Statistics Graduates -Ten (10) Job Search mistakes of New graduate

New graduates today including statistics graduates make horrible mistakes that cause them to stay at home for a very long time before finally accepting just any job offer. You should try to avoid these common errors.

1. 
   
   
   Don't rely solely on the internet.
   
   Though many big companies now pitch a tent for internet users to apply for jobs, making job application processing easier and quicker for them, internet job offers still remain among the lowest offered jobs from statistics. Contrarily, networking still stands out as the most potent tool of job search for new graduates.
   
2. 
   
   
   Don't appear unprofessional
   
   Companies today have evolved higher standards for scrutinizing job applicants. An unprofessional perception created by a good candidate is sure a big negative on his or her side. Statistics graduates are expected to display high knowledge of their subject area.
   
3. 
   
   
   Don't take your job interview unserious
   
   Commonly, fresh graduates take job interviews quite unserious. This is a grave job search mistake for new graduates including statistics graduates. Many of these candidates end up spending too much time at home eventually.
   
4. 
   
   
   Don't use a generic resume
   
   A customized resume is important to display a high level of interest in the job. Most recruiters just see right through that this is just another desperate job seeker who knows little or nothing about their company when the same resume is used for different companies. Take time to study the advert and company's website before working on your resume and sending it over.
   
5. 
   
   
   Don't fail to follow up
   
   Most fresh graduates forget that it takes adequate follow-up to get a high paying job. It's not enough to send out resumes and expect a phone call, text message or email. Serious statistics graduates must hustle for great job.
   
6. 
   
   
   Don't be passive
   
   Many proactive and aggressive job seekers are out there to compete with you. To beat the competition, you must get proactive and develop powerful set of strategies.
   
7. 
   
   
   Don't misuse the internet
   
   Believe it or not, today's recruiters take their time to check your profile on social networking sites. These include your type of friends/networks, your posts and forums. When you really get serious about job search, get to your pages and remove irresponsible connections. Moreover, 'linked' is a very good networking site many new graduates overlook.
   
8. 
   
   
   Don't set your expectations too high
   
   The first year of a new graduate should be aimed at acquiring requisite skills, developing competence and learning. Setting your expectations too high can deprive you of these privileges and make you spend unnecessarily too long time looking for a huge income as a fresh graduate.
   
9. 
   
   
   Don't neglect your network
   
   No matter how little your network is, harnessing the network of your networks can really take you father than you envision and get you a great job when you least expect. As statistics graduates, take statistics of your network and get to work.
   

Finally, set your heart on God who alone can grant your heart desires in the midst of the great recession. Keep hope alive and keep trying, you never can tell how soon the great job will find you. Also, get prepared and do your best.

How to write effective Job Interview ‘Thank You letters’ after Job interview – The Basic Rules

Job interview ‘Thank You Letters’ are now known as a powerful tool to help many interview candidates secure a job even after unsuccessful job interviews. 

This is an extraordinary psychology tool that can sky rocket the interest of the interviewer in you and evoke a special consideration for you. Even when all positions are filled up, 'thank you letters' can sometimes make recruiters go out of their way to create a position for you or link you with another manager.

So, put aside the thinking that a ‘thank you letter’ is just for courtesy sake. It is actually a means to connect with your employer.

It re –emphasizes your interest in the job and can dramatically improve your chances of being employed.

Here’s a simple format to guide you in writing a effective ‘thank you’ letters:

Paragraph 1 - Thank the interviewer for the opportunity for the interview.

Paragraph 2 - Sell yourself by reminding the hiring manager of your qualifications (in a way of introducing yourself in the thank you letter). Here, you can add key information you forgot tell the interviewers during the interview.

Paragraph 3 - Express your deep interest in the job. Explain your eagerness to actually add real value. You can ease any reservations the interviewer might have expressed during the interview.

Finally, make sure you sound personal and sincere. Avoid the temptation of getting one letter for all your interviews. 

Look for tips on answering interview questions.

How to Use your “Graduation Year Book” to Boost your Chances of Getting a Job in Nigeria

Learn how to use your Class Year Book at graduation to strategically position yourself for employment opportunities as soon as you graduate.

In this time of harsh economic climate and gross unemployment among Nigerians, smart graduating students must develop new techniques of getting jobs from the few available positions. 

“Accept responsibility for your life. Know that it is you who will get you to where you want to go, no one else”

Les Brown

Little wonder, some Post Graduate students in Scotland pioneered an additional use for the ‘Graduation Year Book' to create employment opportunities for themselves’.

Many graduating students in Nigerian tertiary institutions spend time, money and effort in producing a year book to preserve memories and keep contacts of everyone in the class only.

However, you need to pay attention to how (in 2009) about 100 Post Graduate students of Project Management at Gordon Brown University, Aberdeen, Scotland produced their Yearbook with an additional capacity to market them to prospective clients.

They devoted a section for each student to sell himself in the same format as in a Curriculum Vitae (CV) and to explain what they can offer.

For many reasons, this is a wonderful innovation:

·       You never can tell whose hands the yearbook would get to.

·       Your classmates would know your other abilities outside of the classroom (not just your hobbies).

·       You now have a CV in motion.

Finally, it is best for you to get yourself ready for life after school through all the means you know. Get the word out that you are available. And then, when companies are running after you, you can choose whichever one you prefer. 

Present your Yearbook professionally and avoid writing trivial things. Remember, you are now in the Working Class.

How to Develop a Job Search Strategy (Job Hunting)

 

Carefully articulate and write a Job Search Plan and effectively follow it through in order to get a Top Job in today's competitive marketplace.

 

"No matter what you are trying to accomplish, the key to achievement is your ability to break down the task into manageable pieces and knock them off one at a time"

Jim Rohn

 

 

Where can I go & look for a Job?

Traditionally, you are supposed to submit your applications to recruitment agencies; read Newspapers for vacancies and network through your friends and families.

Additionally however, you should submit online applications.

In networking (which is estimated to provide up to 65% of available jobs), there are 4 different levels of job search:

• 
  
  
  My friends or families
  
• 
  
  
  The friend/family of my friend/family that I know
  
• 
  
  
  The friend/family of my friend/family that I don't know
  
• 
  
  
  The people introduced to me by friends/family that I don't know
  

You must have scaled these 4 categories before you can actually say you are a serious job seeker.

How can I Get Experience?

A lot of opportunities to get experience actually exist if you recognize and harness them.

1. 
   
   
   You can apply to organizations to work as an intern. An intern is normally paid less than a staff but experience cannot be bought.
   
2. 
   
   
   Work as a volunteer in an organization. Nobody would refuse a volunteer worker unless you appear unreliable.
   
3. 
   
   
   Handle projects within organizations, clubs, or association. You can always refer back to them.
   

Developing a Job Search Plan

How serious are you about getting a Top Job? Then, you have to put pen to paper and develop a job search plan. Below is an example of one.

Download a plain page for your personal use – Job Search Plan (WORD) (PDF)

MONTH	GOALS	TASKS TO COMPLETE	APPROXIMATE TIME TO COMPLETE THE TASKS	DUE DATE OR COMPLETION DATE
JANUARY Week 1	Finalize CV Get at least 3 professionals to commend it	Determine the type of CV to write Get CV templates	One week	July 9, 2010
Week 2	Write a general cover letter Get at least 4 references	Check Newspaper for the expected description of an ideal candidate for this job type Contact prospective references	5 days	July 14, 2010
Week 3

 

In closing, remember that following your strategy to the end is what gets the job.

You would likely get the job earlier than you anticipate. But then, the day you get the job, your search for job is over. So, do all you can to get a Top Job now.