How to Get Your First Job After Graduation

Starting a job search as a recent graduate can be incredibly daunting, especially with how competitive the market is today. When I graduated from university, I thought I’d just apply to a few roles and land a job within a week. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Back then, it’s fair to say that I had an entitled mindset and was arrogant, thinking opportunities would fall into my lap. However, reality hit hard, and after receiving over a hundred job rejections, I realised I needed a new approach to stand out.

As tough as it was on my ego, the lessons I learned were invaluable and are things I wouldn’t change for the world. Knowing what I know now, here are six things I would’ve done as a graduate looking for my first role:

1. Craft a Clear and Compelling Personal Brand

Building a strong personal brand can help you communicate who you are, what you stand for, and the unique value you bring. To build your brand:

• Define Your Strengths and Values: Reflect on your skills, passions, and values, then think about how they align with the roles you’re pursuing. These will serve as the foundation for your personal brand.
  
• Identify Your Unique Value Proposition (UVP): Consider what makes you different from other candidates. Perhaps you bring a fresh perspective from volunteer work, a specialised skill set, or unique insights from projects you’ve led.
  
• Create Consistent Messaging: Ensure your brand is consistent across all job search resources from your CV and cover letter to your LinkedIn profile and any online portfolios. Consistency helps employers recognise and remember you.

2. Building an Engaging Online Presence

Employers often check online profiles to get a sense of candidates before deciding to put them forward for an interview. Having a strong online presence can help you stand out:

• Optimise Your LinkedIn Profile: LinkedIn is a powerful tool for personal branding. Use a professional photo (not a graduation photo!), craft a clear headline that reflects your goals, and write a summary that highlights your UVP. Be sure to include relevant skills, experiences, and projects to make your profile more appealing to recruiters.
  
• Engage with Industry Content: Follow companies, industry leaders, and groups on LinkedIn and other platforms. Share or comment on industry-related content and show that you’re informed and engaged with the field. This builds your credibility and increases your visibility to potential employers.
  
• Create a Portfolio Website: If you have work samples such as writing, design projects, or other materials consider building a simple personal website to highlight them. This serves as a tangible display of your skills and is something you can showcase proudly during interviews. Bonus points if your website is easy to find with a Google search.

3. Using Storytelling to Share Your Narrative

Storytelling is an effective way to share your experiences and accomplishments with potential employers:

• Frame Your Experiences: Instead of simply listing job duties, focus on the impact you made. Did you solve a challenging problem, lead a team project, or learn something new and valuable? Tell the story behind these accomplishments to make them memorable.
  
• Showcase Adaptability and Growth: Employers value candidates who can learn and adapt. Share stories of how you grew through past experiences or overcame obstacles, these narratives demonstrate resilience and a readiness for new challenges.
  
• Align Your Story with the Role: Tailor your story for each application. Highlight experiences and skills that align with the company’s needs, showing not only that you’re capable but also that you’re a strong fit.

4. Proactively Building a Professional Network

Developing a professional network can open doors and provide you with valuable insights:

• Start with Alumni Connections: Reach out to alumni from your university who work in your field. Many people are happy to help a recent graduate from their previous university, and they can offer insights or advice on career paths.
  
• Attend Industry Events and Virtual Meetups: Participate in webinars, networking events, or professional groups to connect with people in your industry. The relationships you build through these activities can provide mentorship, job referrals, or advice.
  
• Engage with Recruiters and Hiring Managers on LinkedIn: When connecting with people on LinkedIn, send a personalised message expressing your genuine interest in their company or role. Authentic connections are more likely to lead to valuable conversations, and you’ll be top of mind if a job opportunity arises.

5. Following Up with Intention

Following up on networking opportunities or applications can help you stand out from other candidates:

• Send Thoughtful Follow-Up Messages: After an interview or networking conversation, send a follow-up message expressing appreciation and reiterating your interest. This simple gesture shows your professionalism and reinforces your commitment to the opportunity.
  
• Stay Connected Over Time: Even if a role doesn’t work out, keep in touch with contacts you meet along the way. Send occasional updates, share articles of mutual interest, or congratulate them on achievements. Building and maintaining these relationships can lead to future job opportunities or valuable advice.

6. Evaluating and Improving Your Job Search Strategy

Your job search strategy should be adaptable. Evaluate your progress and adjust your approach as you go:

• Track Your Progress: Keep a record of applications, networking conversations, and interviews to track which approaches work best. This will help you refine your strategy based on what’s been most effective.
  
• Seek Feedback: Don’t hesitate to ask mentors or career advisors for constructive feedback on your CV, cover letter, or interview performance. Feedback can help you sharpen your UVP and fine-tune your application materials.
  
• Stay Resilient and Adaptable: A job search requires patience and perseverance. Maintain a positive outlook, learn from each experience, and adjust your strategy as needed to improve your chances. Remember you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take, and you only need one yes – so keep going!

Moving Forward…

By using these strategic branding techniques, you can approach your job search with confidence and clarity, transforming a potentially overwhelming process into an intentional journey.

Developing a strong personal brand, creating valuable professional connections, and sharing your unique story will help you make a lasting impression on potential employers. 

This job search is more than just finding your first role, it’s an opportunity to lay a foundation for future career success. 

This also becomes your success story that you can share with graduates seeking advice when you’re established in your field. Never forget where you started and be sure to give back when you’re able to.

See you next week!