In these tough economic times, many graduates and school leaving students can get bogged down by the pessimism that a profitable and satisfying career can’t be found. Worse, there are those who are even doubtful if they’ll land a job!
A look around delivers more discouraging news. Open the paper or watch the news and you’ll be bombarded with more discouraging information. Companies are laying off employees in record numbers. Many school leaving students struggle to find jobs. Some graduates even choose to migrate overseas in search of greener pastures.
Contrary to popular sentiment, opportunities are everywhere--- you just have to know how to hunt for them. More so, you do not have to content yourself with whatever is out there. You have the power to create your own opportunities.
The aim of this report is to walk you through the key areas of job search process.
The 4 pillars of job hunting are;
1. Self assessment
2. Research
3. Choosing a career
4. Developing a plan
Self assessment
If there is a question that none of your high school teachers can answer, it is this: “Who are you? Knowing one’s self is the first step in any job-hunting experience--- as well as most things in life! It is something that you have to accomplish on your own; no one else can define your identity except for you. The more authentic to your own self you are, the better able you’d be in handling the challenges that comes with joining the work force.
Research
Careers are probably one of the things where people have strong pre-conceived notions: doctors, lawyers, and engineers make a lot of money, and get a lot of respect. Truck drivers don't. So do secretaries, because all they ever do is type and answer the phone. Sound familiar?
All of this can be avoided if you knew what exactly each job entails: that a truck driver, although menial work, offers several opportunities for travel, and even promotion. The secretary positions nowadays do more than type and answer the phone, but perform a lot of the research needed by their supervisors, and giving them an insight to the industry, and a fast track to management. And that doctors, although noble, work in grueling shifts and rarely dictate their own schedule—unless they have graduated to being specialists a few decades later.
Choosing a career
Ask yourself, “Is this something that really interests me?” Based on your earlier research, ask yourself if this is something that you can see yourself doing passionately for the next 3-5 years of your life. If you're already thinking of what to do next even before you submit an application, then maybe this isn't the job for you.
Growing up, we are inundated by these myths surrounding several jobs, most of the time aided by our parents or society. This is why a lot of university students end up taking the wrong course, why people disregard certain jobs as being too easy or too low only to end up being overwhelmed in a job where they're miserable.
The fact is no one can really know the ins and outs of a particular job until they have done the research, which one needs to do before they commit themselves to a career.
Developing a plan
Applying for a job is a lot like managing a big project—it takes a lot of time, research, assessment and most of all, planning.
A Career Plan is a road map that lists your various goals throughout your career. Writing down your goals not only makes things more concrete, but breaking them down into detailed steps will make them a lot more feasible.
The best way to chart a career path is by writing down where do you see yourself in five years, or maybe even ten. While it can be intimidating to write down your plans for the next three to ten years, bear in mind that career planning is an ongoing process. Charting your career also means charting the changes that happen to you. Whether your priorities change, or you feel the need to go faster or slower, having a career plan is meant to keep you focused, not to limit you.
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