How to Effectively Transition from Classroom to Office
Published 3rd December, 2021
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After spending four or more years in university, thinking about entering the workforce can be scary and intimidating. Going from being a student to an employee is a huge transition, especially if this is going to be your first big job.
Once you graduate, your network of support diminishes. You no longer have counsellors, professors, and peers telling you exactly what to do in order to reach a specific outcome. This can leave many recent grads feeling lost and unsure of what steps to take.
The transition may seem overwhelming at times, but it’s also a really exciting time in your life! With these tips, you’ll master the transition from classroom to the office with ease and will be well on your way to a long and successful career.
Start Networking
Networking is one of the most powerful ways to make connections, find jobs, and advance your career. Whether this means going to networking events, arranging informational interviews, or connecting with your professors and classmates on LinkedIn, the wider you can make your network, the better.
You can also send recruiters a letter of introduction before your graduate to express your interest. For example, if you hope to find a job in sales in Toronto, sending an introductory email could help you line up some interviews before you’ve even graduated. This will help alleviate stress as the end of your academic career draws closer.
Clean Up Your Social Presence
When hiring, one of the first things recruiters or hiring managers will do is Google your name to see what comes up. Posting pictures at parties may have been ok during your university years but, companies do not want to see it.
Take some time to go through your social media accounts and delete or archive anything that you don’t want your prospective employers to see. You may also want to make any public accounts private.
Make sure your LinkedIn is up to date and start prioritizing being active on it. Your LinkedIn serves as a public resume for recruiters and hiring managers, so you want to make sure it has as much information about you as possible.
Trust the Process of the Job Hunt
It’s important to keep in mind that your first job out of school will likely not be your dream job, and that is perfectly ok. Some people can take anywhere from a few months to years before finding anything in their field, but you have to stay optimistic and trust the process.
Here are some things to keep in mind during your job hunt:
- Be prepared for people to bombard you with questions about your life post-grad and what your future holds.
- Being honest about where you’re at may even benefit you— you never know who in your personal or professional network is looking to hire or may be able to offer you some wisdom.
- Don’t compare yourself to your friends or classmates; everyone is on their own journey.
- Keep an open mind; you never know what you could end up liking.
- Have a backup plan for your career.