Tips: How to make use of the digital world to source for a job after university

Evolve from being a student to a professional with these tips for sourcing for a job by using online strategies. All you need is data and your phone/computer.

The blatant truth is, moving your way from being a student to a professional is quite not easy. Whether it is an internship or an entry-level job, the professional job market can be ruthless.

Moreover, as the ongoing pandemic marches on, many job-seekers have to stay within the confines of their homes. This ‘home-stay’ could go on for a long period of time than expected. This could in turn result in job-seekers featuring in the category of “unemployed graduates.”

However, we know you’re not a quitter and you won’t give up. So instead of just sitting at home all day & night, letting anxiety and depression set in, there are various things you can opt for.

These ‘various things’ can make you become competitive in your industry while in the confines of your home.

Here are tips/pointers that could turn things around for you during this pandemic lockdown.

DIGITAL PORTFOLIO

What is a digital portfolio?

A digital portfolio provides a distillation of an individual’s best work, typically generated over a year or a longer period of time.

In short, it is a multimedia portfolio created to showcase work that simply cannot be shown on paper.

Actually, you can make use of a premium or free domain, but generally, the free digital portfolio can work pretty well for you.

A very good example of a free domain is WordPress, which is a free blogging platform. WordPress will allow you to add your work to a blog post or several blog posts.

On the other hand, you can create an AboutMe account. It helps you create a free page.

FACEBOOK

This solely depends on what you post on Facebook. This is not restricting you from having fun your Facebook post, but it is important to remove or hide any inappropriate posts that you would not want your potential employer to see.

Facebook may help increase or decrease your chances of securing a job.

It is worthy to note that Human Resources departments often look at potential candidates’ social media profiles to get a hint of who they are. Therefore, be aware of what your profile looks like from someone else’s point of view.

Also, Facebook already created a feature that lets you see job opportunities that you apply for. All you have to do is to set up the kind of job opportunities you would like to receive daily and you are good to go!

TWITTER

Professionals use Twitter more than you think. If you’ve not created a Twitter profile yet, you should do so and follow all the companies you would love to work for.

Turn post notifications for the companies so that whenever they post a job opportunity, you will get notified.

Twitter is well known for hashtags which are a huge deal. So can search hashtags like #graduatejobs, #careers, and other related topics according to your interests.

Twitter will keep you updated with industry related news, so watch out for them and make the most of them.

LINKEDIN

LinkedIn is a social network that focuses on professional networking and career development.

Setting up a LinkedIn profile will help you connect with professionals in your field of interest(s). Also, note that you can apply for jobs through LinkedIn.

You should make sure you fill in all educational information, skills, and work experience to better your chances.

ONLINE COURSES

Many folks believe once you’ve attained a degree, that’s the end of the road.

However, as the saying goes: “The sky is just a starting point.” You don’t just relent and remain stagnant, because there’s a lot you can attain, be it another degree, or a professional certificate.

There are various online short courses that you can take, so as to learn more about your field.

These online academies Coursera, SEMrush, Udemy, and a host of them can be very useful for you.

Certain public universities in South Africa offer short online courses that are certified, and these gene