What Todays New Graduates Need To Know - Viewpoint Viewpoint careers advice blog

What Todays New Graduates Need To Know - Viewpoint This is the time of year that university undergraduates around the world start to prepare to take those daunting first few steps into the world of work. Hours of research and job applications, right at a time when the demands of completing a degree are reaching their peak in the final year of study. There are vast tomes of advice out there around ‘how to start a career with a bang’ or ‘how to successfully apply for (and maintain) a first job’. Yes, all of this is useful stuff, to an extent. But, as each year passes and the world of work changes even more, I have started to wonder how relevant some of this advice really is. I left university back in 1982 and back then, my career journey started with the grand total of four carefully hand-written letters to four companies I liked the look of. I got three interviews, two offers and selected one. Relatively painless, not a great deal of time spent and I was launched. But I wasnt alone and frankly my experience of the graduate job search back then seems to have been common with virtually everyone else. Todays world is totally different. Hours and hours of internet surfing for opportunities, endless forms, online role-plays, hundreds, yes hundreds of email or online applications and usually a deafening silence in return as prospective employers are inundated with a barrage of applications, many of which never even get acknowledged. No wonder it’s soul destroying. Its as if the explosion of information, choice and ease of application has actually made it significantly harder to get that first start in professional life. Things are still evolving at a rapid pace too. Many professionals in their late twenties now find that the wisdom they themselves learned when entering the jobs market not so long ago is now out-dated due to the impact of changing employer appetites, talent flows and emerging technology. Yet a lot of advice is still around today and has hardly changed in years. This must change. Surely we owe it to the next generation to give them the most current advice so that they have the best possible chance of making the best decisions at this early stage in their careers â€" a stage, I’m sure you would agree, which is often the most influential for so many reasons. So, if you are entering the world of work for the first time, or know someone who is, I hope you find my advice helpful. Equally, if you have any of your own thoughts to share, then I welcome you to leave your comments below. 1. Be open minded and adaptable now, and in the future Dont shoe-horn yourself into a role just because your degree is a typical feeder into that type of job. The world of jobs is changing ever faster and theres plenty of research to suggest that the majority of jobs we will be occupying in 15 years’ time havent even been invented yet. The fact is, a large number of people will be changing roles and sectors in our future world, probably several times, so dont be afraid to change to a sector that fascinates you right now. I’ve crossed sectors and roles myself â€" from engineering through to energy and now recruitment â€" but at all times I’ve followed those roles that let me explore the topics I’m passionate about. So, rather than being pigeon-holed by your degree, really think about how the skills you’ve acquired throughout your studies can be applied to a field that you’re intrigued by. The recent integration of skills that Ive witnessed in technology, marketing, design and engineering for example throws up opportunities to move into areas that previously may not have seemed logical. We now see huge demand for these sorts of skills in the fast-growing creative industries for example, and thats very different to the typical skills such sectors sought just a few years ago. So you may find that the financial prowess you’ve honed in your accountancy degree could be just as valuable to an up-and-coming tech business, the music industry or anywhere else for that matter, as opposed to just a large consultancy firm. Remember though, this level of adaptability and open-mindedness isn’t just relevant as you start out in your career. Because of the changing world of work and digitalisation, it’s pretty much impossible to predict what you will be doing in ten, twenty or thirty years’ time. So you absolutely need to keep open-minded and continue to be adaptable in order to achieve real, sustained success in the long-term. 2. Take your time to really consider your options At this early stage of your career, the choices you make will ultimately mould you into what you will become. I know that this may sound overly dramatic but it’s true. I can see how many graduates may feel that there is something of a race to find that first job out of university. After all, you’ve just spent years in education and probably want to start making your way in the world and, importantly, you really want to start earning some money. Understandably, these are high priorities. But dont forget that the first few years of work after graduating will set the path for your future career, as it can become difficult to deviate from this track once the obligations of a home, family etc. come along in the future. To that point, I remember reading some interesting research conducted back in 2014, which stands true today. It found that a staggering two out of three graduates regretted accepting their first job offer. Do you really want to be in this position? To me, it’s a false economy. So, when considering that first job offer, remember that there’s a lot you need to consider â€" all of which will impact you now and in the future. Theres a real dilemma here though. In a world where getting a first job seems harder than ever before, isnt it better to just get any job, because at least that will help your journey to find the one you really want in the future, having demonstrated that you have the skills and attitude to be an asset to an organisation? Theres some truth in this in my mind and I will always look favourably on someone who has at least made a go of something, anything, rather than doing nothing. But dont fall into the trap of assuming that starter job is anything more than just an entree into the world of work and use it to the fullest to get the role you really want, because that ‘right’ job will build the foundations of your long-term career, equip you for the future, and ensure you stand head and shoulders above the rest, in an increasingly competitive job market. 3. Learning doesn’t stop just because you’ve graduated Graduating is just a step along the way of a lifetime of learning. You simply can’t afford to end your education the moment you’re handed a degree. It just doesn’t work like that anymore. I believe that the next decade will belong to hybrid professionals â€" people with qualifications for traditional roles running in parallel with new and emerging skillsets, combined with strong soft skills. This mixture demonstrates to employers that you can be deployed across a range of projects. It also demonstrates that you have the knowledge base to communicate with specialist colleagues and understand the potential â€" or limitations â€" of the assistance they’re able to provide. For instance, a marketer with Java or HTML5 coding skills will be able to liaise with web developers and easily grasp whether their team’s latest online marketing idea is feasible. But don’t just think AI and blockchain. Understanding how to run a productive brainstorm session or how to deal with an under-performing team member are just as vital skills as the purely technical ones that formal education tends to imbue in us. You should never allow yourself to stop learning. Ultimately, continuous upskilling should feel like a habit, rather than a chore. And this is something you and only you can instill in yourself â€" so its never too early to start. There are a host of online courses, live events or even teach-yourself podcasts available across a variety of subjects. My advice would be to read widely, consider how your chosen industry is likely to change over the next five years and what you can learn from other sectors that may point to the future of your own. In my view, every industry that exists today will be profoundly impacted by the inventions and discoveries we make in the next five to ten years. When I graduated in 1982 I joined the oil industry, seemingly safe in the knowledge that we would always need energy and fuel and that my future was therefore secure. Today, you cannot make that assumption. Blockchain will revolutionise financial services and entire supply chains. Genetics and bioengin eering will transform the role of healthcare professionals and their industry. Cars will be electric and driverless so the transport industry will look very different. Administration tasks will be automated by robots. Nothing will be as it was and nothing can be taken for granted anymore, so you need to keep your skills relevant to the world we become. But learning doesn’t start and end with technical skills. Soft skills are becoming ever more important. If a robot can do the processing job that a human brain used to be employed for, then things like strong intuitive skills, creative flair, relentless proactivity and a positive attitude will really set you apart from the others, both humans and machines. These things tend to be innate within people and hard to teach. So, as you take your first steps into the world of work, take every opportunity to recognise which soft skills you have, and hone them as you go to make you unique. And never forget that last point. You are unique. Sometimes it can seem like you are just one of thousands and thousands of similar people, all applying for that one job. But the fact is, they are all different from you and its your job to understand what makes you different and more suitable than the competition. Focus on what value you can bring to a prospective employer, not how you stack up to others in the field. A word here for employers too, because many of you are missing a trick. Dealing with a tsunami of applications is a daunting task. Many have therefore sought to automate the process in some way, filtering the incoming applications via some form of online assessment tool. Many of the banks for example now have online role-play scenarios that they invite prospective applicants to conduct, and these act as a filter through to the job application itself. It all sounds very good in theory, but Im not sure its the best way to find that unique talent that will make your company hum. I was amused when a good friend of mine, a senior executive in the financial services world, actually took one of these tests himself, just to see what was expected of young people applying to his and his competitors organisations. Despite thirty five years of experience in the industry, having seen almost every conceivable issue across that time and occupying a position at the top of the tree, his system deemed him unsuitable for a graduate intern job. How many other future superstars had been eliminated by the computer before they were even given a chance? So, employers, look deeper for the unique nuggets that will make your business fly and dont rely on software tools that look for the lookalikes. 4. Appreciate the benefits temp or contract roles could bring you Temp or contract roles are much more than simply providing convenient stop-gap jobs while searching for a permanent position. If you’re fresh out of university, temp or contract work can be a fantastic way to refine your skillset and sample different opportunities. It’s also a great way of building your CV if you are lacking in experience. By moving from project to project, you should also build a strong network of professional contacts, which can either result in a steady flow of additional contract work or even a full-time position further down the line. At the same time, long-term contract work can also be very lucrative and enjoyable. Freelancers often enjoy higher day rates than employees in permanent positions and can focus on what they’re best at and most enjoy, free from the distractions of traditional office politics. 5. Don’t ever lose your sense of adventure You’ve just spent some amazing years at university â€" some say these are the best days of your life and in many ways I tend to agree. You will have learnt so many things and met so many people. Your eyes will have been opened to the world and everything it has to offer. So, my last piece of advice is to never lose that sense of adventure that you’ve no doubt developed over the past few years. Approach this next stage of your career journey with enthusiasm, creativity and an unwavering positive spirit. All of these things will stand you in good stead to stand above the rest in what is, and will continue to be, an unpredictable world of work. Entering the world of work for the first time can prove daunting, but it should also be exhilarating. The jobs market is currently in one of the most exciting phases I’ve ever known. Roles that have stayed the same for decades are being redefined by advances in technology and fresh practices like flexible or remote working, and, at the same time, entirely new roles are being created. Amidst all this change, it’s not enough to rely on age-old advice that served your parents or older siblings well. Neither should you take a scatter-gun approach to job applications either. Are you really deeply fascinated by the one hundred companies you are about to send your CV to on a mass email campaign? No, so carefully consider the career path that you’re really interested in. Understand what you’re passionate about and devise a career plan that focuses on this. Take small yet consistent steps towards the direction and field you want to move your career in. Seek out and talk (talk, not email or WhatsApp) to people in those businesses and ask them about it and about opportunities there. Youll be amazed at the sort of response you may get. This should stop you sleepwalking into an ultimately unsatisfying role and getting stuck there. And, lastly, I recommend graduates set about really understanding the fresh challenges facing their area of expertise and think how you can stand out from the crowd. The candidates who grasp the issues of today are often those invited for an interview tomorrow and more than likely the ones who enjoy a varied and fulfilling career. About to start your job search? Reading our job searching tips will help ensure it’s a success How to develop a winning job search strategy How to discover your hidden skills How to increase your chances of getting a new job

4 Ways to Deal With Work Overload

4 Ways to Deal With Work Overload 4 Ways to Deal With Work Overload At a time when work-life balance is extremely popular, numerous grievous specialists are still bolted in depressing, overburdened grinds. The normal work week today is 47 hours, and 21 percent of Americans work somewhere in the range of 50 and 59 hours per week. A further 18 percent of Americans work 60+ hours seven days. As though that werent awful enough, expanding quantities of laborers are not taking as much time as necessary off â€"unequivocally on the grounds that they are so overloaded busy working that they dread the devastating accident that will result when they return. Thus, over-burden laborers dont get any rest since they are too over-burden to even consider resting, which implies, obviously, that they keep being over-burden. The uplifting news, notwithstanding, is that this cycle can be broken. To do as such, youll need to embrace a savvy procedure. Here are four hints to support you: 1. Stop Wasting Time Apologies, theres no real way to gloss over this. Studies show that 89 percent of laborers sit around idly grinding away consistently, and you may be astounded by how much time theyre squandering: 61 percent of laborers waste around 30 minutes per day, which includes to 2.5 hours seven days. A little level of workers waste up to a large portion of a day. Boss among the time-squandering exercises were non-business related Google look, Facebook use, and Twitter use. Along these lines, on the off chance that you cut these exercises out of your workday, you may start to feel your weight help. Hell, you may even discover you werent as over-burden as you suspected you were. 2. Cut Out Unnecessary Meetings This is a major one. Different surveys suggest that 25-50 percent of the time officials invest in gatherings is squandered energy. One study even suggests that individuals could be spending as much as 1.5 days of a their five-day work weeks in ineffective gatherings. On the off chance that you lead and sort out gatherings, consider doing all that you can to abbreviate those gatherings. Arrive at the point, adhere to the plan, and dont falter to drop gatherings that appear to be superfluous. On the off chance that youre however a modest worker with no control over gatherings, consider attempting to disapprove of superfluous gatherings all the more frequently. One approach to do this is to set yourself a week by week or month to month financial plan of hours you can spend on gatherings. At that point, you can organize and go to just the most significant, applicable, and beneficial gatherings. You may stress over selling your bosses on this thought, yet in the event that you give them a business method of reasoning for your financial plan â€" i.e., that youd rather invest energy in things that push the organization forward â€" youll have a superior possibility at getting your directors ready. Obviously, youll need to arrange this with alert and class â€" particularly if your directors are the ones running the gatherings! 3. Enjoy a Reprieve Examination says that in excess of a fourth of American specialists dont approach any breaks at work from their mid-day breaks. You may think this gives you more opportunity to complete work during the day, however its really counterproductive: If you dont take normal breaks, youll become increasingly worn out, which will prompt more missteps and diminished productivity, which implies youll need to work longer to do a similar measure of work. Its an endless loop. Exploration shows that taking a break can expand efficiency, pull together your consideration, harden recollections, and lift inventiveness. Along these lines, in the event that you need to avoid long, useless days, at that point quit granulating it our at your work area without any breaks. Attempt to take in any event a 10 brief break every morning and every evening. 4. Figure out how to Say No The easiest way to get over-burden at work is to take on such a large number of undertakings. You may think that its difficult to state No when an associate or manager requests that you accomplish something, however truly, now and then you have to state it. Be that as it may, you dont need to show up aggressive when you decay to accomplish something â€" just confident. Clarify that you at present have a lot on your plate, and that there is essentially no an ideal opportunity for this new undertaking. In the event that you need to carry out the responsibility, make it understood to the individual giving you the assignment that they should hold up by saying something like, Yes, I can do this, however I wont have the option to get to it until after I have finished ventures X, Y, and Z. â€" Numerous laborers today are over-burden, however the pattern of working without rest must be broken â€" for the wellbeing of your own. Discover a window of time to plunk down and audit your outstanding task at hand. At that point, recognizes the manners by which you can actualize the tips in this article to recapture a feeling of work-life balance.

A Quick Guide to Getting Certified When You Work Solo - CareerMetis.com

A Quick Guide to Getting Certified When You Work Solo Source : Pixabay.comTo act naturally utilized, regardless of whether you are working at home or voyaging, is no longer news in this age. All things considered, there are numerous viewpoints that we can address to serve novices and propelled solo specialists alike.Our picked theme today centers around the favorable circumstances and procedure of getting certified.Why get certifications?evalIndustries are getting serious. Your past encounters as a data innovation While your degree and amassed work experience can solidify your vocation way, including confirmations can assist you with having some expertise in specific zones. Should you pick a consultancy way next, you will have the option to show planned customers that you know your stuff. It signs to them that you are an expert they can work together with.Certifications represent your interest in explicit parts of the activity. Some may check on the off chance that you have genuine applications for your insight and aptitudes. However, t hat can't detract from you the estimation of having passed an accreditation or more.Makes you qualified and recognizedThere are sure occupations that require confirmation, for example, in the wellness business. In the event that you need to turn into a fitness coach, for example, you need an individual preparing confirmation. You may work freely or get associated with a rec center or wellness center.In any case, it is smarter to get confirmation from a respectable organization. American Council on Exercise According to specialty stage PTPioneer, on the off chance that you need to figure out how to turn into a fitness coach, getting the correct affirmation for you is significant! truth be told, it is the venturing stone.Increases your chance to book large clientsIf you have been independently employed for quite a while, you may take a gander at getting ensured as an approach to move to the following level. Be that as it may, there is more. All things considered, Microsoft affirmed te chnologists gain 15% more than their uncertified peers.Aside from the certainty to offer for better undertakings and greater customers, you will have the option to manufacture the case for raising your rates. Also, this isn't only a segregated case that is relevant to the IT industry.Whether you fill in as an advanced advertiser or a fitness coach, you can sensibly set your value as indicated by the degree of mastery you can bring to the table.evalPlugs you into new communitiesAmong software engineers alone, there are numerous dialects to investigate and secure affirmations for. On the off chance that you are one, you don't just pick up accomplishment on paper through this experience. You can likewise turn into an individual from a network that comprehends and utilizes a similar language you just learned.Such a gathering as a rule opens new entryways. You can meet similarly invested people or associations to work together with. You can discover access to assets so you can keep on up grading your learning.Prepares you as a teacherRoman rationalist Seneca stated, While we educate, we learn. Once you get your hands on an accreditation, you become in front of certain individuals in the business. We should return to the network example.In this gathering, you may discover more youthful or more up to date experts who will pose the inquiries you used to have. This is your chance to share your insight. The more you articulate what you know, the more you recollect it.In the instance of a fitness coach, instructing others is the best utilization of your confirmation. Once more, as you pass on your comprehension of a wellness action or routine to other people, you get the opportunity to refine your insight as well.Now, we should have a brief glance at the means you have to take so as to open these advantages.evalHere's a diagram on how you can get the affirmation that will assist you with step up your abilities and information as a professional:Research about profoundly pe rceived accreditations in your field.Look for trustworthy offices that give confirmation administrations to experts in your ideal field or area.Consider the expense. While there are free ones, for example, Google AdWords and Analytics affirmation, there are additionally ones that you have to dish out cash for.Study perseveringly. Accept this open door to audit the things you have overlooked and learn new ones also. At that point get ready for the test.Further, utilize this opportunity to comprehend your qualities and shortcomings in this specific zone. Your objective ought not be flawlessness in that you need to get a 100% imprint. It ought to be greatness. This implies you must be intensive about learning the ideas and their functional applications. On the off chance that you end up battling sooner or later, at that point that is your sign to gather understanding from the occasion. Simultaneously, don't stop for a second to approach help from others.Wait for the outcomes. In the ev ent that you've progressed nicely and got the accreditation in one go, at that point you can come back to the focal points referenced previously. On the off chance that you've fizzled, think of it as a test and put forth a valiant effort next time.Lastly, don't spare a moment to share your accreditations on your LinkedIn profileand other expert systems administration stages. All things considered, you've buckled down for each of them.If you are intending to draw in more possibilities, remember to refresh your resume also. Nowadays, independently employed people can be serious simply like their corporate worker peers. Furthermore, accreditations are an approach to remain on target.

10 Must-Reads Before You Start a New Job

10 Must-Reads Before You Start a New Job 10 Must-Reads Before You Start a New Job Simply found an astounding new position? Well done! While we'd love to toast you with a virtual glass of celebratory champagne, we'll give you the following best thing: A gather together of extraordinary articles that will ensure you start that new gig with all that you have to succeed. From getting readied before your first day to establishing an incredible connection and battling those new-kid nerves, read on for extraordinary at work advice.1. 5 To-Dos After You Accept a New JobJust handled an incredible new gig? After you celebrate (clearly), put these five things to do on your to-do list.2. How to Make a Great Impression on Your First DayThere's nothing more nerve-wracking than a prospective employee meeting until, obviously, you've really found the activity and you're made a beeline for your first day of work. Not to stress: We have your manual for making an extraordinary first impression.3. Simple Ways to Fight the New Job JittersIf you're freezing about going to your new offi ce this week, we've assembled four different ways to vanquish your nerves and take your new encounters in stride.4. Your Guide to Your First Week on the JobWith these key standards, you can get settled, find a good pace rapidly, and get off on the correct foot with your new boss.5. Thrown Into the Deep End? The most effective method to Survive Sink-or-Swim TrainingWhen you're beginning a new position, you don't generally get the adequate preparing and bit by bit manual you may seek after. Things being what they are, how might you endure and all the more significantly, succeed-without getting overpowered? We'll show you how.6. The 7 People You Should Befriend at WorkFrom the Snack Guy to the Office Older Sibling-your work life will be a whole lot simpler with these officemates on your side.7. Caught in an Elevator With a CEO? 3 Conversation StartersYou're in the lift, and the CEO skates between shutting ways to go along with you for a 30-story ride. Wow. Be that as it may, don't free ze simply attempt one of these basic discussion starters.8. How to Ask for Time Off at Your New Job (the Right Way)Feel like you need to abandon excursion in view of your new gig? We've handled normal inquiries about posing for downtime as another employee.9. 5 Ways to Stay in Touch With Your Old BossWhen you start a new position, remember about your old one! Your previous chief and associates can be an incredible asset for the future.10. 4 To-Dos for Your First Year on the JobStriving toward these four objectives in your first year hands on will dazzle your chief and go far to set you up for long haul achievement. Also, prepare to be blown away. They're not about simply doing your job.Photo of man on PC kindness of Shutterstock.