5 Main Problems Every Graduate Encounters When Looking for a Job
Now that you’ve graduated from university, passed all the exams, written every test, and received a diploma, it’s time to actually enter the adult world and find a real job. You’ve been thinking about what to do after graduation and now the moment has come. The thing is, it’s not as easy as it seemed to be!
You may not even want to admit how many times you sent out your resume and got no response, or how many employers rejected your application. Believe us, we’ve been there too. The graduate job search can be very tedious. It takes time, but if you take some extra steps to create a resume and cover letter that stand out, brush up on your interviewing skills, expand your professional network, and be proactive in your job search, you’re sure to succeed!
Oh, and you should avoid these common problems graduates face when looking for jobs after college:
- Living a pipe dream
There are many challenges in transitioning from college to the workforce, but the main problem lies in the fact that a college education doesn’t prepare you for real life. Sure, you have the knowledge from school, but getting and keeping a job in the real world requires a whole different set of skills.
In college you can make mistakes, talk to a teacher and retake the test, prepare extra assignments and that’s it! In real life, you will make hundreds of mistakes and you will have no way to correct them without consequences. Professors are there to help you succeed, so they are more willing to put up with more than an employer who hired you to do a job that meets their job requirements.
- Behaving like a child
Lack of maturity is a major drawback for new graduates. Students who haven’t had a taste of the working world may not have a sense of what real responsibility means. This means that fresh graduates are unable to handle the day-to-day demands of a job when they are told what to do and expected to do it.
Even more, when the pressure mounts, they may act like a child if they don’t get their way. And why? Probably because, other than their parents and professors, they’ve never had to deal with authority figures who don’t make the same demands on you as an employer might. This can also cause fresh graduates to abandon their job search when things don’t go their way.
Act like an adult and understand that in the real world, things don’t always go the way you planned and there will be times when you encounter adversaries. Deal with it like the adult you are!
- Bad self-promotion
Poor self-promotion is a common problem for graduates looking for a job after graduation. Most students haven’t figured out how best to portray themselves, both on and offline, highlighting their strengths and covering up weaknesses.
It’s common for potential employers and recruiters to Google candidates to sift through their social media presence. So if you want to appear professional, remove the photos of you doing a beer stand at the last frat party. Sure, most employers understand that employees have social lives outside of work, but they want to make sure they hire the best possible people to represent their company. Google yourself and clean up your social media accounts before you apply!
- Inflated expectations
Down-to-earth thinking can be a problem for new graduates, as they may believe that they are entitled to their dream job just because they went to school for it for years. However, that’s not the case at all and it’s a harsh reality to face if you have inflated expectations.
Realizing that there are many other factors that go into the hiring process beyond your college credentials will bring you back down to earth so you can focus on the rest of the package.
- No work experience
Last, but not least, there is a lack of work experience. When students graduate, it’s unlikely they’ve had enough time to gain experience in the field – which means they’re less likely to get the job they want compared to someone who is more qualified.
It can be really challenging, but the best way to find a job after graduation is to be open to new experiences and to work hard and be motivated enough to make your own decisions. A great way to gain experience is to do an internship, as it will increase your chances of getting hired for a full-time position.
Getting your first job out of college is a big step into adult life – where you’re responsible for your own actions, counting on yourself, and taking risks. It’s a hell of a task to get through all the interviews, meet the expectations of picky bosses, and fulfill the high demands of the job. So you have to be stress resistant, flexible and pay attention to details. Remember that the first job is the first step on your professional ladder, so plant your foot firmly.
Since the job market is offering more and more opportunities every day, make sure you are aware of all the opportunities, trends and requirements in the field you want to work in. Browse the Internet, practice your presentation speech, research companies that interest you, keep in touch with people who may know more than a job ad shows, and, of course, always keep a positive attitude. If you need help with your student resume, there are many services where you can pay to have one professionally created.
In conclusion, finding your first job after college education is a really complex task, but it’s up to you! It is you who defines your future life path and it is you who is able to challenge yourself every day and make yourself stronger, smarter, and above all happier! Remember that it is not the job you live for, but the life you work for!
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