As the warmer days begin to roll in so does the pressure of what your plans will be post graduation. Working with students, I am constantly asked questions about where to start the job search. In terms of where to begin, I would say it can be narrowed down into three tips: understanding the why behind your dream job, utilizing your network to get there, and patience & persistence. Each of these components supplies the means to obtain a job you are excited to start and grow in to. The nice part about each of these tips is you can start them at any point within your search no matter if you’re looking to make a change next month or next year.
THE WHY. The first place to start is figuring out your why. Whether you are someone who has been in school for longer than you can remember or you are starting a second career, figuring out what motivates you to go to work every day with a positive attitude and checks off all your boxes is the first step in your search. For some this can require some self-reflection, so that is why I recommend creating an ongoing mental list that helps you define your ideal job. This can include components like the culture, size, workload, etc.; all of which help you define whether it would be a good fit for you. Being able to define your why provides a sense of motivation and confidence in your search in knowing exactly what you are looking for.
UTILIZE YOUR RESOURCES. One of the great parts about society today is the constant new relationships and connections we make on a daily basis. These individuals can then serve as an incredible resource in helping you achieve your career goals. I would love to sit here and say finding your dream job is a piece of cake, but it is far from it; and rather it takes a lot of commitment and persistence to get what you want. Making the most out of those you have met and worked with throughout your career allows you to maximize your pool of potentials, getting you one step closer to finding your dream job! So I encourage you to portray your professionalism in all interactions and keep a good relationship with past employers as they might just be the one to help you land that next opportunity.
PATIENCE & PERSISTENCE. At this point you have not only outlined what is most important within your job search, but you have also begun to utilize that narrowed search by networking with past colleagues and peers as means for potential employment opportunities. Now comes the time to put that hard work into play. While the process of applying for various opportunities can be time consuming and draining, it’s important to remember how far you’ve already come and how much farther you can get by just staying confident and motivated throughout the entire process. To keep up that motivation, get excited about the process and celebrate the little successes such as call-backs from employers or landing an interview; as each takes you one step closer to your end goal!
So no matter where you are in your job search, if you can take away one thing from this blog I hope it is to stay positive throughout the journey and know that the right opportunity is out there, you just have to be willing to put in the time and be persistent in order to obtain it!
Best of luck with your search and happy job hunting!
Allie Lang is a Student Outreach Coordinator for the Student Outreach division of Aureus Medical Group.