Unemployment might be the worst nightmare for recent graduates. Students work hard to get good grades, graduate on time, and maybe even do an internship. At the end of the year, they graduate and consider it as a victory over their final battle. However, what they sometimes do not realize is that winter of job-hunting is coming; looking for a suitable job can be more frustrating than working on a thesis until 4 am in the morning.

On top of that, high unemployment rates seem to be an issue that is still hovering over the current generation of graduates. So to break this curse of unemployment, we have listed 5 tips that can be used by students and recent graduates to avoid being unemployed upon graduation.

Ask yourself:
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Although it sounds cliché, answering this question can guide you to the next step upon graduation. Do not be stressed out if you do not know how to answer this yet. Many experienced professionals still struggle to find out what they would really like to do. If you are having trouble with this question, then start with the next one:

What do I definitely NOT want?
Figuring out what you want in life can start with listing the things you do not want. Some people are eager to be the next Wolf of Wall Street; others just want to live a simple life. Some like to live in a foreign country, others prefer to settle in their home country, where it feels familiar. If you can eliminate things you do not like, you can focus on those you value more.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Back to basic! Everybody has their own strengths. To find it out and to use it to your advantage is easier for some than others. Nevertheless, it can certainly help you find a fitting career and move ahead in your career. To help you better understand yourself, you can ask your friends and family for input in order to get a better and more objective view.

Take action:
Do your research
Some people say that finding work is a full-time job. It takes a lot of your time to do research about the company you are applying to, to adjust your CV and cover letter, and to prepare for an interview. The bad news is that it’s true: most of the times recruiters receive thousands of applications for one vacancy, and therefore, constantly adapting yourself to the market is a must. The good news is: we believe that investing your time and effort to stand out from other applicants will pay off.

Practice your elevator pitch
Imagine you are in an elevator of a skyscraper together with the director of the company you would like to work for. You have less than a minute to introduce yourself, state your intention, and ask for a meeting to discuss further possibilities. This is what is called an elevator pitch; it all goes back to knowing who you are and what you want to do. You will never know when you will meet that right person – so you better be prepared! Therefore, you should practice and try to get feedback on your pitch.

Selene Siregar – ELM

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