Job Search For Students: Find Work You Love With These 7 Tips

Now that you've successfully graduated from school life, you are probably wondering what steps to take in finding your first job.

According to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), 1.6 Million have graduated from college-level educational institutions as of 2022. However, as the country continues to recover from the two-year COVID19 pandemic, this has had a negative effect on job searches and has made everyone, including career shifters and fresh graduates seeking new opportunities.

As a recent graduate, you can take the first step towards reaching your dream career. We've compiled seven tips for a successful job search for students just like you!

Also read: Want To Get Hired? Follow These Sample Resume Formats For Fresh Graduates

How To Get A Good Job After Graduation

Know what you want to do.

Depending on the course of study you've chosen, your idea of a dream career may have changed slightly. This is a very normal feeling to have. As someone who is taking their first step towards what they want to do, you can pursue a career in your course of study or you can try other fields that are related to your field. For example, you can try to pursue other entry-level positions where you can leverage the knowledge you've gained from your studies.

To help you decide which professional field you would like to try, you can:

• Check out job descriptions of your chosen career and compare it with other careers related to your field of study. 
• Learn what the current skills are needed and decide if you need to upskill or can use the experience to learn on the job.  
• Leverage your internship or On-the-job (OJT) training experience. 

Understand the current working conditions 

The current job market is full of new working conditions. Prior to the onset of the pandemic, employees were expected to come into the office five to six days a week. However, the pandemic has changed the way work is conducted. Some companies offer work from home (WFH), work from anywhere (WFA) or Hybrid work arrangements which may or may not be aligned to your preference.

For some, commuting to work is seen as a disadvantage. However, you might be missing out in building personal relationships with colleagues. To others, working from home can be more relaxing without the unnecessary travel. Depending on how social you are and the type of work your career demands, you can choose which works for you.

Leverage your school experiences and connections 

You may not have sufficient work experience, but your extracurricular activities can certainly help in making you more attractive to employers. Mention organizations you have joined, volunteer work you participated in, or even part-time student jobs you may have taken on, if this applies.

Secondly, friends and acquaintances you've made during your school years can be used to your advantage in taking that first step in your job search. Depending on the industry you are interested in joining, some companies hire through word of mouth. If you are lucky enough to know someone already in a company you are interested in, you can ask if a job opening is available which you can apply for. 

Self-assess if your skills are current and match the job you want

Nowadays, businesses are always after fresh talent who can bring fresh ideas or the latest skills that are in demand to be competitive in their respective industry. What you have learned during your education may need further refinement or an updated skill set that may have not been taught during your time as a student. Improving your core skills puts you at the forefront of getting hired.

Also read: These In-Demand Skills Can Help You Get Ahead in Your Career

Check the career path of your chosen field and find out how to succeed in it

Take some time to research how successful individuals in your chosen career path got to where they are. This will help you understand the career journey many of them have taken and how to take the necessary steps as you search for the job that fits your interest or your skills. You might be surprised that some have taken the road less traveled by being committed to their goals. It might inspire you to plan your career progression and you may pick up new, transferable skills along the way.

Research on the salary range of your chosen career

There are always companies willing to pay a premium for talent. While you may not have the experience yet, it is always a good idea to know the value of your labor. This will help you consider what your contribution is worth. In addition, this may give you an edge in how to negotiate your salary and the benefits which may vary depending on the employer and the industry.

Also read: Know Your Career Worth! How To Compute Salary in the Philippines

Clean up your online presence

In the age of information, all of us have some kind of digital footprint which can be easily scraped by recruiters using digital tools. This means that your social media apps like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, even TikTok may be put under scrutiny by a recruiter. 

It's better to keep your information private. Most, if not all, social media platforms have a privacy setting you can enable. Anything publicly available can be mitigated by either deleting or changing its availability outside of your social circles. To check what the public can see, try searching for yourself online. This will help you assess what needs to be kept private and what posts can help you stand out.

Remember, you want to be hired for your potential and skills. It's better to be cautious of what you post online so your chances in getting hired would not be clouded by some controversial views you may have.

Pandemic or not, this job search for students guide is a great way to start your dream career. 

Remember: there are many advances in recruitment that are happening such as using Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems to find the strongest candidate for the position. That is why it is important for most recruiters that you show them that you are authentic and the best version of yourself. 

#SeekBetter by creating an account or updating your profile on JobStreet.

Now, you can search jobs on our website or download the JobStreet app on the App Store or Google Play. 

Need more assistance on planning your career path? You can check out our Career Tools, which includes everything from an Interview Practice Tool to a downloadable Career Planner.  

Finally, visit our Career Resources Hub for more expert advice and practical to guide you in your first job and beyond.