Better be PREPARED than Worried

How should we plan and prepare after graduation for the challenging corporate world? Very common issue that we often talk about but hardly get guidelines on this topic. Here are five (5) guidelines that I suggest to graduating students.

1.  Profession that you are planning to pursue

We tend to refer to our relatives or senior brothers who are doing good in their professions and strive for that profession.

But what I believe you should do is try to find out what attracts you the most as task/ what would you prefer to perform? Decide on the profession and study the pros and cons of that profession and prepare yourself mentally to accept the consequences.

Suppose you are looking forward to work in Sales then you need to understand the pros and cons of this profession as such; this profession would require you to visit frequently be it summer, rainy or winter season. You will have more opportunities compare to any other job roles but again the chances of getting fired are also high if you are not performing up to their expectation. You might have the opportunity to earn more as incentive plays a major role and on the contrary you will have less personal time as you may have to spent your personal times and even holidays to plan and or to drive your sales to achieve target.

If you are planning to work in Brand or Marketing then you need to understand that job opportunity in this department is less and you have to compete with strong competitors for an entry level position. If you are thinking that you would start with sales then shift to Brand then I would say your chances are about 5%, it rarely comes on board. You may choose to work with Advertising Agencies, this would give you a fare advantage but again this role comes with the requirements of flexible timing like when there is a project ongoing then you have to spent late night working on the project to deliver the best and also the payment might not be up to your expectation. So be prepare mentally to wait long time to get a job, even if you get one then that would pay you low and initially you might have to accept flexible timing.

If you are planning to join in HR then understand that scope is less and still people assess this role as not that important and tends to place their relatives to deal with it, still owners prefers not to differentiate HR roles with Admin. Will be low paid job with slow career movements.

I have generalized the roles and organizations for better understanding. I am sure there are companies that offers and works differently compare to what I have informed above.

2.  Prepare yourself for the interview.

So now that you have decided which profession you would like to pursue so now its time to get prepared for the interview.

Please do a lot’s and lots of mirror practice on common interview questions like describe yourself or tell me about you? Difference between sales and marketing? How would you differentiate yourself from others? How would you contribute to this organization? What makes you think you are fit for this role? Etc.

Getting knowledge on the latest events/theories that are relevant to this job role.

Being Prepare with suitable formal dress (light color shirts and dark color formal pants) and formal shoes (oxford or shoes with less are preferred).

3.  Applying for Jobs

The next step is applying for jobs or against job circulars.

Just because the department matches with your preference doesn’t mean you should apply; go through the Job Description and requirements they asked for and if you don’t meet the requirements then don’t apply for it.

Collect HR Head Hunting Firms mailing address and contact numbers and share your CV with them. While you share your CV with agencies please do give a little brief in the email body that covers your interest, preferred departments and roles, details like whether you would accept job location outside Dhaka etc. Please do follow-up time-to-time after sending your CV.

While you are applying against a particular position then also please include cover letter and be cautious about title of your CV, please don’t give a title like “Updated CV” or “Resume, 18th April 19” or any unprofessional naming.; you may name it as “Resume of XYZ (Your Name)”.

Please do not send mail with your CV from someone else’s email address; try to create an email address with professional naming like “[email protected]” please avoid email address like “[email protected]” “[email protected]” etc.

4.  Pre and post Interview

Be cautious while accepting calls from unknown no. as you start building impression right-away so better make it professional right from the beginning. Don’t act in a way that gives an impression like you cannot remember about applying for this opposition. Don’t ask question over phone like what is the position? Or which department? Or what is the product/industry? Please do show-up on time, if you cannot attain the interview session then politely explain them reasons and request for another schedule if possible.

While you are waiting for your call please don’t represent yourself casual. Be seated properly and do not raise you voice if you are talking to anyone there. Don’t laugh loudly, it’s not campus any more.

Present yourself confidently but make sure you have not been cocky, keep a smiling face with an approachable personality. Do not seat crossed-leg while attending interview and do not revolve chair even if you are seating on a revolving chair. While answering questions please maintain eye contact and try to maintain eye contact with the chairperson of the interview.

You can always call to know update regarding the interview you attended but do not call repeatedly and or within short interval from you interview.

5.  Accepting offer

Congratulation to you if you have been selected and asked to come and take appointment letter.

Hope you have already collected all required certificates from college and university.

Do not sign any contracts stating time bound tenure, it’s not legal; if organization ask for it then probably it is not one the good options to start working with in the first place because they don’t even trust their employees.

Read the Appointment letter carefully bit-by-bit; make sure they have written salary amounts and double check it. Some organizations play tricks like offering 80% of the agreed salary for the provisional period and return to 100% after confirmation. You need to pay attention to these sorts of practices and please note that this is not healthy practice and you may consider that organization as not suitable for long term career. Read other clauses and facilities they are mentioning and please ask if you do not understand any point; read the clause on leave you can avail, confirmation period etc.

Please do a bit of survey and try to find out culture and norms of the organization. It is important for you to understand how your leader works and it is you who need to change yourself to fit-in to their work pattern. Be very observant in the early stages and do not try to be a hero, learn first.

All these 5 points are so important that separate articles can be written on each point, I have just tried to summarize the dos and don’ts to give an essence to the graduating students. If one graduating student change their way of thinking after reading this then, I would call it a success.