When searching for a graduate job, you should opt to use multiple avenues in order to make your search efficient. One avenue that is often overlooked is the careers office, which just happens to be one of the most effective ways of securing yourself an excellent entry-level job in your chosen career.
So what is the purpose of the careers office? Well, the careers office is set up to support you throughout your university journey, by helping you; determine your career path, plot out your career plan, develop the skills needed for your career, and finally assisting you as you search for your graduate job.
Therefore, career development is the goal of every careers office. So if you are interested in knowing how you can take advantage of the careers office to realize your job potential, read the insightful tips below.
Below are some great ways in which the careers office works to push you towards your dream job.
Careers office has your resume reviewed
As you already know, a resume is a document that markets your skills, experience, and achievements to your potential employer. However, writing a resume is tough, and even when you have completed your initial drafts you need a second opinion to help you out.
The careers office will thoroughly go over your resume, and give you constructive feedback so that you stand out among other applicants.
Careers office provides career counseling
One of the top concerns for many university students is the fact that they do not know what career to venture into. A careers office is composed of specialist staff and plenty of resources, which will help you in identifying career opportunities.
You can also confidentially discuss your career path with career counselors, in case you are feeling anxious about your future plans.
Careers office changes your course
Many university students often realize that the courses they are taking are unsuitable for the graduate job that they want to pursue. The careers office can give you insightful advice in this department so that you can change your course in response to your changed career path.
The careers office will also help you consider all your options so that you do not regret your final decision
Careers office helps you identify what skills to develop
Every graduate job calls for a particular set of soft and hard skills. Most universities hold events and sessions run by the careers office, where the aim is to teach students skills for job hunting, career planning, and the workplace.
The purpose of this is to make students more employable so that it is easier to get the entry-level job you are aiming for.
Careers office hosts career fair and recruitment events
Another job of the careers office is to host career fairs and recruitment events, where students have access to employers who are offering internships, placements, part-time work, and graduate opportunities.
These events are great opportunities for students to network, and market themselves to potential employers.
Careers office hosts career workshops
Workshops are another great way of developing skills, networking with employers, learning about job application strategies, and even the importance of social media in job hunting. The careers office will also hold online workshops, which may be more convenient for you.
Careers office helps you subscribe to job alerts
The beauty of the careers office is that it holds a database of work experience, part-time work, and graduate level employment opportunities. When you visit the careers office you can sign up to this database, thereafter you can receive alerts when a job placement opens up.
Careers office helps you prepare for an interview
Interviews are extremely tough for most students, but thanks to the careers office you can now sufficiently prepare so that you are not caught unaware. The careers office will set up a mock interview, so that when you are interviewing for your graduate job you are in a better position to impress your potential employer.
Careers office helps you develop a business idea
If you have the entrepreneurial spirit, the careers office can help you develop your enterprising skills in addition to helping you with your business idea. The careers office can also help in the implementation phase by putting you in touch with the right people and resources, in addition to pointing out financial assistance.
Careers office finds you a mentor
Mentoring schemes are a great way of increasing your graduate job chances by putting you in touch with professionals who are succeeding in their field. A careers office will help you identify a mentor who can enhance your knowledge, confidence, and employability factor.
Volunteering
Volunteering is a great way of standing out to your potential employer during the graduate job search, and the careers office can help you find volunteer programs and opportunities that will benefit you and the community.
Find work overseas
Last but not least, the careers office acknowledges that demand for employees who are able to adapt to the multi-cultural job market is high. That is why many career offices offer students the chance to find graduate jobs abroad, by providing them with the resources, guidance, global workshops, and access to grants that they require.
Using this informative guide above, I urge you to visit your careers office today so that you can be in the best position to get the graduate job that you have been dreaming about. Best of luck on this journey!!