There’s a lot of pressure to have your first job lined up when you graduate from university. But it doesn’t need to be so scary! There are plenty of steps you can take right now to set yourself up for success. Finding the right internship and brushing up your resume and cover letter with the help of a professional essay writing service can get you down the road to success quickly.
Here are some helpful tips that’ll make everything go smoothly. Let’s get started!
10 Tips to Help Students Prepare for First Job
1. Start Your Job Search Early
As a university student with top grades, the best time to start preparing for your first job was yesterday. The second best time? Right now.
Take the time to do your research about the companies you’re interested in working for. You can even go further with this. Once you have an idea of what type of work you’d like to do, research job titles related to that field.
Knowing the difference between the different types of jobs available will help you narrow your search later on when it comes time to apply for full-time jobs. Plus, the more you learn about the industry and what it’s like to work as a full-time employee, the easier it’ll be for you to determine if that type of job would suit your personality.
Also read: 7 Reasons Why Everyone Should Study in The USA
2. Consider Your Passions
One of the best ways to stand out during a job interview is to demonstrate a genuine interest in not only the company you’re applying for but also in the industry it operates in. By doing some research into your interests and passions, you’ll be able to answer questions about why you’d like to work for that specific company.
It’s even better if you can tie those interests/passions into the job itself. For example, if the company works with a charity close to your heart, mention that in your interview! It’ll show them how passionate you are about the work they do and why this is a dream job for you.
3. Network with Other People
The best way to ensure that you get a job once you graduate is to forge professional connections with people in the industry who are already working. That’s why networking events, whether your university hosts them or not, can be great opportunities for students looking for their first full-time job.
Take advantage of these events! If you don’t know anyone who’s also attending, make sure to introduce yourself to everyone and be on your best behaviour. The last thing you want is for potential employers to hear that you were rude or unapproachable during these events. They’re the perfect chance for you to network with other people in the industry, and it’ll be worth your while to make a good impression.
4. Find Internships and Side-Hustles
Even if you don’t want to work as a college student, there are still plenty of opportunities for you to do so! Whether through internships or side-hustles, working while attending school is the perfect way for university students to gain experience for their first full-time job.
As a university student, you have access to countless internship opportunities at various organizations throughout the year. You’ll be able to gain valuable work experience doing something you love, all while making connections with professionals who are already working in your field of study!
Side-hustles can also be another great way to supplement your income while you’re in university. Whether it’s through babysitting, dog walking, or any other service that interests you, find something that fits into your busy schedule and start earning extra money!
5. Be Patient
Conventional wisdom says that the more employers you apply to, the better you have of getting a job. However, applying to jobs and filling out online applications can be a very time-consuming process. You don’t want to spend your evenings and weekends applying for jobs instead of spending time with your friends and loved ones!
Start by applying for one job at a time until you get an interview. Once you have an interview scheduled, feel free to go after other jobs! This allows you to focus on one job at a time while also keeping your options open if things don’t work out.
6. Prepare Your Resume
While having experience with the organization is helpful, you need to highlight relevant accomplishments for employers to notice. That’s why creating an effective resume is key when you’re applying for jobs.
When preparing your resume, lay out each of your accomplishments in a concise, bulleted list. By using numbers to demonstrate your impact and describing what you did and why it was significant, your resume will be a lot more effective.
7. Update Your LinkedIn Profile
You never know when an old classmate or coworker will look you up on LinkedIn, so your profile must be as professional as possible! Even if you’re not looking for a job, you should still update your profile so that it accurately reflects your work history.
8. Stay Organized
It’s easy to let things slip when you have a busy schedule filled with class and homework, but plenty of apps are available nowadays that can help you stay organized! It’ll be much easier for you to find the jobs that interest you if your digital applications are organized so that it’s easy for you to find the information you need.
9. Find Value in Every Job
No matter what kind of job you have, there’s always going to be a way for you to add value to an organization through your role! Even when you’re doing menial work or filing papers, it’s important to find value in the work that you’re doing so you don’t burn out.
10. Dress Professionally
It might sound obvious, but what you wear to an interview says a lot about your personality and preparation for the role. You never know when a recruiter or interviewer will be checking out your social media profiles, so it’s important for you to dress up a little bit!
The most important thing to remember is that interviews are a two-way street. Even though employers will be asking you questions about your experience and qualifications, there are always opportunities for you to ask questions of your own as well!
With these tips, you should be more than ready to tackle the job application process and show employers that you’re ready to take on your first role!
Also read: 7 Websites for Private Student Loans
