Congratulations! You have graduated.
So now what happens? Do you continue to take higher education? Or do you start working? Or do you pack up and move to a totally rad city that you always want to live in? Or maybe take a year-long trip to explore the world?
Your next step is actually crucial on the foundation of your successful career path. So you don’t have to rush into anything. Take a deep breath, relax, chill out and binge on Netflix for a week (you deserve it) then take a look at the few pointers below for a brand new start to a wonderful chapter of your life.
Soul Searching
Before you jump at the first offer, think hard, is that the job you really want? Is it your passion? Many of us take up the first offer because it is safe, without realizing that you probably will end up hating the job. Search through your heart and soul and ask yourself if this job reflects your passion and everything you believe in.
I had my first full-time job as an early childhood educator because I love children. The job lasts me for 3 years until I realized that it had no prospects but I didn’t regret it at all because the 3 years prepped me for this later part of my life – motherhood.
Understand Your Strengths
Knowing your strengths in-depth will help you to pinpoint the right job. Instead of struggling to meet the expectations of your boss, you will definitely boost your confidence if you can go far and beyond the job requirements. Not to forget that you probably will be overwhelmed by your new working environment, working culture and not to mention, your new colleagues.
Besides boosting your confidence if you know you can do the job well, it will leave you time to build your network skills in the new corporate world you are stepping in. I have met plenty of people not remembering their first job experience because they were busy catching up on their workload. A good first job memory will last you a lifetime.
Don’t Jump At The First Offer
That includes the company that you interned when they offer you a permanent job. Shop around first. Don’t sell out at the first offer or when your eyes bungled at the salary. Take into consideration the following questions:
Can you learn something there?
Who is going to mentor you?
What is the future of the company?
Does the company’s vision align with yours?
Can they help to groom you to where you want to be?
Money Is Not Everything
As much as you are broke as a student and with your student loan looming in the background, please don’t sell your soul to the highest bidder. It will kill you slowly. You’ll end up being an empty shell, not understanding what you are working for and not caring the amount of time wasted on a job that you don’t even give a damn.
Try to find a balance during your job search: find a company as exciting as a startup, as secure as an established company and as diverse as a multinational organization.
Be Humble
You may be young and youth has a lot of benefits, being arrogant and daring are not one of them. If you’re not careful, you might step on the toes of those who wish to mentor you. So stay humble and follow closely on the next point…
Observed & Absorb
If there’s someone to guide you in your new job, awesome. Stay humble and learn as much as possible. If there isn’t anyone available, try to put yourself out there to help others. Everyone appreciates anyone who is willing to be helpful and try to learn the ropes. Be like a sponge and take in new knowledge. This precious information is something you can’t find it in your books.
Continue Learning
Talking about books. I’m sure that you have recently graduated and the last thing on your mind is further education. But to get ahead, keep the momentum going, this is the best time to start hunting for the next course you want to take. You don’t have so anything major while you are still trying to pay off your student loan. There are free courses out there like Coursera that will give you the edge you need.
Any good advice from you? Please share it with our new graduates at the comments below.
If you are a graduate, you might find the following articles interesting:
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