Finding a job post-graduation should be any student’s goal. However, the coronavirus pandemic changed things around. Today, students might be hesitant about finding a position and commuting to a job they’re not sure they want. With the available online technology, most students are now looking for remote jobs. However, this activity can be depressing since most online jobs are already taken.
To look at this problem objectively, students who want online jobs are unable to find the right fit for them; and those who want an in-person job are too few. In case you’re struggling with this issue as a professor, here are some ways in which you could still encourage students to find a job and start a successful career.
- Act as a true mentor
Many students look for career mentors and are unable to find the right one. You can be one of those ‘right mentors.’ Sometimes, being their professor or instructor is not enough; you must overstep your duties and show them why they can rely on you. Having someone lead the way will make a huge difference in any student’s life, according to Easy Essay CEO, Kyle Lenard. Make a difference, show them that you support them and care for them. Show them that they can rely on you. Be the mentor you’d always wanted to have. Lead by example.
- Help them understand the interview
Your first duty as a mentor should be getting your students familiarized with the interview part of the process. Some jobs might require students to do a video interview, while others might request them to be there in person. Prepare them for the interview as best as you can. You could do a mock interview and have them answer questions that could pop up during the real interview.
- Encourage outside-the-box thinking
If the traditional way doesn’t work, it means you have to start thinking outside the box. Help your students brainstorm ideas on how to look for jobs. Help them figure out what they want to work, and where. Help them reach out to various stakeholders that could help them in their journey. Teach them how important networking is and let them network as much as they can.
- Help them set realistic deadlines
You know that finding a job during the pandemic (or even after!) can be quite challenging. Be honest with your students- let them know that this process might take longer than expected right now. Help them set deadlines and set realistic goals for their career. Ask them about their future plans and shape their vision according to their objectives.
- Develop a to-do list together
Help your students come up with a productive to-do list. They must know that sitting around and waiting for a job to pop up will not do. Help them set daily goals and accomplish what they’ve set for themselves. Turn their waiting time into meaningful moments. For example, help them write a cover letter for one position while waiting to interview for the other.
- Help them set the right goals
Goals help students stay focused on the outcomes. They keep them on the right track and remind them of their wants and needs. Setting goals is therefore crucial to this whole process. Without goals, students can get lost and get no job at all, especially if they don’t have any background experience. These goals shouldn’t be complicated – they could be as simple as updating their LinkedIn profile or generating a new resume template.
- Keep them accountable
Your job is to keep your students accountable and on top of their work. However, don’t scold them or make them afraid of you. This is not the way to go. Help them understand how important being consistent is. Help them stay on course with their job search and remind them of the outcomes. We all need a reminder sometimes, don’t we?
- Be there for them no matter what
This last point is about trust. Show students that you’re there no matter what. Don’t condition your desire to help. Instead of saying ‘If you’re not getting a job in two months, I’ll quit helping you,’ say ‘We’ll be getting you a job in two months. If that doesn’t work, we’ll keep looking.’ Showing support is crucial.
Wrapping Up
If you want to help students achieve career success, you must teach them why getting a job is so important. Let them know the pros and cons and help them make a decision. In the meantime, research the best jobs for them and act as an aid to finding the right fit. As a mentor, you must instruct your students and lead them to the right path.
Author Bio: John Peterson is a dissertation help specialist with 4 years’ experience working in London magazine “Shop&buy”. He is a professional mini-tennis player, and he has written a novel “His heart”. You can find his reviews on college paper.org reviews or contact him personally on Facebook.
