What you should do between graduation and employment

Many of our youth have no idea how to deal with the gap between the day they throw their graduation cap high in the air and the day they land their first job. Graduation season is upon us and students are excited to start their journey in the real world and be a member of the workforce. They are eager to apply what they have learned in their academic years in terms of theories and practical knowledge into the real work environment. However; landing their dream job is not as easy as it may seem to be.

In today’s competitive world, fresh graduates who land their dream job as soon as they step out of university are considered to be lucky. Many graduates might have to wait a good period of time to reach their dream job. That said, the months spent between graduation and employment should be used wisely. From the career experts at Bayt.com, we have some tips on this matter. Homework isn’t only for academic purposes. After graduation, you get to do some homework too to land your dream job. Start by doing a market research, keep up-to date with the trends happening and which companies are currently hiring. Explore the industry you have chosen and look more into it in terms of reviews, vacancies, turnover, and such.

Academic backgrounds and degrees are never enough on their own; you have learned the theories and skills but never practiced them. Where do you gain the skills needed? And how do you know what they are? Practicing and mastering skills and competencies prior to starting your dream job will make a difference once you put a foot in the industry. The gap you have before starting the job is the perfect time to gain the needed skills. There are some strategies that graduates need to know before starting their career. Here’s the drilldown:

1. Keep your current job

Some graduates may have held other jobs as waiters or baristas while completing their university degree. It is recommended to keep that job during the gap period. If it was a part-time one, try to get it as a full time job to keep up with your expenses until the happy day comes and you land your dream job. At some point, you will have to be fully independent, and that is a great skill to have. Save up for your goals, whether they are to own a car or having your own business.

2. Keep an open-mind Consider other options while you are unemployed. Fresh graduates are what employers look for when hiring interns. Internships are a great way to develop skills, including communication skills, leadership, time management and more. Every skill you acquire will be essential in every job you take until retirement. Have an open mind set to start your career as an intern or a trainee. Also, if you manage to prove yourself during the training or internship period, the employer might consider you for a full time position as they prefer to hire someone who is familiar with the inside operations, products and services that they offer.

3. Professional networking

At some point you will have to learn the magic of effective networking. Learn how to dress professionally and have a firm handshake in formal conversations. Attend networking events and career fairs; be always ready to meet people. In some cases, networking reveals new job opportunities that are not up on the market yet.

4. Explore opportunities

Be flexible in your job search. Some graduates limit themselves to a specific industry or city. When you feel you are stuck with no luck in landing your dream job, you may want to consider being a bit more flexible with your job search. Look of opportunities in other cities, or countries, or maybe another area that is close by. In some cases, you may find greater opportunities in different industries too. Keep an eye on Bayt.com’s 10,000+ jobs on a daily basis.

5. Stay honest

As you are going through your job search and time is passing, you will eventually reach a point where you are asked to justify the gap between graduation and employment. Don’t make things up to fill in your CV, this is a huge mistake that people do. Build a professional CV with your academic background, experiences, volunteering and leadership activities and all other related sections. Get out to the real world and fill in the missing gaps whether they are skills, certifications or training. 6. Stay active

Rejections and other challenges you may face while applying for jobs may discourage you. Don’t allow this to hold you back or limit you. Stay in the loop and informed about the industry trends. Every day the market changes, introducing new products and services, and removing old ones, and that is where you need to stay up to date. Stay active by reading more about the industry, look into what their perfect candidate looks like and check what you are missing for being the perfect fit.

From the day you step out of your academic institution to the day you land your dream job, work on yourself and never assume what you’ve learned is enough. Research new things and explore diverse opportunities. During that gap, get to know yourself more, and keep on widening your network. Discover and develop new skills that your future employer is looking for, or skills that will help you boost your job search.