Career Guide Tips

After leaving school, new graduates quickly discover that finding a job is not an easy task. Since so many people are looking for work, companies have become more specific about who they hire. You’re going up against dozens of other candidates and most of them will probably also be new graduates. The first step to landing a job is learning how to distinguish yourself from other applicants.

Fortunately, there are a variety of ways to distinguish yourself. First, you need to narrow your job search to industries you’re where you’re interested in working. There are hundreds of websites and job boards out there, but they’re usually all posting the same jobs. Search for a list of companies within your industry instead.

Go to each company’s website and check their employment page. You’ll have better luck searching through this method than through a general job board. Sometimes companies only list open jobs on their website instead of on a generic job board.

Also, you should look for jobs that where you meet the qualifications. You might be desperate to find a job and start applying everywhere, but you’ll have a better chance of getting an interview if you narrow your focus to specific jobs. It doesn’t make any sense to look for an engineering job if you have no interest or experience in the subject. Spend time researching the company and the job so you have a clear idea of what the company does and what the job entails.

After you narrow your job search, your next step is customizing your CV and cover letter to match the job requirements. Many companies have computerized systems that automatically scan your CV and cover letter for keywords. Your resume is sorted into potential interview piles based on the inclusion of these keywords.

Therefore, each CV and cover letter should be tailored for each new job. You want your cover letter and CV to be unique. Job recruiters will ignore generic CVs and cover letters. One way to impress the company is to show that you’ve done your research about the job and the ideals of company.

If you have a portfolio that’s applicable to the job, you should attach it to your application. If you don’t have a portfolio or are worried about your experience, find ways to improve your skills. Volunteer for part-time work, take extra post-graduate courses, or apply for an internship. You need to show potential employers that you’re keeping busy. Besides, developing your skills is never a bad thing!

Landing a job in an industry you’re interested in is difficult. You’re going up against many other potential applicants, most of whom are also new graduates. It’s a competitive job market, but the smartest thing you can do is to make yourself stand out from the crowd.

Be proactive about your approach. Finding the right job will be worth it in the end, but it’s something that’s going to require a lot of research and perseverance. After all, it is very difficult to land the right job in this competitive world.

By Bharath Ram Gangadharan