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Attention All Recent University or College
Graduates! by Karen Fraser, Manager, Permanent Division After many years of hard work and financial sacrifice, you are not alone in asking yourself what the future holds for you now. There are a few key things you should know before you begin the next chapter in your life and in your career.
Firstly, remember that your career is something in which you will be engaged for the next 40- 50 years. Don't concern yourself with job titles or your starting salary. Focus on what you see yourself doing 5-10 years from now and ask yourself how you are going to go about getting there. For instance, if you have a liberal arts degree and want to transfer your abilities and education into a successful career in the advertising industry, then focus on finding a job, any job in an advertising firm. Once you have identified a long term career path or an industry in which you would like to work, do your research. Find out which companies in your geographical area are the most successful in their field or have a reputation for being a great place to work. Target those companies. Get your resume and yourself in front of the hiring authorities any way you can. Work with an employment agency, send your resume on- line or simply walk in and ask to see the Human Resources Manager. Let a prospective employer know that you are willing to do anything and start anywhere just to work for their company and in your industry of choice. Also consider that what may have been suitable in an academic setting may not work in a professional setting. It could be time to update or change your image. We all understand how important it is to make a good first impression. It is equally important to maintain that professional image over the long term. Dressing for success and communicating well are essential to long term career success. In other words, you may need to drop the youthful vernacular of “like” to describe everything, buy a few suits, get a haircut, remove facial piercings and cover the tattoos. It is possible to conform to a corporate world without selling out your integrity. Remember, if you are passionate about the company and the industry in which you are working, common sense dictates that you will be successful in your chosen field. Don't be afraid to sell yourself. As a recent graduate, you know all about hard work, long hours, multi-tasking and most importantly, you have learned how to learn. Savvy those soft skills into a job offer and then chart your own course to success. The old adage rings true, find what you love and the money will come. |
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