Finding your first job isn't easy and some people will require more time than others, this is not because you are not good enough, it is just that you haven't met the right opportunity. As a fresh graduate (like me), who hasn't done much work experience and internships, could be even more challenging. As many big firm do require some form of work experience before you could land your dream role. From me a tip would be to go for a smaller firm or internships or short term contacts to gain some experience first, getting to know what working is actually like. But sometimes in job hunting you do need a bit of luck.
My story
I came back from UK in around July when I graduated from Oxford Brookes University in 2016, I studied Accounting and Finance. At first I used some basic sites such as JobsDB and CTjobs HK, which did get me a lot of interviews, but many turned out not really the firms/environment I wanted to work in (often insurance firms). Which for me felt like they train you to become independent, then you are left on your own to find clients and meeting targets every month in order to save your job.
For me I wanted something more stable, a place where I could learn and gain experience for my dream job. I did change my roles a few times, I started back in July knowing I wanted to get into investment bank or investment related industry, which turnout and less you wanted to do insurance, you next best bet would be to work in big4's or a smaller investment bank. And often choosing you first job isn't easy, so I did also try using recruitment agents cause they would have first hand information when a new role comes out, and they will often match your interest in order to get a better success rate, cos they want you to get hired in order to get their commission. So the roles that end up at site such as JobsDB you could say are the leftover jobs from recruitment agents.
At one point in time, I did consider working in recruitment as it would allow me to gain more knowledge in the working field. I did go to a few interviews from recruitment agents, which some were really nice and they want to train you before you attend the interview.
I tried a few different industries, I tried Finance, Accounting, Investment and recruitment. To present after 6 months of job hunt, I finally land my first job working as a compliance specialist at Capco, currently working in a Compliance project assist a top-tier international bank in the "Affiliate Risk Remediation" project as a Case Manager. I have decided now that I want to work in the risk management field, so this job would suit me in that sense. (My profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-lee-27a78898/)
Summary
- Time taken for finding your first job could differ from others ranging from 1 months to 6 months.
- Try to pick a few industries, that you're interested in. (Give time to explore different options)
- Know yourself, what are you skills or talent. (Everyone is good at something)
- Keep learning (I learn to write blogs, set up YouTube channels, coding nad Investments).
- Never underestimate the power of social media (LinkedIn, Facebook, IG).
- Try recruitment agents or going for smaller firms
- Consider your own set up if working is not for you
- Few free to ask me any questions below (Will check every month).
- Oh and make sure you're on linkedin
Many thanks,
Thomas Lee
