Why Some of the Smartest Students Struggle to Find Jobs

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Graduation is an important milestone in every student’s life, but with a degree comes new challenges. Finding your first job can often be a serious challenge, as it’s hard to compete with more qualified professionals without experience.

It is even more difficult for students who have not yet completed their studies. In addition to the fact that it is a challenge to find a job without an education, they also face difficulties in combining work and study. Students have to complete many assignments, which is why they do not have enough time to earn money. Fortunately, professional writers can help with custom paper writing quickly. Students will have more time to work.

In this article, we will share tips on what difficulties students face when applying for a job, what qualities help in employment, and what can be done to find a job.

Where to start?

The first steps are often associated with self-analysis and setting career goals. According to research by the Strada Education Foundation, about half of recent graduates are underemployed within the first year after graduating. Therefore, advance preparation and active planning of subsequent actions are extremely important. Start by identifying your strengths, interests, and areas in which you would like to develop. A clear understanding of your desires will help you focus your efforts on finding exactly what you need.

The main difficulties of students when looking for a job

When asked what was difficult about finding a job, young people answered this way after university: firstly, it was a feeling of betrayal. Teachers teach one thing, and students face another life.

They also noted such an evil thing as an interview. Students were worried, and then they were disappointed because they met with people who “judged a book by its cover,” indifferently asking strange questions. The interview never implied feedback; the applicants felt used.

Then – such absurdity of adult life: young specialists are needed everywhere but with experience. Where do they get their experience, and what should they do? This state of expectation is when you have already sent out your resume and are waiting: you seem to be young, full of strength and desires, but you are in limbo; you do not know what to do with yourself and do not understand what to expect at all.

They betrayed, used, involved in absurdity, and even strained in anticipation. All this, of course, was unexpected, although they knew that employment for students is a rather painful event.

There are three main reasons why the smartest students struggle to find jobs:

• Lack of experience. This is probably the most common problem of all students. Employers require not only theoretical knowledge but also skills to work in real conditions. However, there is no need to be so afraid: many employers are ready to consider the candidacy of students; the main thing is to prove yourself!
• High competition. Graduates face tough competition, as hundreds of applicants with completely different levels of training can apply for one vacancy.
• Inflated expectations. Ambitious young professionals often do not realize the reality of the job search and hope to immediately find the “ideal” place. Of course, such cases happen, but you should not focus only on them.

What’s wrong? How can we make this part of students’ lives comfortable and effective?

In the EU countries, there is a student support program called Erasmus, which gives them the opportunity to work in their specialty in different countries. The monthly salary supplement for students under the program grant is from 450 to 824 euros, depending on the country and type of mobility (study or practice). In the resume and the diploma rating, work experience under it is counted as a decent, high-level internship. There, students work in the summer and earn money, and the work is not necessarily in their specialty; in general, by the time they graduate, they already have experience in contact with the working environment.

In Germany, studying at the university is free, and in England, it is significantly cheaper for local students than for foreigners.

A few words about the interview

Before inviting a candidate for an interview, companies study their resume and check for references. Usually, the contact details of the person who gave the student a reference are indicated. The interview is conducted online, with the participation of several people. In the end, they inform when to expect an answer, and they keep their word. The culture of attitude towards people and business naturally evokes respect. However, in rare cases, they can also remain silent and be rude.

What qualities help students find a job?

To compensate for the lack of experience, employers are beginning to pay special attention to other qualities of applicants, which play an equally important role in the employment process.

1. First of all, flexibility, learning ability, and digital literacy are becoming important qualities for a candidate. The willingness to quickly learn new skills and the ability to adapt to different working conditions allow you to quickly and effectively join the work process.
2. Employers highly value proactive employees who not only follow instructions but are also ready to offer new ideas and solutions. The initiative is closely related to the desire to take responsibility for the results of work, which characterizes the applicant as a valuable member of the team.
3. The ability to work in a team, negotiate with colleagues, and clearly and accurately express your thoughts helps build working relationships and contributes to the successful implementation of projects. Such skills are necessary in any profession because interaction with people is an integral part of the work process.

The ability to analyze incoming information, quickly make decisions, and find non-standard approaches to completing tasks helps not only solve current problems but also anticipate possible difficulties in the future.

How can a student find a job?

• Start looking for a job early.
• Create an attractive resume. Highlight your key skills, achievements, and participation in projects and training programs. Even the lack of experience can be compensated for by activity and a desire to develop.
• Develop skills. For example, this can be knowledge of foreign languages, proficiency in programs in demand in the profession, or the ability to work with analytical tools.
• Use job search channels. Don’t limit yourself to websites – contact university career centers, follow job postings on Facebook, and attend professional events and job fairs.
• Be persistent. Don’t despair after the first failures. Regularly update your resume, improve your skills, and continue applying for the vacancies you’re interested in.

How can a student survive rejections?

Rejections are an integral part of the professional path, especially at the beginning of a career, when each new attempt is accompanied by excitement and expectations.

Remember that each rejection is an opportunity to analyze your approach, adjust your resume, or improve your preparation for interviews. Constant self-analysis helps to develop the resilience needed in the future and turns temporary failures into a foundation for future victories.

Conclusion

Finding your first job is a difficult but important stage that lays the foundation for further professional growth. The main thing is to be active, persistent, and ready to learn. Success to you on your professional path and bold decisions in the business world!