The Secrets to a Higher Chance of Getting a Job

“When the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence, it may be that they take better care of it there.” – Cecil Selig

Now ready to conquer the world and live the life destined for you? I got you. Let's both build your confidence and jot down all your potentials. This is going to be a long process but worth a shot.

Had it crossed your mind what happens next after graduation? Or maybe some things to know before securing yourself a job? I was in that stage too. Don’t worry, I’m here to help.

Are you ready to take on adult responsibilities? Because if not, stop ridiculing yourself. Get out of this blog and continue watching videos online. You might find it more satisfying than getting your shits together to get ready for the real world.

What to expect once you get your university diploma?

I remember many people telling me that once I finish college, employment will come easy as reciting your ABC. Employers will endlessly contact you just for you to say “I do. I will work for you.” Lucky for me, the favor of the prophecy had me. But let’s be clear. Not all of you will enjoy this one. This might sound pessimistic and I am not discouraging you, but I am just absolutely telling the truth. Getting a good-paying job is really hard. Trust me, your diploma will never help you— maybe in some cases.

Some of you might start thinking that I have a good scholastic record. Well, I have, if you check out my middle and high school portfolio. But if you will ask about my college transcript, might as well sing Ariana’s thank you, next. I mean, I never had a good semestral standing. In spite of that, I can dance.

Life after college graduation will be filled with lots of uncertainties and imbalances. Your family will start pressuring you to start looking for a job and pay for the utility bills. You will start asking yourself what’s next? Your friends will start constructing their houses. You will see your best friend finally getting married. And you will see yourself in front of a mirror, staring at nothing, listening to Adele, having the thought of buying the newest iPhone but could never. Life after college will hit you the hardest.

Now you are out in the real real world, the survival begins.

Be the best among the rest, among the rest be the best

Some of the top Google searches of young adults are: How to find a job? How to ace an interview? How to make an impressive portfolio? What jobs best fit my degree? Don’t worry, I have been in your shoes. I searched for the worse! Trust me. And there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s good that adulting finally hits you. Well, let me share some tips.

Firstly, if you are still a struggling college student, you have to make sure that you balance your academics and extra-curricular involvements. This means that you don’t have to 100% focus on your studies. You have to explore your other potentials— be it in performing arts, debating, student council, and such others! You need to balance your IQ and EQ because, in these times, grades are not enough to propel you to a better future. Surely, you can’t just rely on your trigonometry prowess in serving your bosses who want you to take over in presenting a report at a board meeting, right? Make sense, huh?

Next, while you enjoy your balanced life in college, there enters widening your network. You need people who will help you in the future thru job recommendations, for example. You might know someone during college who is a potential CEO of a large company. Who knows? With that, you will be able to secure an opportunity you never expected.

Just to share my experience on this, last year, as I was praying to find a job, just praying, not making any effort, old friends of mine messaged me that their agencies were in need of staff and they have been recommending me, even offering me an unbelievably starting salary. I think it’s one of the perks of having a name during college.

But, if you have not gotten yourself that chance, if you are now a graduate with no friends, little side involvements than acing your exams every time, well, this is not the end for you. What I recommend, keep praying. Just kidding. I will recommend you build your curriculum vitae carefully. You must highlight your academic attainments and use that as the core of it. University achievements are a showstopper, trust me. People will be amazed once they see it. Just be discreet that you have fewer sidelines.

Building your image before employment

As I mentioned, your curriculum vitae is really important. Your CV will show your potential employer everything you can do and you are good at, and you have to secure that you will have a good first impression. Some people do not usually give a fuck about doing their CVs but I think it’s one of the most crucial parts of getting the job you want. It is often overlooked that’s why their application is not even looked into. Don’t hate me for saying this, just facts.

But how are you going to improve your CV? Good question. I really hope you would ask. Well, the first thing to do is to make sure that your CV is visually pleasing. Make sure that you put graphics and colors to it. But remember, too much is not okay. You need to balance the amount of art you will put in your CV based on what job you are applying to. Also, create your own style— show your potential employer that you have something more than what is enlisted in your CV. You can search online for references but again, originality is the key.

You also need to highlight all your skills that match the requirements of the job you are applying to. If the company needs someone who can finish tasks on time, put that in your CV (unless you can’t) and highlight it. The trick here is, that you pose yourself as somebody who is the best fit for the position they are looking for. On the first page of your CV, enumerate all your skills: business writing proficiency, bookkeeping and accounting, data analysis, lay-out designing, project tracking, and others. You need to put everything on the front page just to secure that the hiring officer will immediately see your skills. However, if you are still not sure about your things, I suggest that you ponder first because this is the best thing to know who you are and what you are capable of.

Other details to put are your relevant work experiences. You need to show your potential employer that you have the experience that will make you an efficient worker. Along with your work experiences, put the year of your employment, your position, the company, and your workload. With these, the hiring officer will get an idea of what you are really capable of.

But if you don’t have any relevant experience, work on your university involvements. Like if you become the student council president. Leadership skill and experience is sometimes necessary. Highlight all your projects, and awards, if any. Your internship also matters. You can put that one.

Your educational background is also important. Some employers see prestigious schools as a huge factor in hiring someone. If you graduated from schools like Ateneo, Santo Tomas, or Notre Dame, well good for you. But if you graduated from some sort of a community college, don’t worry, you still have a chance, just believe in yourself and your CV. Moreover, part of your educational background is the scholarship grant you received. This is just a minor detail that speaks that you strived as a student. Remember, in making this part, just put your high school details and not your middle school anymore. Employers see that as irrelevant.

Do not forget to include the contact details of your character references. There are companies that connect with your previous employers to make sure that you are who you put in your CV. MIght as well, people that you will put in this section are those who don’t hold grudges against you. If not, it might jeopardize your application. Been there. Never again. It would be great if you can put prominent personalities.

Lastly, make truthful and honest statements in your CV. Put yourself on that CV and not your friend or other people. Your own achievements and background matter and those are the things you can offer! Do not be ashamed of becoming the person of who you are today. Let you record speaks of you and what you can do. Remember, the golden rule says that honesty is the best policy.

Post application possibilities

Once the application is done, do not stress yourself. Go get some coffee and watch a movie. Let the universe work in your favor. Why? Because if it is not for you, it will never be for you. Do not insist. You can look for another job. A better one and fitting for you.

We are rooting for you, mate! You can do it!