you want to join and asking for a few words about their experience with the company or some mentorship. 

Your job application will seem much more natural if you have this insider information as you will be familiar with their corporate culture and communication style.

7. Have some experience

The worst part about being a recent graduate is that you have zero experience and almost every job you come across requires at least some experience. You may be able to find some work, but more likely be a low-paying one. That may sound depressing, but you need experience to make it in the professional world. Fortunately, there are ways you can go about this. 

First of all, a lot of businesses provide possibilities for graduate work experience and paid internships. They may be more competitive, yes. But if you have a strong recent graduate CV and an engaging cover letter, you can succeed. Follow companies that you are interested in online, apply for any suitable jobs that are posted online, join some of their virtual events, connect with the company’s recruitment office on LinkedIn, and be noticed for hiring.

Next, give freelancing a go. Many organizations are eager to recruit freelancers for project-based, part-time, or even full-time positions since most have shifted to remote operations. Instead of submitting a formal job application every time, just state how you can do the task at hand. Freelancing allows you to get a lot of practical experience, gain insight into businesses, develop your portfolio, and network with professionals in the field that may lead to a full-time job offer. 

Lastly, doing a part-time job unrelated to your field of employment and serving as an unpaid intern is perfectly acceptable. Many well-paying part-time employments are available to support your lifestyle while you look for a career. These kinds of jobs may also assist you in gaining some highly important transferable skills. 

Conclusion

After graduating from the university, the next step is to quickly establish yourself in the career you choose for yourself. It is okay to make some mistakes along the way, but much better if you try not to. Take these tips as a guide and be prepared to weather the storm.