It’s the beginning of May 2014, the flowers are beginning to bloom and the weather is getting nicer. Its also the time of year when many young adults will begin their search and enter into the workforce. For many new and recent graduates, this will be the first “job” of your career. A job that you went to school for, a job more than the part time job you had during high school and or college, it will the first job of your career. Hopefully throughout your years in college you completed internships, networked, and are well on your way to employment, some of you may even already have a job lined up. For those of you that do not already have a job and for those of you that do here are a few tips to consider as you begin your career.
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Don’t take a job just for the sake of taking a job. Although, it is very important to pay those student loans back, pursue a job that you are passionate about. Think wisely while doing so, don’t miss out on an opportunity that will allow you to grow professionally and personally in lieu of finding that “perfect job”. The chances that your first job will be the “perfect” job are slim, but getting one that puts you on the right path is an important step to take.
Experience as much as you can. If the job that you do take is not in your “field of study” do not fret, you might just find out that what you thought you were passionate about really isn’t the job path for you, or you might find that something else will lead you to a position you are very passionate about. Try to guide your career path by pursuing a position that will allow you to grow (continually improve) and move you closer to your goals. But, since it is early in your career you can take the opportunity to really find what you do and do not like within the career of your choice.
Do not be afraid to look for additional internships after you graduate, the more experience that you have, the more marketable you are for your job search. Volunteering outside of work in industry related areas can also be beneficial to your networking and resume. In any event make sure that you are presenting yourself with the opportunity to continue to learn, as it will be vital to your career progression.
Take advantage of the networking you started in college. Those internships you had and connections you made with your peers can be valuable tools to use in a job search process. A “foot in the door”, an introduction, or a tip about a job opening from someone you have networked with can be just what you need to get the interview you want. Think about the social media that you have, its not play time any more, these networks while fun in college will inevitably be used to research you when you apply for jobs, clean them up and then use them to your advantage. Create a brand for yourself, market yourself and network with people in the field you wish to be a part of.
Know that: Your working career will be long, you will most likely not get the job of your dreams and/or make the money you want right off the bat. To get those things, work hard now! You will want to reap the benefits gained from your hard work later on in life.
Final thoughts: Take chances and gain experience but, be responsible and pave the way for your future career. Life after college is filled with opportunity but, you should not expect opportunity to come knocking without any effort on your part. You just finished an integral part of your life and are about to enter into a new one, one where there is still much to learn. Sculpt your future, grow with each experience you have in order to reach your goals!
Good Luck!
If you have any thoughts or tips for graduates please comment and let us know or tweet them to @Walrathrecruit
By: Renee Walrath