Who doesn’t daydream of finding the perfect job right after graduating from college? However, the process of landing your first job can be a little intimidating and tiresome. It requires a lot of hard work, even if you have a lot of choices. To make it a little easy for you, we’re here with some tips and strategies that might be helpful to people who are trying to land their first jobs.
Building A CV Or Resume
Most exciting opportunities only require a perfect CV to be seized. Creating a curriculum vitae or resume is one of the most parts of applying for jobs.
Let’s get things straight first. There is no significant difference between a CV and a resume. The American term is a resume, and the British term is a CV. So, if you are applying to a US-based firm, they’ll ask for a resume, and if you are applying to a European firm, they’ll ask for a CV.
Picture it: you’ve found the perfect job, and after submitting your curriculum vitae, you never get a call. Sounds familiar, right? The reason behind this is because your CV is not good enough to attract the employer’s attention. Luckily, writing an excellent CV or resume without any prior experience is now possible because of the many samples, templates, and examples you can find on websites like Tooly.
It would help if you worked on using the right format for your CV and entering your contact information correctly. List your work experience and educational background in the correct order. You can also include additional subsections to your CV to impress the employer. Mention all the relevant skills that go with the job post you are applying for. Some things that you need to keep in mind when creating a curriculum vitae or resume are:
- Use clear fonts.
- Stay consistent with your layout.
- Don’t fluff your CV with graphics.
- If you’re not asked by the recruiter to add your photo, don’t add it.
- Make your CV as precise and relevant as possible.
- Always send your CV in pdf format.
More help in this regard can be taken from here.
Writing A Cover Letter
A cover letter is usually attached to your resume to make your application stronger. In a cover letter, you should introduce yourself, mention the job that you’re applying for and show how your skills exactly match with recruiter’s requirements.
A cover letter should also encourage the employer to read your resume. A great cover letter ends with a call to action; for example, I am looking forward to seeing you soon for an interview. A cover letter is a summary of your resume, so it is meant to be short. Tooly is one of those great websites that helps people write flawless cover letters
Online Job Search
Gone are the times when people used to search for jobs in newspapers. The internet has revolutionized everything. There are thousands of job boards on the internet these days which collect job posts from companies all over the world and make them accessible to job seekers.
However, one should never limit themselves to a job board because all of them display jobs from different audiences and categories. Showcasing your skills is easier on these sites because they let you upload your resume. Reviews about companies are also available, which enables the user to get firsthand knowledge of the company’s insights.
Some of the best job boards available on the internet these days are:
- Indeed.com
- CareerBuilder.com
- Glassdoor.com
- Dice.com
- Idealist.com
- LinkUp.com
- LinkedIn.com
- Upwork.com
- ZipRecruiter.com
Asking Friends And Family For Jobs
Asking for a job from a friend or family member can be a great way to get firsthand knowledge about job opportunities in your circle. Friends and family will generously help you in landing your first job because they genuinely care for you.
Tell your friends and relatives about what you are looking for. You can also send them your resume to speed up the process. But be a little patient; don’t dig them up about your job search every time you see them.
Be grateful and thank everyone who tries to help you find your first job. Even if they were unsuccessful in doing so, you should thank them for their efforts.
Tips For Your Job Interview
When you finally get a call for an interview, you need to get ready to meet your employer’s. To help you give a great interview, that’ll sweep your employers off their feet, read the tips we’ve given below.
Don’t schedule your interview on a Monday or Friday. Psychologists believe that it’s best to have interviews on Tuesdays instead. The color of your clothes has a significant impact as well, so dress up wisely.
Don’t smile too wide during your interview. It can give the impression that you’re not too serious about the position. Listen to your recruiter attentively. When answering questions, try to repeat words that your employer has used, agreeing with them, and adding on to their statements.
Also, try to tell the recruiters information that you could not fit on your CV. It’ll make your application stand out. It’s essential to do something useful while you are waiting for the interview as well to distract yourself from the nerves. We advise that you take a piece of reading along with you!
How To Manage The Probation Period?
New employees are often given a period in which they are required to prove their capabilities before they are fully hired by a firm. This period is usually called the probation period. The probation period allows both the employer and the employee to see how well they work together and decide whether they’re a good fit.
Both parties plan out a framework for long term commitment during this period. Probation periods can range in length but tend to last between one to three months. Managing a probation period can be tough for both parties, but they can ease it up by following these tips:
- Conduct regular meetings.
- Provide feedback and explore problems.
- Stay patient with each other.
How To Tackle Dismissal?
There are three possible outcomes of a probation period: you become a permanent employee, your probation period is extended, or you get dismissed. It can be hard to accept a dismissal, but you must deal with it maturely. Try to understand where you went wrong so that you can improve those things.
End things well, ask your employer to clear your dues according to the contract and leave the workplace without acting out. Dismissals are challenging to deal with, but one should always maintain their composure and never lose hope.
Conclusion
Landing the first jobs can be tricky, but if you consistently try and work hard, it’s not impossible!
References:
https://www.thebalancecareers.com/how-to-land-your-first-job-after-college-2059853
https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/guide/guide-to-getting-your-first-job/