Job hunting is probably the scariest yet most exhilarating part about graduation. After more than a decade of formal education, now what? For most students, it’s the first step into adulthood, a first foray into the working world.

Dyed my hair to a conventional colour before I started job hunting LOL

I was eager to step back into the industry full-time, having taken a quasi-break during those two years I was freelancing while studying at The University of Newcastle, Australia. Knowing that my peers, unfortunately also known as my competitors, from local universities started job-hunting as early as one year before their graduation, further fuelled my anxiety. Although I only end school in August and my graduation ceremony was in November, I started sending out resumes in May, three months before I submitted my final assignments.

Start early

I was met with doubts when I first let on that I was job hunting. “Huh, so fast?” “Why don’t you take a break first?” “Still so early, is there any company willing to wait three months for you?”

Whether you’re trawling through endless job listings on job portals like MyCareersFuture, Glints, JobsCentral etc. or looking at your Linkedin connections to help, job hunting is tricky and it takes time.

It’s common for companies to arrange several rounds of interviews for different people to talk to you before offering you a position. That itself can take months, depending on the company’s recruitment process. It is especially pertinent to set aside more time for job hunting in this climate since many companies are having budget cuts and hiring freezes.

Take into account you’ll likely hit some rejections before finding your dream job, this process could take months.

Build a strong portfolio

Don’t be shy to showcase your capabilities and any interest you have. When I applied for my first internship, my portfolio was bare of professional work — instead, I used the space to feature some school assignments that highlight my abilities and interests in writing and graphic design, along with any other relevant work I did in my free time. I even included some birthday cards I designed for my friends! From there, I slowly added more items as the years passed by and built my portfolio.

For the media and communication industry, which most of my batchmates who were pursuing the Bachelor of Communications with me would be in, a portfolio plays a crucial role in determining your capabilities.

Contrary to popular belief, I was almost never asked about what I learnt in school, my GPA, or the school I was from during interviews. From my experience, as long as I have been invited to an interview with the company, chances of me being ostracised because I hold a degree from a private education institution was low.

This could be attributed to the fact that I have a substantial amount of various work — from my previous jobs to school assignments — for the interviewers to talk about. Having a portfolio allowed me to showcase the relevant work I’ve done and also set me aside from my competition, who might only have a resume to show. Therefore, I would say it’s essential for you to build up a strong and relevant portfolio, especially if you’re planning to be in the media and communication industry.

Be picky, but stay realistic

Despite what our elders lecture us about quickly securing a stable job, in today’s world, most of us are looking for more than just a steady stream of monthly income — according to Forbes in 2019, the other factors millennials take into consideration include meaningful work, mentorship, enjoyable environment etc.

There is nothing wrong with being picky as long as you stay realistic. What I did was to rank my priorities before I started my job hunt; I asked myself if I was looking for a known name to add to my resume, a desirable salary or a stable company etc. Once I ranked my priorities, it was easier to eliminate my choices.

Weigh your options and accept a lower salary if you need to. The economy is gloomier this year than last year. There were already rumours of an impending recession when I was job hunting last year but nobody could have predicted an onslaught on the economy caused by a pandemic.

Consult your lecturers

Lastly, speak to your lecturers if you can. Whether you need a reference letter or have them alert you about job openings, don’t be afraid to reach out for help.

My lecturers at The University of Newcastle, Australia were exceedingly patient and nurturing when it came to answering my questions about my job search — be it whether they thought I was suitable for a position, what they thought of a particular company or just general updates about my job search situation.

Your lecturers in all likelihood have many more years of experience in the field that you are aiming to be in and will be able to introduce you to some of their connections as well as share advice tailored to your situation. Don’t be afraid to approach them if the situation arises.

With all that’s being said, we are living in unprecedented times and job hunting is definitely tough during this period, so be well prepared for the interview to leave a good impression. Good luck, y’all!

-

Brought to you by PSB Academy.