This one is for all the recent graduates from UWI, UTECH and all the other tertiary institutions in Jamaica. CONGRATULATIONS!!! That was the easy part. Now you have to find a job in a very tough economy where there are way more applicants than positions available. Do not despair however, if you play your cards right, not only can you secure employment, but you just might secure a position that you are actually excited about.
So here goes yet another Life in Jamaica list of steps to take to get employed!
1. Identify your options
Do not jump into auto-pilot and start sending out applications. Take a day or two and examine your real options. What credentials do you have, what are your practical skills, do you have experience? Are you only prepared for finding employment, are there any options to create something for yourself?
2. Do the unexpected
If you decide employment is your best option, do not just do the humdrum cover letter and resume and send them off to Digicel, LIME, Claro, JMMB and the Commercial Banks. There are many smaller organizations that are not in the media everyday that are actually looking for talent (YOU). When you are compiling your hit list of companies that interest you, look also at the lesser known entities. You are not the only person with your eye on that Digicel Customer Service position, possibly 60-70% of your graduation class has also sent in an application.
3. Do a short course while you search
So the offers are not exactly filling up your mailbox, do a short course while you wait. Add a practical course that will enhance your position in your chosen direction or even step outside your comfort zone and start opening up new channels.
4. Volunteer
Volunteer. Why sit at home lamenting your lack of employment? Find an organization in your field and volunteer. You never know who you might meet and/or impress with your hard work and perky personality.
5. Create targeted resumes and cover letters
Ensure that the resumes and cover letters you send out are tailored to the position that you are trying to land. Yes it takes a bit more effort but generic cover letters sound exactly like the name…generic. Also recruiters are busy people; they get hundreds, if not thousands, of resumes keep yours short and to the point playing up relevant skills and experience. Do not put every single thing you have done and make sure it is of some value if it is to be included.
6. Address your application to an individual
Address your application to someone specific. Chances are if your application is addressed to “whom it may concern” it is going to end up in the junk mail pile. Take some time and do your research, get a name that has some clout that you can send your application to personally; keep in mind that people like to be referred to by name.
7. Entrepreneurship
Seriously consider starting your own business. Sometimes there are no beaten paths to follow or indeed the path ahead is filled with traffic. You might want to forge ahead by creating your own, or at least explore the possibilities. You may not have the capital to start up, but if you have a well written business plan and a great idea, convincing an investor to supply the start-up money might be easier than you think.
And for those of you who do secure employment, make your self indispensable in at least one (1) area.
Remember, when the axe falls, it is the dead wood that is chopped first.
