As a result of today’s extremely competitive job market, parents need to play a greater role in supporting their sons and daughters as they search for graduate positions. This post shares some actionable career tips for parents to share with their graduates.
1. Encourage a Diverse Skill Set
Promote Continuous Learning
Encourage your graduate to pursue additional certifications, online courses, or workshops relevant to their desired field. This not only enhances their CV but also shows potential employers their commitment to personal and professional development. It is strongly advisable to encourage them to upskill digitally, as there is a demand for graduates with such skills. Some examples include learning how to code or digital marketing.
Advocate for Soft Skills
Emphasise the importance of soft skills such as communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. Many employers value these as much as technical skills. Ensure that they highlight these skills on their graduate CV in a way that demonstrates their competence to future employers.
2. Support in Building Work Experience
Suggest Internships and Volunteering
Real-world experience is invaluable. Encourage internships, volunteering, or part-time roles in their field to build their graduate CV and gain practical skills.
Many graduates leave university with very little experience under their belt. Gaining some work experience relevant to their desired field for a few months will better position them for a good graduate-level job.
Facilitate Networking
Use your networks to help your child connect with professionals in their area of interest. Your company might have some open opportunities for work experience that you might be able to help them to get. Alternatively, someone in your network might be hiring grads- you could set up an introduction.
3. Optimise the Job Search Strategy
Encourage a Targeted Job Search
Help them focus their job search on roles and industries that genuinely interest them and align with their skills, rather than applying broadly. Graduate employers are trained to identify genuine interest in a role.
Ensure that their graduate CV reflects their chosen graduate job title and that they have examples prepared in the STAR format to share in interviews to demonstrate their skills.
Leverage Alumni Networks
Urge them to connect with alumni from their university for insights, advice, and potential job leads. Many universities have platforms or events designed to facilitate these connections.
4. Prepare for the Recruitment Process
Mock Interviews
Conduct mock interviews at home to improve their confidence and answer delivery. This can also help identify areas for improvement. If you haven’t already, read our guide on how to host practice interviews with your graduate son or daughter.
CV and Cover Letter Assistance
Offer to review their CV and cover letters, ensuring they highlight their strengths, achievements, and any relevant experience effectively.
Remember, graduate employers are looking for evidence of key employability skills such as communication and teamwork. When reviewing their CV, look for quantifiable examples that demonstrate these skills.
5. Invest in Professional Help
Consider a Career Coach
Hiring a career coach can provide personalized guidance, improve job search strategies, and enhance interviewing skills.
We are the UK’s leading graduate career coaching company. We have helped over 5000 students and graduates land graduate-level jobs and boost their career development with our expert career advice.
Contact us to schedule a call with one of our coaches.
6. Foster Emotional Resilience
Maintain a Positive Environment
Keep the home environment positive and encouraging. Try not to allow career-related discussions to become heated.
Job searching can be a lengthy and often disheartening process; emotional support is crucial. Sometimes a listening ear is all they need.
Encourage a Balanced Life
Stress the importance of a balanced lifestyle that includes hobbies, exercise, and socialising to mitigate stress and maintain mental health whilst they search for a graduate job.
7. Teach Financial Responsibility
Budgeting Skills
If your graduate is living at home, this is an opportune time to teach or reinforce the importance of budgeting and financial planning. This is a skill they will use every day as a working adult, and should already have some experience doing it from university.
Saving Money
Instead of spending any money they receive, either through work or other sources, immediately, you should re-iterate how important it is to save money on a regular basis. This is so they will be more able to afford things like housing and other necessities in the future.
8. Encourage Independence
Empower Decision-Making
Encourage them to make their own job-related decisions, offering guidance rather than dictating choices. This fosters independence and confidence in their ability to navigate the job market. It is still ok to offer advice if you are asked for help, but do not push them towards the option you personally think is best for them.
Final Thoughts
While the graduate job market presents numerous challenges, actionable support from parents can significantly alleviate the burden on graduates.
When implementing these tips aim to not come across as pushy or that you are trying to take over. This journey is not always an easy one, but with resilience, hard work, the right guidance and determination, they will land a graduate job.
Featured image by SHVETS production from Pexels
;)