You’d like to work while studying? Maybe you just got your diploma but you can’t find your dream job, no matter how hard you try? We’ve been there, we’ve done that, and therefore we know how difficult this situation can be. That’s why we decided to give you some tips on how to search for a job and how to actually find one.
Resume
To find the perfect job, you’ll need the perfect resume. You can find plenty of templates on the internet but, before you start assembling your CV, you must take your work-experience into consideration. For example, an American-style CV states your experience in a reverse-chronological order, meaning: your most recent job will show at the top of your resume. This type is more suitable for experienced job seekers. If you’re a beginner, it’s better to write a skill-based, or so-called “Functional” CV, where the emphasis is more on what you’re capable of, rather than your work-experience.
It’s beneficial creating a resume in two languages right from the start: one in your mother tongue and one in English or whatever foreign language you speak, and if you’re applying to a creative position (e.g.: marketing field or graphic designer), it’s definitely worth creating a colourful and unique CV. If you haven’t heard of Canva yet, you should check it out! There are lots of stylish templates for you to choose from.
You’re ought to list your phone number, e-mail address and other contact info as well, and don’t forget to attach a motivation letter if it’s stated in the job advertisement! If you’re applying to multiple different positions, you should change up your resume according to the job description, emphasizing the skills that are relevant to that specific job. (If you’re looking for more tips on resumes, you should check out the 54th BME Job Fair’s Kalauz, where you can find a detailed description on the different types of CVs in Hungarian.)
Where to look?
Once you’re done with your resume, you should upload it to as many platforms as possible. Register to as many job portals as you can and don’t forget to create a LinkedIn profile if you’re looking more seriously into building your career! It’s important to mention that if you’re using platforms like these, the algorithm will swallow up your resume after a while, so it’s worth updating your profile, as often as you can, to stay at the top of searches.
Nowadays, many companies advertise their open positions on social media. Joining Facebook groups where people are looking for and advertising jobs can be of great advantage. In most instances, these groups are specialized in a single field, so you’re not going to run into irrelevant positions while you’re on a hunt.
Personal relationships are just as important as a good resume or searching on the internet. In the spring and autumn semesters, there are a whole lot of job fairs you can attend, where you can meet representatives from hundreds of businesses. At a job fair it’s not only you that gets to know these companies better, but they can also take a closer look at you, so it’s definitely worth preparing for the occasion. Dress accordingly and don’t forget to bring copies of your CV! (If you’d like to know more about how to prepare for a job fair, you should check out this article as well.)
Internships
Employers generally prefer if you have some work-experience right after finishing college. Therefore, applying to an internship while you’re still studying is for the best. Unfortunately, these positions are usually unpaid and only last for a couple of weeks/months. However, if you’re doing a great job as an intern, chances are, they’ll hire you as a full-time employee sooner or later.
It’s worth looking into these opportunities on the websites of different companies or universities, especially since, in order to get your diploma, most colleges in Hungary require a compulsory internship. These can be of varying length; some colleges have entire semesters dedicated to just going out there to work in your field, while some only request a couple weeks of your time.
Job interview
We’ve discussed the topic of interviews in one of our previous articles, but what’s worth highlighting is that you shouldn’t overthink it. Read your resume and study the website of the company beforehand, and you’re good to go.
Maybe you won’t succeed the first time around, but don’t be disappointed! There are countless opportunities waiting for you out there, and going to different job interviews can be a great experience, even if you fail.
Don’t give up!
Sure, nobody likes being without a job for too long. If you’ve been looking for a job for quite a while now to no avail, it’s worth looking into positions out of your field of education/diploma. Many students work in retail before finding a job suitable for them. Also, finding a job while you’re already working is much easier and way less stressful, than looking for a job while unemployed.
Keress jól! 