Written by Madison Santos
Fresh out of Uni. Finally. Must find a job. But where? When? How?
This is my thought process right now. Although I am not even close to finishing university and graduating, I overthink this timeline on the daily.
Many of my peers and I, both of whom have graduated and those who are still racing to the finish line, share this very same philosophy. We doubt our capabilities and stress about the timeline of when, where, and how to find a job and constantly ask ourselves the question, “will I be able to find a job in this everchanging environment?” This can overconsume our minds at times. But we are in this together. And it is important to know that YOU are not alone.
Here I share some strategies that have helped me overcome this anxiety-driven doubt and mini existential crisis that the impending ‘timeline’ can lead to.
1. Get real-world experience from an Internship
This is probably my top recommendation.
Landing an internship makes you feel both accomplished and gives you experience, knowledge and reassurance that you are going into the right industry. However, doing an internship can also provide the contrary. You may find yourself hating the industry you are interning at. This can provide you with valuable insight into exactly what you do not want to do. This can save you valuable time and money. Do not think of this as time wasted, do not think that dropping your current degree for something you will potentially enjoy more is too much effort or a waste of time. Because IT IS NOT! Say it with me “IT IS NOT A WASTE OF TIME”. You have all the time in the world. Why rush?
People also tend to think that an internship is hard to obtain and that they must be paid for it to be ‘worth it’. However, this is untrue. Platforms like LinkedIn always have opportunities for everyone and anyone. This platform is major! Build your connections and make sure your profile is professional as well as personal. UseVerb has a great course called Job Search Secrets (I go into more detail about this below) that summarises everything you need to know about building your brand, and more. Having a profile that can show you off will ensure you catch the eye of employers and those who are offering internships. Also, take the unpaid ones if none of the paid ones are attractive to you. They usually aren’t too extensive and give you a reasonable timeframe, nothing too challenging. In return you get loads of experience and great industry knowledge.
Internships can give you experience, extra cash if you’re lucky, connections, technical skills and referrals that are very attractive to employers, especially for those who have just graduated.
2. Learn everything you need with the Job Search Secrets course
In exchange for $29.99, this UseVerb course gives you absolutely EVERYTHING you need to be job ready!
Not only does it help make you look good on paper, but in person as well. This course includes so much valuable content that helped me build confidence in myself as well as effectively communicate on paper how much of an asset I am to my employer. This course also provides you with an extensive number of example scripts that you can use and alter to your liking. They range from example cover letters to example interview questions and post-interview etiquette. Anyway, enough of me rambling!
If you want to learn more go to https://useverb.com/course/jobsearchsecretscourse.
3. Watch & Be Inspired with TikTok and Vlogs from your Industry
I know this is so GEN Z of me *sigh* but watching people’s daily vlogs on TikTok can either give me a small snippet of their job and entice me to learn more and further my knowledge, or it can do the opposite and steer me away from the industry. It can reassure me that the particular profession I am interested in may not actually be for me. TikTok’s are also just so entertaining in general so why not try and delve deeper into a career I might like in the easiest, most entertaining way possible?
4. Create a CV worth reading
Sorry not sorry, but I’m mentioning UseVerb again. Their platform is just so useful and versatile that I feel an immense obligation to mention them at least twice. UseVerb has software that can create an effective, easy-to-read CV that is perfect for helping you land a job. The software allows you to generate a whole CV, or update an existing one, without having to extensively type paragraphs that blabber on. And get this. It’s FREE. Just sign up and you get this benefit, plus more https://useverb.com.
5. Knowledge is Power
Read a book. If you hate reading, listen to audiobooks. If you are a book hater and hate both of those ideas, listen to a podcast. If you are an insane, crazy person and hate all three of those, then IDK! But, gathering knowledge in a way that your brain can easily obtain and retain knowledge is great! And getting this from people’s actual experiences is even better!
Book recommendations:
- Seize The Way by Sarah Davidson
- #ENTRYLEVELBOSS by Alexa Shoen
- The Sickie by Jason Hazeley and Joel Morris
Podcast recommendations:
- Your Next Move Podcast
- The School of Greatness
- Highest Self Podcast
6. Develop a strong mindset with a Growth Mindset
Something you can take from this blog post that you can utilise in ALL areas of your life — is to develop a growth mindset.
With a growth mindset, you can achieve anything because you truly believe you can! Watch this awesome video that explains what a growth mindset is 👇
I hope you loved this blog and got some great tips!
Thanks for reading 😍
Madi
