“No, take me back. Please, take me back. I’m not ready for the real world!”
It isn’t rare to find graduates begging and pleading with their colleges to rethink their decision. Aside from the fact university life is unbelievable life after school can be tricky. Put the two together and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. So, there may be a few mixed emotions flying around at the moment. On the one hand, you have completed your degree and made friends along the way. On the other, you have to find a job.
Your next steps are essential, which is why the following can help. Here’s what you need to do straight after graduating.
Speak To Creditors
The average student in America has an overall balance of $37,000. To put that into perspective, the average wage for a person with a degree is under $50,000. And, it can take a while to reach the levels which have these types of salaries. It’s obvious that cutting back is vital when you apply for loan, but you may not realize how much you need to slash. All you can do is talk to the creditors and ask them for a breakdown of the expenses. If they are too high, try and negotiate and come to an arrangement. Then, create a budget and stick to it religiously.
Spruce Up Your Resume
Do you remember that session where your guidance counsellor asked you to create a resume? Well, the one you develop is out of date and needs a lot of work. A lot happens from the time you start uni to the time you finish, and it’s all relevant. It might not seem significant, but you’d be surprised at what skills can give you an advantage. Make sure you include any work experience and volunteer work because employers love it. Also, list any travel experiences as it shows your life outside of college/work. Don’t forget to list any skills you may have! Being proficient in Microsoft or Adobe programs is always a plus for office jobs. (Try using Canva for a nice resume template!)
Focus On Face-To-Face
You are a whiz when it comes to digital media and anything technological. But, the chances are you don’t know how to communicate in person. Don’t take this as a slight as many young graduates lack this skill. After all, the internet is the king and most conversations happen via the Web. To land a job, you will need to be charming, confident and concise, and you will have to do it in person. Therefore, it’s smart to practice an elevator pitch and interact with friends and family.
Spring Clean Your Social Media Profiles
Employers will Google you and analyze the results. Hopefully, there won’t be a negative digital fingerprint, but that isn’t always the case. People use Facebook and Twitter daily, and they can post stupid things. Even if it’s a joke, it won’t look professional to a potential employer. The best thing to do is delete the things which are close to the line and reduce the risk. Also, set tight privacy settings so that they can’t access info without your permission. If they do ask, you can tidy it up beforehand.
Thanks so much for reading, as always <3
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