After completing college, you feel over joyous to have earned a degree. Finally it’s time to pursue your dream career and be self-dependent. But you also know that job hunting is not an easy task. Do not panic. Just follow these simple tips and make a positive start towards your job search journey.
Tap all the resources to figure out what exactly you want to do
If your college has a career office, make use of it. You can seek help in developing resumes and cover letters, preparation for interviews and the strategy to prepare a job search plan, based on your interests. Utilize the alumni database to get in touch with your seniors and get valuable suggestions from them.
Visit a career advisor in order to discuss your options. You can approach a career counsellor if you are not very sure about your professional dreams.
Campuses are visited by top companies and they recruit through campus placements. Do not fail to grab the opportunity to impress them. Also do not miss out on the career fairs, career events, alumni networking programs etc.
Network
Networking is one of the most effective ways to find your dream job. You can use contacts for information and advice regarding job availability and prospects. Contact professionals for consultation regarding relevant information. Get lists of alumni volunteers from the alumni association. Attend networking events. Once you build rapport with professionals, follow up with them to learn more about the work environment and culture. If you can find one mentor this way, it will completely change the scenario.
Get in touch with people who know about your capacity and capabilities. You can ask them to tell you about contacts from your field of interest so that you can get the much needed information and advice.
Create a LinkedIn profile
Create a LinkedIn profile as early as possible. You might not have too much work experience, but still you can showcase your skills, education, co curricular activities, internships, volunteering activities, awards and honours, and a summary of the kind of career you have interest in. If you have done some small jobs, showcase it. As you gain job experience, you can delete the old and add the new ones.
LinkedIn is a good platform to build a network. By presenting your abilities, you can build your personal brand.
Searching and applying for jobs is the next step . Connect with recruiters and prospective employers. You can join the groups for your college and reach out to the alumni in fields of your interest.
Create your own website
A personal website is an ideal place to express your personality. Share your resume, exhibit your skills and furnish a portfolio of your work samples. You can write blogs about issues related to the field you are interested in or other professional topics. You can also write something related to your personal interest. A website impresses hiring managers.
Join Professional Associations or Industry-specific groups
Join a professional organization or industry-specific group as a student member or a professional member. These groups can connect you to seasoned pros, sharing your interest, during events organized by them. They are helpful to the newbies in the field. Mentoring connections are established and these relations will help in future.
Prepare an elevator pitch
Enlist your strongest skills, prominent interests and all the activities you have done. Create an elevator pitch, exactly as a 30 second commercial and get ready to grab the attention of people when you meet them.
Search for and research about prospective employers
Look for job opportunities on the website of the employer you would like to associate with. If there are any college alumni working with them, you can consult them. Alumni function on LinkedIn can be accessed. Job sites can be utilized to generate more job leads. You should research what the hiring companies are looking for. Follow them on social media. Read business publications and industry journals. Join professional social media groups to know more. This will help you to know about the trends in hiring, and the ups and downs of the organizations.
Write a targeted resume and cover letter.
After identifying your career goal, develop copies of resumes targeted to specific jobs. The resume should be up to date with skills, experience, education, all related to your job objective. The cover letter should also be targeted to show how each job aligns with your interests and skills. Carefully proofread your documents and seek a second opinion.
Get an internship soon
Paid internships lead to more job offers. Try to get at least one internship right out of college. If your target job demands an internship, do it. It offers a greater opportunity to sharpen your existing skills and gain important skills. Association with companies having wide brand recognition are best for internships.
Prepare for job interviews
Prepare answers to common interview questions. Thorough research about the company will definitely be helpful in the preparations.
Check new hiring posts often
Apply for a job within 48 hours after it is posted. Do job search every morning. Monitor the potential employer’s social media feeds for latest updates.
How Nehru colleges help you to land a job after college
The Placement cell at Nehru colleges organize campus placements to help students get into their dream career. Guidance is given to students about how to prepare for their career. Internships are conducted to expose students to the industry. We have succeeded in making a difference in the lives of our students in terms of their professional aspirations and strive to do so in future.
It might take time to find that perfect first job but a good match will be worth your patience and perseverance.
