Just Graduated and Still Looking for a Job?

 If you have recently graduated and have not yet found a job, the end of the summer can be time for a reality check. Once the holidays are over, you are faced with the debt you have accumulated over several years as a student and it seems as if all the best jobs have already gone. If you find yourself experiencing this scenario - don't panic. Try to step back from the situation and think about it calmly. At the moment, your main concern is paying the bills and so you should consider getting a temporary job which will enable you to make ends meet. This will give you peace of mind and enable you think about your career during your free time.

Instead of spending Friday and Saturday evening in the pub, take a bit of time off to think about the future. You are no longer a student and so, whilst it's a good idea to take some time off to enjoy yourself, you have to take responsibility for what happens next. Remember, that no matter how difficult it seems, you only need one job. So focus on what you really want.

If you have been applying for jobs and have not yet been shortlisted, take a look at your CV or your application forms. Have you targeted each application for the relevant job? And how have you made yourself stand out from the crowd? There are plenty of websites which will help you improve your technique or you can buy my ebook 9 Steps to CV Success, which includes a critique of either your CV or your supporting statement.

If you have decided which career or industry you want to get into, take a look at the websites of relevant companies which operate graduate training schemes. Be honest with yourself about the likelihood that your experience and qualifications will match their expectations. Websites will usually have a section for recruitment and you will often be able to download an application form if they are hiring at the moment.

Many companies now use online applications and you may have to do some tests before getting as far as the actual application form. Make sure you do these when you are wide awake and calm, not when you are exhausted or in a hurry. If you can, prepare at least some of your answers for application forms in advance. You may be able to look at the questions first or save a partly completed form, but if not, you will be able to get a general idea once you've completed one or two. You could try applying for a job which is not necessarily what you want. Then it won't be much of a problem if your application, isn't great and at least you'll have an idea what to expect next time.

If you aren't sure which career path is right for you, you may still be able have a session with your university or college career service - if you can it might be the last time you'll get free advice. So make the most of it. If you are interested in a specific industry, see if you can find someone already working in that field - ask friends or relatives if they know someone. Otherwise have a look online and consider contacting a local firm to ask if you can arrange a day or two of work-shadowing. An alternative is to do some voluntary work in an organization you'd like to work for, or one which does similar work.

Think carefully about where you would like to be in five or ten years' time. If your degree wasn't related to a specific career, you could consider post-graduate training, but don't just do it to put off the inevitable. There's no point in increasing your level of debt just to delay making a decision. However, if you have a genuine interest in a career such as teaching or librarianship, a further year of study could be the answer. Discuss the options with an advisor or do some thorough background research.

If you decide that it is time to embark on a career, have a look at graduate directories to see which companies fit your aspirations and are currently hiring. Once you've identified a few which appeal to you, research them in as much detail as possible, both on and offline. Don't underestimate your abilities, but at the same time be aware that there are many more graduates on the market these days and so don't aim for jobs for which you don't have any qualifications. It isn't always essential to have absolutely everything employers are asking for, so don't be put off if one or two elements are missing from your experience.
If you take the time to focus and prepare well, a few good applications should produce more interviews than hundreds of forms churned out with little thought.

© Waller Jamison 2006

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