How to Land Your First/Next Job

“Never be in a hurry. Do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset”. Saint Francis de Salies.

The fact remains, and experience proves that unemployment is a phase of life for almost every individual, especially fresh graduates must face. This face is also proved to be a temporary state as well, except for people who chose to be idle.

At the end of this article, you will believe with me that the right attitude and industry knowledge i.e., staying positive and updated with the hiring trends makes the job available for everybody passionate about adding value; not necessarily making money in the field of interest.

Stick with me as I take you through what has worked for others, and of course yours truly, both as once an applicant and now a part-and-parcel of the hiring team of one of the rapidly growing firms in Nigeria.

Before we dive in deep, I want to restate here categorically that in so far as organizations exist, and new ones are springing up by the day, there are existing vacancies across industries awaiting to be filled. In case you are stuck on what to do, read this How to Impress Recruiters at the Interview and Get the Right Job for you

Please note as we continue that this article does not guarantee anybody, but certainly serves as step-by-step guidance towards landing your first job as a fresh graduate, or getting your next job if you have been out of employment for some time.

Let’s now dive into a detailed discussion of the steps that will help you gain your first or next employment.

1 Never Lose Your Composure: analyses and conclusions of statistical agencies, coupled with the research conclusions of Economists, Media, and industry experts make us susceptible to anxieties that pose enormous threats to our composure.

Don’t give room to such threats in your mind. Most men who later made a great impact in the world passed through this hurdle, but the steadfast pursuit of their goals saw them through it all. Laying hand on and spending time with some biographies of great men will attest to this.

?Therefore, keep your composure by adopting a balanced state of mind. Also, protect such a mind when adopted, maintain it by feeding on positive materials and ignoring negative ones.

2.?Be prepared for The Job-Hunting Process: every success comes by preparation. Even on the battlefield, Generals who prepare are more likely to gain victory even if their forces are few. The major preparations you have to make as regards job hunting are countless.

3.?Stay Motivated: the requirement sections of every job ad will show you how important motivation is to employers. Matter of fact, 80% of job ads show motivation as a requirement. So, develop a never-say-die spirit so that you can face all the “bullsits” you are going to be encountering

4.?Networking: today’s employment landscape flows more on connections. So, make networking one of the strategies of your job search. You never can tell who will be a relevant information bearer. Even though such relationships seem unprofitable at the moment, occasions will arise when they will count. So, stay connected.

5.?Keep Expanding Your Knowledge: read and research as much as you can to stay abreast of industry trends.

6.?Practice: practice what you learn about the interview, the most important part of the job-hunting process.

7.?Take Care of Your Appearance: First your dress code. Don’t forget the popular adage “You are addressed the way you dress”. So, take it seriously. Grooming too is important. However, apply the principle, of moderation. Don’t overdo it, especially ladies with make-up. Adopt simplicity as a virtue.

8.?Live a Stress-free Life: this follows appearance because stress has an overbearing impact on your overall appearance, especially in a tension-ridden stage like an interview room.

9.?Consider Your Diet: neither overeat nor starve yourself, but feed well in order not to fall seek or look haggard. A well-nourished candidate will always have an edge at the interview any day.

10.? Accept Your Current State: don’t forget the anonymous saying that “a contented heart is a calm sea amid all storms”. So, accept gracefully the fact you are jobless at the moment. Be comfortable living with a little while finding ways around to get a job. You should also be able to stay strong amid the insults that will come your way until your job search eventually yields tangible results. You should also be able to hold your peace when decisions are taken in your favor. You should above all be able to create meaning out of nothing.

11.? Know What You Want: state your goals right from inception. Know exactly what your objectives are. Is it money that is your motivation factor at work or gaining experience? Know this and follow your mind when making decisions.

12.? Know How to Handle Rejection: learn to take nothing personally in this case. According to Koelmeyer, one of the authors on this subject matter, “job search is a unique form of torture”, so, when you face rejection either at the point of trying to gain entry into a company’s premises, place a telephone call or interviews, don’t go berserk, it’s not just about you. The hiring process is a complex one with different factors affecting decision-making.

13.? Work on Your Interpersonal Skills: the first thing is to project a pleasing personality, followed by well-developed communication skills that incorporate oral, written, and non-verbal communication.

14.? Be Curious: don’t be afraid to make sincere findings about what you feel may contribute to your success as this will you make discoveries that will call the shots for you. It could even expand your horizon to other job leads.

15.? Don’t Underrate the Power of Volunteer Jobs: be it advertised volunteer roles or in associations and groups you belong such as religious institutions like the church or social clubs etc. you belong be ready to make yourself available for selfless service whenever volunteer opportunities present themselves. This will help you build your skills, develop the already acquired skills and more importantly learn new skills and make valuable connections. It will later work in your favor.

16.? Create a Winning, Not an Impressive CV: A CV is a formal document that introduces you to the potential employer or the hiring Manager. It is the first document you must have as a job seeker. Often times I have to reschedule or outrightly disqualify applicants/candidates for their inability to present an acceptable CV. It is the highest incivility to appear for an interview without a CV. At least have a soft copy in worse worst-case scenario; some people in position, like me are always kind enough to help you print it out all things being equal.

?Even though a candidate comes through a referral, his/her CV is still required. It is even more important as it will present a comparison of what the reference wants us to believe about the potential candidate.

In writing a CV that opens opportunities for interviews certain rules apply. Namely:

????????? i.??Keep it Honest: never lie. We often repeat this. Never on your CV because you will definitely be found out, and it is always embarrassing.

??????????ii.??Keep it Simple: don’t forget that simplicity is the way of nature. So, keeping your CV simple will reduce the complexity on the side of the hiring team and in turn make things simple for you.

??????????iii.?Keep it Tidy: write on a clean sheet. Avoid rough papers and unpopular papers.

????????? iv.??Keep it Relevant: remove every irrelevant detail, employment history, personal data, or education credentials that are not relevant to the role you are applying for.

???????????v.??Keep it Current: stay updated with the latest templates, acceptable formats, and industry trends.

???????????vi.??Type it Well: use the right font size, and avoid unnecessary typographical errors.

????????????vii.?Mind Your Grammar: use the right and correct language.

????????????viii.?Choose the Alluring Words: here you can write to impress.

11. Write a Convincing Application: this is a backup letter to your CV. It is a letter that entices the potential recruiter to open the attachment or file that contains your CV. Remember we are very busy on this seat, hence your cover letter should be as clear, concise, and precise as any persuasive piece. An article on this is also coming soon. So, watch out.

12. Put Forward Your Best Shot at The Interview: everything you’ve been doing so far was a preparation for an opportunity to me with the potential employer one-on-one at the interview. This is the epicenter of the hiring process. Whatever happens at this stage is a major determinant of your being hired or rejected. It can make or mar your chances. Therefore, give it your best.

13. Follow-Up: the most effective follow-up strategies include, getting the right contact person, a timely telephone call after the interview, connecting with key members of the team on social media, presenting a good telephone manner, avoiding distracting the hiring personnel at work, and above all, being a friend to one or two key member/members of the team.

Wrapping Up

What you just read is not exhaustive on the subject, but practicing some of the above strategies will surely lead somewhere to finding your first job.

However, in subsequent articles, we are going to be looking at the points raised in this separately, starting with a comprehensive look at how to write the winning CV.

All the best as you step up your game in your job search.

#jobsearch #interviewpreparation #motivation #networking #effectivecvwriting #convincingcoverletter