Searching for a job is not an easy journey to embark on especially for fresh graduates. Most fresh graduates end up getting disappointed after graduation because their expectations may not be met when they face the real world.
The reality that most fresh graduates will likely face after graduation is that getting a university degree is not all there is to get a job.
In today’s job market, many employers require experience and knowledge of a particular job role even if it is an entry-level position. Now the question is how you as a fresh graduate would get the required experience when you have probably never worked before. This is usually a problem for most fresh graduates.
The truth about job search is that while having a university is great, but gaining practical experience is equally important.
See 5 ways to gain a job experience before your first job;
Volunteering is a great way to build your job experience. As a fresh graduate without relevant work experience, you can decide to volunteer with some organizations and gain a practical experience in any career path you wish to pursue.
There are many non-profit organizations that have volunteer positions that you can fill to boost your experience. Volunteer jobs allow you to develop interpersonal and organizational skills. It shows employers that you are hard-working, responsible and patriotic.
Volunteering works give you the opportunity to network with other volunteers, as well as the organization you are volunteering for. Sometimes, volunteering organizations give their volunteers preference when they are recruiting for vacant positions. It is advisable for you to look out for organizations that interest you and volunteer.
Just like volunteer positions, internships can provide you with valuable work experience in your field of interest. An internship is a great opportunity for you to gain experience especially when you are trying to define your career path. Taking an internship role allows you gain experience at a company working in the field of interest. It also allows you to network with industry experts.
Since most job roles require practical job experience, there are plenty of paid and unpaid opportunities in various fields. Having an internship experience can put you ahead of other candidates without experience.
You can also check out local job boards like myjobmag.com to find internship vacancies and resources. Don’t be afraid to reach out to local companies without visible internship postings.
Networking is an amazing way to make a professional relationship and experiences before your first job. Forming professional relationships is a great way to be aware of what is going on in the corporate world. The good thing about networking with people is that it opens you up to amazing career opportunities that you may not have imagined.
Employers would always appreciate candidates that keep themselves abreast of information and trends in their field. The experience that employers seeks sometimes are not really tangible, on-job experiences, but experiences that are more skill-related.
For example, you are a software developer enthusiast, and you have developed soft wares and you know the latest trends and all, an employer will see this as an experience.
To network, you can follow industry leaders and organizations on social media platforms like LinkedIn.com or even reach out directly. Many professionals are always happy to share career advice with enthusiast.
Always check out organizations that you are interested in for more information.
Most employers want to know if you can perform a particular task well before they can hire you. Some employers in some particular job fields are not interested in where you have been or where you are coming from. These kind of employers are more concerned about how well you can do what you can do.
Freelancing is a great way to show what you can do. It is good to do freelance jobs to build your experience and show your expertise. It doesn’t matter if you do these jobs for free or get low paid for them.
Taking freelance jobs gives you the opportunity of gaining a great deal of experience on the job. The interesting thing about freelancing is that the more job you do the more experience and reference you will get.
Another great reason why you should consider taking freelance jobs is that most freelance jobs usually turns out to become a full-time job. Here is a guide that explains how you can start a freelancing writing career
Earning industry certification is a great way to gain a job experience before your first job. With today’s career trends, getting a certification is a good way to gain experience in any career field of your choice. Getting certified in a particular field allows you to learn and also practice what you have learned.
To some employers, certifications can stand as an experience sometimes. Many employers feel like for you to be certified then you are experienced in that field.
You don’t need to spend extensive time and effort to become certified. You can get a micro certification that can still stand as an experience for you. Micro certification gives entry-level candidates an edge over other candidates.
Adding a certification to your resume simply showcases your professionalism in that field. Search and take certificate courses here.
If you are afraid to apply for latest job vacancies in the company of your dreams as a fresh graduate, then it is time for you to get the job experience you require to land your most sort after job with the above tips.
You don’t always need a traditional job to build your experience, try using the techniques above to gain more experience and quality references to help get your foot in the door.
Also read, Why Should We Hire You? (Best Approach to Tackling the Question)
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