Graduates - Are you Employable?

Completing your tertiary studies is exciting and you’re fascinated and filled with dreams and expectations for the future and the workspace, but are you really ready and prepared?

Although graduates are not expected to take all the blame for not being employable; it is their responsibility to effectively equip themselves for the working environment not only through education, but including skills training.

There are some of the many factors that can contribute to graduates not being employable which also are what most employers look at during the selection process. What are those factors?

Lack of Basic Skills

Getting an education does not automatically put you in the forefront as a potential candidate - your skills are most likely to do so.

Employers don’t only hire candidates based on their level of education, but also based on what value the candidates can bring to the business. Potential employers may be looking for basic skills such as:

Computer literacy

Commercial awareness (in-depth knowledge about industry of interest and the company you are applying to)

Communication

This includes verbal, written or listening communication. (You always need to be clear, concise and focused)

Resilience

This enables employees to cope with change, problems, stress and adaptability to any environment or department.

 Applying for Jobs You Don’t Qualify For

Being ambitious is great, but not for jobs you cannot possibly qualify for.

Graduates often make the common mistake of sending out multiple CVs, applying for jobs they did not study for, nor have the required expertise for. This can form a bad reputation for you in the job seeking space and get you blacklisted by potential employers because you can be regarded as a spam.

 Applying for the Sake of Applying

Employees can always tell when you have applied just out of applying for a job because you need it. When applying for a job, you need to always focus on what value you can add to the business. Always keep in mind that employability is about finding a role where you can make a difference and not just earn a salary.

Lack of Work Experience

Sometimes when they say work experience, they don’t necessarily mean in the industry you’re applying in. Your potential employer wants to see if you have done any kind of work before and that you can cope in the working environment based on experience.

There are many ways to acquire working experience during your academic years. You can look for part-time jobs on weekends or when you don’t have lessons during the week. And after you have graduated – you can also do some part-time work to upskill yourself and grow your CV.

 Professionalism

First impressions always last and the way you present yourself says a lot about you to your potential employer, and this is not only about how you look. Being professional can be presented as:

-         Arriving on time for your interview

-         Being prepared for your interview (ask questions and know what you applied for)

-         Dressing appropriately for an interview (research the company culture and dress presentably)

-         Convey self-confidence (Make eye contact and be friendly)

-         Show respect (this includes being early, no chewing of gum or being passive)

These are only a few of the many factors that contribute to graduates not being considered for jobs and being described as being “not employable”. Youth unemployment is at its peak in South Africa and the best thing you can do for yourself as a graduate is to be prepared, be persistent and always remember that the world does not owe you anything – you’re not entitled to a job. It is your own responsibility to find/create your own opportunities.

Upskill yourself, make use of all the resources made available for you. Volunteer, join initiatives and make sure you’re not just hoping to find a job because that is a process that will require great patience from you.

Tshikovha Graduate Academy NPO assists graduates to gain the necessary skills to obtain the jobs they have been studying for. If your organisation would like to contribute to our annual conference, contact Moudy today!

 “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”

—Thomas Edison