If this is what you had thought, I encourage you to challenge your thought. It is not that there aren't jobs in the market, it's just that the candidates aren't reaching out for the jobs to the extent they should. Some ups and down in the economy do affect the job market, but deserving candidates will always have their fair share.
It is important for young graduates to make sure that the first job they get into should be well thought out. If your first real job is carefully selected, then your career growth is much quicker.
Below are some factors you should consider while planning to venture into your first real job.
1) Is your job related to your study? When you look around, it isn't difficult to find many graduates who get into jobs that are in no way related to their academic expertise. Some degree of flexibility and diversion is fine, but getting into something completely different from your area of study may not take you further.
2) Is it a growing company? A thorough background check of the company you're deciding to join is a must, regardless of whether it's your first job or not. Never join a company that has no scope for growth. It's always a safe bet to join a growing company as it will provide you with the opportunity to learn and grow along with the company itself.
3) Size does matter. Sometimes joining a very big company for your very first job might not give you the opportunity to learn or prove your worth. Although you have a brand to bank upon, it's difficult to get your work noticed in a big company with a large number of employees. On the other hands, working in a smaller company gives you opportunity to multitask and provides you the opportunity to learn by doing. It's also comparatively easier to get your work noticed as the number of people working there is much lesser. However, the facilities and pay scale might be comparatively lower in smaller companies. So decide wisely.
4) Will the job make you more marketable? Your first job should make you well-rounded. It should prove to be a strong stepping stone for your long-term career growth. Research well in advance if your first job or the company you choose to work with will make you more 'marketable' in the market. If your company has a stronger brand name compared to other competing organizations, the latter would take one step ahead to hire you.
5) Remember your five year plan. If you don't have a five-year career plan, make one first. Then make sure that the first job you undertake will help you take the career path you've planned for yourself. It is extremely important to stick to five-year career plan from the very beginning. If you get diverted from your career plan then it may make your next few years really difficult.
Besides the points above, there could be many other factors for you to consider, too, like pay scale, learning environment, job location, etc. You may now start exploring further and list down additional factors on your own.
But remember, not all the factors you consider will be in your favor. The key is to make a calculated decision.
The writer is Chief Operating Officer at LCCI Nepal, and International Training and Certification Company. He can be reached at roshan@lccinepal.com.
Related story
Heart to Heart with Malvika
