Graduation: One Year On

GRADUATION: ONE YEAR ON

LESSONS LEARNED & WHAT I WISH I KNEW THEN

This time last year I had just graduated from university and I was completely clueless as to what my next step in life was going to be. Prior to graduating I had never left anything without knowing my next move. I am not the kind of person to take a blind leap of faith while hoping that I land on my feet. Graduating university without having a job lined up absolutely terrified me. There's so much pressure on graduates to land straight into their perfect job after picking up their degree and waving goodbye to education. But this is the real world and jobs aren't easy to come by, especially not dream jobs!

While on paper it feels like I haven't made any progress this year, I have tried a lot of different things and given them my best shot. Some have worked out, some haven't and that's okay. I did a diploma, I interned, I got a retail job, I got rejected or ignored more than I'd care to admit and I thought about giving up too many times to count. Most importantly, I realised that what I was working towards was not me anymore. I refocused myself and in doing so, I realised my dream job and began throwing all of my energy into making it a reality. I also learnt that the world is what you make it. If I want to create content and become a digital marketing wiz kid, why not start right now? I have a laptop and things to say, what am I waiting for? I learn best by doing and making mistakes so here's hoping my lessons can help others!

01. DON'T BE SO HARD ON YOURSELF.

At my lowest point, I felt like I was walking around with "unemployed" stamped on my forehead. I thought that everyone in the street must know that I didn't have a job because why else would I be in Asda at 2pm on a Tuesday? I was convinced that my family and friends thought I was a disappointment and my stomach turned at the thought of anyone asking me, "So, what do you do?". The minute I realised that the disappointment I could feel from the people around me was just all in my head, I felt so much better in myself. The negative things that you think other people think about you, they really don't. Anyone who is close to you can appreciate that you are doing your absolute best.

As for answering questions, you might feel compelled to brush them off in a way that is self-deprecating, but don't. Talk about the different approaches that you are taking to find work and explain to the friends or relatives that might not understand, just how hard you are trying. Getting a job these days isn't as easy as it once was and many people do not realise that. If you can't manage to convince the people around you how difficult it actually is, at least take some comfort in that you are not alone. Almost every graduate has been in your position and we understand. Keep going, take things one day at a time and apply for everything, even if you think that you're "not good enough" or that you "don't have the experience" because you deserve a shot. Back yourself because you will always have something that no-one else has. Be sure to place extra emphasis on the things that set you apart from the rest!

02. THERE'S NO TIME LIMIT TO GET WHERE YOU WANT TO BE.

Why do we feel like we have to get to a certain career milestone as soon as possible, otherwise we're failures? Think about your working life as whole, you have at least 45 years left of growing and progressing. If you spend two of them working in retail or in a bar, that does not make you inferior to your fellow grads. Two years is nothing in the grand scheme of your life. You will get to where you want to be, it doesn't matter if it's in two years, five years or ten years. Take it easy, things will work out and if they take more time than you initially planned or you happen to take a detour, that's perfectly fine!

03. "FOR NOW" JOBS.

There is no shame in taking a "for now" job and a "for now" job is not the same as giving up. I would recommend a "for now" job as it gives you something to focus on and an income while you search for your next step. It doesn't have to be full time either, having a couple of days free a week to work on job applications and other projects is important to not feel stressed and overworked in your time off. Some of us need time to reflect on ourselves and decide what we truly want to do - time that we didn't have at university. So long as you find your goal and begin taking baby steps to make it a reality, that's all you need to do. Baby steps will become giant leaps as your confidence grows and you will make it.

It's worth pointing out that having a degree may make you overqualified for some retail and restaurant jobs, resulting in an instant rejection. Removing your degree from your CV when applying for these type of jobs may increase your chance of success.

04. REJECTION IS NOT A REFLECTION ON YOU.

I know how hard it is when you keep applying to jobs but don't hear anything back. When you do hear back, more often than not replies begin with the word "unfortunately". Then you have the "almost there"s; the rejections at interview stage when it was almost in your grasp and then torn out of your reach. Remember that just because you are not right for that company, it does not mean that you are doing anything

wrong. You can have everything the job description asks for and still get rejected. (That doesn't sound very motivational, but bear with me.) Sometimes there's just one exceptional person and that's out of our hands. One day you will be that exceptional person. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE KEEP GOING. DO NOT GIVE UP. To one company, you will be exactly what they are looking for! You just have to find them.

05. COMPARING YOURSELF.

I've done more than my fair share of this and all it does is make you feel worse, trust me! There's going to be people on your course that become successful. Much like the Morrissey song, you're going to feel a tinge of bitterness. Does it mean that they didn't deserve it? No, not at all, I'm sure that they would have worked their butt off! Does that mean that you didn't work as hard? Of course not! There's a lot to be said for "right place, right time" and it's important to not let jealousy consume you. That said, refrain from downplaying the achievements of others. You would like people to be genuinely happy for you if you became successful.

Sorry Moz, as much as I love you, your stance is very immature and I can't stand by you on this one!

06. BE WARY OF AGENCIES.

When searching on job sites like Indeed and Reed, you are able to see a company name and it is definitely worthwhile having a Google! If you can find their website, as well as their Facebook and Twitter accounts, that's brilliant! Get as much information from those channels as you can! If the google search of the company name brings up an agency, bear in mind that your application will be sent to them and not the company hiring. It is then up to the agency if they pass your CV along or not. Applying to agencies doesn't always mean that you have applied so it pays to be cautious. Commonly used phrases like "our client seeks" is a dead give away.

07. WHAT HAVE YOU GOT TO LOSE?

While I hope that you are one of those people who get the first job that they apply for, if for some reason you are unsuccessful, you won't be any worse off than you were before you applied. It might feel soul-crushing but you haven't lost any progress. The interview experience and feedback are still valuable things to take away! If you didn't make it to interview stage, it just means that the job wasn't right for you. I'm sorry to throw cliches into this post but everything happens for a reason and when you're in your dream job, you will look back and be grateful that you didn't get any of the other jobs that you applied for because they wouldn't have lead to you being where you are!

08. YOU ARE NOT OBLIGATED TO STICK TO YOUR DEGREE SUBJECT.

This is one of the most valuable lessons for me because while I enjoyed graphic design, in the year that has passed I have become much more passionate about marketing and content creation. I studied a Diploma in Digital Marketing at Shaw Academy to learn everything that I possibly could about the industry. I plan to use that knowledge (as well as my existing design knowledge) when creating posts for my blog and growing my blog's audience. Learning something new and then putting it into practice is a great way of showing to employers that you have the skills and can demonstrate them. Whatever avenue you are trying to get into, utilise blogging, Twitter and Instagram as much as possible! They are all fantastic ways of getting yourself out there when starting your own business or putting yourself out there as a freelancer. If your industry of interest requires a portfolio, don't put off getting started on building it!

http://gemmahughes.co.uk is a fantastic resource when growing your platform and by signing up to her mailing list, you can have access to her ebook that includes 300 hashtags to get you noticed on Instagram!

I studied for my diploma through Shaw Academy and they have some great courses, all free with a 30 day trial. You do have to pay for your final assignment and certificate which was £20 at the time of my studies, but I think that is very reasonable! You also have the option to purchase the course toolkit that comes with additional notes and lessons too. Lessons are in the evenings and can be accessed live through the student area login or if you cannot make the lesson, pre-recorded versions are made available for you to listen to!

Allison Courses also claims to have free courses but I personally have not used their services myself so I cannot comment about any potential hidden fees. They are definitely worth checking out though!

09. AVOID STEPPING ON ANYONE'S TOES BUT DON'T BE AFRAID TO HOLD YOUR OWN.

To a more experienced member of staff, being told that they now have a graduate working at their same level or above is something that they may find undermining and a perhaps even a little demotivating. Those feelings are understandable and if you are ever put into this position it is important to communicate to your colleague(s) that you are not in the business of stepping on people's toes; that you are just about doing your job and do not have any intentions of pushing others out of the way to do so.

Unfortunately, you cannot always anticipate what environment you are walking into when you get a job and if someone feels like your job description encroaches upon their own, you might find yourselves struggling to reach an agreement about who is responsible for what. Draft in a manager or other senior member of staff to clear up any confusion and remember that nothing is worth raising your voice or losing your temper over.

If it so happens that your colleague begins making things personal by bringing your age or lack of experience into their grievance, that is not okay and you are entitled to stand up for yourself in a calm and collected manner. It is also worth making your line manager or the HR team aware that this is going on.

10. BE SELFISH.

Move to a different part of the country. Stop feeling like you need to stay at a job if it's not right for you. Don't stay at a job just because you love the people. You're not wrong if you have different priorities to your peers. Don't put your life on hold for others. Stop apologising for thinking about yourself first. Just do whatever you want to do and anyone who truly supports you will find a way to be okay with that. It's your life, don't let other people dictate what you should do.

11. THERE IS NO SHAME IN STILL BEING IN YOUR OVERDRAFT.

I know it's difficult but try not to stress so much. It can't be resolved overnight and many banks realise this which is why they offer graduate accounts with overdrafts up to £2000. That amount declines each year over a three year period so that digging yourself out can be a achieved easily and gradually. I don't encourage making big purchases with your overdraft just because you have it though, unless you know that you'll have the money soon.

12. ALWAYS LOOK FOR WAYS TO PROGRESS.

If you're ever stuck for an interview question, "what is the progression route from this role?" is always a great one! It shows that you're eager to stay at the company and work your way up, but it also is important that you know this information to help you make your decision about whether or not to accept a job offer. If they can't give you a straight answer, you then have to decide if it's worth committing to a company that is not committed to your development. Asking about progression doesn't mean that your intentions are to kick the person above you out of a job because they will be aspiring to move up in the company too.

If there is no progression where you are at, don't get disheartened. For the right person, the company will create a role for you. That will likely not happen on it's own though, so don't be afraid to keep pushing for it.

13. REALISE YOUR MORALS/STANDARDS & STICK TO THEM.

To be asked to work for free is something that you may be required to do when starting out as a graduate. It is up to you to decide if that is for you. Many people find it insulting and others simply cannot because they have bills to pay. It is a recognised way to break into an industry though so it's up to you to work out your personal list of pros and cons. Don't feel pressured into caving on your morals just because you are young and inexperienced. There are other ways to break into industries, it's just that they may take longer. Others moral dilemmas may come when choosing whether to work for companies that are not vegan, still practice animal testing and/or are unethical.

14. GO TO ALL OF THE INTERVIEWS.

It's something that everyone tells you but that's because it's true! Interviews were never really something that I was good at before now, I have been quite lucky in the past that my ability to swot up and remember facts about the company overcompensated for my nervousness. I feel that I messed up first interview since I graduated because I got asked a question about podcasts that I wasn't prepared for. But you bet I went home and compiled a list of design related podcasts to listen to because I was not getting caught out like that again!

Going to all of the interviews I was offered has meant that my nerves have subsided dramatically from my first interview to now and that is something that would have only happened with practice! I also find that I am not as scared to fail anymore like I used to be. Putting myself out there and failing has allowed me to build up an immunity to it now. "Getting back on the horse" definitely gets easier and so long as you tried your best, you have nothing to feel discouraged about.

15. DON'T BE SCARED TO ASK FOR HELP.

For a long time I thought that asking for help made me a failure. That I should have been able to do things on my own. But from wording my cover letter, to doing the dishes, to help with finances; sometimes I just needed a hand! I always felt like I was bothering people if I asked for their help and after their long days at work, they had better things to be doing.

You are not a burden and the people around you will make the time to help you because they want to see you succeed! You don't need to be able to do everything on your own and putting that expectation on yourself brings so much pressure that you do not need. We are not machines, we can only cope with so much at any one time. On the other hand, the people around us are not mind-readers and they won't know to help you unless you ask for it. They won't think any less of you, I promise!

Also, if you are entitled to Job Seeker's Allowance or any kind of benefits, get them all. Speaking as someone who was not entitled to anything, apply for as much as you can because not having to stress about money every single day is a privilege that I could only have dreamt of.

I also highly recommend "The Graduate Guide" magazine. I bought my 2016 copy from WHSmith for £5.99. The 2017 copy is available to download as an e-book here. The magazine is a beautifully hefty bible of graduate DOs and DON'Ts, tips and advice. It covers everything from post-graduate study and volunteering, to studying abroad and writing the perfect cover letter.

I would be forever grateful for any feedback you may have about this article and if you have any other advice that you think should be included in this post, feel free to comment down below or get in touch with me via twitter or email.

The most important thing to take away from this is: DO NOT GIVE UP. THINGS WILL GET BETTER. ONE DAY AT A TIME, YOU'VE GOT THIS!

Love,

That Geordie Lass.

#Thinks #Graduation #advice