Job Hunting Advice for Fresh Graduates in the Time of a Pandemic

Job Hunting Advice for Fresh Graduates in the Time of a Pandemic
Jobstreet content teamupdated on 10 March, 2022
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Congratulations! You must be excited to finally transition from being a student to an employee. It is worth noting, however, that job hunting is not always easy, especially for new graduates. You might find yourself dealing with anxieties and self-doubts. You might realise it is difficult to apply for a competitive job without enough work experience. Add in the challenges of a global pandemic, you must be wondering how to begin your job search.

Ultimately, hard work, smart strategies, and confidence make a well-prepared job seeker. Here are a few tips on how to find the job hunting process less stressful.

  1. Plan ahead

You might find yourself making many mistakes if you do not know what to watch for. Make a list of your goals and arm yourself with research to better understand what you are looking for. Planning ahead will help you make more informed and timely decisions in your job hunting process.

  1. Find out your career interests

List down your career interests that can help you achieve your goals. Find out what type of duties and responsibilities you gravitate towards. Match your passions and play to your strengths to help yourself narrow down the endless opportunities ahead.

  1. Explore career options

Do not let your degree limit your work opportunities. Entering the workforce poses endless possibilities. Enhance your knowledge of the various industries in the job market to help you determine the most realistic and attractive options you can take on.

  1. Check your skill set

Employers nowadays are more likely to hire jobseekers with skills that are relevant and up-to-date. Review your hard and soft skills and make sure they are appropriate to the industry you wish to enter.

  1. Tailor your resume

No work experience? No problem. A standout resume that speaks passion and purpose will help get the attention of potential employers. Tailor your resume to the given job description. Include your transferable skills, extracurricular activities, or volunteer work to show your interest in the field or position available.

  1. Build your brand

Online presence matters a lot these days. Social sleuthing has become a common recruitment practice among employers to check a jobseeker's background. Make sure your online activity is not sabotaging your job search.

  1. Expand your network

Build a community of people to help you in your professional pursuits. Let people in your circle know that you are on the lookout for job opportunities. In today's competitive job market, it is important to bank on relationships that can turn into opportunities.

  1. Apply with confidence

Job hunting will never be all smooth sailing; there is likely to be bumps in the road. You may be rejected from roles and miss out on securing the job you really want. Stay proactive, follow up with your application, and be professional. There is power in letting your potential employers know your interest in the available position.

  1. Get organised

Job hunting is a lengthy process. It can take weeks or months. This said, it is helpful to have a record of your applications: Keep track of the progress by building a history of your applications. Include copies of job descriptions, and correspondence sent. This will help you determine when you should follow up on your application.

  1. Make use of available resources

Looking for your first job will be a challenge, but some online tools and resources can help you with your job hunt. Take advantage of these tools to optimise your job search. Most employers nowadays are actively recruiting online. Create an online profile to help them know you are looking for a job opportunity.

Take hold of opportunities and remember to keep your head up amidst the challenges that come with landing your first job. Keep knocking on the doors of #JobsThatMatter to you. You never know when one would open, leading you to the career path you have always dreamed of.

For more expert advice on job seeking and helpful tips, visit JobStreet's Career Resources Hub.

At JobStreet, we believe in bringing you #JobsThatMatter. As a Career Partner, we are committed to helping all jobseekers find passion and purpose in every career choice. And as the number 1 Talent Partner in Asia, we connect employers with the right candidates who truly make a positive and lasting impact on the organisation.

Discover Jobs That Matter. Visit JobStreet today.

About SEEK Asia

SEEK Asia , a combination of two leading brands JobStreet and JobsDB, is the leading job portal and Asia's preferred destination for candidates and hirers. SEEK Asia's presence span across 7 countries namely Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam. SEEK Asia is part of the Australian Securities Exchange-listed SEEK Limited Company, the world's largest job portal by market capitalisation. SEEK Asia attracts over 400 million visits a year.

About SEEK Limited

SEEK is a diverse group of companies, comprising a strong portfolio of online employment, educational, commercial and volunteer businesses. SEEK has a global presence (including Australia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong, South-East Asia, Brazil and Mexico), with exposure to over 2.9 billion people and approximately 27 per cent of global GDP. SEEK makes a positive contribution to people's lives on a global scale. SEEK is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, where it is a top 100 company and has been listed in the Top 20 Most Innovative Companies by Forbes.

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