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Every year, thousands and thousands of students graduate from Australian universities. For most, it is a time of happiness, pride and self reflection. To graduate university puts you in a category that is reserved for only the select few, worldwide.
But once this joy of finally finishing school wears off, many students are left feeling anxious about what comes next. Some plan on taking a prolonged time off to travel or rest, where as others have jobs already lined up. For most of us, it means it is time to get stuck into the graduate job market and find that first job!
Finding your first professional job can be a stressful experience. With fierce competition between graduates, little to differentiate one candidate from another, and potentially no relevant industry experience for yourself, it can seem like an uphill battle. Luckily, there are some things you can do to improve your chances of quickly landing that first opportunity.
1. Breakdown the Process
The professional job hunting process is something that can seem intimidating to newcomers. Resumes, Cover Letters, LinkedIn profiles, phone interviews, group interviews, personal interviews, the list goes on. A common mistake that a lot of graduates make when they apply for jobs is to think that every action is so “they can get a job”. In reality, it is a little more complicated than that. When you are looking for work, apply a specific objective to each activity. For example, when you are sending your resume through for a job, you are simply trying to get a phone call. When you have a phone interview, you are simply trying to get invited for a face to face meeting. Break down the entire process like this to enable you to focus on what is right in front of you; helping you present better for each situation.
2. Attention to Detail and Preparation
If there is any one thing you have control over, it is this. You cannot make employers call you back or offer you a job, but you can make sure you are well presented for an interview. You can make sure you are well informed on the job you are applying for when you have a phone interview. You can make sure you have a professional LinkedIn profile and a resume with no errors in it. You may think that it doesn’t matter or that no one will notice, but the truth is that people do notice mistakes. Mistakes are what give employers a reason to screen you out of the process.
Don’t give them a reason!
3. It’s a Numbers Game
In the graduate recruitment job market, there is a heap of competition which is reasonably similar in background, knowledge and experience. With such similar competition in the market, the reality is that you are probably going to miss out on an awful lot of jobs. When I first graduated I probably applied for 60 jobs in the first few weeks, each one with a specifically tailored cover letter and resume. You need to have the volume of applications in order to increase your chances of progress. It also means that you will have the luxury of choice to decide which opportunity you like the most.
4. Every Little Bit Counts
You may think that as a graduate, with no relevant professional experience, there would be no point in setting up a LinkedIn profile. You may think that your resume is ‘good enough’, so there is no need to tailor it for specific jobs. The reality is that a LinkedIn profile or a tailored resume probably won’t get you a job on its own, but it may help. It may improve your chances by 5 percent. That 5 percent may be what puts you over the top and makes you stand out from the pack, so don’t discount it.
5. Ask for Feedback
When you get the rejection emails, the first thing you may be tempted to do is to delete the email and move on with your life. But before you do, stop! If you get a phone call, thank them for their time and ask why you weren’t right for this role. If you get an email, reply to the email or call the company to follow up. It might be that simply there were lots of applicants and you didn’t quite make the cut. It could be something you can actively improve on, like your interview preparation or resume design. You will never be able to actively improve if you don’t know what people are looking for. Ask, and you will learn!
6. Stay Positive
Applying for jobs as a recent graduate can be stressful, it can get you down and you may start to think it is pointless. I went through all of those stages, and at the time it can seem tough. But it is so important to remain optimistic. Negativity will lead to bitterness, and both of these will invariably come through in any interview you participate in. Take each day as it comes and remember that you might apply for 200 jobs, but you only need one. That one job can come at any time and may be just round the corner.
Above are things that anyone can do to help them stand out, and implementing these tips might just make the difference for you in landing your dream job. Good luck!
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