After years of studying, sleepless nights, and never-ending deadlines, graduation finally meets your eyes, but what happens next?
After doing so many things for a degree course, it is normal to feel a void in your life after college. The dread of adulting finally sets in; while many graduates fill that void by fulfilling their post-graduate to-do lists, some can remain stuck, confused, and don’t know what to do. There is no shame in admitting defeat, so here are some ways to begin the next chapter of your life.
Take A Break
Completing college is a fantastic feat. However, by this time, you have already used all your motivation to get that degree. Taking a break after graduation gives you a chance to revive your worn-out mind and rediscover your ambition. Go out and take vacations to your dream destinations, book that flight you’ve been eyeing, ride that road trip and take daily walks. Graduation calls for a celebration!
Taking a break doesn’t mean the end of your career; instead, it’s an opportunity to unwind. You can spend this time mapping out your future and understanding what direction you’d like to take in the next 5, 10, or 15 years. Remember that everyone leads their roads; it doesn’t mean that your friends are applying for their jobs; you also have to do so.
Build Your Resume
After planning your professional life, you now have to face the music and apply for jobs; you can start by forming your resume. Employers examine applicants’ backgrounds to ensure they possess the necessary characteristics and skills. When you feel like your industry demands more experience you do not have, you try applying for paid internships or part-time jobs that align with your acquired skill.
In making your resume, you need its appearance and content, as it is the first thing your probable employers will consider. You can always use a resume builder to lighten your load when creating neat and eye-catching resumes. Every job has requirements, things that employers like to see and avoid. A resume builder provides a preview of the information that should be on your resume rather than requiring you to spend time researching every unique aspect of one particular company.
Find A Job
Job hunting will now be your focus after tailoring your resume. Job hunting can be stressful, especially since it’s your first. Sometimes you feel pressured and overwhelmed to the point where you feel hopeless about finding a job. Always remember that you are not alone. Even if you feel a little left out, you’re not alone.
Expand your network and Reestablish contact with coworkers and friends. Create connections with people who can lead to opportunities. They may be able to introduce you to potential employers or provide insider knowledge about them. People like to work with those they know (or perceive to know), and referred applicants are more likely to stay on the job and be of superb quality than those found through other sourcing methods. They prefer working with friends over strangers because they know they can trust them to complete the task.
Practice your responses to typical job interview inquiries. Although you don’t have to remember an answer, give your response some thought. You’ll feel more assured in yourself during a job interview the more prepared you are. Maintain a good attitude; criticizing your current workplace will not benefit you. Have a likable personality. Speak in a way that demonstrates your desire for new challenges and your belief that the position you are applying for is a better fit for you.
Sources:
https://www.securitybank.com/blog/job-hunting-tips-for-fresh-graduates/
https://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/careers-advice/what-do-now-youve-graduated
