Looking for a job can be the most difficult thing to do for someone who wants to change jobs let alone someone coming right out of school. Buckle up. It is not going to be easy but it is doable. People with half your skills have succeeded in doing it. So can you. You are the star of your own show.
- The world doesn’t owe you anything
“I am just out of university. I have a first class degree. I did lots of internships. Graduates need to get jobs immediately. I have a masters’ degree. I was the best in my class etc.” These are all fine attributes. Be proud you have achieved them. Beyond that, STOP. It is a different ball game out there. The fact that you have all these does not guarantee you a job. Demand for jobs outweighs the supply thus the odds are stack against you. You need to lose the sense of entitlement and work on additional skills, build your network, send out CVs and follow up, attend seminars, explore entry level jobs to get in etc. These are sure ways of finding a job.
- Never lie on your CV
The employer does not know you so why not, a little untruth here and there will only give you an edge. WRONG. Employers check and double check every information you have indicated. They check your references and other people you might not know about. They scan your social media activity and in some cases request criminal background check reports. Your lie might soon be found out. If you lie about a skill you do not have, you might be found out if you fail to demonstrate it when you get offered the job. There is nothing as shameful as being fired on integrity grounds. It is damaging to your career. Integrity is a value you want to be seen to have thus live it. Be truthful on your CV; no one likes a “know it all”. Indicate your willingness to learn new skills and tasks you are deficient in.
- Never lie in an interview
You have landed that dream interview, you get asked that tricky question (which interviewers do) example, “when was the last time you told a lie, Have you ever told a lie?” Your first reaction is ‘ I can’t be seen to be a liar.’ So you proceed to say, “I do not lie” True as it may be, it sounds like a lie and erases all the good performance at the interview. Questions like these come at the tail end of the interview to test your values, critical thinking and wit. A perfectly good answer could be “ I do not recollect a time I did and even if I do, they are very rare. Integrity is one of the values I do not hold lightly and I intend to reflect that in my work with you”.
Always be consistent. Ensure what you say in the interview aligns with what is in your CV. Any disparities can lead you down a rather ugly road.
- Never keep an employer waiting for too long
You have been offered more than one jobs; Hurray! Your potential employers will at this point be looking forward to working with you. Ensure you respond to the job offer within the deadline indicated. Should you need more time, make it a point to ask for it. It will not cost you the job; that is what people with integrity do. Stringing your employer along is not the right thing to do. The job you eventually turn down, your rejection letter or email should be as strong as your application cover letter. Once you are interviewed, most employers keep your record on file. Ignoring their offer only puts you in their bad books. You never know when you will need them for whatever reason. Keep your network strong and active at all time
- Never give up
Believe in yourself. No one said looking for a job will be an easy exercise. Out of 10 applications, your chance of a response is about 10%; out of which only 1% will want to interview you. With all the opportunities for self-improvement and platforms like the YEA Job Centre, you will increase the odds of landing a dream job soon. To deal with the frustrations of job search, always have that volunteering activity you engage in, a sport or a community activity. These keep you busy, active and distracted. Some of these activities also earn you some financial rewards which will keep you going. The tough times only give you a story to tell later. Keep on keeping on.