Landing Your First Job: A Guide for Technology, Data Analytics and Digital Graduates

Introduction:

You’ve finished your degree, congratulations! You’ve put in years of hard work and study and you’re ready to enter the world of Technology, Data Analytics or Digital and secure your first job, which is an important milestone. While the job market may seem competitive with a lot of graduates just like you, with the right approach and preparation, you can increase your chances of landing an exciting opportunity to kick start your career. Let’s dive in!

Define Your Career Path:

Before diving into the job search process, take some time to clarify your career goals and/or industries that are of interest to you. I’m not asking you to define the next 5-10+ years of your career and follow that to a “T” but identify the specific areas within Technology, Data Analytics or Digital related fields that interest you the most. You should research different job roles, industry trends and skills in demand to gain a clear understanding of where you want to focus your efforts. (Not to mention talk to a Talent Acquisition or Recruitment professional ??).

Build a Strong Foundation:

To stand out as a graduate, it's important to develop a strong foundation of knowledge and skills. Look for internships or part-time positions related to your field during your studies. These experiences not only provide practical skills but also offer valuable networking opportunities and industry insights. Additionally, consider pursuing certifications, attending workshops, taking online courses or even doing personal projects to enhance your skill set and showcase your commitment to continuous learning – I personally love that growth mindset approach!

Craft an Impressive Resume:

Your resume serves as your first impression on potential employers. Tailor it to highlight your relevant coursework, projects, internships and any extracurricular activities related to your field. Emphasise your technical skills, problem-solving abilities and any specific achievements that demonstrate your capabilities. Your CV is the thing that gets you in the door, it’s not the thing that gets you the role!

Build a Professional Network:

Networking plays a crucial role in the job search process. Attend networking events, connect with professionals on LinkedIn, join relevant online communities and consider reaching out to alumni from your university who are working in the industry. Building relationships with industry professionals can provide valuable insights, mentorship opportunities and potential job leads.

Leverage Internships and Entry-Level Opportunities:

Securing an internship or entry-level position can be a steppingstone towards your desired career. Many organisations offer internships or graduate program related roles that are specifically designed for people like you. Do your own research and find companies that interest you and that align to your field of study. My biggest piece of advice is that even if the role isn’t your ideal job, it can provide valuable experience, exposure to the industry and an opportunity to network within the organisation.

Prepare for Interviews:

As you receive interview invitations, it's essential to prepare effectively. You need to have very clear motivations for the role and what attracted you to apply. You should do this by researching the company thoroughly, understand their products or services and familiarise yourself with industry trends. Prepare thoughtful answers to common interview questions, emphasizing your technical skills, problem-solving abilities and highlight relevant experiences by providing examples from your previous work experience or university projects (STAR Methodology). These examples should showcase how you have handled challenges, worked in teams and demonstrated key competencies. Emphasise ‘I’ in these answers. E.g. ‘I did this’ or ‘I was responsible for’ or ‘I implemented’ etc. Using ‘we’ goes against you here as the interviewer is unable to decipher what ‘you’ did or what the team or group did. If you need some time to think about your answer, take it, it’s the quality of your answer is what the interviewer(s) are assessing.

Showcase Your Projects and Portfolio

When interviewing for roles across these areas, having a portfolio or showcasing your personal projects is extremely beneficial. Create an online portfolio or personal website (GitHub or Folio etc) where you can present your work, including coding projects, data analysis samples or digital marketing campaigns. A well-curated portfolio demonstrates your skills, creativity and ability to apply your knowledge to real-world scenarios. Try and provide relevant project or industry examples depending on the company that you’re interviewing for at the time.

Conclusion

Securing your first job as a university graduate in Technology, Data and Analytics or Digital field may seem like a daunting task, but by doing the right research and with some persistence, you can really set yourself apart from your peers. Overall, my biggest takeaways would be to define your career and be open to learning new things. Network, network and network more with industry professionals (sometimes it’s not what you know it’s who you know) and prepare accordingly for your interview by doing your own research and having clear motivations.