Job Hunting Tips for the Fresh Graduate

CEBU, Philippines - Congratulations! You have surpassed the rough years of school life. But no, the game is not over yet. In fact, the real challenge has just begun.

Along with the thrills of being a fresh graduate is the pressure and urge to get a job. Whether you are constantly prodded by your parents or you just simply don’t want to end up a bum, getting a job can be the ultimate justification that the previous years you spent in college is leading somewhere. For many, the memory of a first job will linger until they settle within their chosen career. In today’s competitive world, a young mind that has just been out from the safe walls of a university carries the question: could I be one of the many unemployed college graduates? Before you panic, here are some tried and tested tips that will make you land your first job – fast.

Know What You Really Want: Just like solving a scientific problem, you must first of all identify what you want to achieve. Yes, you have your four or five-year course to answer that, but exactly what field do you want to take? Say for example you are a MassComm graduate, do you picture yourself working in a broadcasting company, or would you rather take part of the print media? If you do want to write, do you prefer writing hard news or are you more inclined to feature writing? There are many options that you can take. It is important though that you know what you really desire so you can focus your preparation on that specific outlet.

Look for Openings: After identifying what you are looking for, it is now time for you to look for it in the right places. There are many places to look for your first job, just bear in mind that you should be able to find something that suits your needs and can give you the experience you are seeking. The newspaper and the internet are the best places to look for it. Look for something that states that the employer will train the potential applicant, or that little or no experience is necessary for the job.

Prepare Your Resume: You may have the notion that as a fresh graduate, you don’t have that much to put in your resume. But there are actually many things that you can use to fill your resume and demonstrate your experiences – not necessarily job experiences. Use your participations in extracurricular activities to highlight the experience that you have developed through the academic career. Taking part of clubs or organizations shows that you have high level of cooperation and teamwork, and being a leader in any club speaks for something even more promising.

Submit your Application: With your resume ready and a company in mind, you can now submit your intentions of joining them. Aside from your resume, you may also need to prepare your application letter. Basically, the former presents your credentials, while the latter is a written explanation of the information related to your application. You can submit your application personally or you can do it online if the option is available on the company’s website. Most companies today also have referral programs. This allows you to ask someone you know from the company to refer you, and all you have to do is wait for the call inviting you for an exam or an interview, in which you have to bring your application.

Have Your Phone Ready: Now that you have submitted your application to one or more companies, you are bound to expect calls from them. Thus, it is important that you be attentive to your phone, making sure you pick up any calls that may open a bright career for you. It is also helpful that you get used to answering phone calls politely and enthusiastically. The usual “hello” is okay, but it will make you sound more professional if you add your name on it. “Hello, (your name) speaking,” makes you appear more accommodating and saves the caller —who is most likely an HR— a few moments of his time since he doesn’t have to say he wants to talk to you.

Be Ready for Exams and Interviews: Whether you have been invited for an exam/interview or you are applying as a walk in applicant, leave a good first impression. First off, make sure you have done your homework on researching about the company. The interviewer is most likely to ask you about what you know of the company, or why you chose the company. Second, don’t be late. If you are scheduled for an exam or interview, be sure you show up at least half an hour earlier. It gives you enough time to check your appearance and prepare yourself. Third, dress appropriately. Even if the company appears to have no strict dress code, applicants who don’t look like they are going for a movie or a stroll in the mall are more likely to stand out. Lastly, be confident and don’t panic. Looking like you know exactly what you are doing gives you more edge than you can imagine.

Don’t be Easily Discouraged: They say that when an interviewer tells you that they’ll call you means they wouldn’t. This isn’t always true. Most of the time they just need more time reviewing your application and exam results. If you however don’t get a call, you can always make a follow up a few days later. But if you do get turned down, don’t fret, there are still other jobs out there. That one may not be for you, but something else surely is. You’re not expected to always succeed on the first try anyway.

Realize that a first job doesn’t have to be glamorous. Think of your first job as an experience that will allow the next job to come easy. The valuable experiences learned can even be added to your resume. If, for some reason, you feel like you want to take a path that isn’t in line with your course, don’t be afraid to take the risk. There are so many things you can conquer with your determination and passion. The world has so much more to offer and it’s yours for the taking.