Most of us have a wide range of interests, particularly when you’re young and want to try out many different things. This can sometimes be limiting, however, when you don’t know what area of expertise to go into. Narrowing your interests down to figure out what field of work you can see yourself working in, is something that can be challenging.
As a student or graduate, you are likely to have limited experience and therefore might not know what job you are suited to. Even if you are the kind of person that has known from day one what your dream job is, you will likely have to spend some time making decisions such as what kind of company you would like to work for, and what city or location you would like to work from, for example.
Use your degree as a basis for the jobs available to you, but do not be limited by this either. Many graduates end up doing something entirely different to their degree, and this is where transferable skills come into play. Simple strategies, like writing a list, can help you narrow down potential jobs, as well as asking friends or family what kinds of roles they think you would be good for. Often, an outsider’s perspective can be a positive force for you in the evaluation of your skill set.
Recruitment Agencies
Going to a recruitment agency will drastically improve your chances of getting hired. These agencies can set you up with a number of potential employers or companies that are a good fit for you, as well as guiding you through the interview process. Sign up with a graduate recruitment agency that has experience in finding suitable placements for students and recent graduates, such as Sanctuary Graduate Recruitment, which will enable you to find an employer far quicker than if you do it yourself.
Make The Most Of Your Clubs And Societies
Don’t be afraid to use the connections you already have from university. See if the societies or clubs you were involved with at university have links to potential employers, or if someone who you met through a sports club can give you any advice or tips about how this club or society provided them with a skillset that attracted an employer.
Have a Social Media Presence
Being active on social media will help you attract potential employers, particularly if you show that you have an active interest in their company through the content you post or the pages you follow. Don’t wait for people to contact you, however, and reach out to companies that you feel you would be a good fit for. Running a successful social media page, with a large following and unique content is a showcase of your ability to manage, maintain and grow using a particular platform.
Do You Want To Work For Yourself?
Finally, it’s worth evaluating whether you are best suited working for a company, or if you feel like you want to, or can work for yourself. Either way, it is always a good idea to get as much experience as possible before you do venture out and work either freelance or create your own business. There are many pros and cons to working for yourself. You have flexibility when you work for yourself, however, as a graduate, this might be difficult to adjust to immediately.
