Things Every Recent Graduate Should Know

I graduated over 5 years ago, have sat in over 10 interviews, worked in 3 continents – I have been the most junior member of a company, I have risen to be the most senior member (the Head) of a department, I have interviewed over 40 candidates, hired over 15 candidates and fired 1 employee. I have reviewed over 25 000 CVs (yes, twenty five thousand) and coached over 20 career seekers. I have worked full-time and studied full-time simultaneously, to receive an MBA.

A lot of people graduate with great hopes about post-graduation life. While these hopes can, and hopefully will, be met – they need to realise that times have changed, and success is no longer as ‘easy’ to achieve as it was many years ago. For this reason, graduates should arm themselves with the following observations – things I was forced to learn based on experience - to prevent disappointment:


1. Getting a degree is a great achievement, but it is only the starting point. Professional qualifications, skills-enhancement training and certifications have made the labour market more competitive. The wise graduates will immediately find ways to enhance their profiles.


2. There will always be far more job seekers than jobs, and not every graduate will receive an employment offer within their first year of graduation. The wise graduates will explore (goodly) alternatives right from the start.This leads to point 3 -


3. Many graduates are in a position to create wealth for themselves, but most will not, either because they are adamant about getting a ‘suit-and-tie’ job, or because they are waiting for a huge investment to come in. The wise graduates will start what they can with the little they have.


4. University education was not primarily designed for job-finding purposes, so it baffles me when graduates think that the ONLY way forward after graduation, is to receive an employment offer. Your university degree is designed to enhance your profile, to increase your knowledge, skills and world-view – to make you more useful to yourself and to the world.


5. Graduates need a teflon-coat. The job market and the business world are both very tough, but through resilience and continued effort, success is almost guaranteed.


6. It’s not necessarily the brightest and the best that make it to the top. There are a number of factors / skills that are not taught in the university or by most career centres, but which influence career success. These include: likeability, emotional intelligence, tact, aggressiveness (but not over-aggressiveness) and continuing professional development.


7. Not every job vacancy actually exists. Some are posted by recruitment agents to build their candidate database. In our beloved country, some others are posted by scammers to exploit graduates.

8. Not every job application you make will be seen by the company (because there will be many other applications). The earlier you apply, the more likely you are to have your application seen.


9. Your physical appearance (not in terms of beauty but in terms of neatness, carriage, composure and speech) will many times influence your career more than other factors. The wise graduates will ensure that they look their best and act professionally at all times.



10. It would be unwise to look down on any job opportunities. The ‘low’ jobs are only a ladder towards a better job / career.