The job hunt cycle can often be a vicious one. Whether you have left school or university, you may find yourself under an enormous amount of pressure to get a job, for a few different reasons. One such reason is that after living independently at university, the thought of moving back in under your parent’s rule is particularly soul-crushing. Or, perhaps you are determined to make good use of your degree by taking pretty much any job you can get your hands on in that specific field. All this, however, does ultimately lend its hand to a culture of desperation when it comes to the job hunt, and a result of that, many graduates end up in roles they don’t like. Rushing into a job, simply so you have a job is never the way to do it, as ultimately you may find yourself feeling miserable and wondering where to turn to from here.
How important to you is the location?
For some of us who can easily adapt to new situations, the location of a job is purely irrelevant. Many people are happy to move across the country or even across the world for work – but for some of us, location is more important. For example, do you specifically want to remain close to friends or family? If so, there is no point moving miles away for an average job, risking being overly lonely. But at the other end of the spectrum, you may have a place in mind where you have wanted to live for years. While you are still young and without the responsibilities of your children, you can afford to move around as you wish. So, think about the kind of place you want to live before you accept any old job.
Do you feel ready for full-time work?
Although university comes with its challenges, going straight into work after studying for years can often be a bit of a culture shock. At university, you relied on you and you alone to get the job done, and you could do most of it on your terms. With full-time work as part of a company, you may experience plenty of pressures you’ve not come across yet. You may want to spend a bit more time honing certain skills before you get into your first job, such as working on your communication skills with a service like Effortless English Club. This way, when the time does come to get a job, you will feel much more confident and are much more likely to excel.
Do you know what it is you want to do?
Picking a career when you have no idea what you want to do with your life can be very daunting indeed. Many young people often feel pressured to get straight to work, but when you don’t know what inspires you, this can be easier said than done. If you’re not sure what it is you want to do yet, don’t panic! Simply spend some time trying out a few different things, perhaps doing some voluntary work or a bit of travelling. There is plenty of time to figure out your life’s direction, so remember to go with the flow!
Have you recently left education and started the job hunt? Let us know how you found it.
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