7 Pro Tips For Fresh Graduates To Enter The Workforce Successfully: Do’s & Don’ts

The Indian job market has evolved radically over the last few decades. The opportunities for various levels of jobs have never been greater. But it has also forged a huge competition in every field. Resultantly, employers are looking for candidates who hold certain skills and abilities. And sometimes, the job role has no specified degree/qualification required but the right candidate with certain virtuosities.

Being a recent graduate, you may have tons of apprehensions about making the right choices during this transition from college to career.  Graduating with good grades alone might not be sufficient to land the job you desire. To succeed in today’s competitive job economy, you need to prepare yourself and build a solid foundation for career success.

Continue reading to discover the top 7 preparation tips (straight from the experts) to enter the workforce. From resume to offer letter, keep these do's and don'ts on your checklist to thrive in your first job and acquire the much-needed competitive edge.

PRO TIP 1: Evaluate & Emend Your Resume

Resumes are the key to unlocking your dream job. It is also a window to the clarity of your thoughts & ambitions. It works as the first and can be the last impression in your professional landscape. You cannot afford to slacken here. Around 75% of all resumes get filtered out by ATS (Applicant tracking system) and never reach hiring managers. It's majorly due to poor formatting & lack of keyword optimization (also because most companies use ATS now). Another interesting fact is that 63% of recruiters would like to get resumes personalized to the open position.

So, what's the way out? Evaluate & emend your resume smartly.

Do's:

• Build a clear & concise resume (good formatting matters).
• Optimize it based on the job description, industry, & relevant keywords (Yes, every time!).
• Proofread your resume (grammatical or any other errors).

Don'ts:

• Opt for a cluttered layout with keyword stuffing.
• Include irrelevant photos, info, and contact details.
• Exceed beyond two pages.

PRO TIP 2: Vitalize Your Soft Skills

Soft skills are as vital as hard skills in portraying your employability in any industry. While hard skills showcase your academic proficiency, soft skills define your emotional intelligence to pivot that in your workplace. 93% of employers term soft skills as either “very important” or “essential.” Here are a few personal attributes that recruiters seek and that you can cultivate over time:

• Good Communication
• Teamwork & Adaptability
• Time Management
• Critical Thinking
• Decision Making
• Creativity & Innovation
• Stress Management

Do's:

• Start early, and do not wait for the right time. Now's the right time.
• Observe people. Learn. Take feedback.
• Trust the process.

Don'ts:

• Lose patience & positive approach (consistency is the key).

PRO TIP 3: Lay The Foundation With Internship Opportunities

Internships are the best for procuring hands-on experience and aptitudes to tackle work-life challenges & environment. You get to live what it feels like working in your desired industry. Internships are a great job preparation exercise for students that provides you with necessary exposure. What's more? Added skill set and competencies in your resume.

Do's:

• Do good research on the companies you want to intern with.
• Try availing multiple internships relevant to your line of industry.
• Stay proactive & contribute. Learn from your experiences.

Don'ts:

• Take any internship (remember, only relevant ones).
• Be rigid and non-adaptive.
• Do it for just doing sake (it's a value add, cherish it).

PRO TIP 4: Perform a Meticulous Industry Research & Analysis

Job seeking is not a one-sided process. It's a two-way process that requires acceptance from both sides. Do thorough research about the current industry trends, your desired job role, and the companies you want to work with. It enables you to make informed decisions and put your best foot forward while preparing for a job/interview. It also helps you understand whether industry/company expectations align with your goals or not.

Do's:

• Research from authentic sources.
• Determine clear objectives for your research.
• Work with the data & insights you've acquired.

Don'ts:

• Rely on a single source.
• Ignore this step.

PRO TIP 5: Establish Cogent Personal Brand Online

Digital is the future, and you can't sidestep it. A significant digital presence is as critical as preparing an impressive resume for your job search. Let us also tell you that establishing a personal brand is not merely limited to experienced professionals. Students can very well avail of the benefits. Here's how you can get started:

Step 1: Determine how you want to position & brand yourself - are you a tech geek or a thought leader? What makes you stand out from the crowd? Showcase that.

Step 2: Select platforms that are relevant to your line of industry. Go ahead and build a solid profile.

Step 3: Increase your connections and curate content & topics you want to share with them. Stay consistent.

Do's:

• Go slow. Understand the requirements & take action.
• Set guidelines that you'll abide by.
• Don't sell. Express & interact.

Don'ts:

• Be inconsistent.
• Try to fake it.

PRO TIP 6: Build a Purposeful Network

Our tip 6 is an extension of the previous one. Networking is crucial in advancing your career and meeting the right people to help you grow. It enables you to leverage the power of personal & professional connections to find the right opportunities. Start with your college mates and professors and gradually move on to connecting with new people. Experiment with various networking tactics and see what works best for you.

Do's:

• Use social media platforms effectively.
• Work on setting the first impression right (bio/intro/about).
• Stay consistent. Make sure to follow up.

Don'ts:

• Be hesitant to initiate.
• Stay unprepared.
• Act informally or too formal.

PRO TIP 7: Stay Wide Open To Learning & Upskilling

College is over, learning is not. And it's going to be a part of your professional growth all the while. Continuous learning is not merely about theoretical knowledge that you may acquire but also real-world application. Keeping abreast with industry trends and having the latest technical know-how will help you boost productivity & performance at the workplace. Make learning the foundation of your career, and it will consistently yield positive outcomes.

Do's:

• Be punctual and consistent.
• Understand your learning pace.
• Identify the requirement and bridge the skills gaps.

Don'ts:

• Pressurize or overwhelm yourself.
• Rely on only one learning method.
• Give up.

Bonus Tip: Discover Your Own Path

While the above-mentioned tips are tried & true, there surely must be your own way to approach things and turn your dreams into reality. Trust the process and embrace your true self. You're going to thrive in your first job.

All the best!