Career Tips for Fresh Graduates

Finding your professional foot as a fresh graduate can be daunting and nerve-wracking. It requires series of intentional action to ace the process. Here is a curated list of things to do to ace your career as a Fresh Graduate.

1. Start early to build your career, stay focused and avoid any form of procrastination.

2. Set up a plan.

Before you take on that job, sit down and plan your career journey. Project where you see yourself in the next 5 to 10 years, what you want to achieve within that time frame, and put strategies in place to achieve your goals.

Knowing what you want at the start of your career will help you to stay focused. Don't start working without knowing what you are working towards; otherwise you’re headed for failure. Remember, failing to plan is planning to fail.

3. Get relevant skill-set.

Based on your chosen career, outline relevant skill-set (both soft and hard skills) needed to thrive in your chosen career and build on them. Invest in your personal and professional development.

4. Gain relevant experience and build transferable skills. You can gain valuable work experience to build your portfolio through Internship opportunities, volunteering, work shadowing, freelancing, etc. Unpaid and informal experiences also count.

5. Get a mentor.

As a fresh graduate who is starting out in your career, don’t walk this journey alone. If you want to succeed in different spheres of life, you need mentors, because no one makes it in life on their own, we all need strong support systems. You need people, don't do it alone. You can gain mentorship directly or indirectly.?

When looking for a mentor, consider these three things. First, a supportive person: This is someone you respect and look up to. Second, an inspirational mentor: Someone who is in a place where you wish to be one day. Thirdly, a professional growth mentor: This mentor helps you achieve your professional goals. One can find mentors through networking, personal connections or formal mentorship programmes.

When it comes to mentor-mentee relationship, it is important to always remember is it a two-way professional relationship.?Both parties are invested in the mentee’s success. The mentor doesn’t belittle or diminish the mentee in any way, and the mentee ought to respect and listen to the mentor’s advice, and both must be fully committed to the process.

A recent Harvard Business Review article reports, “Research on Junior to Midlevel Professionals shows that [mentorship] programmes enable them to advance more quickly, earn higher salaries, and gain more satisfaction in their jobs and lives than people without mentors do."

6. Build a brand

Building a formidable brand is crucial for your career growth. Ensure your profile exude professionalism. Be intentional about it and always give value.

7. Network! Network!! Network!!!

The importance of building valuable network cannot be over-emphasized. Your network is your net-worth. Networking is like a two-way street, always give value.

Did you find this article helpful? Kindly share and connect with me for more tips. Best of luck in your career!