For students still tucked safely away in campus life, a tough realisation is about to strike home. If you’ve just graduated, then you probably know what we’re talking about.
Once the cap with tassels is done with and the party ends, you frantically send your resume to every company you come across. The clock is ticking and you have to find a job fast. Your university sponsored visa is about to expire and you need work to stay in the UAE. For many, this is not the simple transition your professors talked about. It’s survival of the fittest – a world where being a fresher isn’t very cool.
Welcome to the Catch-22 situation: A phase in your life where you can’t get a job because you have no work experience and where you are unable to get work experience because you don’t have a job.
Well, it’s true, but not entirely. Practically every student experiences this dilemma, and it can be quite stressful.
It is also true that employers are happy to consider your case if they feel you have got what it takes to be hired. So, wipe away that cold sweat from your forehead and pay heed to these strategies that can help you land a job.
Create a functional resume
Your task is to show a prospective employer what you can offer, not what you lack. Ditch a regular resume dedicated to career history and go with a functional resume that focuses on abilities. If you lack the experience, your resume should highlight examples of professional skills, such as problem-solving, time management or other skills related to the particular industry and position you desire.
You should outline how your skills will be beneficial to an employer as well as detail the ways in which you can apply these skills in the position you are seeking. Having a cover letter that includes a referral from a personal contact may go a long way. Make sure the keywords you use on your application match the tone and requirement of the job ad.
Focus on your strengths
For example, a fresh grad has experience in fundraising for charities at university. That skill and experience can be leveraged in getting a full-time job at any of the top marketing agencies in Dubai.
What is important is that your CV showcases the worthwhile skills you picked up during university projects and assignments. Add any volunteering work, extracurricular activities, student clubs, community associations or sports activities you were involved in. Make sure to include part-time and casual work. They will highlight an impressive statement about your character.
When writing your cover letter, there’s nothing wrong with admitting you don’t necessarily have the years of experience they’re looking for, but you do have all of the other fantastic traits that make you a perfect fit.
Don’t be picky
Even though every second graduate I meet wants a starting salary of Dh15,000, sometimes it pays to be flexible (at least till you prove yourself and build credibility). The fast cars and fancy houses can wait for a few months till you can get in the front door of a good company and stay there.
There’s a good chance that you will have to opt for an entry-level position in an unknown company. What you have to remember is that the most successful people in the industry began that way. Be willing to do the grunt work, even if you are the most talented person you ever met. You have to focus on landing on your feet before you can run.
Identifying a startup
Look for a company with a great idea and no money to execute it. Approach them. Chances are, they don’t have the budget to hire staff and you will be just what they need. Be specific about what value you will provide to them. Be clear about what you expect from them. Even though they might not be able to pay you for your services, a fancy title and some experience working with them can help you score another job much faster. Make sure you are specific about a time frame, so that your commitment does not preclude you from actively looking for a new job or performing well enough to keep your present one.
Join clubs and societies on campus
Although not a substitute for professional work-experience, gaining the skills it takes to organise events at uni or getting elected as treasurer, editor or president, proves you’ve got what it takes to be a professional. Signing up with clubs and societies is not only a great place to network, but it’s also a great place where you can gain and improve your skills.
Create a portfolio
The best and most creative way to show what you are good at is to create a portfolio. Whatever it might be: writing, photography, graphic designing, modelling, research or interior designing, always maintain a folder of the work you’ve done to date. It doesn’t beat practical experience but it goes a long way to make up for some of the ‘experience deficiency’ and employers will see exactly what talent you have that is worth investing in.
Volunteer
It’s not as easy as it sounds. Lots of non-profit organisations don’t have the time or resources to train and give orientation to volunteers, especially as most volunteers don’t give strong commitments for the long-term. However, if you are committed and can give up your time or have a skill that could be of value to the organisation, then check out the volunteer programmes many NGO’s offer.
Do it yourself — freelance
Just because you are unable to gain experience with a professional organisation doesn’t mean you can’t improvise and get some experience off your own back. If you are confident of your abilities and what you can deliver, you could look at an option of starting solo and offering your services on a freelance basis. Nowadays, there are freezones in the UAE where you can get a freelance visa. Employers are generally impressed with candidates that have taken the initiative and time to create opportunities when professional organisations turned them down. Not only will this give you some experience but there’s a strong chance that it will be so commercially successful that you can build a business around it. You may never need to find employment after-all.
Internships/traineeships
The ultimate way to gain experience, before and just after graduating, is to do an internship/traineeship. And the more the better. They help you build valuable contacts, meet potential employers, present yourself to companies, understand the practical side to what you learn at uni, establish contacts for letters of reference, add weight to your resume and increase your market value while gaining exposure to real-world environments. Internships are like getting behind the wheel of the sports car you are most passionate about with an owner who is going to take the time to teach you how to drive it for maximum performance.
There is no student who has interned and not benefitted from it.
And what’s more, many internships end up leading to full-time offers, especially if you’re good at what you do.
Sell yourself in the interview
It’s really important to spend time understanding the role before the interview takes place so that you can position yourself well and be prepared for any questions that come up. The interview is the time to make the connection clear to the hirer. This involves not only knowing your strengths, but also how those abilities fit with the company’s needs and what you would bring to the table if given an opportunity. If the interviewer does bring up lack of experience, try redirecting the conversation back to skills you do possess. It is also important to demonstrate to employers that your interest in their industry and their company is more than a passing thought or an attempt to land any job.
Don’t get discouraged — follow up
After you’ve sent your CV and portfolio to 50 companies and the best response you’ve got is an automated ‘Thank you’ mail, it’s quite natural to feel lost. Don’t get discouraged. Remember, it’s not about you. The HR manager has probably not even got a chance to see your resume because it’s stuck between 799 other resumes. What you can do is follow up. At least you’ve done your part and the employer might even take some notice.
Whether you are a student or a fresh graduate, it’s never too early to start doing one, or a combination of, all the above. All it takes is dedication, determination and a big dollop of productivity. All the best.
(The writer is the founder and managing director of InternsME www.internsme.com)
