3. emerging job trends for fresh graduates
We have observed that there is a heightened pressure from fresh graduates to secure a job as quickly as they can, sometimes even before graduation. Many of them set themselves very tight timelines and very high goals when looking for a job. While it is good to keep an open mind when looking for a job or employer, it’s also as equally important to find a company with a strong employer brand and good company culture and most significantly a career that aligns with your passion and values.
Be clear about what you want to achieve in your career and communicate your expectations clearly with a prospective employer during the interview process. This can help you avoid any disappointment or a poor working experience, which will only further exacerbate your frustrations of the current employment situation. Sometimes, it’s better to wait for a few more days to scan the job market as opposed to saying ‘yes’ to the first thing that comes along.
There is also a notable trend that more and more fresh graduates are applying to jobs and sectors that they have not previously studied in. For example, some students in manufacturing or aerospace are looking for jobs in digital marketing, product design, digital sales, or even UX/UI development.
People tend to be drawn to these jobs because of the increasing focus on digitalisation and digitisation. There is also a myriad of training programmes available for people to upskill and obtain qualifications, some as short as one month to complete. When young workers continue to upskill themselves after graduation, they are opening more doors for themselves in a highly competitive labour market.
4. key challenges of finding a job
Fresh graduates may find it more challenging to secure a job as they are competing against experienced professionals. Regardless of experience and age, candidates are advised to tailor their CV for the job role and the employer that they are applying for. Always research on the employer and the job scope to ensure that they match your expectations. You would also need to make sure your resume includes keywords that are highly relevant to the role you are applying for to stand out to employers and recruiters.
Job seekers should also expect the job search process to be much longer in this muted economy. With more candidates looking for jobs, employers and recruiters will need more time to go through the applications and shortlist the most qualified candidates. Therefore, job seekers should learn to adjust job search expectations during a pandemic and practice more patience when waiting for a response or to follow-up after the interview.
5. how to better navigate the labour market.
Learning does not stop after you graduate. In the world of work, lifelong learning will benefit your professional career development. Those who are deeply curious and eager to learn will receive more opportunities at work, such as portfolio expansion or even fast-tracked promotions.
If personal circumstances allow, take the extra time to acquire new in-demand and transferable skills. There are more and more non-technical roles that require basic coding or data analytics skills. For example, public relations professionals can acquire Google Adwords certification or simple data analytics skills to extract insights from data-heavy marketing reports or surveys. These skills are essential in driving content development and marketing results.
Another way a fresh graduate can gain work experience is to take up contracting roles, be it term-based or for a project. As companies tighten their HR budgets, there will be more contracting jobs in the labour market, with some offering the opportunity to convert to a permanent role if the individual’s performance exceeds expectations.
Contract work provides young workers with the opportunity to get a foot in the door of organisations that they otherwise might not have the chance to work for. It also allows them to quickly acquire new skills and accustom themselves to the working environment, as they work on building their stakeholder management and communication skills. Contracting professionals are also able to build their network more quickly and effectively, which can help open doors should perm opportunities arise.
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