How to Find a Job Post-University
So you’re finally done with university and you’re ready to take the leap forward to the work force. First of all, congratulations – it’s been a challenging road so far and you deserve a pat on the back for getting this far. Your academics have prepared you as far as knowledge. But unless you are very lucky, they haven’t taught you how to properly prepare for the next step: finding a job.
Finding a job in your career when you haven’t worked in the industry before is not an easy feat. We don’t all have HR form like Iventa supporting us the whole way through, and we may need to get the foot in the door on our own.
Here are five good strategies to finding a job post-university:
1) Find an internship
If you can afford to work for free temporarily in an internship, it’s a great opportunity to make connections and get experience in your resume. There’s always a possibility to level up and get a paying job offer from the company itself, or at the very least, ask for recommendations for positions in similar companies that are not a direct competitor.
2) Take advantage of human resources consulting firms
HR companies do the difficult work for you – they are aware of open positions in a wide variety of industries, understand what companies are looking for and whether you’re a good fit. If they find you to be a suitable candidate, they will arrange an interview for you. The great thing about consulting firms is that they can get you very solid positions that may be higher than entry level, since their recommendation is highly esteemed by companies. If you’re interested in job opportunities abroad, you can also speak with international headhunters who will make the connections for you.
3) Take advantage of LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a great resource for finding job openings and making connections in your industry. Create an attractive and active profile, and browse for shared acquaintances that could be potentially beneficial down the line. Washington Post has some great tips on using LinkedIn to find a job.
4) Job boards and career websites
There’s a variety of useful online job boards available, depending on your field, region or language. They do exactly what it sounds like – post vacancies and employment opportunities. Some are available for free while others may cost a monthly fee, so do your research well before you pick a website. Following them through RSS may be a smart way to ensure you don’t miss any new job opportunities that are posted.
5) Head to Job Fairs
Job fairs are usually targeted toward specific industries or locations. Usually dozens of companies will take part in a job fair to ensure its success for all participants. Don’t go with too high an illusion: job fairs are competitive – you will be giving your resume to a company along with hundreds of others. However, the value of job fairs is in potential future connections. Check back with the companies a few months down the road; they might just have an opening and will be impressed that you remembered them.
Category: Student News
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