Finding your first job: 5 tips

There is a time of the year when all university students experience uncertainty: finding your first job after graduating. Often, even if you do the necessary internships, it is not so easy to get a call.

Despite this, there are plenty of vacancies in the job market and you can find a job that meets your expectations, you just have to apply some tips to achieve your goal and here we will tell you about them.

Use university resources as your first choice

The first tip for finding your first job is to know where to start looking. The best way is in those places that we already know and from which we can get the best opportunities.

Yes, we’re talking about universities, where there are often career centres where you can access resources such as workshops, seminars, job fairs and even job bulletins in various fields that can open the door to your new job opportunity.

There is also the possibility of meeting alumni from your school, who often have connections to places where you could be employed or can give you job referrals to other companies.

Develop relationships with professionals in your field

Social connections are indispensable when it comes to finding your first job. There is a theory that one person can maintain active connections with 150 people and in turn, each of these people is connected to 150 others, so frequent contact with other people can be your gateway to finding that job you’re looking for.

But it’s not just about building relationships for the sake of it, you should try to make those contacts valuable to you and the goals you are looking for. In the case of the first job, meeting professionals related to the area you are looking for is essential; apart from learning from their experiences, you can find a good opportunity within their circle of contacts.

Social media can be your friend

Fortunately, we live in an age where the Internet has infinite resources. Websites like LinkedIn, Indeed and Ziprecruiter can be great sources for finding job openings, but social media can be a great window into the company.

Social media, to some extent, showcases a company’s values and culture. But employers may also be looking at the pages of users who follow them, looking for new employees.

Ask for feedback from those with experience

It is very important to communicate with alumni or current employees of the company you want to work for.

In most cases, students got their first job through networking rather than simply applying online. It is advisable to reach out to people on LinkedIn and take advantage of any alumni lists or groups that have been there.

The key to contacting these people, to whom you are a complete stranger, is to ask for advice, not a job. Ask questions like: Do you have any advice on how to apply for this job offer, or would you be willing to talk to me about your background and experience at this company?

Using this approach makes the contact feel like a whole person, rather than a means to an end. And it is much less burdensome to ask for advice rather than a job, especially when they may not know you and what you bring to the table.

Learn from the doors that don’t open

Job hunting should not be a chore. This is an exciting time in your life, especially after graduation, to find opportunities that inspire you.

At this important time, you decide what you want to do, where you want to work and how you are going to get there. You never know where your career will take you! So go out on the search with motivation and determination to find the right job, in the right company and in the right city for you.

And, if the door you’re knocking on doesn’t open, just turn around and keep knocking on the next one and the next one. Many times, the door you weren’t expecting provides an even more exciting opportunity than the one you originally wanted.

Finally, dream big, use all available resources to search for what you want, practice networking with meaningful networks and be prepared for interviews. Your opportunities can be endless if you put your mind to it.