Grad's Guide to Getting Hired

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?Grad's Guide to Getting Hired

Is it Possible to Find your First Job as a New Grad with No Experience?

?The very first question many new grads have is if it's possible to find the first job as a new grad with no experience at all. Some people would say the answer is no, and that's why so many students make great efforts to land as many internships as they can before graduating in hopes that having prior experience will help them get ahead when the job-hunting time comes.

?There is nothing wrong with this strategy and it is actually recommended, but that doesn't mean that someone who never did an internship won't ever land a full-time job. There are other ways to spark the interest of employers and get that first big break.

?So, the answer is yes; it is very possible to find the first job as a new grad with no experience.

?Here is a step-by-step guide for finding the first job as a new grad:

?1.????? Build your Resume

One’s resume should be targeted for each prospective employer based on the actual job description. According to research by Forbes, 63% of recruiters say that the biggest mistake job seekers make on their resumes is not tailoring their resume to the specific job they are applying for. For students with little or no job experience, it can help to include the following:

?-???????? Create a master statement of career goals that relate to the position for which you're applying.

-???????? Include a list of skills related to the workplace and the current job opening.

-???????? Highlight education accomplishment.

-???????? Highlight career-related activities such as volunteer work, leadership positions, or any internships.

?2.????? Reconnect with your School and Round up References

Just because you've graduated, doesn't mean you can't keep in contact with your school. Who knows? They might be able to put you in contact with a potential employer. Another convenient way to gather support is to invite former professors, co-workers, or college associates to visit your LinkedIn account and post a reference there.

?3.????? Learn How to Network and Sell Yourself

You may not have work experience, but if you have the drive and willingness to move forward, you will. One of the best ways to achieve this is by connecting with the right people, and that can be simply done through networking and becoming your own salesperson. Look for work every day; this is your campaign. Set hours and attend to them.

?Once a student has a working resume, they should create accounts with major online job search or recruiting sites such as, LinkedIn, Indeed, Career Junction, PNet, Glassdoor and ZipRecruiter. There are hundreds of job search options when you consider the niche sites for employment in healthcare, technology, IT, media, business, marketing and more. Consider uploading or creating a well-focused resume to one or more of these sites. Another plan of attack is to attend job fairs, recruiting seminars and real-time meetings where people appreciate a handshake.

?4.????? Choose the Right Roles and Organisations for You

For instance, if a role is in your field, but one of the requirements is having 5 years of experience, then that's not a job posting you should pay attention to. Instead, focus on entry-level opportunities where you can use your academic knowledge to develop the skills that will allow you to advance in your career in the future.?

?5.????? Get Ready to Ace your Job Interviews and Land your Dream Job

The last step of the process is to attend job interviews. If you are getting interview invitations from employers, it means you're doing things the right way. Getting your desired first job as a new grad will only be a matter of time. Remember to dress the part.

?6.????? The Art of Follow Up

Toward the end of a job interview, it's appropriate to ask about the timeline for decision-making for the position. Post-interview, candidates should craft a letter thanking each member attending the interview independently for the opportunity and restating your interest in the position.

?Persistence doesn't mean pounding the prospective employer with emails and phone calls. Persistence means staying in the job-search chair, updating networks, searching job boards, or freshening up resumes to target a new opening.

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Partner with a recruitment agency that you can trust. Our team at Professional Sourcing has a reputable reputation for recruitment expertise within our specialization areas. We build long-term relationships with our loyal clients and blue-chip employers.

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Visit prosourcing.co.za for more information.