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7 Steps to Help Fresh Graduates Become More Employable

Posted by Guthrie-Jensen Consultants

Once you’ve graduated from college, you’ll join the sea of job hunters and become part of the crowded and competitive job market. One thing you need to brace yourself for is the heavy competition among other job seekers. Since you’ve just come from university with no formal work experience to make you top choice for employers, it could get really tough.

But don’t let this steal your hope. While you’re at the stage where you’re still trying to develop your skills in the real world, there are ways to help you stand out and become more employable even if you’re a fresh graduate.

Follow these steps to gain advantage and outshine other established professionals:

 

1. Manage your reputation online.

For sure you have profiles on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Although your social accounts are for your personal use, your posts say a lot about you, and employers are interested to find out more about your personality or character through your posts on social.

Reports say that two out of five employers use social media as a screening tool and 43% of employers said their social search influenced their hiring decisions against some candidates.

If you’re applying for jobs, use social media to highlight your skills and values. Avoid spreading negativity or false information on your accounts. If you’re on LinkedIn, use a professional profile picture that can make a good first impression to potential employers.

 

2. Leverage job websites and LinkedIn.

HR teams and recruitment firms are adopting new technologies including the use of job sites and LinkedIn to post job ads.

Take time to explore these sites to see which ones post more job listings or which companies have received positive reviews from job seekers. Then, create accounts on your chosen job sites and include your complete profile.

You can now start applying for jobs, focusing on companies that are willing to accept fresh graduates.

 

3. Tailor your CV and applications.

Employers will request you to submit your CV and a cover letter when you apply. Don’t be too quick or eager to hit that “Submit” button even if you have already completed the documents they need.

Understand that each job will have different requirements, so you need to tailor your application by highlighting relevant information or skills.

When applying for a teaching job online, for instance, you should list your experience in participating in an educational outreach program back when you were in the university. However, you don’t need to highlight your teaching background if you’re considering a bank teller’s job.

 

4. Take internship opportunities and volunteer if possible.

You might come across employers who prefer experienced candidates over fresh graduates for the simple reason that the job entails special skill sets that you could only develop through time.

To help you get rid of this skills gap, you could take advantage of internship or volunteering opportunities in your community. These programs can give you valuable exposure and training in key areas such as skills development or project management.

Sometimes, they can even serve as a stepping stone to jumpstart your career if they decide to hire you in their organization officially.

 

5. Use your network wisely.

Your first job prospect doesn’t necessarily have to come from a career fair. You could choose to be proactive in searching for jobs or employers when you use your connections such as family, friends, mentors, and other people who might be able to refer you to a potential recruiter or company.

Let people in your network know that you’re on the lookout for job opportunities. Alternatively, you could research companies where you would like to work and reach out to your LinkedIn contacts to ask for job openings in the same company.

You may still need to go through the proper channels to apply, but at least, you already got some good prospects on hand.

 

6. Motivate yourself.

Don’t underestimate what a positive mindset can do to your job hunting efforts. The transition from university life to becoming a productive working individual may leave you feeling tired, challenged, or disinterested.

While this is a valid feeling or reaction, you need to stay focused on your career goals—read informative articles or books, update your blog site, practice answering common interview questions, and so on. The key is to help yourself prepare for your job ahead.

 

7. Get additional skills.

Your university degree can be a more potent tool if you complement it with other learnings or skills. Continuous learning is a positive behavior that can set you up for success in the employment world.

Contact only professional training providers in the Philippines to make sure that you get expert advice on choosing a suitable training program, which can help you plan for your future job or career.

 

Landing that first job is not as difficult as you think it is. Use these tips to help you become as competitive as other candidates out there regardless of your level of experience. You can also check out our training for transforming work habits for productivity and excellence. We wish you good luck in your future career!


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