You did it! Everyone is congratulating you for graduating during the challenging pandemic. Now what? You recognize you are supposed to get a job, but how do you find that in a changing and recovering economy? It is a turbulent job market for a new grad and changes are underway as GenZ enters the workforce. Savor the enthusiasm of success upon completing school, and then delve into landing your first job. Here is some guidance you can use to assist you in achieving fruitful employment after graduation:
Take a deep breath. In the context of your career, you will have plenty of years to work and figure it out. Stressing over how long it takes to begin your career will only make you appear desperate. No employer requires someone who is saying yes to the first job proposed. They want you to be particular and make sure you are choosing them for the right reasons.
Don’t focus on compensation. You have little to no expertise and few skills. Your best choice is to gain experience, and that can be done with an ideal position, a top company, and even the best manager. Where you begin and how you learn will be crucial to future wages. Higher pay does not always mean you will gain knowledge and the necessary experience to necessary a comprehensive career.
Do your research. Learn about the companies that call you and invite you to interview. You will not know everything, but you should have a solid foundation of what they do and how you could fit in. Fact-finding online will be helpful.
Search beyond job titles. Not all job listings will be 100 percent accurate. Seekers should be more discerning with companies and do their research. You might search with titles and miss a terrific opportunity that used different verbiage. Read job descriptions thoroughly. Take a comprehensive approach to employment, explore an industry, not just a particular job title.
Realize rejection happens. Try not to take it personally. Unfortunately, ghosting, even after following up, has become a norm. After the “no,” ask for feedback and do what you can to improve your skills. In your head, re-enact what you did and said, and examine how you could improve. You are learning, and you will get better at interviews and identifying which roles are a better fit for you. It takes time, experience, and persistence.
Avoid mentioning salary and benefits too soon. Not only is it considered bad interviewing etiquette, but you might wind up refusing a job that could pay more than they initially offer. You never know what will occur when an organization is determined to hire you; they could offer more after reviewing other applicants. Wait until you are certain the position is an ideal fit.
Be confident and assertive. Go in with determination. This is the initial impression the organization has of you, and you want to seem energized and ready to dive into work. Everyone appreciates meeting someone who wants to meet them, and your interviewer should smile and have a pleasant attitude after interacting with you.
Take your time, learn from your mistakes and remember everyone in the workforce today has been through multiple interviews. Everyone has been rejected at some point, but don’t let it get you down. If you need help finding a job, contact us today.