Today our article tells you where to search for jobs and how to "sell" yourself if you have no experience.
Money or experience
Before you enter the job market, decide why you want the job. You can make good money after you graduate, but only in limited areas - IT, finance or law. Salaries in the service sector (waiters, administrators, realtors, or cashiers) are often higher than the offer of employers to young specialists in the humanities and sciences.
Recent graduates who want to develop their careers tend to work "on experience" at first. Practical skills are the most important knowledge and skills employers value in job seekers. How fast a specialist grows depends on a person's ability and motivation.
The second step is to understand which profession is closer to you. After graduation, you will have opportunities in different areas of specialty. For example, a degree in marketing can help you get a job as an analyst, media planner, product manager, manager at an advertising agency, or a target marketer. Choose 2-3 professions that are more attractive than others.
The best thing to do, of course, is to start this "preparation" for entering the market before you graduate. This is why many students work while still studying. Yes, it's not easy to combine but the essay writing service allows you to cope with a large academic workload. However, if you are thinking about it at the last moment, don't despair. A completed university degree and the opportunity to work full-time (which is not usually available to full-time students) will work in your favour.
Where to search for a job
The next step is market research. Look at job vacancies in your chosen specialisation and write down the requirements that employers place on jobseekers. Find out about the duties of employees, search for leading companies in the industry and assess the number of job offers on the market. Pay attention to knowledge and skills that you do not have yet, but which are often found in job descriptions.
Where to search:
- Job search websites. Most vacancies can be found on the platforms HeadHunter, SuperJob, etc.
- Social networks for business contacts. You can present yourself, make useful contacts and find a job on LinkedIn etc.
- Freelance exchanges. This is most often used to look for permanent employees to work remotely. Platforms with job listings - Workzilla, Freelance, FL, etc.
- Don't be surprised: networking is one of the most powerful job-search tools. Attend professional events, job fairs, ask friends and acquaintances if their company needs new employees. You can even contact teachers, especially if they are not only theorists but also practitioners.
- Company websites. We advised researching the market and finding its leaders for a reason. Large companies are always in need of new employees. Find the email address of the head of HR (HR manager) on the official website and send them your CV. But don't be too pushy: you are unlikely to be able to squeeze an experienced recruiter out of it.
If there are no jobs in your field
If you have agreed to all terms and a suitable position still does not appear, of course, you should not wait for a miracle. You need a plan B and the first step might be:
Finding temporary work. Pick up some old connections and get a job with a company where you worked when you were a student. Look for a part-time job as an assistant in an industry you're interested in. Find a job that does not require specific skills (consultant, receptionist, courier, etc.). At the same time, keep looking for a job in your field.
Re-evaluate your options. Start to think about why you have not been successful in finding a job in your field. The most common reasons are the wrong region, lack of experience, or lack of knowledge. You can change something in both cases: in the first case - to move to a place where your profession is in demand, in the second - to continue to develop.
How to get experience
The vicious circle of "no job - no experience - no job" is one where young professionals find themselves. The position of business is clear: not every company can afford to hire an inexperienced employee. Your job is to show that you want to learn.
How to do this:
- Paid internships. Interns are paid less than full-time employees, so it's a win-win deal. The mentor will share knowledge and practical skills and show the profession from the inside. And you will help the company and get out of the "no experience" category. Some companies take the most talented interns on board.
- Remote work.If remote working fits your dream job, take it. Register on a freelance exchange, complete orders and make a portfolio you can show at your next interview.
- Author projects. Owning your own business will show employers your skills and ability to organise your workflow. If you don't have any ideas for cases, look for employers' test tasks and do them, even if you don't intend to apply for the job. This will give you both experience in problem-solving and a portfolio.