The weeks after graduating are kind of like a limbo, you go from having a schedule for every hour to the daunting abyss of unemployment in a matter of a few graduation photographs and congratulatory greetings. For some, this is the freedom they’ve longed and strived for; whilst for others, the lack of a daily plan sends them into a spiral.
The present job market is slugfest for the seasoned professional; and certainly not welcoming to a recent graduate. Your first job search would probably be the hardest largely due to inexperience on the stipules of a job hunt and the anxiety that comes with the wait for a response from your potential employer. Here, we will go through some of the mistakes that most young graduates make in their quest for their first graduate jobs.
The search for the big bucks.
The job market is not the place for games, the competition for a single spot could reach triple digits and as a candidate all measure must be taken to ensure that you get that interview. Young graduates have delusions of grandeur when it comes to their first job; they have dreams of making the “big bucks’ right out of university. Your first job is most likely to be an entry level job with pay that would most likely be less than you would have liked or have hoped but …..small beginnings. The high paying jobs usually require years of experience, something you do not have, young job seekers either end up pricing themselves out of a potential job with high wage expectations or choose to focus on applying for jobs they are not experienced enough for because of the salary being offered. An entry level position is a great place to start your career, don’t be afraid to have small beginnings because where else would big things come from.
Not having the right CV
Hiring managers must go through a plethora of CVs for any given position available and that task can get quite mundane. It is important that you tailor each CV sent to the requirements of the job being applied for, having a generic CV saved somewhere on your computer for you to attach to emails will not cut it. Be sure to have a look at the job requirements and match them to your qualifications. During the preliminary interview selection process, most hiring managers go through CVs looking for keywords stated on the job description, so do yourself a favour and make sure those keywords appear boldly in your CV.
Being ill-prepared for interviews
You have probably heard this before, but first impressions do matter, from the way you look to your mannerisms, everything counts. Interviewers assess everything, how you dress, how well you communicate and the confidence you project. Ensure that you come prepared; bring physical copies of your credentials to the interview and conduct a proper research on your employer before the interview; it will provide you with a solid foundation and confidence to go into the interview with. Your body language and communication skills are also one of the things the hiring manager would be on the lookout for, a solid posture and eye contact will do you a world of good, avoid fidgeting and staring into the distance. Ensure that you arrive on time; if possible visit the site of the interview a day before the interview to avoid the possibility of getting lost and arriving at your venue late. Lastly, be sure to ask the right questions and try to know more about the company during the interview as you possibly can.