Recent youth graduates in Tonga: What is next for you?

It does not seem like long ago since you put on that cap and gown and threw your mortar board in the air; and that's because it wasn't.  Whether you are High School, Tertiary or University Graduates the rules of the game for jobseekers and graduates are the same, unless if looking for work is not an option for you.  It's been a long, hot summer, but now it's time to settle down and suss out what is next on your career horizon.  So where do you begin?  Here are our four top suggestions to get you started.

Know Your Worth

So, you have come this far.  Some of you are still undecided whether to look for a job, whether you have the ability to start your own business, or like most graduates - stay home and have a two-four years holiday! The choice is yours.  But when you first place your foot on the career ladder, it’s important to have a vision of not only what you want to do, but what you have to offer.  In order to sell yourself, you have to know exactly what you’re able to provide a company with.  Starting out on your job search this way will give you a valuable perspective – tackling it from the eye of a recruiter, rather than just considering how a job will benefit you.  Keeping this in mind when you write cover letters and applications will help you to present yourself as the missing piece that will fit in their puzzle.

Prepare Your CV

You’re a graduate now therefore you need a professional graduate CV. What is a professional graduate CV, you ask? It needs to highlight both your academic achievements and your experience. Alongside stating your degree and its classification, include the names of any modules you took which will help you in a professional scenario of the job you are looking for. It helps employers a great deal if you can give your degree some context, as it will enable them to envisage you in a specific role. When including your experience, put the most relevant first, such as any placements or voluntary roles you’ve completed. After this, include other roles you’ve had that may be less relevant.  At TYEE Career Centre we provide services for Jobseekers and Graduates tailor to fit each individual's circumstance.  Ask, and you will receive. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will open unto you. For more details you can check it out on this link: http://www.tyeetonga.org/career-centre.html

Build Your Personal and Professional Brand

​It starts within You, and how well you know yourself. A big part of promoting and selling yourself, especially as a graduate, is about building your personal brand. This will always depend heavily on the type of industry you are looking to work in. If it’s corporate, everything you present must be smart, sleek and professional. This has to ring true from your CV down to your LinkedIn profile and others. If you’re looking for a creative role, a more casual profile often suits, as long as it’s still sensible.  Also be aware of your social media profiles: their content, how visible they are and how they may portray you to a recruiter. Remember, some recruiters would ‘pre-judge’ you from what they’ve heard from others, or seen on social media and public places rather then getting to know you as a real person first. So, start acting your age and pull up your socks if you want people to take you seriously.

Expose Yourself In A Professional Manner

Exposing Yourself? ​Not like that.  As a jobseeker and a graduate, you need to make yourself and your CV as easy to find as possible. Maximise all opportunities by creating a well-maintained LinkedIn profile, running a professional Twitter account and providing your CV on various jobs that you see fit. The more exposure you obtain the better. It’s a good idea to regularly update your CV rather than just doing it once.  For jobs and assistance with your job application you can always check-in with TYEE.