3 MISTAKES COLLEGE STUDENTS MAKE AFTER GRADUATING
Students have a lot of expectations when it comes to life after graduation. They want their dreams to become a reality. These dreams may be shattered if there is no proper plan. Here are some of the common 3 mistakes college students make after graduation that may impact their career immediately after graduation and in the long run as well.
3 MISTAKES COLLEGE STUDENTS MAKE AFTER GRADUATING
WRITING A GENERIC RESUME
Your resume is your first impression of your future employer. A good resume singles you out from the rest of the candidates and puts you at an advantage. It is a sign to your employers that you understand what the job entails. A bad resume shows a lack of effort and laziness and puts you at a disadvantage when thousands of people are applying for the same job. Printing out the same resume for multiple jobs at different companies may save you time but will hurt your chances at those positions. Hiring managers are good at spotting generic resumes. Therefore, you must customize your resume according to specific positions at different jobs, using keywords that are critical to that position and the language used in the job description. This will help you stand out from the crowd.
THINKING THAT YOUR FIRST JOB WILL BE YOUR DREAM JOB
High expectations regarding your job might increase your chances of getting disappointed. It is necessary that you keep in mind that the first job you get after graduating will not be your dream job or will provide you with the lifestyle you want. Your first job out of college is just a stepping stone toward something better. It places you in a position where you can learn more, gather field experience, manage your finances, and polish up your professional skills and etiquette. These skills and experience will ultimately help you get that dream job you desire.
This does not mean that you should accept a bad job just for the sake of having one. Your skill and experience will only matter if you work in your related field or area of expertise. It is worth waiting for an opportunity. If you can afford it and if the only offers you have are outside your field of work.
LACK OF GOALS AFTER GRADUATION
Many college students do not know what they want to do in their lives and career. This hurts their chances of getting employment after graduation. The first step after graduation is to evaluate what you want to do and what you want your every day to look like. Evaluation of your career goals will help you apply for only those jobs that suit you and for which you are suitable as well. During interviews, hiring managers can immediately dismiss you when they find your qualifications not suitable for that particular job. Focus on your realistic goals and what you want to achieve.
Your appearance and the way you carry yourself also affect your chances of getting the opportunity or not. If you do not have a good grasp of the skills needed for the job and you give irrelevant answers during the interview. It is a clear sign that you do not understand the job specifications.
To secure a good job. You must avoid these mistakes. Build your connections and networking, write stellar resumes, improve your interview and professional skills, and make sure to choose the career that you want.