ADAPTING TO A CHANGING WORLD
If you are looking to earn a little more while gaining some work experience, apply for temp or part-time positions at companies you are hoping to join. Alternatively, you can simply apply for relevant jobs that will give you some insight into your profession of choice – for example, a part-time role as an accounts executive. However, do not sweat it if your part-time gig has little to no links to your chosen field of study; you will still be able to build on all the invaluable soft skills you have gained in future interviews.
Stay commercially aware
Get creative
Try temp-ing
Take stock of all your skills and then look for opportunities wherever they may be, even outside your industry of choice. While this may not be ideal for you, when the job market has recovered and you can move into your preferred sector, employers will be impressed by your experience, resilience and ability to leverage your top skills in a different environment. Keeping your mind open to all the possibilities in front of you may even lead to great job satisfaction as well. Do not disregard graduate internship opportunities either; work hard and see if you can approach your manager to convert you to a full-time employee when things begin to look up again. If you have a hobby that could be turned into a short-term business, you can consider this option, too. Do you like to paint little pebbles? Sell them on the internet. Have a good grasp of English? Tutor children online or create online English papers.
Above all, tough times are exactly when you should keep abreast of the latest news with regard to the economy, and especially the industry you are intending to enter. This will not only help you plan your job hunt better, but could also be the critical differentiating point to push recruiters to hire you instead of another equally qualified candidate.
Last but not least, trust that this pandemic will not go on forever. There is light at the end of the tunnel; we just have to find it!
WANTED
WE AR E HIRING
JOB
WE A HIRINRE G
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THE SMU CAREER GUIDE 2022 | 31
