Guide to Getting Your First Job as a Graduate

There is tough competition in the entry-level job market with the growing pool of degree holders and college graduates every year. When it comes to getting your first job, you may have doubts about having the right qualifications and experience. 

While there is competition, you can land your dream job if you are strategic and smart. You should be prepared to tell hiring managers why you deserve the job and what you can bring to the table.

Below, you will find four practical tips by an experienced academic writer from EssayService, a writing platform where college students can order essay online, which you can use to overcome the hurdles of getting your first job.

1. Refine Your CV

An effective CV can increase your chances of being invited for an interview. It can also help you sell yourself to prospective employers and highlight your merits, skills, and experience, showcasing why you are the best fit for a job.

Ensure your most outstanding skills and experiences are included in your CV to help the hiring manager establish why you are the best candidate.

Refine your CV with the help of professional custom writing service platforms for recent graduates. To find a reliable one, you can start by checking the Essay Pro reviews on NoCramming.com. Experienced writers will help you remove grammar, spelling, and construction mistakes and help you create a cover letter as you focus on other aspects of seeking employment.

Update your CV and tailor it to the specific role every time you apply for a new position. A generic document will not make you noticeable. Ensure your references are also reachable and relevant. 

Remember, even unpaid and voluntary work is relevant for a first job. Don’t shy away from including it in your resume. Your prospective employer is more concerned about your experience and the skills you may have developed in school or participation in different organizations.

2. Network and Develop Relationships

You can still network as a fresh graduate with no professional experience. There are multiple networking opportunities, and most graduates use them to secure new jobs. 

Leverage the networking opportunities your connections have to offer and reach out.

Start building your networks through your career counselors and professors, as they can connect you with professionals in your niche who can help you secure your first job. They can also advise you on how you can enhance your skills to become an attractive candidate and the field you would thrive in.

Through networking, you can get information on whether someone is looking for skills you can offer and the availability of new opportunities perfect for you. 

Your friends and fellow graduates can also be in your network, and they can introduce you to their networks and connections in the organizations they work in. 

To make the most of networking, make your needs known. Informational interviews with professionals in the industry you are interested in can allow you to find someone who can put in a word for you in job openings. 

3. Apply for Graduate and Entry-Level Specific Jobs

While it is not wrong to be ambitious, to increase your success in looking for a first job, apply for entry-level or graduate-specific positions.

Applying for senior jobs is pointless, and you should rather use the time and resources looking for jobs you are more likely to get.

Being realistic when looking for a first job helps you maintain focus and avoid frustration. Target junior and entry-level positions and use them to build the skills and experience to qualify for mid-level and senior roles.

However, you can still apply for positions you have not met the requirements for within reason. Setting your expectations for an entry-level job position can help you make the most of the experience you will get from it.

4. Learn How to Nail Interviews

Companies will invite you for interviews for some of the positions you will apply for. If the hiring manager is impressed by your CV, you will be called for an interview with the hiring team to determine if you are the right fit for the job. 

Your CV shows you have the qualifications to get the position and an interview is an opportunity for you to show the company that it would make the best decision by selecting you. 

Take interviews seriously by preparing for possible interview questions for managers or any position. Going to an interview unprepared can make you lose a great opportunity you could have easily secured. 

Identify what the company is looking for, and based on that, highlight skills, past experiences, and the unique strengths that would make the company hire you for the role.

Hiring managers are impressed by candidates that show genuine interest in what the company does. Research the company’s values, services and products, history, and even the team to help you answer questions accurately. 

Prepare to answer predictable questions like your short-term and long-term goals, weaknesses, and strengths beforehand. Ensure that you mention your key selling points in your answers during the interview.

Avoid red flags that make you a risky candidate during interviews, such as unreliability, unprofessionalism, and negative talk. 

Conclusion

When it comes to getting jobs, experience is not final. You can get your first job by creating a good action plan and packaging yourself as an ambitious, confident, and focused candidate. 

Understand what employers are looking for and showcase your best achievements and strengths. Use your network to build your career.