Throughout the year, no matter the month, I am enjoying meeting with young people who are navigating life towards the ‘next’ stage. Below is a piece that I wrote some time ago that is aimed at students who are in their final year at University. This is the time to start stepping into more professional shoes and to start taking the steps towards their next stage of finding work. And it is never too early to start.
Alongside this, a couple of books that I would really recommend are: ‘What Colour is my Parachute’ (Richard Bolles) and “50 Ways to Get a Job: An Unconventional Guide to Finding Work on Your Terms”, Dev Aujla.
1. NETWORK
Start creating your network now. Challenge yourself to talk with people within your field about their work. Learn as much as is possible from others as well as researching using google. Family friends; university career departments; your own peer group; and, mentors that you respect all can add great value whether by alerting you to options in the workplace, offering work experience or connecting you to others. Personal connections offer opportunities for opening doors.
Attend careers days purposefully and professionally. Know about the companies present before hand. Engage effectively as you speak to the representative of the organisation. Ask thought out questions. Take the name and contact details of representatives that you have had conversations with. Follow through with a letter. This might open up an opportunity for job shadowing.
Newspapers and employment agencies are other avenues worth exploring. It keeps you ‘alert’ about the industry and what ‘qualities’ firms look for. If there is a company that you have set your sights on, write to them directly.
Though seemingly ‘old fashioned, keeping business cards at hand can be very useful. They can be extremely simple, with just your name and contact details printed.
Gather as much work experience as you possibly can. All work is good work! Say YES to opportunities for work experience or visiting companies. Be always curious. Through this you will be creating more contacts, connections and ideas that could potentially open doors for you.
Professionalise yourself through LinkedIN and ensure that your Facebook Page is private.
2. KEEP UP TO DATE WITH YOUR INDUSTRY
Put the hard work in. Think optimistically and positively. Know that there are many avenues that you do not even know about that will reveal themselves to you as you keep moving towards your goal of finding good employment. Enjoy the process as you formulate your planning from being a student to holding a productive, stimulating job with prospects.
Put together your CV. I recommend doing 2 CV’s for yourself. A long and detailed one and then a short one which is specific to the job position that you are applying for. The long detailed CV is a useful template for drawing upon. Remember that for each targeted CV that you send out, it is imperative to have an excellent covering letter that is specific for that company and the job that you would like.
Have an up to date photograph of yourself, smiling.
3. INTERVIEW EXCELLENTLY
Should you be given an interview, prepare very well. Research the company; know what the job entails and what qualities they are looking for in a candidate. Format your CV to the position and demonstrate the appropriate skills that you have for that position. Know why you would like to work for that company so that you come across during the interview as genuinely keen. Think too about what you can offer that company.
The interviewer will have a copy of your CV and will have perhaps done background research via the web. However, the purpose of the actual interview is so that the interview can get to know the real you and and understand what makes you “tick”. This is a time for the interviewer to ask you questions to provide depth to the CV.
- What has your university experience been like?
- What courses have you particularly enjoyed and why?
- What have you been taught that has excited you?
- What subjects have you found easy?
- What has not been easy? How have you overcome this?
- Tell us about yourself?
- What motivates you? What ambitions do you have?
- How do you fill your spare time? What are your hobbies and interests?
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
- What goals have you currently set for yourself?
- What kind of people do you surround yourself with? Who are your mentors? Who do you admire and respect?
- What upsets you? How do you deal with it?
- In what areas have you demonstrated resilience and perseverance?
- If you were offered a place in this company, what would you bring to the position?
- Why should you be offered this position?
4. KEEP LEARNING
Take up any opportunity to keep learning – Udemy and Coursera are just some of the online platforms offering extremely reasonable courses. Read books by people who are inspiring and have done interesting things with their lives. Say yes to opportunities whether to visit new places; meet new people; attend a course; listen to a lecture. Keep up with hobbies and learn new ones.
5. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH POSITIVITY
Surround yourself with motivated friends, friends who support you and make good decisions.
Look after yourself as best as you are able. Think carefully about the films that you watch, the music that you listen to, the conversations that you have – are they adding value to you? Sleep; excercise; water; nutritious food. Read inspiring books; listen and be open to useful advise; respect yourself and others around you. Back yourself.
If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.
(Thomas Edison)