After having cleared all academic hurdles, now you are at the start of the job race. By now, you must have a fair idea as to what type of job that you should do. You also must have a realistic assessment about the competition prevailing in the job market. Added to it, there will also be pressures on you not to sit idle or while away time. The best thing you can do at this time is to systematically approach the recruitment process just as you would an assignment. No, I don’t mean that you should copy and edit someone else’s strategy… Work on it. Devise your own strategy and invest time and effort in to the application process.
Tips for Fresh Graduate Job Search
The following tips are useful as starting points for a steady and successful career ahead.
- Identify Your Career: Considering your academic training and qualification, you would have arrived at a fairly comprehensive idea about your possible career. Like when you did some professional course, your line of career was well decided at the beginning itself. Engineers, doctors, lawyers, accountants, artists, etc., belong to that category. If you pursued higher academic studies, including research, then academic career may prove to be suitable to you. Management graduates are suitable for good positions in any organization or industry, as they can adapt themselves in any situation. So, identification of career, based on academic training is very important before embarking on a career pursuit.
- Your Resume is the Key: The next step after career identification is to enter the job market. How to do it? You do it by getting out your résumé properly done. The resume is your passport for any job application. It is also known by various names such as curriculum Vitae (CV), bio-data, etc. Whatever be the name, the basic idea is to give maximum information about you in clear terms, and without leaving out any worthwhile information. It is your marketing tool, so spend considerable time on it. If your resume appears incomprehensible or directionless, then you will be doomed. Highlight the things that are necessary for a prospective employer, like your qualification, skills, and accomplishments, etc. Thou do bear in mind that not everything is supposed to go on the resume. Do leave out things that you can share in the interview. These would be the secondary things not as important to list in the resume, however important enough to set you apart from the other candidates and let you impress the interviewers during the interview.
- Application Submission: While seeking a job, one must apply to the job opening. A company-specific application (in some cases, plain application only) should be procured, carefully filled in with all details, with resume and cover letter attached, and with required papers and certificate copies enclosed along with job application. Remember, incomplete applications are liable to be rejected outright. You can submit application online or personally. When postal delivery is insisted, you may send it through a reputed courier.
- Interview Preparation: Sometimes, you may be required to sit for an examination or test, followed by interview for successful candidates. So, get as much information as possible about the prospective employer. Next, prepare with correct answers regarding your suitability for the job, your career expectations, your expected salary, etc. Some may even want guarantee from you to work for a minimum amount of time. You have to be ready for all such queries.
- Initial phone Interview: After your submission of application, you may expect a phone call from employers for initial telephonic interview. Such phone interviews are meant for screening candidates, so be careful to be clear and audible over the phone. Keep the atmosphere peaceful and noise-free at home on the day of the phone interview. Most interviewers will ask you if this is a suitable time for you to talk for a few minutes…if you honestly cannot find a decent private spot ….let them know and give them a suitable time when you can talk to them. This is better then not being able to answer the questions candidly and without interruption may it be co workers, noisy area or carrier reception issues.
- Wear Suitable Attire: It is advisable to wear formal dress always as it suits the atmosphere at the interview. Do not wear college student dress, it will be frowned upon.
- Appearance Counts: In addition to your dress, your appearance creates the first impression. The first impression that you create will dictate the course of the interview. Do not look unkempt. You should look well groomed and immaculate. Wear conservative shoes.
- Your Voice also Matters: Your voice should be such that you should be heard clearly and audibly. Do not mumble, state emphatically, but politely. Do not raise your voice above the voice of the interviewer.
- Exude Confidence: Do not be timid in answering any queries. Do not, for a moment, think that you are a fresh graduate. Keep eye contact throughout, without staring at the interviewer. Respond with confidence and self-assurance.
- Thank the Interviewer: After the interview, thank the interviewer or a team of interviewers individually for their time. Follow it up with a ‘thank you’ note to all of them.
If you follow the above basic tips and suggestions, your fresh graduate job search will lead you to a successful career. Inshallah.
good effort