Year after year, new graduates face the nerve-wracking reality of having to find a job after completing their academic programs. We get it. Job hunting for the very first time can be a stressful and confusing period, but it doesn't necessarily have to be. There are many strategies and tips new grads can implement to succeed in their search and start their careers on the right foot. And on that note, we have put together a Complete Guide on How to Find your First Job as a New Grad for all healthcare graduates out there who might need it.
First things first...
The very first question many new grads have is if it's possible to find the first job as a new grad with no experience at all. Some people would say the answer is no, and that's why so many students make great efforts to land as many internships as they can before graduating in hopes that having prior experience will help them get ahead when the job hunting time comes. There is nothing wrong with this strategy and we actually recommend it, but that doesn't mean that someone who never did an internship or a practicum won't ever land a full-time job. There are other ways to spark the interest of employers and get that first big break. So our answer is yes; it is very possible to find the first job as a new grad with no experience.
Now, let's get to the point...
To help new grads with their job search, we have split the process into 5 steps. However, before getting started, there are certain things that candidates need to do such as identifying the type of job they want to target, making an inventory of their skills and qualifications, researching the top companies in their field of interest, and finding out about average salaries for their intended role and location. Completing these simple tasks will make all the difference by saving new grads time and helping them focus their efforts where they really need to, instead of figuring these things out randomly along the way. 34 Tips To Get Hired In Healthcare Faster
Having said all of this, let's get started with our step-by-step guide for finding the first job as a new grad:
Step number one in any job hunting process is building your resume. Now, if you did your homework of making an inventory of your skills and qualifications, this will be a quick and easy task to complete. After that, all you have to do is make sure you're using the right format and remember to tailor the document for every job posting you apply to. How To Build A Resume For Healthcare Students
Want to make the process quicker and easier? Then make use of the Caring Support Resume Builder! It is a great tool for creating resumes for any job in the healthcare field in minutes and with a very attractive format.
Want to go the extra mile? Then create a Video Resume! A short clip where you present yourself and advocate for yourself as a professional healthcare worker can really help you catch the attention of employers. And the best part is you can upload it to your Caring Support profile!
Want to skip the whole job application process altogether? Then join Caring Support and let employers come to you! That way, instead of relying on a resume, you'll have your very own healthcare worker profile that will be available for employers to see. Plus, with the platform's in-app messaging tools, they will be able to reach out to you directly and get the recruitment process going. It's that easy!
Just because you've graduated, doesn't mean you can't keep in contact with your school. Who knows? They might be able to put you in contact with a potential employer. How? Well, many post-secondary institutions have great relationships with employers in certain fields and others rely on external partners like the Caring Support platform, which allows them to stay connected to their students and alumni, recommend them to employers, and keep them posted about their courses and advanced academic programs. How To Apply To A Healthcare Post-Secondary Program In Ontario?
The Caring Support Post Secondary Institute channel also works the other way around, by letting candidates keep their schools up-to-date with their professional progress and much more.
You may not have work experience, but if you have the drive and willingness to move forward, you will. One of the best ways to achieve this is by connecting with the right people, and that can be simply done through networking and becoming your own salesperson. How To Take A Professional Looking Selfie For Your Caring Support Profile?
Mastering the art of networking will allow you to access new opportunities, gain valuable knowledge, engage with key people in your field, and increase your chances of landing a job that will help you develop a solid career. These are real benefits that can happen whether you network in person or online. What matters is that you showcase a confident and professional image when you put yourself out there and you will have better chances of succeeding; trust us. Social Media Recommendations For New Grads
When looking for a healthcare job as a new grad, you have to make sure to choose the right roles and organizations for your particular situation. For instance, if a role is in your field, but one of the requirements is having 5 years of experience, then that's not a job posting you should pay attention to. Instead, focus on entry-level opportunities where you can use your academic knowledge to develop the skills that will allow you to advance in your career in the future. Read more about What Healthcare Career Is Right For Me?
The same goes for organizations. You should focus your efforts on those that have a proven record of developing their workforce and providing them with tangible opportunities to grow. You can find out if a company that interests you operates like this by doing your research online (including their social media accounts) and even networking with current and past employees.
Once you have a better idea of the type of roles and organizations you should be applying to, then you can choose the channels through which you will be searching for opportunities, like job boards or employment platforms such as Caring Support.
Regardless of the channel you choose, the one thing you need to keep in mind is that job hunting is a dynamic process and as such you will have to stay on top of things to be successful at it. For instance, you should check for new job postings often (once a day or at least 3-4 times a week) to make sure you know what's going on in the job market at all times and what opportunities are available for you. This step is essential because, just like you, there are many new grads looking for job placements, so you need to be as proactive as you can.
The last step of the process is to attend job interviews. And believe us, if you are getting interview invitations from employers, it means you're doing things the right way. Getting your desired first job as a new grad will only be a matter of time.
Now, to get ready to ace your job interviews, it's always a good idea to anticipate the questions you will be asked (do your research!) and prepare answers to the most common ones, depending on the role you are being recruited for. Once you have your unique answers, you should spend some time practicing in front of a mirror or even on camera, to make sure you're using a confident tone and positive facial expressions. Also, take some time to plan your basic interview outfit, professional and elegant, and review the job description and company information before every interview to give the best impression possible.
Did you just graduate from a healthcare academic program? Or are you a soon-to-be grad? Then the best piece of advice we can give you is to join our platform to find your first job as a new grad in the healthcare field.
At Caring Support, we are dedicated to connecting new grads from post-secondary institutes across Canada with top employers actively looking to hire. Plus, when you sign up and create a free healthcare worker account, you gain access to a series of unique features like advanced search filters, resume builder, in-app messaging, and a multifunctional dashboard designed to allow you to take control of your job search and meet your professional goals.
We have worked hard to create an easy-to-use, responsive, and mobile-friendly job matching platform that functions as an open hub to provide candidates like yourself with all the resources you need to develop your career, so join us today to get started. Your dream job awaits.
What do you think of our complete guide on how to find your first job as a new grad in the healthcare field? Do you think we missed a step or two? Let us know in the comment section below, along with any questions you may have about job hunting with no prior experience. We're here to help.
And as always, thank you for reading!
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