You’ve graduated, and now you’re out in the world looking for a job. Where to start?
You might already have an idea of what you want to do. If not, you can take a career test which can help you to determine where your strengths and skills could be put to good use.
If you’ve got a job in mind, that’s great! Now, you need to find an opening.
It sounds straightforward, but it can be surprisingly tricky. The job market is competitive, so it helps to think outside the box.
A strong workforce is beneficial to businesses and countries in many ways. Indeed, the Netherlands boasts a capable workforce, with approximately 9.7 million people in active employment. However, this may also cause fierce competition, as many are vying for your dream job.
This makes it essential to stand out from other job seekers. Fortunately, you can achieve this by aligning your interests with your professional aspirations for a more rewarding and satisfying career.
The tips below will prove helpful to finding your dream job:
Cultivate a strong growth mindset
Cultivating a strong growth mindset can help you align your interests with your professional aspirations. Therefore, embrace the belief that you can continually learn, adapt, and evolve in your career.
This mindset opens possibilities for exploring new avenues and seizing opportunities aligned with your interests. Stay curious and be open to acquiring new skills or expanding your knowledge base.
While at it, actively seek out learning opportunities and embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. The more you view setbacks as valuable lessons, the more that can propel you toward your goals.
A growth mindset also involves building a strong support network. It helps to surround yourself with individuals who inspire and motivate you.
Also, engage in mentorship or coaching relationships with experienced professionals who can offer guidance and insights. While cultivating a strong growth mindset, remember to collaborate with like-minded peers with similar aspirations. They will provide support and accountability along your journey.
Network online
If you haven’t already, set up a Linkedin account – pronto! Learn how to optimize your profile so that you stand out to potential employers and create the best possible impression.
You can use other social media platforms to network too. Find some companies, CEOs, or professionals that you admire, in the industry you want to enter. Follow them and engage with their posts. You never know when someone will post a job, or will put out information useful to your job hunt.
Here are the top companies by industry:
It’s vital that your social media profiles reflect who you are as a professional. Clean them up to prevent any embarrassment, and then put some effort into cultivating your personal brand.
You can do this by posting opinions, sharing relevant articles with your own thoughts, or even posting some work samples, if relevant.
Read also: 3 Ways to Extract Emails from LinkedIn Profiles And Searches
Build your brand
Your brand is essential to your career path. As an individual, you can work on a self-brand that highlights your interests and professional aspirations.
Before anything else, identify your core values and what sets you apart from others in your field. Then, consider how to showcase your interests and expertise through your online presence, using a personal website, blog, or professional social media profiles.
These platforms allow you to share content, insights, and experiences while positioning yourself as a thought leader in your chosen domain. Building a brand for yourself is a continuous process, which means you must not renege in your efforts to project a positive image at all times.
Remember that people will buy into an authentic personal brand that reflects passions, values, and unique strengths.
Seek opportunities for integration
You should also seek out opportunities that allow for integration between your passions and your chosen career path.
It is recommended to know your interests first, and one way to do so is to take assessments like Myers Briggs career tests. It will enhance your self-awareness and help you align your interests with professional aspirations.
For instance, if you are passionate about environmental conservation, explore careers in sustainable development, renewable energy, or environmental policy. Seek companies prioritizing environmental sustainability and having a clear mission aligned with your values.
Working in such environments allows you to actively contribute to causes that resonate with you while pursuing your professional goals.
In the meantime, you can infuse your interests into your current job by finding ways to integrate your hobbies and inherent talents into your profession.
Admittedly, knowing how to create that perfect balance can be challenging or confusing if it’s your first time. You can start by proposing work or office projects that align with your interests.
Network in person
It might seem old fashioned, but attending industry networking events is still a crucial part of job hunting.
It’s great to get your face out there, and you may be able to make a connection with a hiring manager that is just impossible to do via a cover letter. Put your best foot forward and speak to as many people as you can.
Not everyone will have a job going, but you never know what opportunities they might able to share with you from their network. Events are also a great way to learn the ins and outs of the industry and to keep on top of current trends, making you more employable.
If you’re feeling particularly brave, you could even track down the relevant person on Linkedin, express an interest in working there, and ask if they would be happy to have a conversation. This won’t be relevant for every company, but with the right manager, this bold move could be looked upon positively. It certainly helps you to stand out!
Make use of your existing networks too. Friends, family, old colleagues, class-mates – let them all know the type of work you’re looking for, and they may just know someone looking for someone like you.
If you know someone who works in the industry, don’t be afraid to invite them for a coffee to pick their brains. Everyone started somewhere, and people like to help others who are just starting out.
Read also: How This Blog Boss Earns $10K/Month
Agencies
Have you ever used an agency before? Employment agencies can be a brilliant way to get your foot in the door. I
f you find it draining trawling job sites and selling yourself to employers, this can be a great option. There are different employment agencies, whether general or industry specific.
Typically, you’ll send the agency a CV and have a meeting to discuss your history and your career ambitions. They’ll give you a call when there’s a vacancy that might suit you, and often they’ll even help you prepare for the all-important interview.
Send out a speculative application.
Let’s say you’re following a company you admire on Linkedin. You might not see any job openings advertised right now, but there’s nothing to stop you from firing off a speculative cover letter and CV.
If handled correctly, this can show initiative and courage, as well as an obvious interest in the company. Even if they are not hiring right now, they may keep your application on file for future positions.
Employ yourself
You might need a job, but who said you need a boss? It’s something that not many people consider when looking for a job. But a growing number are actually turning to self-employment.
It’s certainly a bold move, and won’t be right for everyone’s circumstances. But if you have skills like writing, marketing, or website design, you could potentially go freelance.
If you have good business acumen and a winning idea, you could even try to set up your own business. It’s certainly not easy and there can be many pitfalls.
This option may also take some time before it becomes financially viable. But by thinking outside of the box, you can create your own opportunities and potentially become your own boss.
