You’re ready to embark on your industry, qualification in hand, but where do you sign up? Employers aren’t waiting outside your graduation like taxi drivers at the airport. The job market is competitive, some industries more so than others and you may have to do some legwork to get an in.

Networking

Networking is your most useful tool. Network personally with other students, family, friends, and even old employers or teachers for job leads. Also network with potential employers at industry events and exhibitions if possible.

Social Media and The Internet

Networking has been revolutionised by social media and employment seekers can communicate with the industry in a new, unique, and oddly personal way thanks to the Internet. Applications like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn allow you to create a profile that showcases your personality, experience, and sometimes portfolio of work, which in many cases can even bring employers to you. Not to mention that in some fields, creating your own website or blog can also be an effective form of employer attraction.

The same can be said for companies, as they can use their own websites and social media network to promote job availabilities.

The Internet also has a number of employment search engines such as: Seek, Jobfinder, and CareerOne, which help to match employees and employers.

Apply within

Internships and traineeships are excellent ways to get your foot in the door with a company and show what you can offer. Working without a wage for a while, if you can afford it, can really pay off in the long run.

Even if the company you dream of working for doesn’t have any availabilities at present, approach them with a résumé and even offer to intern. Knowing of you and having your résumé on hand means you’re easy to contact if a position becomes available or they may be able to direct you to a partner company.

In short, be: pro-active, bold, and politely persistent. It may take some time and effort but that’s the difference between being qualified and being employed.