3 Challenges Fresh Graduates Face When Job Hunting

Job hunting at any stage in life can be daunting, more so if you are a fresh graduate. It may seem that recruiters favor young applicants because of multiple factors including age, lower asking salaries and the opportunity to bring new ideas to organizations, but the reality is that job hiring for fresh graduates is tougher than it looks.

Recruiters may want to take in young and more affordable labor but on the flipside, they also look at the experience candidates have. If most of your work experience is composed of school extracurriculars and internship work, it can be a challenge to land an entry-level position.

We share some common challenges for fresh graduates who are job hunting as well as possible answers for tough interview questions.

More competition

Education has become much more accessible now. With scholarships and financial aid options, there are more opportunities to achieve a college degree. As a student, your goal is to get into a good school, earn good grades, and eventually get a good job after graduation. The thing is, you are not the only one thinking this way. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) reported that a total of 796,576 students graduated in the academic year 2018-2019, with undergrads numbering 718,880. More degree holders in the market means increased competition for jobs.

If a recruiter asks what makes you stand out, a solid answer would be to say that your studies are a match for the job opening. Sell your attributes to the recruiter. Think of your “elevator pitch” or two or three sentences that feature why you are best suited for the role.

Minimal or no work experience

A good chunk of entry-level work favors job seekers with one to three years of work experience. But as a fresh graduate, that doesn’t mean you’re out of the running.

If you are straight out of college, your work experience likely comes from either part-time work or internships. Though it’s not an actual job per se, this does not entail that there is no value to interning for companies or taking on sideline work. Everything can be a learning experience. Highlight your accomplishments in these roles and their relevance to the job you’re applying for.

No internships under your belt? Now is the time to go find one then! There is no shame in pursuing internships after graduation. Get that much needed experience. It might even lead to full-time work.

Or, be productive. Consider looking for freelance projects while you are in between jobs to amp your skill set and add experience to your profile. Freelance work can allow you to work remotely and gain the needed training. If your job involves creative projects, then you can bulk up your budding portfolio.

Few skills

Recruiters will always ask what your skills are, even though you’ve listed them in your CV and application form. But use this time to shine. Are you learning a new programming language while job hunting? Tell recruiters that you are still learning more skills related to the job while looking for work. Not only does this show that you are open to growth, this also tells recruiters that you are actively building your skill set to make yourself more marketable.

Do not forget your soft skills! Technical skills may be learned through workshops and additional classes but soft skills are developed over time. For example, a recruiter may favor someone who has excellent communication talents or has listed negotiation or presenting reports publicly in their skills. You never know, it could be your soft skills that land you the job. Increase your knowledge and learn new skills by signing up for a free course at FutureLearn.

This is just the beginning. For an ultimate guide to job hunting for fresh grads, we made a cheat sheet you can check out. If you are in a bit of a rush to find work soon, here are the top seven jobs that do not require experience for fresh graduates.

Begin your job hunt and update your JobStreet profile. Find #JobsThatMatter to you on our website and our mobile app. The more you search, the more JobStreet understands your preferences, so we can match you with jobs that align with your passion, purpose, and needs–all thanks to AI learning.

Lastly, visit our Career Resources Hub for more practical advice, expert insights, and industry news.

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 organization.

Discover Jobs That Matter. Visit JobStreet today.

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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 capitalization. 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.