So you've graduated. Now what?

Graduation is a big achievement. Congratulations on achieving this monumentous milestone. It marks the end of an important chapter in your life when you take the skills and knowledge you've acquired to go out into the world and pursue your dreams. 

But what comes after graduation? What do you do next? Life after graduation can be daunting, uncertain, and full of unknowns. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed or lost during this time. In this blog post, we discuss tips on how to make the transition from student life to a working professional a smooth one. We will explore topics such as goal setting, creating a career plan, taking risks, and more. Read on for all your post-grad questions answered.

The transition from uni to the real world

The transition from university or college to the "real world" can be a tough one. For many, it's the first time that you’re living on your own, managing your own finances, and trying to figure out what you want to do with your life. It can be an overwhelming time, but there are a few things you can do to make the transition easier.

Earning an income and getting a job is the obvious first step, right? But you may be wondering where to begin.

Here is a list of 7 things to get you started on your job search: 

1. Set your goals, personal and work-related: Setting goals for yourself is imperative. These could be short-term goals like landing your dream job, getting fit or long-term goals such as achieving a certain position with your dream employer.
2. Write your motivational letter and CV: Before applying for a job you’ll need to compile a professional CV for yourself. This can include your education and any work experience or volunteering work you may have done and always remember to include a good motivational letter that stands out. First impressions last so the importance of a covering motivational letter is that you leave a lasting impression on recruiters so that they put your CV forward to potential employers.
3. Identify companies you'd like to work for to guide your networking strategy. Make a list of companies you identify with and start your research. Visit their website and see if they resonate with you. Apply to their careers pages. 
4. Network. If you don’t already have a LinkedIn profile then now would be a time to set one up. LinkedIn is the perfect social media platform to network and build professional relationships. Think about lecturers you connected with while studying or fellow students who might be in a position to refer you to a company they might have contacts with. Lean on your immediate network of friends and family to see if there are any possible opportunities they could refer you to.
5. Register with RecruitAGradute. We are a specialist online recruitment agency for graduates in South Africa. Our clients are always looking for new candidates so it would be a good idea to register a job-seeker profile with us. You’ll also be able to find and apply for graduate programmes within your field Registration is really easy so visit our website here and receive job alert emails for your field of specialisation or apply directly for a job on our jobs page.
6. Graduate programmes. Start your working career off with a graduate programme. Many companies work with RecruitAGraduate to offer graduate programmes and it’s important to find the right graduate programme for you. This is another good reason to join RecruitAGradurate! Follow these tips on how to find and succeed in the right graduate programme for you.
7. Finances. Once you’ve secured a job or graduate programme it’s important to be money-wise from the get-go. If you don’t already have a bank account open one and each month put some money aside as savings. This could go towards paying off student loans or possibly go towards the deposit needed on accommodation.

Now that you’re armed with your next post-grad steps to follow, register with RecruitAGraduate here, if you have not already done so.

And good luck! We believe in the value you bring to companies and employers. That’s why we started RecruitAGraduate. Follow us on LinkedIn for information and job alerts.