Post pandemic, the global market has become more competitive. Some businesses have shut down operations, whereas others have reduced their workforce to cut down business costs. Therefore, the job market has become saturated because the supply of labor supersedes the demand. In other words, gone are the days when having a standard bachelor’s degree was enough to land a job.
For improved employment prospects, the youth have to develop a unique and diverse skill set. Students must seek help from counselors to map out exactly how they can pursue their future career paths.
Do you think you have the knowledge and skills that can distinguish you from other candidates so you can get the job of your choice? If you are uncertain, continue reading.
Here we are listing:
6 Ways to Boost Your Employability Before you Graduate
Build a Future-Growth Perspective:
Unsurprisingly, it’s not only you, but many students don’t know what they want to do in life. Some aspire to travel the world, while others want to become artists. However, having a basic idea of the field you wish to pursue can help narrow down your choices. It is nearly impossible to ensure that a career meets all your needs, but increasing self-understanding can make it easier.
Therefore, getting a better idea of who you are and what you want to do will help you make the right career choice. On the other hand, if you have gotten into software engineering while your interest lies in finance, it’s not late to do something that excites you. Find institutions and degree programs that allow students to sign up for programs irrelevant to their major. If you want to find some better-suited options, search online for MBA for career change, so you can get a degree that will broaden your employment opportunities. Getting to know the strengths and weaknesses early ensures future success, opening doors to more career opportunities.
Get Enrolled in Online Courses:
What is more convenient than boosting your employment prospects without leaving the comfort of the house? Signing up for online courses is an incredible way to learn new skills and understand different areas. These days, many courses are available on the internet, so you won’t have much trouble finding something that interests you. Perhaps, you can take your interest in coding to the next level by taking up an online course.
Remember, the course you take does not have to be connected to your career. If you are good at sketching, take up a suitable course while fulfilling your duties as a doctor. In other words, take up any course that uncovers your talent and allows you to follow your passion. Besides this, such courses will also add to your resume, helping you stand out from other applicants.
Give it Back to the Community:
Although the primary goal of every person is to earn money, giving back to the community is an equally essential duty. Community service opens you to new experiences like getting involved in conservation programs or animal welfare allow you to spend some time around animals. It is also a great way to open your eyes to the dilemma of the less fortunate. Such circumstances might encourage you to do something more prominent in your life and make a constructive change; also, it will turn you into an intuitive thinker.
Moreover, participating in volunteering services allows participants to initiate corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities in the business world. Employers consider this a valuable skill since having a CSR action plan and employees with sufficient experience and training can give them a competitive edge. Any business can take action to be socially responsible. For instance, the idea of giving out paper straws in cafes rather than plastic straws can give you an edge over competitors with less eco-friendly practices.
Acquire Some Work Experience:
Professional life’s work often varies from what students learn throughout the school years. To get to know the occupation better, having some working experience can give students an edge over other job applicants. Students can gain experience from taking on internships or part-time jobs.
The jobs and internships you take on have to align with your field of study. In addition to technical skills, it will equip you with managerial skills. This includes communication, teamwork, and the ability to work under pressure which is helpful in all kinds of work departments. Similarly, they also teach students the importance of time management. For example, if you ever dealt with an unhappy client, you would know how to manage such a situation when you encounter it at the workplace.
Learn a New Skill:
Spending some time to learn a new skill will help add a unique trait to your CV, thereby improving your job prospects. In the competitive market, both soft and technical skills are useful, making it significant for students to get familiar with new skills. Thus, whether it is related to your field or not, always keep yourself open to learning new skills.
Maybe, if you love to write, you can pick up technical skills such as extensive reading, blogging, etc. Likewise, you can brush up on your analytical skills to have a successful career in data analytics. It will make you more suited than other candidates who only have a general idea of analytics. Therefore, use your spare time to learn new skills and increase your chances of employability.
Build A Network:
Have you heard the phrase ‘it is not what you know but who you know?’ If you wish to boost your employment prospects, building connections with people is in your best interests. Networking is one of the ideal resources for developing a career and moving forward in a competitive market. Having good relations can lead to growth and boost your chances of employment.
To grow your network, you have to attend seminars, webinars and meet industry leaders. Initiate conversations with the group heads and ask what their take is on the market dynamics. It will give you an insight into how the corporate sector works. Also, a strong network can provide you insight into different fields and information on what employers want, which will keep you ahead of other candidates.
Final Thoughts
There is no shortage of students looking for employment opportunities, and with the current conditions due to the pandemic, many experienced candidates also are searching for good opportunities. So, considering the tough competition in the market, you need to do everything you can to stand out from the crowd. To grab the employer’s interest, arm yourself with some capabilities we have listed above, so your employability is at optimum level by the time you complete your degree and enter into professional life.
