Beginning Your Job Search

The first step to starting your job search is to find out about the various job portals and application routes available.

There are a number of paths you can look at when looking for a job as a graduate, and one of the most common methods for searching and applying is undoubtedly through the internet.

But don’t confine yourself to just the jobs available online! There’s a variety of other options available, so make use of them too, and don’t place limits on your search. While social distancing measures do limit face-to-face interactions, there are usually virtual formats available. And as Singapore continues to keep the Covid-19 pandemic under control, we can expect present measures to continue loosening.

Go online

With so many career portals online, you’re free to take your pick though you should ensure that the ones you join and subscribe to are those that suit you best. gradsingapore.com, for instance, curates both jobs and internships, and is considered a beneficial and helpful resource for those who are in the early stages of their career or are fresh graduates.

Alternatively, employers may post available positions and vacancies on their own websites and social media pages. So if there’s an employer that you have your eye on, you should definitely consider following them on their social media. Not only will you be immediately informed of upcoming hiring opportunities and news, these pages also offer a peek into their work culture, too.

Consider keeping yourself up-to-date with the current hiring trends around the world as well. They may give you an idea on more alternative job search routes and prepare you for what to expect as you hunt for a job during this unpredictable period.

Going old school

Don’t underestimate the relevance of offline media; employers do still place job advertisements in newspapers and magazines. On top of that, graduate hiring schemes are also occasionally featured in these publications.

Consider also looking at specialised publications, such as gradsingapore’s STEM and Finance guides, which feature internship programmes and the type of job roles available in the market that are specific to an industry or sector.

Career services on campus

There’s no need to be afraid of approaching your career centre on campus grounds. After all, these centres, especially in universities, boast a wide range of contacts and resources you’ll be able to leverage on. Resources may be more specific and targeted to your course of study, and also connected to employers in these areas!

When speaking to your career counsellors on campus, make your aspirations and career goals clear and known so they have a better idea on how to help you. If you’re facing any challenges concerning your job hunt, they’re the best people to turn to for guidance.

Some career service centres even offer networking sessions, virtual or otherwise, for graduates to get to know employers, as well as find a mentor. Even if you’re not able to be on campus due to socialdistancing measures, you should be able to at least contact your school’s career service centres via email.

Career fairs

Whether they’re virtual, on campus or on public grounds, you should go into career fairs with a strategy in mind. Find out which employers are going to be there before the fair itself, and prepare some questions you would like to ask.

For physical events, bring copies of your resume to hand out to prospective employers, as well as name cards, if you have any. As for virtual fairs, you’ll still be able to send over a softcopy of your resume, so make sure it has been prepared and updated. After the event, whether either virtual or in-person, be sure to email your new contacts to establish your connection with them.

In the note, include any interesting points of conversation you might have had to help the recruiter remember you out of the many faces they may have met that day. Send your resume across one more time over the email, and add in the links to your online portfolio or LinkedIn profile as well.

Recruitment services

Another way to get suitable job offers is to engage recruitment consultation services. Although you’ll have to fork out some cash, you’ll be able to meet up with them for consultations to discuss your professional goals and use their connections to potential employers.

Moreover, you can use them as a source of information to prepare for prospective assessments and interviews.

Networking

Many young jobseekers and graduates profit from networks, both personal and professional, when looking for their first job. It’s not just about what you know – it’s about who you know. So keep in touch with old contacts, make new ones, avoid burning bridges and never turn down a chance to network, whether it’s in a personal setting or a professional one!

Internships

Work placements and internships can lead to full-time positions, especially if you have proved yourself to be a good fit for the company and get along well with your co-workers.

Apply speculatively

Writing to prospective employers – even if they’re not advertising vacancies – to enquire about available job positions is known as applying speculatively. This has the potential to show your interest in a company.

However, you’ll also need to impress them with your understanding of their field and why you’re exactly what they’re looking for. Even if there’s no available vacancies at that moment, they may keep your file and consider you for suitable job roles in the future.