JGo Forward: Then and Now – Finding a Job Post-Grad

Goodbye, college life. Hello, working world!

Well, that’s usually the plan. The transition from student to full-time employment is a significant life event that brings mixed emotions along with it. For many of us, after walking away from the last exam, the workforce may seem right in front of us yet entirely out of reach.

Compared to the economic strength and low unemployment rate of 2019 and early 2020, being a college graduate in today’s terms means you are inextricably linked to the biggest pandemic in a century. The pandemic’s impact on career paths has been massive. For some, it has caused a total change of course in plans or halted them completely. In other cases, some job applicants have found this time beneficial – allowing them to develop and enhance their skillset, on their own time.

As time goes on, the typical “job hunt” may continue to change depending on how COVID-19 continues to unfold. Cover letters may mean more than they did before, remote work could be here to stay, video interviewing will likely increase, online networking might boost significantly – and the list goes on.

The job hunt I experienced looks nothing like what graduates are facing in this “pandemic-era.” Still, here are a few quick, yet key tips that have stood the test of time and will surely increase employability and help you stand out against the competition.

·     Make the most of university services while you can. Your final semester is the ideal time to reach out and see what career guidance can offer – e.g., one-on-one appointments, job fairs, CV workshops, alumni mentoring, mock interviews and much more.

·     Utilize downtime to look inward. Use the time of a slow job market by thinking about what kind of work would truly satisfy you and maximize your skillset.

·     Keep an open mind. It’s important to think unconventionally and be open to experiences that aren’t in your ideal career path. Make use of opportunities as they come.

·     Keep your digital presence current. Now that a majority of processes have transferred online, so has your brand. Ensure that your digital brand is congruent with your real-world self.

As overwhelming as it all may seem at the moment, paired with the challenges of today, the right opportunity will present itself. Know that you are not alone and there are resources in place to support you. With patience and a little pivoting, you have the potential to find a role that is rewarding and fulfilling.