how-to-deal-with-confusion-after-graduation-and-land-the-perfect-first-job

How to Deal with Confusion After Graduation and Land the Perfect First Job

As soon as college is over, and in some cases even way before it is over, students wonder what fate holds for them once they graduate. This is the all important moment that they have been waiting for years, and yet, this is also the moment when they are the most confused and clueless, if they aren’t fully prepared to step out. The world outside the walls of college is enormous, and what students see now, standing at the gates, is just the tip of the iceberg.

For students who already know what they want to do after graduation, stepping out is a relatively carefree affair. Be it higher studies, going to a foreign university, taking up the family business, or even something as ‘unusual’ as taking a break; they are clear about how they want to spend their post-graduation time, and are relieved from the pressure to figure things out before time runs out. But for those who aren't already clear about what they want to do, it is going to be a difficult time, and a ‘jobs for freshers’ Google search isn’t going to make it easy.

The first thing that you need to remember and repeat to yourself over and over again, is that the ticking time-bomb you think is in your bag, is imaginary. Parents and relatives tend to put a lot of pressure on graduates to get a job immediately after they graduate. The belief being that, the sooner you start working, the higher your chances of climbing up the ladder. While this concept was true once upon a time, it’s obsolete now. Today, more than when, it is the where that matters. So, take your time to evaluate yourself, do some thinking, take career assessment tests, speak to your parents, counsellors, friends, and then decide on what your first step is going to be.

The second, and perhaps the most important thing to do, is self-evaluation. Once you are even fairly clear about what you want to do in the near future, there are many online apps and services like HireMee, LinkedIn, etc. that help you land a job. Expertise in a certain area is well-rewarded in the professional market, but it is hardly found in freshers. To be an expert in something takes experience and talent. While talent could be inborn, experience only comes with time. So, the key is to be versatile. During hiring season, versatility will give you an edge over other candidates, and in this growing competition, even a little edge matters a lot.