Rebecca Brown

You finally graduated and now you’re ready for the job market eager to show what you know.

But the truth is, college didn’t prepare you for what’s next. You acquired all that knowledge and read all those books but nothing can really prepare you for the pressure and the stressful job search experience until you actually start searching for a job.

The job market is extremely competitive and can be intimidating. We know just how you feel, everyone goes through this stage at some point in their lives. Here are some useful job-search tips for fresh graduates to help you overcome the struggle.

What Do You Really Want to Do?

We know that you can’t wait to start earning and you are aware that chances of landing your dream job immediately after college are not very high. But that doesn’t mean you should jump right into sending out your resume everywhere.

Don’t let your first step after college be applying to dozens of jobs right away before you’ve even had the chance to think about it. We suggest taking a moment to consider what you want to do and setting a job goal for the future.

It doesn’t have to be a dream job but you should at least think about what kind of organisation you would like to work for, what type of job would interest you, etc. Once you decide what you want to do, you can start applying for jobs that match your interests.

Always Research the Company

When you come across an awesome job, before you dive into writing a cover letter, research the company. See what their company culture is, if the company is actually worth your time, etc. It’s no use applying to a job if you don’t really see yourself working there in the future. If you think the company is not worth your effort, then don’t waste your time. Move on to the next job.

Also, if you get an interview, interviewers will expect to see what you know about the company and whether you took the time to research what they do. So research is something you should do before and after you apply for a job.

Take Your Time with Your Resume and Cover Letter

So you’ve figured out what kind of jobs interest you and the type of organisation you would like to work for. But you are yet to show these organisations that you are a valuable candidate. That means no generic, copy/paste cover letters and resumes. You need to tailor your resume to fit the job.

Also, you should take your time with the cover letter and carefully write it so that the potential employer doesn’t discard your application as generic and unappealing. They want to know that you’ve really invested time to understand what they are looking for. So do just that. That’s the key to a successful job application.

Consult a Professional

If all the tips online could not help you handle the job search and land a good job, then seek professional tips. The same goes for fresh graduates who have no idea what they want to do and where to start.

That’s completely understandable, the job search can be overwhelming, especially for someone looking for an entry-level job. If you want to find the right job, one that you will look forward to every day but you have no idea how to approach the matter, seek advice from a career counsellor.  

Embarking on a job-search journey means you will sometimes face rejections and other stressful situations. But with these tips, you can make the process a bit easier. Good luck!

The one-woman show behind RoughDraft, Rebecca Brown is a writer, an interpreter in three languages, and the most passionate traveller you have yet to meet. Her dream is to visit every country in the world one day (so far up to 49), and to find the perfect cappuccino. You can read more of her work online at RoughDraft, and find her on Twitter here.