Traversing the real world can be challenging, especially for new grads. As businesses attempt to replenish after the downtimes of 2020, it appears that experienced employees can mostly choose their roles in today’s competitive labor market as per their preference. Businesses prefer candidates with specific skills and years of relevant experience, yet young graduates can only acquire these qualifications by being hired first. Thus, for many recent graduates, finding their first job after college can be a daunting task. But there are a handful of tactics that prospective job hunters can use to position themselves favorably and secure their first job after graduation. 

Also read: The dos and don’ts of job searching

Tips to secure a job after graduation

Here are some tips that recent graduates can keep in mind to land their first jobs:

• The sooner, the better

Waiting until after graduation to start looking for a job puts you behind the track. As a recent graduate, finding a job may take much longer than you anticipate, leaving you unemployed for months or years. Start developing your connections as early as you can in college by participating in university activities and landing internships. Additionally, make an effort to practice interviewing before you graduate. The employment center at your college is a great place to go for practice interviews. Your post-college career will benefit from your ability to feel at ease in an interview seat.

• Explore your goals 

Some students enter college already recognizing what they want to do for a vocation. Regardless of whether it was obvious when you were a freshman, by the time you graduate, you ought to have some thoughts regarding what you want to pursue. Start mulling over your professional aspirations and find prospective employers in the preferred field you aim to enter. The more you analyze your priorities, the simpler it will be to pinpoint roles that will support your objectives. In a similar vein, the better you can personalize your CV to specific job openings, the more you will understand the responsibilities associated with those positions.

• Frequently check for new job openings

Frequently look for new job posts as the optimum time to apply for a job is during the first 48 hours after it is posted. Start each morning by looking for fresh job vacancies to establish a solid pattern. Monitoring potential employers’ social media feeds to see if they intend to post any opportunities or organize any digital recruitment sessions in the near future is another approach to keeping up with job vacancies.

Also read: Landing your dream job after an online course: Tips and tricks

• Benefit from your alumni association

You’re supposed to approach other individuals for assistance. Use your college’s alumni network to find out more about your field of work or a specific employer. Graduates can find contact info in the majority of universities’ online alumni databases. Several colleges have already established connections with alumni who are keen to support recent graduates getting jobs.

• Gather experiences

Getting work experience is strongly advised, despite rarely being discussed. Start small and within your means; internship programs and virtual seminars both count. These accomplishments are more than just resume padding. They demonstrate that although you haven’t yet fully grasped your skills, you are nonetheless making progress. Seminars and internships offer expertise that is occasionally unavailable on campuses. Join as many professional groups as you can to build a skill bank for yourself.

• Stay up-to-date on industry news

Keep up with developments in your industry even when you don’t already have a job. You may learn about employment patterns, thriving businesses, and struggling businesses by reading the news. You should follow these basic steps to stay up to date on industry news:

1. Read business journals and industry publications.
2. Join professional communities on social media.
3. Follow businesses’ and industry influencers’ social media posts.

Check out: Ways to improve your interview skills – How placement training helps

• Seek a mentor in your industry

According to statistics, 85% of employment is filled through networking, so finding a mentor is a smart method to get started. You can meet a variety of people through industry-related groups (whether they be on social media or in person), many of whom are well entrenched in your preferred industry. If you come across an individual who you believe could provide wise counsel, get in touch with them and ask to schedule a quick meeting. You might inquire about the best ways to break into the field or get advice on how to pick up experience. 

• Organize your social media

Leverage the power of social media. Initially, begin with your LinkedIn profile. You can still highlight your qualifications and certificates, extracurriculars, talents and hobbies, and volunteer work, even if you lack any experience in the field of your chosen profession. Incorporate relevant search terms into your public LinkedIn profile. Make sure your profile appears in hiring managers’ and recruiters’ search queries when they’re looking for applicants with particular talents.

• Create job-specific resumes

Today, many businesses screen resumes for keywords employing applicant tracking systems. If your resume lacks the proper keywords, your application can be rejected right away. Make changes to your resume to reflect the terminology used in the job advertisement to avoid that from occurring. Make sure that any hard skills listed in the job description—for example, JavaScript or Python for programming positions—appear clearly on your resume.

• Make yourself interview-ready 

It goes without saying that you must succeed in the interview if you want to land a job after graduation. Check out the company’s newsroom and social media pages for the most updated news. Study their rivals and remain up to date on business news to stay updated. You want to go into an interview well-prepared and professionally attired because you might just get one shot to impress the recruiters. Don’t worry if your initial job isn’t your dream role; first jobs aren’t always ideal. Most likely, you’ll pick up a lot of useful abilities that will enable you to transition to something else once you get some industry experience.

Also read: Commonly asked interview questions and how to answer them

Wrapping up

There isn’t a secret formula that will outline exactly how to land a job after graduation. Although it might at times initially be a bit difficult for recent grads to land an ideal first job, opportunity eventually knocks on their door. Recent grads should thoroughly follow the tips and advice mentioned above to prepare for and land their first job. Finding your ideal first job might take some time, but being prepared and persistent will pay off. So, take a seat, keep the aforementioned advice in your mind, and relish the upcoming voyage. 

Placement assistance helps students to set aside your fears and prepare for the interviews. It is the reason why students always prefer to join colleges that offer placement training. Recognizing this very fact, even renowned online degree providers such as Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ) is offering placement assistance to students through their online platform, Online Manipal, to ensure that the learners become job ready.

You have done all the hard work of earning a degree, securing a good grade, building a compelling resume, and applying for a job. Now the only crucial thing that stands between you and the job you desired is the interview. By now, you might be aware of how to prepare for an interview, what are the prospective questions you’ll be asked, what documents you need to carry, etc., but there are certain things that you should avoid in your interview to make a strong impression on the recruiter. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the critical mistakes that you should avoid in interviews. 

Common mistakes job-seekers must avoid during their interviews

Not researching the company beforehand: It is very important to have a good understanding of the company’s mission, values, and recent developments before an interview. The candidate must know the basic information like who is the founder of the company. Who is the current CEO? Where is the company’s headquarters? What is the current employee count? This will help you tailor your responses to align with the company’s needs and show that you are genuinely interested in working there. Additionally, researching the interviewer’s background and experience will help you tailor your approach to the conversation. 

Failing to demonstrate your accomplishments effectively: It is important to clearly communicate your qualifications and how they align with the company’s needs. Make sure to highlight your relevant skills and experience and to provide specific examples to back them up. Additionally, be sure to communicate how you can contribute to the company’s success and help it achieve its goals. 

Also read: The different types of interviews & how to handle them

Not being punctual: Being late for an interview can make a bad first impression and can show a lack of interest or respect for the company and the interviewer. Plan your route in advance and allow extra time for traffic or other unforeseen delays. Even if it’s a virtual interview, joining on time is must. Sometimes, when you join an online interview meet, you notice that the other members have turned off their video and you quickly do the same. This is a bad practice, as it leaves a bad impression on the interview panel. As soon as you join the call, you must greet everyone in the meeting and then gently turn off the video if it’s not required. 

Appearing unprofessional or unkempt: First impressions are crucial, and the way you present yourself can make or break an interview. Let it be a virtual interview or an in-person interview, you must dress up and groom yourself appropriately. Avoid wearing too much cologne or perfume, and make sure that your clothes are clean and pressed. 

Not thinking before responding to questions: Another common mistake that candidates make is answering the questions quickly without giving it proper thought. You should always take a few seconds to understand the question, its context and then give an answer. If you need more clarity on the question, you can request for the same. 

Not asking questions or showing interest in the company: Asking questions and showing interest in the company can demonstrate that you are genuinely interested in working there. Make sure to ask questions about the company’s mission, values, and recent developments, as well as about the role you are applying for. Additionally, make sure to show your enthusiasm for the company’s products or services. 

Check out: Commonly asked interview questions and how to answer them

Inappropriate body language and attitude: Nonverbal communication such as eye contact, posture, and facial expressions can have a big impact on how you are perceived. You must control your anxiety or nervousness and have a calm and composed body language. You are under observation every moment during the interview. Appearing arrogant or entitled can make you appear difficult to work with and can turn off potential employers. Avoid boasting about your qualifications or accomplishments and making demands about pay or benefits. Instead, be humble and show that you are willing to work hard to earn a spot on the team. 

Not having extra copies of resume and other documents: Amidst the process of preparing for an interview, you may lose or forget some of the important documents like a resume. So, it’s recommended that you carry extra copies of every important document. Also, whether it’s an in-person interview or a virtual interview, it’s a good practice to keep the resume ready for presentation or reference within least time. 

Speaking negatively about past employers: Speaking negatively about past employers or colleagues can make you appear unprofessional and difficult to work with. Instead, focus on the positive aspects of your past experiences and how they have prepared you for the role you are applying for. 

Falsifying information on the resume: You must not use inaccurate information on your resume because it shows you’re dishonest and will hurt your career. Using accurate information will make you answer the interview questions more confidently. Focusing on how to present the information on your CV so that it adds value to the organization you’re applying to might be helpful. 

Also read: The role of placement support services in bridging the job readiness gap

Online Manipal – Your destination for top-quality online education

Getting a job in today’s highly competitive corporate world is not easy. Besides having strong academic credentials, you must be well prepared before attending an interview. Additionally, you must avoid the above-mentioned mistakes as it helps to leave a good impression on the recruiter. Online Manipal offers placement training for all students who have successfully completed their online programs to make them job ready. Enroll for an UGC-entitled online UG or PG degree from Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ) and pave way for a successful career.