Everyone wants to land their dream job after they graduate university. One with a great salary and vacation time. And, why not? Weren’t we told that the way to get a good paying job was by going to university – Sadly it isn’t that simple, finding a job you love, with great pay will be hard. It will take a combination of hard work, hustle, patience, and let’s be honest some luck.
Here are my five tips to help you get the job you want:
1. Use your biggest advantage
You probably don’t realize this, but being a student is your biggest advantage. If you already graduated and are just starting to look for a job, I am sorry to tell you but you are couple steps behind. This doesn’t mean you can’t get your dream job, but it will be exponentially harder. Why? Because the world stops caring a bit about you once you aren’t a student. Don’t believe me? Try to get a just-graduated discount… right they don’t exist.
Take advantage of being a student while you can, you have many resources in front of you and people willing to help you. People, especially potential employers, love to meet with an enthusiastic student that is already interested in his/her future. Everyone loves a hustler, and believe me, employers value someone with initiative and guts to approach them directly. So get out there and milk it as much as you can.
2. Forget about online applications.
This doesn’t mean don’t look for job openings online. Do your research; find job openings in companies that you are interested in, and positions you would like. But don’t automatically upload your resume and apply, chances are you won’t even get past that stage.
Once you find something you’re interested in, do more research. Find who the person in charge of hiring is, the person that currently holds the position, find anyone within the company. Then go to LinkedIn and see how you are connected to them. Can someone in your network help you get in touch with any of them? Reach out, and ask if they can introduce you to them or someone that could. This takes me to my next point.
3. Network
I’ve learned that your network is one of your most powerful tools in the business world. Knowing someone might be the difference between getting that interview or not; or even better getting a meeting before you even have a formal interview. Formal interview doesn’t mean that your meetings aren’t some sort of interview. Meetings (even coffee dates) are always interviews, the only difference is that you have the power to steer the conversation, let them know you and getting to know them in a more personal level.
So get out there and network. Get to know as many people as you can. From your professors, to classmates, entrepreneurs, business leaders, even the janitor knows something you don’t. You never know whom you’re going to meet and how they can help you, or you can help them. It is important to remember that networking is building relationships, don’t look for people just to help you, always have in the back of your mind that you can be the one helping them.
4. Patience
This is where the patience part of the equation comes in. You can go through many meetings, coffee dates, and networking events and not find your ideal job.
But the more you do it, the closer you will be to it. If at the end of the day they couldn’t help you at the moment, they might be able to help you later on in your career, or even better you can help them. Remember that everyone knows something you don’t, and have had experiences you’ll never have, so make sure to listen to their story and you might learn something, find a friend, or meet a mentor.
5. Get started
This is the most important step. Planning and preparing is important, but know that there is no perfect moment, or no perfect idea. It is an eternal process of improving yourself. But the only way to do it is to get started.
I didn’t do this by myself, a lot of people helped me and connected me with their networks. I am willing to do the same; you think I can help you out? Connect with me and let’s have a chat.