It’s a topic that has made the news headlines fairly often in recent months. Graduates who are having trouble finding their first job, long after they had graduated. Job fairs being flooded by freshly-minted degree-holders.  This is a tough time to enter the working world… I should know.

As an undergraduate about to leave school in a few months’ time, I am surrounded by peers who have yet to find a job. Many of them are uncertain about what the future holds for them. Several others have developed a growing reluctance to graduate; just a year ago, these same people couldn’t wait to be done with university once and for all. I am fortunate enough to have obtained employment already, but I’d like to offer some suggestions to those who haven’t:

1.       Relook at your CV/resume

From the stories I’ve heard, sterling academic achievements may no longer be enough to secure a plum job at an MNC.  Your resume should contain information about experiences (e.g. community service, co-curricular activities) that make you stand out from the rest. It doesn’t have to be something that you excelled in. Sometimes, just listing a varied range of activities can make a potential employer sit up and take notice. Of course, you shouldn’t list EVERY thing you’ve done since secondary school. Everything you put down on your resume should ideally demonstrate some trait/quality that is applicable to the job you’re applying for.

In addition, it’s good practice in general to update and review your resume once in a while, and especially when submitting a job application. Remember, a strong CV will open the door to the interview round. Which brings me to…

2.       Make an impression during your interview

The fact that you’ve made it to the interview round implies that there’s something about you that they’re interested in. This is the time to ensure that they STAY interested in you.  There are plenty of articles available online with numerous tips and tricks to acing your interview. You should take the time to read them; the interview may be your only chance to convince the company that you’re the one they’re looking for.

One mistake that I hear about fairly often is that of new graduates appearing overly aggressive (and almost arrogant) during their interviews. Perhaps job applicants could get away with such behavior a year ago when the job market was booming, but certainly not now. In the current economic climate, it’s important to remember that the hiring company is in the position of power, not you. Therefore, it is crucial that you project the right balance of confidence and humility. No company wants to hire someone who has no confidence in his ability, but no company wants to hire someone who isn’t a team player.

3.       Delay your graduation

This is a tactic that I learned about only recently, and is only applicable to universities where graduation is not automatic (i.e. you have to make a formal application to graduate). By taking a leave of absence for one term, you avoid having a gap in time during which you’re unemployed… which thus avoids the tricky interview question, “So, why haven’t you been able to find a job after x months?” Also, delaying your graduation allows you to pursue long-term internships (i.e. 5-6 months) which may result in eventual employment.

4.       Manage your expectations

It is highly likely that your dream job may be difficult to obtain for now. For example, many aspire to land a lucrative job in investment banking. However, the harsh reality is that several banks are not hiring at the moment. Therefore, it is important to take a step back and re-examine (and perhaps modify) your expectations.

What is it that is most important to you right now? For some people, finances are an immediate and pressing concern. There may be student loans to pay off, and you might also need to support your family. If this is the case for you, it may be advisable to find an entry-level job that is related to the industry in which you hope to build your career. Your starting pay may not be ideal, but at least you will be gainfully employed until the job market improves.  

For other people in a better financial position, their goal may be to find a job that will form the foundation of a successful career. If you can afford to wait for the economy to rebound from its current slump, perhaps it might be worthwhile at this point to consider pursuing further education that will boost your employability in your chosen industry.  

Graduating in these uncertain times is a challenge faced by thousands of young people around the world, and some will ride out this economic crisis better than others. The key thing to remember is not to be reactive, but proactive. In my opinion, examining your options and charting a course of action will help. It may not guarantee that you will find a job; nothing is ever certain. But with sufficient determination, persistence and humility, I am confident that today’s graduates can get through this difficult period relatively unscathed.