The ultimate purpose of attending college is not only to get a degree but also to have a promising career and a job. But It is hard to swallow to realize that real-world problems are beyond what they learned in college. By the time students graduate from their Bachelor's life, they are all set to start a new chapter. Freshers and young adults seek jobs suitable to their degrees for an independent life, to support their families, and begin a career. However, finding a job is challenging. Fresh graduates often tend to get stuck in a vicious job cycle. They look for jobs and can't get one because of their lack of experience, and they can't get experience because they don't have a job.
Employers look for candidates with specific knowledge, skills, and talents required for the job. Depending on the industry and profession of their organizations, they will likely give the highest emphasis to your CV if you possess these qualities. This blog will discuss the attributes fresh graduates should develop before looking for work.
There is plenty of leisure time after students graduate. Instead of wasting time being inactive, use that time to learn new skills that will benefit you in the long run. Be ready to invest in yourself, building priorities and personality to fit in a working environment before searching for jobs.
There are two kinds of skill sets - soft skills and hard skills.
Soft skills
Soft skills are non-technical abilities and general characteristics that will affect your work performance and help you succeed. These are the skills you learn from school training programs and work experience. Most people already possess soft skills. Your resume and cover letter should mention your soft skills during the job interviews.
Interpersonal and communication skills
Interpersonal skills are such skills that involve being social and interactive. Some examples of interpersonal skills are communication, collaboration, empathy, and emotional intelligence.
Communication is a sought-after skill in fresh graduates and drives employees' performance. Communication is essential for the eloquent exchange of information. It includes written and verbal skills, but listening is crucial to communication. Most people only express themself and do not listen to others carefully; this creates communication barriers and misunderstandings between two parties. Communicating well can determine your chances of getting into a job. Communication is effective when it is presented with courtesy, concreteness, consideration, and completeness. One should abide by the C's of communication to get a job.
Good communication lays a foundation for many other employability skills, i.e., client management, documentation, rapport building, sales, marketing, etc.
Creative and critical thinking skills
While creativity comes from our imaginative minds, experiences, and within our thoughts and feelings, rational thinking is when we critically analyze the subject matter. Creativity is one of the significant factors in any professional role. Creative thinking, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills are interrelated because every problem needs a unique and rational solution. However, people are not born with these skills sometimes.
Reading books and learning a new language can improve verbal and thinking abilities and have positive attitudes toward other cultures. Similarly, software developers, photographers, creative content writers, and graphic designers are high-demand jobs. Investing in productive activities skills like graphic designing, photoshop, and creative writing can be beneficial for a fresh graduate.
Problem-solving skills
Employers value employees who can handle difficulties and concerns in a precise manner. Additionally highly regarded are resourcefulness and the capacity to view issues from several perspectives. Problem-solving includes data analysis, fact-finding, brainstorming, and troubleshooting. Problem-solving skills help you determine why a problem is happening and how to resolve that issue. Problem-solving starts with identifying the issue, developing solutions, implementing those solutions, and evaluating their effectiveness.
Positive attitude
Employers prefer to work with people who contribute to a positive work environment. They seek folks who are upbeat and friendly. It doesn't mean you have to be the most excellent person at work, but you do need to be open to building some form of rapport with your coworkers. A positive attitude towards work inspires others to stay motivated as well.
Ability to lead
Everyone wants to be a leader, but not everyone can be a good leader. A leader makes all kinds of decisions, sticks to his goals, and knows their team the best. In a company, a leader is a commander, so they must demonstrate confidence at work. Leadership isn't limited to being in charge or delegating tasks to team members. Leading a team means being adaptable to changes, efficient in time management, curious, and growth-oriented.
Leaders must possess a solid understanding of the talents necessary for their field. Understanding your abilities and shortcomings is essential for effective performance at work. Take online or offline courses on leadership skills that can give you the skills to be an effective leader. Taking lessons will also help you network with other professionals.
Hard Skills
As the term suggests, complicated and specific skills are complex enough that we can't fully master them quickly and without guidance. One can be born with a knick-knack for computers, but that doesn't mean they can confidently put "advanced programming skills" on their resume without supporting that statement with a course completion certificate.
Computer skills
Computer literacy is an essential skill for an employee to possess. In the new era, technology has been necessary for every aspect, especially in companies and organizations that run in clicks of parts of computers. Chances of getting a job are high when candidates demonstrate computer skills more than simply a working grasp of the Microsoft Office suite. Competencies like:
- Computer languages (JavaScript, Python, C++)
- Digital Marketing
- Social media Management (Search Console, Google Analytics, and WordPress are some examples of internet platforms.)
- Cloud computing
Cybersecurity is the most desirable skill in the job market. So before seeking a job, it's better to be friendly with these technical skills. Invest in a computer course and get certified.
Driving
Getting a license as soon as we reach the age of majority has become so common that companies increasingly seek candidates with a driving license. Nowadays, employers also want driving expertise as a skill on a CV. However, They seek it as a skill not because you will need to move on the job but because it mostly means- completing a course that requires time management, determination, and hard work, which are also significant traits to work.
Designing skills
Becoming a professional designer requires years of hard effort, tremendous skill, and numerous courses. Even if you are not looking for a job as a designer, the following basic abilities may come in handy:
- Photo editing, i.e., Adobe Photoshop,
- Audio and video production
- Typography
- Graphic Designing
These skills and abilities that only immediately relate to your position will be viewed as a benefit, especially in smaller organizations where the lines between roles are interlinked.
Copywriting / Creative content writing
The ability to write captivating content that meets a customer's needs is a versatile skill that is needed in many businesses. From producing advertisements to ghostwriting articles or books for companies or other professionals. You can find your niche, e.g., industry or nutrition. Here are some instances of copywriting abilities:
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
- Editing
- Research
- Proofreading
Data Analysis
Data analysis is an intricate ability that is highly desired in a wide range of businesses, particularly banking. Employees that can eliminate errors and save the company money and time are in high demand.
Some other hard skills to develop in 2023 are:
- Business development, sales, and marketing
- UI/UX Designing
- Project/Event Management
- Accounting and Finance Management
- Artificial Intelligence
- Talent Acquisition
At last, with all the skills you have developed, you can begin your job hunt journey confidently. Good luck.
