So you have just graduated from university...now what??? There are a few things you should become aware of during your transition from university student to professional adult:
1. What can you even do with your degree?
- The answer is...LOTS! It may take some research, self-reflection and time, but there are so many opportunities available to you...it may just be a matter of looking in the right place. Consult your Degree Exploration Guide to find out what you can do with your specific degree and helpful resources related to your field (and don't be afraid to look at DEGs outside of your field if you like!)
2. All experience is good experience!
- You may not think that your part-time serving job has prepared you very much for a job in your field...but it probably has in more ways than one! Transferable skills that you have developed during your work and volunteer experience are usually skills that potential employers value as well.
- Spruce up your resume and cover letter by visiting the Career Services Resource Centre to receive a free review session with a Career Assistant (all you need is a hard copy of your resume and/or cover letter that you would like reviewed!). You can also email us your documents at career@brocku.ca and we will send them back to you will constructive feedback and additional resources.
- Volunteering or interning in your field is also an awesome way to gain related experience and looks great on a resume!
3. Get to know the hidden job market...
- Did you know that only 15-20% of job opportunities are advertised? Crazy, right?! That means that 80-85% of jobs are hidden and required you to take a more active approach to find them.
- How to target the hidden job market:
- Network (you never know who you may come in contact with)
- Contact employers directly (ask them if they are hiring - you never know until you ask)
- Refer to business, community and employer directories
- Job search with others (enhance your productivity)
- Combine all of the previous steps!
4. Speaking of Networking...
- Networking is a great way to stay in touch with friends, classmates, professors, past employers and to create new and valuable connections that can help you land a great job!
- Grad LINK offers Brock students a way to stay connected on LinkedIn after graduation, receive job postings and tips, and much more! Join today!
5. Social Media for job search...
- Social media sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter offer new and innovative ways to connect with employers. Check out some of our print resources, such as "Find a Job Through Social Networking" by Crompton & Sautter located in the Career Services Resource Centre.
6. Research current trends...
- Get to know where the jobs are and in what industries there are better prospects. Taking this extra step can help you target particular sectors and/or companies so that you can have the best results! Career Services also keeps current reports and articles in our Trends binder and our Labour Market binder, located in the Resource Centre!
7. Develop strong interview skills...
- Effective interviewing can take practice and research. There are so many things you want to know before going in, like:
- What types of questions will they ask me?
- What should I bring with me?
- What questions should I ask the interviewer?
- What is the point of a job interview?
- What should I know about the company prior to my interview?
- Can someone help me pratice??
....all of these questions and more can be answered by consulting our "Interview Techniques" binder and interview help books/handouts (located in the Resource Centre), by checking out
InterviewStream, by completing our online interview
workshop through CareerZone, or by emailing
career@brocku.ca to book a mock interview (this service can take up to 2 weeks to arrange so don't wait until the last minute!)
8. There are alternatives to work...
- Some people do not want to jump right into the work force...they may travel, volunteer, accept an internship position, etc. We recently received this great write up from Cosmic Coaching Centre:
Alternatives after Graduation
Your graduation day marks the end of your
student life, and the beginning of your actual career. While there are many
reasons to celebrate during this day, you still have to prepare yourself for
the daunting task of looking for a job and establishing a good career for
yourself. To make this process and the transition easier for you, you had
better make your preparations even before you receive a diploma. Below are some
alternatives you can take following your graduation, which will guide you as
you get ready for the bigger stage.
Internships
Joining an internship program is perhaps
the best thing you can do to get yourself ready to compete in the job market
right after you graduate. There are many reasons why this is a good path to
take. First of all, internships will give you an idea of what kinds of jobs are
available in your field. With this knowledge, you may determine if the path you
are taking is the right one for you. It is also through internships that you
can gain experience working in the real professional environment. This
experience of yours will then be reflected in your resume, which may also give
you an edge over other job applicants. Finally, and probably the biggest
benefit of getting an internship is that it can result to you getting a job
offer. In most cases, companies end up hiring those who perform outstandingly
in their internship programs.
Volunteering
The biggest challenge you are to face as a
job seeker is how you can stand out from the rest. One option is to volunteer
at some nonprofit groups or organizations that can give you relevant
experience. You may also get involved in some community activities promoted by
your own school perhaps. Turn to your professors and other industry
professionals for advice on how you will stand out.
Networking
Searching for a job can be difficult if you
hardly know anyone in the industry you are entering. With that said, you should
make an effort to get to know as many people as you can, who can help you
establish your career in the field. You can do this through proper networking.
You can increase your connections and network by taking part in webinars,
conferences, trade shows, and other events where different professionals from
your field gather and meet. These people that you will know have the expertise
and experience that can guide you in your own job search.
Travel
Many college graduates look forward to a
short break following their graduation day. If you think you need time to relax
and unwind before you engage in the battle of looking for a job, you can go for
a short trip to a different city or even country. You can even use this trip to
see if there are opportunities for employment in other places. Good career planning means putting yourself
in a position where you can choose among several opportunities to build a great
career.
9. Get to know yourself...
- Getting to know yourself is imperative in finding a career and life path that you will enjoy and love. For some, this may be traveling abroad and exploring foreign places, for others it may be self-reflection and/or career assessments. Whichever way you do it, get to know what you want out of life and what makes you happy and fulfilled.
10. The last thing you should know, as a new graduate, is that...
- Your
future is bright and your whole life is ahead of you! There are so many
places, people, and jobs to explore and the best part of the adventure
can be the ride! So buckle up and start today because your future and
career are waiting :)
Jami Coughler, Senior Career Assistant
Bachelor of Public Health [Honours]; BA Sociology '11
