Professionally Prepared: Prepare for Adulting in University

With the onslaught of the “Great Resignation”on the job market, business owners struggle to fill roles as the pandemic starts to wane. Though the cause for this recent phenomenon is debatable, it is clear that there is a seemingly insatiable market gap for employees. This seems to be a promising landscape for fresh graduates to start, but the level of experience required in postings can discourage willing candidates from applying.

Universities want to prepare their students for the best possible outcome in their future by equipping them with experience before they graduate. Cooperative education in the form of internships (whether paid or unpaid) is required in most universities to make sure that their pupils have a leg up compared to other newly-graduated competition. If you are a student who is preparing for their first co-op stint, here is a quick guide to help you get through a new chapter in your life:

1. Professional Attire

Prepare to dress for the job that you want. Investing in the right makeup brush set and clothes that can impress the hiring manager that you are serious about taking up a position in their company. Image is key to branding yourself properly so that people will perceive you in the specific way you want them to. Attitude can make or break an interview, and it should be part of your professional attire.

You could ask seniors how they dressed and painted their faces for an interview, but online tutorials can work just as well if you are too shy to approach someone. Unfortunately, formal clothes can be expensive. One workaround you can try is to borrow a formal set from a friend or a family member and return it once you can afford to buy your own. Some human resources officers are strict about the candidate’s look or the new hire because it indicates work ethic and obedience to company policies.

2. A Curriculum Vitae

To make it easier for the hiring manager to consolidate your life experience, you must prepare a curriculum vitae. For fresh graduates, this is recommended over a resume because of the limited experience they are likely to have.

The CV’s focus will be your academic experience and any jobs you might have had while studying. It might be okay to include your affiliations with clubs. You could also mention any significant roles you played in the organizations you were part of to showcase your leadership skills.

Use relevant formatting in your CV to make sure it stands out to hiring managers. You can underline or place some words in bold so that you can highlight the relevant aspects of your CV. This way, human resource officers will quickly determine if you are the candidate they are looking for when they skim your application.

Always double-check your CV to ensure that you do not have errors since it could indicate carelessness on your behalf. The clarity in your application can keep you ahead of the competition if they cannot be perceived as equally qualified candidates.

3. A Healthy Schedule

Some jobs work best for night owls, while most benefit from the common day-shift routine. Staying on top of your schedule can avoid you from falling ill or being unfocused during your work. So, it is key to condition your body well enough to withstand whatever job you might find. A healthy and functioning circadian rhythm can keep your body well-rested and effective.

However, it will take practice to develop good sleeping habits and a routine to keep you productive. Therefore, it is important to prepare mentally andphysically for the forced alarms.You could try treating your lectures as work appointments to see if you are punctual and disciplined enough to follow your assigned time. Do not be discouraged if you wake up later than you intend to; that is why you ought to practice this resiliency as early as today.

It can be daunting to start adulthood, especially when its challenges hit you all at once. But everyone began their journey to independence somewhere. Soon, it will be your turn to start working. You can try your best to be prepared, but life will always have spontaneity in its corner. The trick is to make sure that you can face whatever challenges come your way and develop the right habits discussed in this guide.