As a new graduate, you probably don’t know what steps to take in applying for a job. You would need some guidance to navigate the unfamiliar terrain of the labour market. This article will guide you on the various stages of the job application process and what you should expect.
The Job Search Stage
At this stage, you will search for job openings on the internet, on job websites, and on LinkedIn. Since you are a new graduate, you may want to search for jobs that require no work experience. During your search, you could use the keywords: new graduate, 0-1 year experience, graduate trainee, zero experience, etc.
Read the requirements for each role carefully. Take note of the details of each job you are interested in and see if you are a good fit. Don’t forget to save the webpage URL for each advertisement you are interested in applying for.
Since you are a new graduate, now is the time to explore. You should be open to trying something new. Don’t be so fixated on what kind of job you want. Apply for a variety of jobs.
For instance, you could veer into secretarial roles if you studied mass communication. Your training did not only prepare you for communicating via mass media. It also equipped you to communicate in writing, as the duties of a secretary demands.
Also, be open to working at a startup and not just at huge multinational companies. You could get the best experience working for a startup, and you can rise quickly through the ranks. The best time to discover what kind of job is best for you is now that you are a new graduate.
The CV Submission Stage
Apply for the job, after carefully reading and understanding the requirements for the job, it is time to apply. You should have written a good résumé before now, in readiness for any suitable job opening. Being a new graduate, it may take a lot of practice to get your CV right. Keep working at it.
However, you might need the services of expert résumé writers. You could get a professionally written résumé at My Sharp Pen Editing Services.
When your CV is ready, send it to the email address provided in each job advertisement. Before sending your CV, make sure that you follow the instructions listed in the job advertisement.
The next step below could be done as you are sending out your CV or it could be done later, depending on what the recruiter specifies.
Cover Letter Submission Stage
In some job advertisements, companies ask for a CV attached to a cover letter. In such cases, you should send both documents at the same time. However, some recruiters reach out to applicants to ask for a cover letter after they have received their CVs and think they could be good fits.
We would advise you to read the job advertisements thoroughly to confirm whether a cover letter is requested. All the same, prepare a good cover letter and keep it ready. Your cover letter should focus on your qualifications and skills since you are an inexperienced new graduate.
Don’t forget to tailor each cover letter to the details of the job advertisements you are responding to.
Note that you could either write an email that would serve as the application letter or cover letter, or you could save your cover letter as a document and write a brief one-paragraph email introducing yourself and attach your cover letter.
Job Test Stage
The next stage is the job test stage. Not everyone makes it to this stage. Hopefully, the recruiters may shortlist you for this stage if they like your cover letter and résumé.
The job test stage involves writing an aptitude test either online or in person. Depending on the role you are going for, as well as the company’s recruitment process, the job test could be made up of various subjects. Such tests usually have sections on current affairs, comprehension, essay writing, and calculations.
The results of these tests could determine if you are recruited. So, ensure that you prepare adequately for the test. Preparation is a very useful tool when you are a new graduate with no prior experience in job hunting.
Furthermore, read up on the company and its mission and vision as you prepare for this stage. The company website could be a very useful resource.
Also, study what the job you are applying for entails; what the day-to-day activities of the role involve. For example, you could search for “What does a secretary do?” on Google. The search results will give you an idea of the duties of a secretary. The job advert could also provide more personalized insight into what the company in question requires a secretary to do.
The Interview Stage
The interview stage comes after you have passed the job test. Now, you get to meet representatives of the company. You could be invited to a virtual interview. You could also meet the interviewers in person at a physical location.
Prepare appropriately for whichever kind of interview you are invited to. Practice what you will say aloud while looking at yourself in a mirror. Practice smiling as you talk. Also, work on your posture. Continuous practice will help you build your confidence.
Interviewers look out for certain qualities, such as confidence, fluency in speech, and other attributes that could give them some insight into whether you are the right fit for the job.
At the interview, the interviewers would ask you questions on various topics. However, since you are a new graduate, the bulk of their questions would be about your skills and qualifications, and not your experience. So, you should be able to show them that your skills and willingness to learn will make up for your inexperience.
Prove that your being a new graduate also means that you are eager to learn and adapt to new things.
It is great to jump right into looking for a job as soon as you graduate. The earlier the better, right? Still, it is best to be armed with the right information.
Hopefully, this article has provided insight into what to expect at each stage of the job application process. So, go confidently into the labour market, start from the bottom as a new graduate, and work your way to the top. Good luck.