So, you’re finished college, just got your degree and you’re buzzed to start using it in the working world. However, what happens when you cannot manage to find a job in your field? In this article, we will tell you what you should do when you cannot find a job in your field.
1. Take a Look at Your CV
If you just put your experience and skills on your CV and sent it off, chances are you may not hear back from a job or get invited to interviews. Why? Well, because everyone is doing the exact same thing as you. Therefore, you have to put in some extra effort to stand out or you will not get noticed. So, ensure you are tailoring your CV to fit the hiring manager’s needs. It is much easier than most people think and does not take a huge amount of time. In addition, ensure your CV has as many facts and specific accomplishments as possible over general statements.
2. Take a Look at Your Cover Letters & The Emails You’re Sending
Once you have taken a closer look at your CV, do the same for the cover letters you are sending to recruiters. Cover letters are vital and one of the first things you should check when you cannot manage to find a job in your field. What should your cover letter include? Don’t make it all about you and don’t make it a long letter about your entire life story. Rather, have some of that mixed in but also use your cover letter as a way to show how you are suitable for the job and you are passionate. Speak about what you read on the website, on the job posting and much more. If you do this, you will stand out from 90% of the other applicants and you will have a much easier time finding a job in your field.
3. Ensure the Jobs You Are Applying for Fit Your Skills and Experience
If you are applying for jobs that are too far outside of what you are qualified for, it does not matter how great your CV is. You are not going to hear back. You can test this by applying for some jobs that are lower level than what you have been looking for. You do not have to accept those jobs; it is simply a test. However, if you find that all of a sudden, you’re getting a lot of calls back and interview invites, it’s a sign that they may be a better fit for your level. If you are looking to get that first job in your field, getting your food in the door is more important than how much money you are earning. You can earn money as you go, but you need to get that first job. So, keep an open mind whilst testing the market.
4. Get Better at Doing Interviews
If your CV is good and your cover letter is good and you are applying for jobs that are a reasonable fit, you should be getting interview invites. That is only half of the battle though. You need to go in ready to impress them and you need to be more impressive than the other applications. In addition, there is usually lots of competition to beat for the average job out there. We recommend you practice common interview questions before entering your interview so that you are prepared.
5. Ensure Your LinkedIn & Social Media Profiles Look Professional
Employers almost always look at your LinkedIn and social media profile. Therefore, ensure these profiles look professional. Remove anything that could be viewed as offensive, rude or too opinionated.
6. Think About Similar Areas & Related Fields
When you cannot find a job in your field, it may just be a sign that your search is far too narrow. Think about related areas. Are there other fields or jobs that would use your experience and education but are not the typical job every person with your background goes into? If so, you may find less competition there. Therefore, look around on Google and search for different kinds of jobs that people with your experience or education can do. You may be surprised what you find.
7. Don’t Get Discouraged
It is easy to get discovered, however, try your best not to. Forget the past and the statistics, you only need the one job. It does not matter if you have interviewed for 50 jobs without a job offer. It does not matter if you sent 200 applications without hearing back. You just need one. So, follow the above steps and don’t give up. Focus on that next application or next interview rather than what has not gone the way you wished.