If it seems like it’s more difficult to find a beginner job now than a few years ago, that’s because it really is.
Companies are changing how they hire, new technology is transforming entry-level jobs, and more people are applying for every position. These changes make employers want more from new workers. AI is doing many simple tasks that used to be part of these jobs.
So, companies now want new workers to be good at thinking, working with others, and solving problems instead of just doing easy, repetitive work. Instead of waiting months for training, they prefer candidates who already have skills like internships, certifications, or experience with workplace software.
Second, companies use AI tools to check resumes before even talking to applicants. If a resume isn’t customized for the job, it might get ignored. Most HR teams say less than half of the applications they get actually fit the job.
Because so many people apply, it’s harder to stand out and get noticed. Having relevant experience, even if it’s from internships, volunteering, or personal projects, because it shows you can use your skills in real situations.
What Can You Do to Improve Your Chances?
You have no control over the number of applicants for a particular position, nor over the employers’ fear of making a wrong choice. But you can control your preparations for the one job interview that will ultimately decide your future. Small efforts put in before applying can give you a significant advantage over other applicants with a comparable skill set.
Below are some tips that can help you become a better candidate for your desired position.
Enhance In-Demand Job Skills
Before you start looking for a job, take a closer look at the job offers you are considering. Take 10-15 job advertisements from your target position and write down the skills required for this work. Most of these posts will have rather similar requirements.
Enhance your skills in:
Technical and software skills: Excel, SQL, Python, Figma, or any other technical or software skills related to your profession.
Digital literacy: artificial intelligence, office applications, Google, databases, and other digital tools.
Industry-specific knowledge: learn the concepts related to the industry you are aiming to enter. For example, to work in marketing, you need to know about search engine optimization (SEO) and Google Analytics.
Once you have the list, practice these skills so that you can demonstrate your abilities at a job interview.
Acquire Experience
While being a graduate is a good basis for a professional career, it is often not enough. For example, if you are applying for the same position as another candidate, but you have already worked in the chosen industry while the other applicant has only studied marketing, whom would you choose to work with? Therefore, make sure to have practical experience in addition to your theoretical skills.
There are several ways to do that:
Complete an internship, even if it is short-term;
Work as a freelancer;
Contribute to volunteers’ activities;
Do personal projects;
Participate in open-source projects, if you are into software development.
For example, when a data analyst trains on real-time data, they have a wealth of information to discuss at an interview. Software developers can share information about their GitHub projects, while digital marketers can talk about their blog and Instagram account and show how their online experience translates into their professional skills.
Personalize Each Cv and Cover Letter
If you apply the same CV and cover letter to every employer, you will get rejected most of the time. Personalization is key to writing a good CV and cover letter for a specific job position.
Below are some tips that will help you make your documents stand out:
Use the keywords from the job offer;
Demonstrate accomplishments and skills rather than just stating them;
Mention numbers – it is easier to understand a candidate who has, for example, increased Instagram followers count by 35% than to comprehend someone who “manages social media accounts”.
Check out your document to ensure there are no typos or other grammar mistakes. Make sure that your contact details in the CV match the ones in your cover letter.
Create a Professional Image Online
Most recruiters conduct online research on a candidate before interviewing them. Therefore, make sure that your online profile looks professional. For example, you should have a LinkedIn page with up-to-date information. Moreover, you may want to create a GitHub page, if you are applying for a software developer position, a Behance page, as a graphic designer, and a writing portfolio, if your profession is writing.
Another great way to build a professional image is to have a website or a blog to demonstrate your skills and experience. Employers will be impressed by your online presence, and a few carefully selected projects say more than a thousand words about your professional skills and competencies.
Continue Learning While Searching for a Job
While your friends are enjoying their lives and studying, you are preparing for interviews, updating your CV, and training on new subjects. Indeed, it is high time to invest in yourself and broaden your expertise. If you are preparing for an interview, you are likely to take some courses to improve your skills. You can even include this valuable experience in your CV to demonstrate your continuous learning process. Moreover, you are now equipped with new competencies that can be useful to you and your future employer.
When you go to a job interview, you will surprise the recruiter by saying that since you have decided to find a job, you have been learning artificial intelligence.
Additional Information
Build Job-Ready Skills with UniAthena
The best way to improve your job application is to upgrade your skills.
UniAthena offers a wide variety of courses that will help you acquire practical knowledge and learn essential skills for the job market. You will find online courses to develop both soft skills and hard skills required by your desired position.
Below are some of the most popular courses among students who want to improve their job application:
Basics of Artificial Intelligence
Basics of Business Intelligence
Essentials of Operations & Project Management
Basics of Digital Marketing
Essentials of Management and Leadership in Business
Essentials of Strategic Design Thinking
Essentials of Problem Solving & Knowledge Representation in AI
Executive Diploma in Business Communication
No matter what career you are aiming for, it is always a good idea to invest time and effort into improving your skills. If your desired profession is not on this list, take a closer look at other 800+ short courses offered by UniAthena. All the courses are designed to provide you with practical knowledge, update your skill set, and prepare you to enter the job market or advance further in your career.
