Are you seeking your first job? With this definitive step-by-step tutorial, we’ve got you covered. New Vacancy at United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) 2022
Preparing for your first job can be a thrilling experience. As they say, “the world is your oyster.” The possibilities and freedom are unlimited, but this can be intimidating because there is so much choice — and no experience — and so many diverse courses to choose from. Stick with us, and we’ll guide you through the steps necessary to land your first job.
1. Choose Wisely
Choosing your first job as a youngster can have long-term consequences. The skills and experience you earn in this position can help you advance in your career, so give it some thought and investigation.
It’s tempting to choose a career only on the basis of pay and prestige, but taking a more holistic approach will ensure that you make a move and acquire a position that will benefit you in the long run, as well as help you find a job you’ll enjoy and that will provide actual opportunities.
2. Ask yourself important questions
Take some time to think about what you want from your career. Ask yourself important questions such as “What do I enjoy?”, “What am I passionate about?” and “What is my ultimate career goal?” These questions will help you to think about your future career plans, as well as what’s right in front of you here and now. It will help you make choices that will support your chosen career path.
Even if you have no idea what you want to do long term, think about what you enjoy, what you definitely don’t enjoy, how certain options will affect your work-life balance and how you want your career to make you feel.
This is the time to consider what you need right now. Do you have time for a full-time position? Or are you wanting a part-time position that fits around studies? Do you need a job that’s close to home, so you don’t have to commute? Or can you travel a bit further afield to get to work? These are all things to consider before you even start looking for a job.
3. Test the waters
Before diving in, obtain some real-world experience and understanding about what you think you might like to accomplish. If you want to pursue a career in engineering, for example, before looking for your first job, see if you can chat with anyone already working in the field, go through job listings to determine what skills are required for an engineering position, and connect with individuals in the field on LinkedIn. You might be able to obtain some work experience if you are proactive.
4. Be realistic
Once you’ve determined where you want your career to go, go back to the beginning and consider how to get things started. You may aspire to be the marketing director of a huge multinational corporation, but what can you do now to get there? There are no quick fixes, and your initial employment will most likely be low-profile. It will almost certainly necessitate further qualifications and years of experience, but it can get you started in the right direction.
Be realistic about the level of experience you have and use it to gain important experience. A retail position or an entry-level promoter role could be appropriate first jobs in this case.
5. Write a CV
If you’re looking for your first job, you’ll need an entry-level CV, so getting one prepared before you begin your search is a good idea. While you may not have a lot of professional experience to contribute, you’ll be surprised at what you may put in your education area, as well as extracurricular activities and abilities.
How to write a good CV for a job application
Consider relevant classes and courses you’ve completed. These could be conventional courses in a school, college, or university, or informal courses such as online learning, evening classes, or something less formal where you taught yourself a related skill. It’s all true.
Extracurricular activities in which you’ve collaborated with others or taken the lead can demonstrate valuable transferable abilities. This applies to any sports you’ve participated in, as well as any fundraising or charitable work you’ve done.
If you’re creative, you can make a clean, professional-looking CV to offer yourself an advantage. If you’re not artistic, consider purchasing a CV template bundle and simply filling in your information — a lifesaver!
6. Begin your job search
It’s time to start looking for jobs when you’ve completed your CV. The key word here is “some.” When looking for work, it’s a good idea to apply for a variety of positions in order to increase your chances. Make a plan. Be specific about what you want and stick to it, but within that, look for as many roles that suit your criteria as possible.
Nowadays, there are numerous options for finding work. Start by looking at employment boards in your area. You can also use LinkedIn to look for employment and Google to find specific roles or websites dedicated to the type of career you want. Don’t rule out applying for employment via social media. Twitter can be a good place to find jobs and often jobs are advertised on local Facebook groups and pages. Keep a note of what you find and their deadlines.
7. Apply for Jobs
Applying for jobs may need submitting your cv along with a cover letter, or it may entail completing an application form. Your cv will assist you if it is an application form. It’s critical that you customize your curriculum vitae and cover letter to the position you’re applying for, emphasizing why you’re the best candidate for the job.
Consider who you know who could be able to assist you when looking for work. Use anyone you know who works in the industry you want to get into for information. They could be able to point you in the right direction for a career, offer volunteer work, or assist you with your application.
Don’t limit yourself to job vacancies you find advertised. Be proactive and take your résumé to people who might have a job coming up or will keep you in mind. For example, if you’re looking for a retail job, take your résumé to the shops and services in your area. You’ll be fresh in their mind, and they might call you if a job becomes available.
8. Prepare for interviews
After you’ve submitted several applications, you’ll need to start thinking about interview preparation. Look at the job description and prepare some answers to the questions the interviewer may ask.
If you have someone to practice with, do so; otherwise, a mirror will suffice. Make sure you do your homework on the firm so you understand what they are looking for in an employee, what matters to them as a company, and what they stand for. If they ask if you have any questions, you’ll be prepared.
It’s crucial to make a good first impression on your interviewer, so prepare accordingly. Even if you’re not sure how formal the interview will be, dress properly (for example, take off your hat, style your hair, etc.). This will portray you as someone who is dedicated to the task, professional, and meticulous.
9. The waiting game
The difficult part is finished; now all you have to do is wait and see if you got the job. Don’t waste time worrying about what you didn’t say or shouldn’t have said; instead, be positive and apply for new jobs in the meanwhile.
It’s fine to send a follow-up message after the interview to thank the interviewer for their time and to inquire if a decision has been made. Don’t get discouraged if you didn’t succeed. It takes practice as a first-time job seeker. It is beneficial to request comments so that you can apply it in your future interview.
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Preparing for your first job is exhilarating, and if you follow our guidelines above, you won’t have to worry about the technicalities. Knowing what you want is essential, but it’s also crucial to understand that, while your first job may serve as a springboard for your future career, it’s quite OK to change your mind. A first job will nevertheless provide you with valuable experience and transferable skills that you can apply to any future endeavor.
Remember that just because you didn’t succeed the first time doesn’t mean you should give up. Continue to apply and you will eventually be accepted.
