We’ve racked our brains and come up with 13 suggestions for how you can prepare for the job hunt before you even graduate. Good luck!
- Figure out which doors your studies open
- Get your first job
- Build a network
- Start volunteer initiatives
- Get experience abroad
- Collect references
- Get a relevant student job
- Sign up for an internship
- Meet the companies
- Write student projects for companies
- Become an exchange student
- Attend lectures
- Join an unemployment insurance fund
1. Figure out which doors your studies open
Are you uncertain about what you can use your education for? Talk to the students in years above you or recent graduates and ask which jobs they now have. That way, you’ll get an idea of which skills you acquire through your studies and what companies can use you for.
2. Getting a first job
As a fresh student, it might be difficult to find a student job relevant to your studies. However, when applying for these jobs down the line, having experience already on your resumé can be very beneficial. This also goes for part-time jobs, desk jobs, telemarking, waiting tables, etc.
3. Build a network
Many positions are filled through networks. Building a strong network takes time, so make sure to begin right away. During your studies, you can participate in Friday Bars, committees or study groups. You should also remember to grow your network outside of your studies, such as in your dorm, soccer team or volunteer work.
Here is some advice for networking, and make sure to keep up on Facebook or LinkedIn.
4. Start volunteer initiatives
The easiest, and probably the most entertaining, way to add to your resumé is to take initiative yourself. Start a movie club with your friends, arrange excursions for your handball club, help out with managing your dorm’s finances, do work for your housing association, make a website for your uncle’s one-man-business. The possibilities are endless.
Here is advice on volunteering as a student and here are postings for volunteer work
5. Get experience abroad
Use your summer break for traveling the world. It can be done affordably and you will get experience interacting with other cultures, practical language training and a greater ability to handle unexpected situations. You can also inquire about exchange programs through your studies.
6. Collect references
One important detail is being able to document your work. So remember to collect references and recommendations from your supervisors and partners during your work, just like you should be able to document the results of your work.
7. Get a relevant student job
When you reach a certain point in your studies, where you’ve gained a sufficient amount of professional knowledge, you should apply it in practice. Therefore, you should set a goal for yourself to find a study job where you can apply your skills. It’s invaluable when you start looking for employment after graduation.
Read about the importance of having a relevant student job here and find positions relevant to your studies here.
8. Sign up for an internship
An internship is a good way to see what it’s like being a part of a workplace. It’s also a good way to apply theoretical knowledge from your studies to practical situations.
Find internships for students here
9. Meet the companies
It’s a good idea to get an overall sense of which companies could be interesting for you. The best way is to show interest as early as possible. Go to yearly career trade fairs and speak to employees or subscribe to their newsletters.
Read more about networking via career trade fairs here and find interesting workplaces here.
10. Write student projects for companies
You can use your thesis or student project as a way to enter companies. Some may have defined projects to sign up for, others can be contacted and used as a case, or you can interview employees for your project.
Get tips for your thesis and project writing here and get advice for student projects and theses here.
11. Become an exchange student
Studying abroad for a semester or two can give you international experience and language skills. It also shows that you’re able to build a new day-to-day life in a new culture.
Read about studying abroad here and look through grants for staying abroad here.
12. Attend lectures
Even before you finish your studies, you can attend lectures and courses that will help you in applying for jobs. Both trade unions, unemployment insurance funds and the career center of your place of study have good offers that can give you a leg up in applying for jobs.
13. Join an unemployment insurance fund
Don’t miss out on unemployment benefits when you graduate. Check in with your unemployment insurance fund to see what the relevant rules are. It can pay off down the line to sign up at least a year before your graduation and, in most cases, it’s free for students.
Read more about what you need to know about unemployment insurance funds as a student here.
