“Well, I don’t have a job yet”
Amaka Ruth
The future looms as the end of the semester draws closer. This pseudo-horror flick turned reality is what every post-secondary student has in common from the moment we start the first semester to the moment we graduate. Some are just closer than others, but at some point, every student must think of the future.
It doesn’t have to be terrifying, though. There are ways students thrive after they toss their hats in the air.
So, what are the next steps? What can you do about it?
In this article, we’ll explore how some graduating students are managing these stressors and what successful tips you can take to kickstart your career.
Resilience
First things first, though. You’ll need resilience. A newswire release says 73 per cent of job seekers find the search to be the most stressful thing in life, and for good reason. Resilience means not comparing yourself, striving to improve and keep on trekking when the world doesn’t want you to.
Even our own Fernando Bossoes says waiting for responses contributes to his mental exhaustion.
“I really wish companies would provide clear timelines or make an effort to respond to candidates. Not knowing whether you are moving forward or not can be really frustrating,” he said.
The release says the way to navigate this challenge is easy, in premise, but it can be the most mentally taxing thing alongside being in school, ironically.
Be prepared for those long waits, ghosting, learning about each employer before interviews and long days at the computer tailoring every resume and cover letter. Basically, it will test your mental will. And that’s how you will know you’re in the thick of it. There is light at the end of this tumultuous tunnel.
Upcoming graduate from the UX Design Graduate Certificate program, Amaka Ruth, says she experiences these major pitfalls, but her resilience pulls her through.
“Keep trying,” Ruth says. “I try applying to five jobs a day.”
Take the small wins
Bossoes says he’s landed a few interviews, and it keeps him motivated to continue.
Redefine what success means. Education is a great way to gain the skills needed in the industry, but you’ll find that employers want work experience. Know that you’ll have to start at the bottom of the ladder and even then, it’s difficult.
If your industry allows it, work freelance to gain your own work experience. Build a portfolio and be sure to add it to your resume. Keep track of metrics to showcase yourself further and tell your future employer what value you’ll bring.
Be open-minded about the positions you’re looking for. A specific degree doesn’t mean it’s not a transferable skill that may appeal to another job that sounds interesting to you.
According to a workplace study, co-op and internships, despite being unpaid, provide the necessary experience for graduates to promote themselves to potential employers and secure a job. But showing up isn’t enough. You’ll have to build relationships and show your value to the company.
Take advantage of Humber Polytechnic’s Writing Centre to use as workshops for your resume writing, technical skills and job interview skills. These were the most sought-after services that were most helpful in the study.
Straight from Career Fair Canada itself, students find the most success in their dedication to the search. At the same time, it also contributes to its greatest stressor.
What’s worked?
Bossoes says “LinkedIn, LinkedIn, LinkedIn — and then LinkedIn once again.”
He spends time every day applying for jobs, making connections and setting up meet and greets any chance he gets.
“It’s a routine for me at this point, and I’m trying to stay consistent while being intentional about who I reach out to,” Bossoes says.
Ruth says how she’s made memorable connections that have led to her getting some work in the meantime.
“They send opportunities your way, so that’s nice,” she says.
Ruth says she’s connecting with people through DMs (direct messages) by asking about their career paths and if her new friend has any tips or possible gateways into the field.
“I go to a few events with the mission to add someone to my network on LinkedIn,” she says. “I also try following up with them the next day about meeting at other events.”
What’s also worked for some graduating students is to get creative and incorporate a bit of fun into the search. Anything to keep pushing past that mental blockage.
Ruth says she also enters competitions, not with a winning mentality, but a different kind of victory. The drive to connect by conversing with the people around her.
Expecting a job straight out of school is borderline unrealistic. It may happen for some, but for most, the search continues right through the summer and maybe even fall. As long as you’re trying, the jobs will come eventually. Keep making connections and applying. All it takes is one.
If you need a pick-me-up during your search, don’t forget to take a grad photo to mark the transition. You’ll look back with fondness and wonder why you were ever stressed in the first place in the coming years and your cozy new job.
Feature photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash.
Check out stories from graduates and their journeys to fulfilling jobs, including Teresa Silva-Byers and how food security shaped her leadership.
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