Applying for a relevant job profile and successfully completing the selection process is of greatest significance for fresh graduates from their career point of view.
However, landing on a preferred job position is easier said than done because there are numerous hurdles in waiting that can disappoint people, especially fresh pass-outs.
If soon you are going to apply for a job that you have been dreaming all along your graduation years, you shouldn’t just be well-prepared and your competitive best, but you need to be aware of inconvenient obstacles that will come in your way.
Challenges are inevitable when it comes to a successful career and you should expect them at every crossroad. But what really makes a big difference is how positively you face challenges, go through the hurdles, and iron out all the last minute details.
This is your moment of truth; eying on achieving what you have been aspiring for. Your ultimate goal may be something bigger, but putting your best foot forward is the most plausible thing to do right now.
So are your ready to nail your first ever job interview? Are you ready to prove you’ve got what it takes to make it big?
Here is how you can effectively overcome hurdles during job search:
1. Finding profiles that are right fit for your skills
Since you have spent a good amount of time studying one broad topic, and gained knowledge & skills associated with that, you have to figure out your niche and find suitable jobs in that particular domain. Your career plan shouldn’t be just getting into a job, and next one after that.
For sustainable, long-term advancement, you need to start out on the right trajectory as per your core skills. It is important, therefore, to do some self-reflection and identify a niche – then pursue that.
The first step to take in this direction is to establish your personal vision, values and goals, for these will help you steer where you want to go.
The next thing to do is search for a job in your specialized niche market where opportunities would more likely be aligned with your key skills. This will transform your search and boost your odds of actually connecting with big industry players.
As a job seeker, you will be benefited by redeveloping your job search strategy to emphasize the niche of your industry with regards to your personal qualifications. You should also look for job boards run by professional associations for your industry.
2. Fixing interview mistakes
Interview is one of the most important stages of a typical job hunt. It is probably also the most nerve-wracking ordeal many people go through, especially those who have never been to an interview table before.
It is quite natural to feel anxious and nervous about the questions the interviewer throws your way as there can be no magical way to know exactly an interviewer is going to ask.
This means interview is not a question-answer session – it is much more than that. Therefore, you need to develop skills for your job interview and work on them.
The basic purpose of any interview is to know about your strengths and how you can utilize them for personal as well as organizational development. No individual is free from weaknesses, but an interview is all about convincingly showing your skills and strengths.
Collect the basic information about the company you are applying for, be confident and demonstrate your capabilities how well you can serve them. You should be familiar with whatever is mentioned in the CV.
You should practice mock interviews with your friends as much as you can, but make sure to be honest throughout your responses. There is no place for overconfidence and misleading tactics.
3. Expanding network
In this social media age, it is extremely helpful to be part of a network and get benefited from it. You cannot afford to undermine the value of networks because they are important to tap as you navigate through your job search.
It is crucial to keep up with latest news and trends in your specific industry. Various social media networks can help you immensely in this. Regular weekly “Twitter chats” will help you connect with other users based on hashtagged industry-specific words.
Meaning conversations like these encourage connections and thought leadership. “LinkedIn groups” can potentially help you gain beneficial connections and stay knowledgeable.
You can also avail certain social media and web job opportunities that publish a huge range of job listings. Strengthen your network by keeping good records and connecting with as many people as possible.
You can join a professional organization and attending events in person and online. Furthermore, re-connecting with a college alumni association could be a huge advantage.
4. Addressing lack of experience needed for the applied job
Most of the companies need experienced professionals for their job vacancies. This invariably puts fresh pass-outs at a disadvantaged position.
It is really frustrating when you come across a job description that suits your skills but requires prior experience to get through. According to a recent graduate survey conducted by The Guardian, not having enough experience was the toughest issue graduate face as a job-seeker. It may seem unfair to you because you are judged on your experience level despite being one of the best candidates.
The hard fact is, even if you are a graduate from an ivy-league university, you stand no chance against a candidate with 10 years of experience. So how will you make up for that?
A great way to gain experience is to complete an internship, as it will increase your chances to be hired for a full-time position. Another way to get certain level of experience is apprenticeship. In addition to being paid, you may get a chance of a permanent, higher-paying position. It might be an opportunity to differentiate you from the crowed.
5. Staying organized
Getting a desired job needs you to be highly organized and systematic in your approach. You don’t really know how much time it will take to find the right job, which is why it is frustrating, stressful and exhausting at times.
In addition to inconsistencies and no definite end date, you may come across misleading resources regarding job search, thereby creating additional responsibilities for you. Staying organized, therefore, means having a plan of action, and executing it in the most systematic manner.
It allows you to manage you time effectively and focus your efforts on the highest-value tasks. You need to eliminate distractions as much as you can and avoid non-essential activities.
Create a routine that you can follow each day until you get comfortable with it. Focus on being consistent and following through with your plan. Update you resume to create a lasting impression on whoever comes across it.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Job search is an important stage of your professional career; make sure you leave no stone unturned to prepare for it. There are some obvious challenges and obstacles that come along with job hunting process, and you can overcome them with conscious efforts.
Never give up and always believe in yourself. It’s all part of the process of life and you will learn from this valuable experience.
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