From books to business: how graduates can get hired

By Lara Quentrall-Thomas

When you start to think about your career, the job you will do when you leave school or even having your own business one day, it is important to understand two things.

First, the market is very competitive, and you have to stand out, and second, if you don’t know why you’d hire you, neither will companies. What I mean is, you have to be able to sell yourself. You have to differentiate yourself, and that starts with creating a brand that is interesting and relevant to the modern workplace.

Companies care about what you can do, not just what you studied. Build a list of your transferable skills such as resilience, problem-solving, adaptability or digital literacy.

Use your social media platforms to showcase awards and achievements, share insights, and demonstrate your credibility. You must have a well-curated and relevant LinkedIn page once you start the job search, and remember to stay curious, keep learning, and stay abreast of trends and developments in your industry.

Whether you are applying for a job or starting a business, focus on how you are solving a problem or adding value. Employers and clients reward impact, not just effort. Think also about your purpose and aligning your career or start up business with values that matter to you. Purpose-driven work is sustainable and will enable you to create lasting impact.

Once you have created your brand identity, consider how you will get this out into the world. You can of course apply for jobs online, but if you only do this, you are often at the mercy of applicant tracking systems (ATS) which, on average, reject more than 75 per cent of all applicants.

That is why we recommend networking as one of the most impactful ways to let people know who you are and what value you can add. This can be at university, in church or at the gym—think about all the places you meet people. Everyone you interact with as a young person is a potential employer, referee, or mentor.

Networking enables you to become a known candidate, either as a referral or recommendation. If the perfect job isn’t currently posted, don’t just wait around. Reach out to professionals in your chosen field and work on building authentic relationships with mentors, peers, and industry contacts.

Now is also the time to start volunteering if you have not already. Joining youth organisations like Rotaract, where you connect with other young professionals, access business mentors and build leadership skills, not only looks great on your résumé but exposes you to a range of opportunities to learn workplace relevant skills.

Those transferable skills I mentioned earlier can be learnt here—teamwork, leadership, decision-making, conflict resolution—all can be acquired when you are part of a volunteer organisation.

It is important to take a structured approach to finding work. Treat your job hunt like a job. Dedicate specific hours to researching, applying, and networking. This can also help you keep control and manage rejection.

You will be rejected—that is a part of the process—but don’t take it personally, and treat setbacks as feedback and opportunities to improve, rather than as failure.

Finally, make sure your résumé is impactful. A one-page résumé that highlights measurable results and includes a value proposition for the employer, will automatically set you apart from the competition.

If you are interested in starting a company, you will need to create a business plan that does the same thing. It is important to recognise the value of clear, persuasive communication to set you apart from other candidates, so practise pitching yourself, your ideas, and your vision.

Probably the most important advice I can give is this—be both consistent and persistent. This will take time and require effort, and you need to be resilient. Rome was not built in a day.