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| CLASS OF 2016 |
After Graduation What Next
Effective
networking is achieved through cultivating relationships over time.
Reach out to your contacts particularly those with whom you already have
a personal, professional or academic connection. Do they know that you
are looking for a job? Improve the presentation of your CV and make sure
they know what your skills and talents are, so that they keep you in
mind if they hear of any openings.
If
you have been an active member of professional or business
associations, on-campus organisations, stay in touch and keep those
connections alive; such networking activities provide good opportunities
for job leads. Stay in touch with former managers from internships and
part-time jobs; if you left a good impression, they might be able to
help. Many great job opportunities are not advertised; they are often
filled by personal contacts.
If
you are broke and are not one of those fortunate enough to be housed
and fed by your relations for an indefinite period, you cannot afford to
sit at home until you find your dream job. Don’t focus solely on your
area of study, be flexible and broaden your scope, expanding your search
to related fields; this will boost your chances of finding something
that will still utilise your training and abilities and enhance your
skills.
If
you regard every other position as demeaning and “beneath you” as you
are in fact “a graduate,” you could be in for a long wait. Be humble and
ready to start at the bottom and work your way up. There may be
opportunities working in a restaurant, as a sales assistant in a shop,
baby sitting and lots of other temporary jobs that will keep you busy
and give you some badly needed cash until something more in line with
your expectations and credentials turns up.
Try
to identify that special gift or talent that you might have ignored
before now. Do people always comment on your photography or writing
skills? Are you good at public speaking or organising, web-design or
programming? Can you design clothes or model them? If you can play
musical instruments to a decent standard, there may be freelance work as
a singer, pianist, church organist or violinist, and at private
receptions. There may be opportunities to offer tutorial services in a
subject that you excelled in, to students in your area. There are
endless options and not only will you be earning, but you will also open
yourself to opportunities and contacts that may be of help in your job
hunt.
One
way to get a foot in the door with a company or organisation is to
demonstrate to them what you can do, even without pay. By working as an
intern or volunteering, you have an opportunity to impress by showcasing
your skills, commitment and professionalism. This might make them want
to hire you. Even if they don’t, you would have gained valuable
experience. Of course if you have no assistance whatsoever from family
or friends, it will be difficult to work for free.
Try
to avoid having significant gaps of unemployment in your CV to have to
explain in interviews. A future employer will be impressed that you did
not just sit at home doing nothing but you kept yourself occupied
gaining experience and new skills.
When
you are young and free of significant financial or personal commitments
such as a family, rent and other debt, you have a unique opportunity to
take some risk and consider establishing your own business if you are
so inclined. Do you have what you consider to be a great idea that you
are passionate about and doesn’t have huge start up costs? You may be
surprised at what you can accomplish. There may be comfort in numbers.
Perhaps you could consider partnering with a classmate or a friend whose
skills complement yours and set up something together.
While
no learning is wasted, avoid fleeing into an expensive and lengthy
graduate programme that may not necessarily give you an edge. As far as
possible, seek continuous training and experience that can directly
support any chosen career path. Professional qualifications or
certifications, or shorter courses to improve your IT and other
practical skills can be of great value. Basic skills in languages such
as Mandarin will also broaden your scope.
The
hard reality is that being a graduate never guaranteed anyone immediate
employment. As you wait for the “right” job, open yourself to various
opportunities and experiences. Cultivate friendships with people who
remain positive in spite of challenges, as they will give you the
encouragement you need to get through this phase.
What
are the lessons learnt and the opportunities that you can create out of
this experience? Despair and depression will only make you less
attractive to potential employers. Above all, maintain a sense of
optimism and resilience and keep your spirit and energy levels up
through exercise. It is that strength of character and self-confidence
that will make you stand out and help to get you through an employer’s
door or even the door of your own small business.
Source: Punch Ng
