Finding Employment After Graduation, Essay Example

Graduation is one of the most important events in life for most of us. It could also be called the start of second phase of life when we finally step in the real world to put our education into use. But quickly finding a dream job after graduation is not as simple or a guaranteed event anymore as it used to be even few decades ago. One primary reason is the changing structure of the labor market due to globalization which has made it easier to outsource both low-skill and high-skill jobs in numerous industries, leaving fewer opportunities for graduating students at home and increasing competition among them. A success in getting an ideal job is often the outcome of effective job search strategies and a realistic mindset.

First of all, an individual should be certain as to where he/she wants to work and go for focused job search strategy instead of randomly applying for each job he/she comes across. A focused job search has many advantages. A focused job search means an individual can create an effective resume because he/she knows what employers at his dream jobs are looking for and what strategies could be employed to make the resume more attractive to prospective employers. A focused job search strategy also makes it easier to shortlist employers and industries as well as keep track of the application process.

Second priority should be to get in touch with friends who have already found jobs as well as get in touch with university alumni. Friends and university alumni cannot only provide useful contacts or leads but also provide guidance and suggestions that would make job search a more productive process. These individuals have already been through the job search phase so they are aware of things such as the most common mistakes job seekers make, useful strategies that increase the prospect of an interview, what employers look for in job candidates, how resumes can be made more effective so that they catch employers’ attention, and so on. Even though internet has become an important tool for employers to find new candidates and for job seekers to apply for jobs, personal contacts still retain their importance when it comes to finding dream jobs. The benefit of personal contacts is that these individuals are in constant touch with the job openings occurring within their respective companies or industries and they have established their own credibility. Thus, their recommendations are often given priority by the recruiters within their companies or in the industry.

Another strategy new graduates should employ is to continuously learn new skills and stay in touch with the emerging trends and news in the industries in which they aspire to work. This will ensure that their knowledge and skills remain up-to-date and it will also impress the recruiters because it sends the message that the candidate takes a serious approach to learning and self-improvement, thus, will be an asset to the organization.

While everyone aims for a dream job, it is always a sound strategy to have back-ups. Thus, the job seekers should make a list of jobs that may not be their dream ones but will still be better than nothing. One of the most important things for a new job seeker is to enter the employment market somehow and once one is able to enter the job market, he/she has an opportunity to build professional contacts and prove himself/herself through job performance. Thus, one could also use the less-than-ideal job to find a way into an ideal job down the road.

Getting an ideal job is often a time-consuming and difficult task but like anything else, effective job search strategies significantly improve the probability of success. One should remain optimistic but at the same time, one should also monitor the external environment and develop realistic expectations.